Should I Start or Join a Podcast Network?
The Ins and Outs of Podcast Networks
A podcast network is a collection of podcasts, associated to one another via production, distribution and/or monetarily. Chances are, you listen to a podcast involved in a podcast network. Today, Blubrry discusses the pros and cons of joining or starting a podcast network of your own.
Today’s Hosts: MacKenzie Bennett and Mike DellWe review the pros and cons associated to participating in a podcast network
Joining a podcast network Pros- Access to a built-in audience: joining a podcast network can give you access to a wider audience, as the network may already have an established listener base.
- Advertising and sponsorship opportunities: networks can negotiate advertising and sponsorship deals with brands that would be difficult to secure as an individual podcaster.
- Professional support: some networks offer professional support, such as sound engineering and editing services, which can improve the overall quality of your podcast.
- Cross-promotion: being part of a network means that your podcast can be cross-promoted on other shows within the network, increasing visibility and potential listenership.
- Limited creative control: joining a podcast network often means adhering to the network’s branding and editorial guidelines, which can limit creative freedom.
- Sharing revenue: networks often take a cut of revenue generated from sponsorships and advertising.
- Less independence: being part of a network means being part of a larger organization, which may come with obligations and responsibilities outside of podcasting.
- Increased revenue potential: by starting a network, you can generate revenue from multiple podcasts, rather than just one.
- Creative control: as the founder of the network, you have complete creative control over the branding and editorial guidelines of the network.
- Ability to curate content: as the network grows, you can curate the content to create a cohesive brand and target audience.
- Collaborative opportunities: by building a network, you can collaborate with other podcasters and build relationships within the industry.
- High startup costs: starting a network requires a significant investment in equipment, software, and personnel.
- Administrative work: as the founder of the network, you will be responsible for administrative tasks such as accounting, legal work, and marketing.
- No established audience: starting a network from scratch means building an audience from the ground up, which can take time and effort.
- Risk of failure: as with any opporunity, there is a risk that the network may not succeed.
Got a subject you would like us to cover on the show, Drop an email to mike@blubrry.com (audio, text, video), and we may use it. You can also post a question on the Blubrry Podcasting Facebook group.
The best place for support with any Blubrry product or service is our ticket system (https://blubrry.com/support/). Tickets give the whole team access rather than direct emails or calls.
Fill out our listener survey at surveys.blubrry.com/podcastinsider
- Schedule a one-on-one with Todd (hosting customers only). Email todd@blubrry.com
- Schedule a tech checkup with Mike (hosting customers only). Email mike@blubrry.com
- Send us your podcast sticker and a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) and we will send you a Blubrry care package.
Our mailing address: Blubrry – MacKenzie 150 E. Campus View Blvd. #180 Columbus, Ohio 43235
00:00:00,100 --> 00:00:04,800
Is what happens if a show gets really
big, cuz that could happen, you know,
2
00:00:04,980 --> 00:00:07,080
in fact, that's kinda
what you're going for.
3
00:00:07,740 --> 00:00:09,960
But what happens to the rest
of the shows on the network?
4
00:00:11,340 --> 00:00:15,320
You're listening to Podcast Insider
hosted by Mike Dell. Todd Cochran,
5
00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:20,080
and Mackenzie Bennett from the Blueberry
Team bring you weekly insights, advice,
6
00:00:20,340 --> 00:00:22,520
and insider tips and
tricks to help you start,
7
00:00:22,710 --> 00:00:24,640
grow and thrive through podcasting.
8
00:00:25,100 --> 00:00:28,520
All with the support of your team
here at Blueberry Podcasting. Welcome.
9
00:00:28,930 --> 00:00:29,763
Let's dive in.
10
00:00:31,500 --> 00:00:34,160
I'm Mackenzie Bennett, marketing
specialist here at Blueberry.
11
00:00:34,380 --> 00:00:38,160
And I'm Mike Dell, VP of Customer
Relations here at Blueberry.
12
00:00:38,830 --> 00:00:42,600
This week we're gonna talk about
networks. Should you start one,
13
00:00:42,620 --> 00:00:43,920
should you join one?
14
00:00:44,780 --> 00:00:49,560
And we'll go over some of the pros
and cons of running or being part
15
00:00:49,620 --> 00:00:50,800
of a network.
16
00:00:53,100 --> 00:00:57,800
So I think we should start off with one
of the ways that you can be part of a
17
00:00:57,800 --> 00:01:01,360
network, whether it's
running it or joining one.
18
00:01:01,940 --> 00:01:06,880
And we work with customers every day
and podcasters that are on both sides
19
00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:10,120
of this, uh, situation. So how,
20
00:01:10,190 --> 00:01:13,280
what is your experience with this
helping customers, Mike? Well.
21
00:01:13,710 --> 00:01:16,240
Some of the time with networks,
22
00:01:16,500 --> 00:01:18,880
and we'll go into some
pros and cons of course,
23
00:01:19,900 --> 00:01:21,640
but some of the time with networks is,
24
00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:26,200
you gotta be really clear how the
network is going to be organized.
25
00:01:27,250 --> 00:01:31,390
I'm part of the tech podcast
network with one of my podcasts,
26
00:01:31,390 --> 00:01:34,750
and that's a very loose
formation of a network.
27
00:01:35,020 --> 00:01:39,830
It's basically an affiliate
sort of agreement that
28
00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:42,630
we're, we're gonna be
affiliated with the network,
29
00:01:43,170 --> 00:01:47,550
but we're not run by the network and
we're not owned by a network. And, uh,
30
00:01:47,570 --> 00:01:49,550
and all that. That's, that's one way.
31
00:01:49,820 --> 00:01:53,270
There's other ways where it's
a little more formal. You know,
32
00:01:53,270 --> 00:01:55,030
someone approaches you and says, Hey,
33
00:01:55,060 --> 00:01:57,150
we'd like your show to
be part of our network,
34
00:01:57,850 --> 00:02:02,670
and as part of that we wanna share
revenue with you. We want to, you know,
35
00:02:02,810 --> 00:02:07,670
we wanna host your show on
our platform or a platform of
36
00:02:07,730 --> 00:02:10,790
our choice. And, you know, and
then there's everything in between.
37
00:02:11,290 --> 00:02:16,010
It could just be an
agreement between podcasters.
38
00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:20,890
Sometimes a network is a good idea and
sometimes it's a bad idea.
39
00:02:21,830 --> 00:02:24,690
you know, that it all
depends and, you know,
40
00:02:24,690 --> 00:02:26,850
if you're thinking about
starting a network,
41
00:02:27,670 --> 00:02:31,490
you gotta think about how you're
gonna administer that network.
42
00:02:31,870 --> 00:02:35,450
And we'll get into the weeds a
little bit here, but, you know,
43
00:02:35,450 --> 00:02:39,970
there are some benefits and there's some
negatives and there's a lot of things
44
00:02:40,110 --> 00:02:41,250
you gotta look out for.
45
00:02:41,980 --> 00:02:43,170
Absolutely. That's.
46
00:02:43,170 --> 00:02:47,250
The the biggest thing, you know, you
know, some of the benefits, uh, you know,
47
00:02:47,250 --> 00:02:48,770
you can go into that Mackenzie.
48
00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:50,490
Yeah, let's get into that.
49
00:02:50,710 --> 00:02:54,490
So one of the benefits is
that with any podcast network,
50
00:02:54,590 --> 00:02:57,690
people understand that the
shows are associated together.
51
00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:01,800
That they're all coming from
the same, you know, association,
52
00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:03,800
whatever you wanna call it.
53
00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:07,280
Whether it's something like the
Conan network where he's like, okay,
54
00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:09,760
I wanna actually start like
a media company for this.
55
00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:13,560
And it's really only like his
show or if it's a collection. Um,
56
00:03:13,580 --> 00:03:16,680
but there's just a larger audience
pool. That's the biggest one.
57
00:03:17,350 --> 00:03:21,320
Certain shows are gonna have
a bigger poll than others,
58
00:03:22,100 --> 00:03:24,080
but more likely than not,
59
00:03:24,140 --> 00:03:26,680
one of the reasons that you're doing
the network is because there's gonna be
60
00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:29,360
crossover listeners there. If
you're listening to one show,
61
00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:32,840
you're probably gonna listen to
another associated to that network.
62
00:03:33,860 --> 00:03:37,560
Yep. That's part of it. And then, you
know, of course there's cross promotion.
63
00:03:37,740 --> 00:03:39,760
You know, one of the, the rules of,
64
00:03:39,860 --> 00:03:44,480
of the network that I'm on is that
at some point in your show you say,
65
00:03:44,530 --> 00:03:47,720
we're affiliated with the tech
podcast network and, you know,
66
00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:51,760
give the network address or at least
have a, a a link on your site about it.
67
00:03:52,420 --> 00:03:56,360
That's not strictly enforced,
but you know, it's a good idea.
68
00:03:56,540 --> 00:03:59,960
And the benefit of that is, you know,
69
00:04:00,090 --> 00:04:04,980
other shows on the network may
talk about your show or may
70
00:04:04,980 --> 00:04:07,940
promote your show, maybe
run promos. There's,
71
00:04:07,940 --> 00:04:12,580
there's lots of collaborations that can
happen when you're associated with a
72
00:04:12,780 --> 00:04:13,613
network.
73
00:04:13,830 --> 00:04:16,260
Oftentimes whenever a
new show is coming out,
74
00:04:16,690 --> 00:04:19,220
they'll give you a,
75
00:04:19,980 --> 00:04:22,020
a preview play a trailer,
76
00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:26,820
or even sometimes they'll do like the
first pilot episode, they'll just,
77
00:04:26,820 --> 00:04:31,740
they'll launch that
episode on a existing r s s
78
00:04:31,940 --> 00:04:33,380
feed for a show and they'll be like,
79
00:04:33,690 --> 00:04:38,220
this is just a bonus episode of if
you're interested in this. Like,
80
00:04:38,220 --> 00:04:40,900
here it is, it's going to be its own show,
81
00:04:41,280 --> 00:04:43,940
but here's a great first
introduction to it.
82
00:04:44,250 --> 00:04:47,620
Yeah. W Wondery and Pushkin
or, or Famous for that,
83
00:04:47,620 --> 00:04:49,300
when they come out with
a new show, they'll,
84
00:04:49,370 --> 00:04:54,220
they'll put the pilot episode
or a sample episode up on
85
00:04:54,220 --> 00:04:55,780
every other feed on the network.
86
00:04:56,690 --> 00:04:59,300
It's a, it's a reliable
way to do it. Yeah.
87
00:04:59,480 --> 00:04:59,900
That's.
88
00:04:59,900 --> 00:05:00,733
Cross promotion.
89
00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:01,993
Now, you know,
90
00:05:02,060 --> 00:05:07,060
a smallie network might not
benefit as much from that as
91
00:05:07,060 --> 00:05:08,540
it would is if the,
92
00:05:08,960 --> 00:05:13,820
the host of those shows talk
about the show or maybe have the
93
00:05:13,820 --> 00:05:18,100
hosts of the new show on the
show. You know,
94
00:05:18,100 --> 00:05:21,700
there's ways to do this that,
uh, that make sense. You just.
95
00:05:21,700 --> 00:05:22,533
Gotta get creative.
96
00:05:22,970 --> 00:05:25,860
Yeah. And, and of course a
lot of, a lot of times, uh,
97
00:05:26,190 --> 00:05:30,260
group of shows will get together
so they have more advertising
98
00:05:30,810 --> 00:05:35,500
opportunities because instead of your,
instead of buying ad on one show,
99
00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:37,860
you buy an ad for the entire network,
100
00:05:38,030 --> 00:05:43,020
which is obviously going to
be more people or should be if
101
00:05:43,020 --> 00:05:46,140
it's working right. And
that's another way, uh,
102
00:05:46,170 --> 00:05:49,460
another benefit of possibly
being on a network.
103
00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:53,300
I'd say that's probably one of the most
popular reasons that people join the
104
00:05:53,300 --> 00:05:54,300
network in the first place.
105
00:05:54,890 --> 00:05:55,240
Yeah.
106
00:05:55,240 --> 00:06:00,240
And it's also a way for like-minded
podcasters to collab, you know,
107
00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:04,280
not collaborate, but, you know,
just talk amongst each other. It's,
108
00:06:05,100 --> 00:06:09,120
you know, I, I know back in the Day, tech
podcast was really famous about that,
109
00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:09,440
you know,
110
00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:14,160
someone would have a subject on their
show and then another show on the network
111
00:06:14,250 --> 00:06:19,160
would take that same subject and elaborate
on it or maybe disagree with it. And,
112
00:06:19,220 --> 00:06:22,680
and it was kind of fun
listening to, you know,
113
00:06:22,740 --> 00:06:26,400
co two or three shows
that were all reacting to
114
00:06:27,700 --> 00:06:30,440
the other shows. Mm-hmm.
on the network and, and you know,
115
00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:33,240
just depends on what your
subject matter is. You know,
116
00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:36,960
I've seen networks where we're,
we're a network and then, you know,
117
00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:38,440
and there's a show about, uh,
118
00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:42,320
knitting and there's a show about politics
and there's a show about the other
119
00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:45,880
thing, and they just
didn't fit well together.
120
00:06:46,540 --> 00:06:51,480
So I think in my personal
opinion is you want to keep it
121
00:06:51,630 --> 00:06:55,960
kind of in a genre of some sort.
Mm-hmm.
122
00:06:55,960 --> 00:07:00,640
like you can't be nbc Well, you could,
but, uh, you know, B NBC Network,
123
00:07:01,350 --> 00:07:03,160
they have shows about,
you know, they have news,
124
00:07:03,190 --> 00:07:07,520
they have dramas and comedies
and, you know, whatever, you know,
125
00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:08,920
documentaries, you know, they,
126
00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:11,880
they have the whole gamut
of stuff on their network.
127
00:07:12,260 --> 00:07:16,720
So that's not similar. But if
you're like, on discovery, well,
128
00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:19,440
at least Discovery the way it used
to be, I don't know how it is now,
129
00:07:20,500 --> 00:07:22,560
but on Discovery or History Channel,
130
00:07:22,630 --> 00:07:25,680
they always had stuff
roughly in that genre.
131
00:07:26,580 --> 00:07:29,160
And now everybody seems to
be doing reality. But, uh,
132
00:07:29,160 --> 00:07:30,600
it's a whole nother
133
00:07:30,860 --> 00:07:32,960
You could have a network
about reality show
134
00:07:34,180 --> 00:07:37,840
Yes. That's the thing. You can do
a network about whatever, but it's,
135
00:07:38,150 --> 00:07:42,280
it's gonna be more successful in
our experience if it's all related.
136
00:07:43,070 --> 00:07:46,120
Yeah, for sure. Uh, cuz you know, I,
137
00:07:46,260 --> 00:07:50,000
I'm not gonna care if I'm
interested in, you know,
138
00:07:50,040 --> 00:07:51,680
a particular political show.
139
00:07:51,780 --> 00:07:56,680
I'm not gonna care that they have a
show about knitting. Just not, you know,
140
00:07:56,900 --> 00:08:01,760
and so the benefits of the cross
promotions and collaborations and all that
141
00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:06,360
stuff, or even the larger audience
isn't really gonna happen that way in
142
00:08:06,790 --> 00:08:10,040
that type of network. But, you know,
143
00:08:10,220 --> 00:08:13,400
but there's a hundred different ways
to organize it. You know, like I said,
144
00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:17,520
we gotta have a loose affiliation.
You can have a, uh, just a,
145
00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:21,120
a basic landing page that has all
the shows on the network on it,
146
00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:25,560
kinda like a directory, you know, tech
podcast is kind of that way right now.
147
00:08:25,790 --> 00:08:27,880
It's, uh, it's, it's just a,
148
00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:31,080
a directory of tech related podcasts. Now.
149
00:08:31,500 --> 00:08:36,480
We have a really cool network tool within
our Power Press plugin that allows you
150
00:08:36,500 --> 00:08:40,880
to set up a network really,
really easy on your own website.
151
00:08:41,460 --> 00:08:46,160
And it is a great way to
kind of have the control
152
00:08:46,270 --> 00:08:50,440
over what the brand looks like from
the outside, but the functionality,
153
00:08:50,980 --> 00:08:55,920
you know, the back end of it, uh, it's
very open. Like it can have different,
154
00:08:56,180 --> 00:08:58,160
anyone can be on a
different hosting company.
155
00:08:58,690 --> 00:09:01,160
These are all the things that
you need to think of, um,
156
00:09:01,260 --> 00:09:04,880
for logistics that we'll get
into, uh, in a little bit.
157
00:09:05,140 --> 00:09:07,840
But it, there's no one way to do it.
158
00:09:08,250 --> 00:09:09,200
Right. Right. You know,
159
00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:13,760
and that tool in Power Press is basically
to make a landing page for the network
160
00:09:14,350 --> 00:09:17,680
that showcases all of the
shows on that network.
161
00:09:18,780 --> 00:09:20,000
And as Mackenzie said,
162
00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:23,960
it's really cool in the fact that not
everybody has to be hosted with blueberry
163
00:09:24,340 --> 00:09:25,173
or, you know.
164
00:09:25,540 --> 00:09:29,800
It allows for anyone to
be involved. It's great.
165
00:09:30,230 --> 00:09:34,600
Yeah. So that's really good for, you
know, a loose collaboration or, you know,
166
00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:38,520
or just making sort of a directory
of that genre of shows. Now,
167
00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:42,320
I would say, and I'm sure our, uh,
168
00:09:42,730 --> 00:09:47,280
legal counsel would also say that it's
probably not a good idea to add shows
169
00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:51,400
that don't belong to you or
have you have their permission.
170
00:09:52,300 --> 00:09:52,600
You know,
171
00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:56,680
you don't want to add just any random
show to your network landing page. You,
172
00:09:56,680 --> 00:10:00,480
you wanna make sure you have their
permission to, to have those on there.
173
00:10:01,270 --> 00:10:01,560
Yeah.
174
00:10:01,560 --> 00:10:06,520
That's a whole other situation
of assuming a show will want to
175
00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:11,000
work with you and not actually
collaborating with the
host or
176
00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:13,160
involved with the podcast. That's, um,
177
00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:16,680
I feel like that's pirating
178
00:10:17,390 --> 00:10:18,920
It's rude anyway. You know it.
179
00:10:19,190 --> 00:10:20,023
Yeah. It's rude.
180
00:10:21,190 --> 00:10:24,800
Yeah, it's a cool tool. Uh, you
know, check it out if you're, uh,
181
00:10:25,390 --> 00:10:26,240
hosting with us,
182
00:10:26,540 --> 00:10:30,880
you have to be on the pro level at
this point to use the network function,
183
00:10:31,900 --> 00:10:35,640
but it's, uh, it's kind of cool.
Uh, check out again, tech podcast,
184
00:10:36,150 --> 00:10:38,760
keep promoting tech podcasts.
I shouldn't do that, but, uh,
185
00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:43,680
tech podcast.com has that network tool
186
00:10:43,680 --> 00:10:46,680
running and that's what causes
that directory to be there.
187
00:10:49,140 --> 00:10:52,800
But there's other networking
models. Uh, we work with a,
188
00:10:52,880 --> 00:10:55,760
a network outta New Jersey that, uh,
189
00:10:56,510 --> 00:11:00,720
basically this network hosts the show, uh,
190
00:11:00,740 --> 00:11:05,080
on whatever platform that they use.
And, you know, you're pretty much,
191
00:11:05,900 --> 00:11:08,800
you sign a thing saying
you're gonna do, you know,
192
00:11:08,860 --> 00:11:12,240
an episode a week and
blah, blah, blah, you know,
193
00:11:12,300 --> 00:11:16,950
and they share revenue from their
advertising and that's the model.
194
00:11:17,170 --> 00:11:21,390
Or there's also pay to
play, which, you know,
195
00:11:21,390 --> 00:11:23,190
where if you start the network,
196
00:11:23,260 --> 00:11:27,710
they pay you to be on the network and
197
00:11:28,250 --> 00:11:30,910
you don't, you know, they do
their own advertising or whatever.
198
00:11:31,090 --> 00:11:35,910
And you could structure that any which
way you want to for sure. But, uh,
199
00:11:35,910 --> 00:11:36,450
you know,
200
00:11:36,450 --> 00:11:40,430
you gotta be a little careful if you're
joining a network that you definitely
201
00:11:40,680 --> 00:11:42,910
understand what the rules are.
202
00:11:43,180 --> 00:11:47,830
There's quite a bit of responsibility
on both ends of joining a network
203
00:11:48,090 --> 00:11:50,070
or, you know, starting the network.
204
00:11:51,680 --> 00:11:54,450
Right. You know, and there's nothing,
nothing wrong with starting a network.
205
00:11:54,460 --> 00:11:59,240
And there's nothing wrong with
any way that you wanna set it up.
206
00:12:00,020 --> 00:12:03,360
And there's nothing wrong with
joining one as long as you,
207
00:12:03,380 --> 00:12:06,560
you understand what the
rules are, what, you know,
208
00:12:06,750 --> 00:12:11,240
some of the negatives is you get a
little less creative control, you know,
209
00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:15,880
depending on the rules of the network.
Like, uh, the one I'm involved in, uh,
210
00:12:15,950 --> 00:12:18,920
they don't want, uh,
cursing on the network. Now,
211
00:12:19,180 --> 00:12:23,920
in podcasting you can curse all you
want, but with this particular network,
212
00:12:24,100 --> 00:12:28,280
one of the rules is they wanna be
family friendly, which, you know, it's,
213
00:12:28,280 --> 00:12:32,280
I guess it's reasonable. And if you
know that going in, then you know,
214
00:12:32,500 --> 00:12:36,160
go for it. But if that's not something
you can live with, that might be a,
215
00:12:36,400 --> 00:12:37,400
a deal breaker.
216
00:12:37,660 --> 00:12:38,040
You know,
217
00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:42,920
I kind of view it as similar
to living in a neighborhood
218
00:12:42,950 --> 00:12:46,440
with an HOA and
you're exactly, you're,
219
00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:50,840
you're going in with a certain set of
expectations that you have to uphold
220
00:12:51,260 --> 00:12:53,960
and work around and, you know,
221
00:12:54,010 --> 00:12:58,080
still create a product that
you're happy and proud of. And,
222
00:12:58,860 --> 00:13:01,400
and that could be something
that is, you know,
223
00:13:01,620 --> 00:13:06,560
you can make your podcast network like
legal aspects and guidelines as strict
224
00:13:06,560 --> 00:13:09,880
as you want them to be, um, or
as loose as you want them to be.
225
00:13:10,410 --> 00:13:14,600
Right. For sure. And one of the
other negatives is profit sharing.
226
00:13:15,540 --> 00:13:19,600
And it may be not a negative,
cuz you may get more that way.
227
00:13:20,150 --> 00:13:23,480
Yeah. That, that one, um, can really,
228
00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:28,280
are structured between the different
229
00:13:28,290 --> 00:13:30,320
shows. Um, whether it's, you know,
230
00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:35,080
based on downloads or ad deals or some
231
00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:39,360
type of, you know, signing bonus, that
type of thing. It really just depends.
232
00:13:39,500 --> 00:13:42,720
But in general, there will be
some type of profit sharing.
233
00:13:43,410 --> 00:13:44,480
Right. And then of course,
234
00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:48,360
you gotta think about
intellectual property and
there's a lot of legal aspects,
235
00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:50,600
which we won't dig into too deeply here,
236
00:13:50,740 --> 00:13:55,520
but make sure that you check out
what is owned by the network,
237
00:13:55,710 --> 00:14:00,120
what is owned by you, you know, because
if you're creating your own podcast,
238
00:14:01,020 --> 00:14:04,520
do you own that podcast or
when you join the network,
239
00:14:05,470 --> 00:14:09,280
does it become the property
of that network? You know,
240
00:14:09,280 --> 00:14:14,200
we've had some famous examples in the
past where somebody joined a network and
241
00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:17,040
then later wanted to leave.
Well, they could leave,
242
00:14:17,180 --> 00:14:20,040
but they didn't get their show
name, they didn't get their show.
243
00:14:20,390 --> 00:14:25,040
Unfortunately. I feel like I've
seen quite a few shows from some,
244
00:14:26,310 --> 00:14:26,940
some, you know,
245
00:14:26,940 --> 00:14:31,760
big level music platforms that
we are all familiar with that
246
00:14:31,860 --> 00:14:36,840
the podcast ends up
leaving hosts are fired or
247
00:14:37,330 --> 00:14:40,120
moved to something else. And this,
248
00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:43,960
that has been working on this show this
entire time is no longer associated to
249
00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:47,600
it whatsoever. And they really
have no legal claim to it.
250
00:14:47,660 --> 00:14:48,960
And that's just really unfortunate.
251
00:14:49,490 --> 00:14:52,640
Right. So, you know, you
just gotta be careful,
252
00:14:52,650 --> 00:14:56,760
especially if you're joining a
network that already exists mm-hmm.
253
00:14:56,800 --> 00:15:00,120
look back at their track record and see,
254
00:15:00,300 --> 00:15:03,880
you know, are they decent
when the breakup happens?
255
00:15:03,990 --> 00:15:07,880
Make sure you have that written down.
That's the thing too, is you know,
256
00:15:07,880 --> 00:15:10,160
what happens if the host wants to leave?
257
00:15:10,630 --> 00:15:12,880
What happens if the
network wants you to leave?
258
00:15:13,380 --> 00:15:14,880
Always have an exit strategy.
259
00:15:15,470 --> 00:15:15,780
Yeah.
260
00:15:15,780 --> 00:15:19,560
Or at least have it written down so you
know what's gonna happen so you don't
261
00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:21,400
have to fight over it later.
Mm-hmm.
262
00:15:21,580 --> 00:15:24,600
and that's one of the other negatives
that aren't listed here in our,
263
00:15:24,620 --> 00:15:26,120
our little pre-show notes,
264
00:15:26,980 --> 00:15:31,360
but one of the other negative aspects
is personality conflicts. I mean,
265
00:15:32,070 --> 00:15:33,840
it's just because you're, you know,
266
00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:38,000
you're podcasting in the same
genre as the rest of the network
267
00:15:38,750 --> 00:15:40,680
doesn't mean that that a you,
268
00:15:40,700 --> 00:15:43,880
you all agree on everything and b,
269
00:15:43,880 --> 00:15:46,520
there there may be some
personality conflict,
270
00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:50,840
you might just can't stand this other
person
271
00:15:51,180 --> 00:15:52,560
Or the people running the network.
272
00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:56,600
I mean, for example, like we
do a podcast about podcasting,
273
00:15:56,820 --> 00:15:59,240
but there are so many other
people that do that as well.
274
00:15:59,540 --> 00:16:03,840
But we're not gonna necessarily
work with them
275
00:16:03,980 --> 00:16:07,440
you know Yeah. We have our
own experience to share.
276
00:16:07,890 --> 00:16:10,960
We're not trying to share
someone else's with that.
277
00:16:11,630 --> 00:16:12,360
Yeah. You know,
278
00:16:12,360 --> 00:16:16,000
and then we have nothing against the
other shows that are podcasting about
279
00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:16,833
podcasts. In fact,
280
00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:21,520
I listen to most of them and
I always learn something and
281
00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:24,000
sometimes I'll, I'll contribute, you know,
282
00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:28,440
a comment or something and we get comments
from other podcasters that podcast
283
00:16:28,650 --> 00:16:31,880
about podcasts. Gosh, that's
a lot of words. You know,
284
00:16:32,020 --> 00:16:35,880
so you're not necessarily in
competition. That's the thing.
285
00:16:36,540 --> 00:16:37,360
And again,
286
00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:42,360
a network is a way to kind of
cement that deal if, you know,
287
00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:46,440
if you don't wanna be in
competition, we know that, you know,
288
00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:49,560
if you're listening to this show
about podcasting, either you're a,
289
00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:54,600
a blueberry customer or user and or
290
00:16:54,660 --> 00:16:58,600
you may, uh, just be listening to all
sorts of podcasts about podcasting.
291
00:16:58,780 --> 00:17:02,840
You know, and you, you pick that. So
we're not competing, we're not, you know,
292
00:17:02,930 --> 00:17:07,240
every day at 11 o'clock is the,
is this show? No, it's, uh,
293
00:17:07,660 --> 00:17:11,400
it comes out on Thursdays and you
listen to it when you want to.
294
00:17:12,100 --> 00:17:15,800
And you know, a person that's interested
in podcasting may listen to 10,
295
00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:20,400
12 different shows. That's
normal. And if, like,
296
00:17:20,500 --> 00:17:23,160
say you're doing a, a
network about knitting,
297
00:17:23,590 --> 00:17:27,560
well you get five or six knitting shows
and chances are somebody might listen to
298
00:17:27,560 --> 00:17:32,520
all of them on the network, which is
kind of cool. But again, just be careful.
299
00:17:33,430 --> 00:17:34,480
Yeah. I mean it's,
300
00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:39,400
it's definitely that world idea
of teaming up with your enemies,
301
00:17:39,980 --> 00:17:44,600
you know,
trying to front compete just Yeah.
302
00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:47,080
303
00:17:47,870 --> 00:17:52,160
Nothing wrong with that. That, and of
course, you know, we have some must dos,
304
00:17:52,180 --> 00:17:56,280
we kind of covered some of those already,
but carefully review any contracts,
305
00:17:56,520 --> 00:18:00,440
contract. Don't just come and oh yeah,
306
00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:03,240
I'll join and then not have
anything written down because.
307
00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:07,640
make 'em as loose as you want,
308
00:18:08,580 --> 00:18:09,520
but we would highly,
309
00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:13,960
highly recommend that you have
something legally written down. Um,
310
00:18:13,970 --> 00:18:16,960
we've had people come to
us over the years where
311
00:18:18,940 --> 00:18:23,490
there is a host breakup happening and
one of them contacts us and they're like,
312
00:18:24,090 --> 00:18:28,890
I can't get into the account, can you
help me? And we're like, I'm very sorry,
313
00:18:29,310 --> 00:18:32,610
but based on, you know, how
this account has been set up,
314
00:18:32,870 --> 00:18:36,930
we can't just hand it over
to you no matter how much
you beg and plead that type
315
00:18:36,930 --> 00:18:37,670
of stuff.
316
00:18:37,670 --> 00:18:41,210
Had a couple of 'em go to court and,
you know, once we got the court order,
317
00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:46,130
then okay, here we'll give it to
whoever I'm on the court case. But man,
318
00:18:46,130 --> 00:18:47,810
you don't wanna pay lawyers to do that.
319
00:18:48,350 --> 00:18:50,490
No. And you, you don't wanna
pay lawyers to do that.
320
00:18:50,490 --> 00:18:55,170
You don't wanna deal with the emotional
aspects of that. It's cut and dry,
321
00:18:55,220 --> 00:18:56,330
keeps it clean.
322
00:18:57,140 --> 00:18:59,570
Right, right. And then
you gotta also, you know,
323
00:18:59,630 --> 00:19:02,170
decide who's paying the hosting. You know,
324
00:19:02,170 --> 00:19:07,010
who's paying the other expenses that
the network, uh, generates, you know,
325
00:19:07,010 --> 00:19:09,770
like if you start the network,
well you figure that out.
326
00:19:09,790 --> 00:19:13,450
But if you're joining a network, also
figure that out.
327
00:19:13,590 --> 00:19:16,210
you you, you wanna know
who's responsible for what.
328
00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:18,730
Because it can go on
so many different ways.
329
00:19:18,730 --> 00:19:23,530
Like you can all be on one
website together and split the
330
00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:27,530
fees of the website maintenance
and all that comes with that.
331
00:19:27,710 --> 00:19:32,290
Or you can give them a portion of
your profit and not be in charge of
332
00:19:32,570 --> 00:19:35,570
anything and you know,
just pay your way through.
333
00:19:35,790 --> 00:19:40,450
And with the convenience of that,
it's, there's a lot of different ways.
334
00:19:41,220 --> 00:19:42,210
Right. And uh,
335
00:19:42,510 --> 00:19:47,210
of course if there's any equipment
and software involved that is
336
00:19:47,210 --> 00:19:51,370
owned by the network or are
you gonna do that? You know,
337
00:19:51,370 --> 00:19:55,370
everybody's independent for the
recording stuff and you know,
338
00:19:55,370 --> 00:19:58,970
you just have to worry about the
hosting fees. But, you know, we had a,
339
00:19:59,130 --> 00:20:03,690
a big network slash studio
kind of go out of business
340
00:20:03,690 --> 00:20:07,730
because the, uh, guy running
it kicked the bucket
341
00:20:08,830 --> 00:20:11,330
And that was a big mess because, you know,
342
00:20:11,350 --> 00:20:16,090
he owned all of the studio equipment
that all the podcasters would
343
00:20:16,190 --> 00:20:18,050
use. You know, they had a a,
344
00:20:18,130 --> 00:20:22,810
a physical location and a lot of
these podcasts didn't survive the
345
00:20:23,270 --> 00:20:28,170
the event because that studio was
no longer available and they didn't
346
00:20:28,170 --> 00:20:31,690
have any of their own stuff. So
the whole thing sort of fell apart.
347
00:20:32,310 --> 00:20:36,730
So make sure that's spelled out
who owns the equipment, who owns,
348
00:20:37,270 --> 00:20:41,290
you know, all of this stuff. You just
really gotta be careful with that.
349
00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:46,250
Yeah, same. It's the same idea
with, um, production. You know,
350
00:20:47,060 --> 00:20:47,893
the end result.
351
00:20:47,900 --> 00:20:52,200
Are you guys gonna use a company like
pro production who's they're all gonna
352
00:20:52,230 --> 00:20:55,160
edit the shows or are
you gonna edit your own?
353
00:20:55,460 --> 00:21:00,160
Are you gonna use your own microphone
that you know is this one brand but they
354
00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:02,960
actually want you to use
something different. That's
all just stuff to consider.
355
00:21:03,420 --> 00:21:07,600
But something else that we want you
to consider is the release schedules,
356
00:21:08,010 --> 00:21:09,440
especially the bigger the network,
357
00:21:10,220 --> 00:21:14,080
you can kind of be stepping on
people's toes there where you know,
358
00:21:14,080 --> 00:21:15,040
someone's like, okay,
359
00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:19,800
well we have Wednesday at this
time and we have Monday morning at
360
00:21:19,830 --> 00:21:23,560
this time and it's, you might have
to move it around a bit. You know,
361
00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:28,760
it just depends on do you wanna
make that part of what you're doing
362
00:21:28,900 --> 00:21:32,880
and like part of your marketing strategy
or are you all just kind of marketing
363
00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:35,600
on your own? Are you
working together on that?
364
00:21:35,600 --> 00:21:37,400
These are all things that you
should probably figure out.
365
00:21:37,810 --> 00:21:38,540
Right.
366
00:21:38,540 --> 00:21:40,240
Before you run into problems
367
00:21:40,310 --> 00:21:44,440
Yeah, for sure. Uh, it's
not bad, but you know,
368
00:21:44,440 --> 00:21:47,480
like say if Wondery, I just
pick on them for right now,
369
00:21:47,980 --> 00:21:51,280
say if Wondery every Monday
they drop all their shows,
370
00:21:51,550 --> 00:21:56,200
well that may not necessarily be
the best for gaining new audience
371
00:21:56,380 --> 00:22:00,200
cuz you know, if I've got 27 new
shows that I'm subscribed to,
372
00:22:00,270 --> 00:22:02,800
I'll drop on Monday. You know,
373
00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:06,600
which ones am I gonna listen to and
which ones am I gonna ignore that week?
374
00:22:07,780 --> 00:22:11,680
And you know, for a, and this, this
is more of a general podcasting thing,
375
00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:12,513
you know,
376
00:22:12,860 --> 00:22:17,560
the day that you release shouldn't
matter a lot except for you wanna
377
00:22:17,780 --> 00:22:20,760
try to be consistent. And
also if you join a network,
378
00:22:20,940 --> 00:22:25,800
you may be expected that every
Saturday you have a show and make sure
379
00:22:25,910 --> 00:22:26,960
that uh, you know,
380
00:22:26,960 --> 00:22:30,160
if you're either running a network
or you are part of a network,
381
00:22:30,310 --> 00:22:34,440
that you understand that now
you've made a commitment to a group
382
00:22:35,490 --> 00:22:40,270
or the network that you're gonna have
x number of episodes per month and
383
00:22:40,270 --> 00:22:41,590
you're gonna have them all, you know,
384
00:22:41,590 --> 00:22:46,390
come out on Saturdays or Tuesdays
or whatever day you're assigned or
385
00:22:46,420 --> 00:22:46,980
pick.
386
00:22:46,980 --> 00:22:49,030
Yeah. That can be a very
big change for some people.
387
00:22:49,650 --> 00:22:53,910
And you know, and again, commitment too
because you know, I, I remember one, uh,
388
00:22:53,910 --> 00:22:56,670
one of the guys that was
on Spotify is an exclusive,
389
00:22:57,500 --> 00:22:58,750
when he signed his contract,
390
00:22:58,810 --> 00:23:02,790
he didn't realize they didn't
allow for any vacations.
391
00:23:02,860 --> 00:23:05,350
That is difficult. That's
extremely difficult.
392
00:23:05,650 --> 00:23:07,790
He spent two years doing a,
393
00:23:07,950 --> 00:23:12,870
a daily show Monday through Friday
and they were topical shows so
394
00:23:12,870 --> 00:23:16,550
he couldn't pre-record
really. And uh, he, you know,
395
00:23:16,550 --> 00:23:21,550
he was stuck working five days a week
for the entire two years without a
396
00:23:21,680 --> 00:23:25,670
break. He was well compensated,
I have to say. But, uh,
397
00:23:27,050 --> 00:23:31,630
you know, I might take that deal
but, uh,
398
00:23:31,630 --> 00:23:36,270
you make sure that's spelled
out for sure. You know, cuz Yes.
399
00:23:36,270 --> 00:23:39,310
Never know. Said if you're gonna
start running a network, it,
400
00:23:39,310 --> 00:23:44,070
it's similar to herding cats.
That's the old adage. You know,
401
00:23:44,070 --> 00:23:45,800
everybody's got their, their own agendas.
402
00:23:45,990 --> 00:23:49,480
Everybody's got their reliability
factor, you know, it's,
403
00:23:49,540 --> 00:23:53,640
or or just like running a company.
Cuz that in a sense it is.
404
00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:56,360
I definitely view it as that.
405
00:23:57,100 --> 00:24:01,000
If you're gonna do it, take it
seriously, you know, cross your ts,
406
00:24:01,060 --> 00:24:05,000
dot your I and make sure that
everything is spelled out.
407
00:24:06,070 --> 00:24:11,040
However, you know, however you want
it, but make sure it's spelled out.
408
00:24:11,180 --> 00:24:12,720
If it's not, then, you know,
409
00:24:12,830 --> 00:24:17,760
then you get these fights and
there's nothing worse than a a feud
410
00:24:18,890 --> 00:24:23,780
amongst podcasters on a network. Like
I said, we've seen it so many times,
411
00:24:24,840 --> 00:24:25,673
you know,
412
00:24:26,160 --> 00:24:30,100
so just make sure you get it all spelled
out and it may not be right for you if
413
00:24:30,100 --> 00:24:31,740
you're a, a, a very, uh,
414
00:24:31,850 --> 00:24:36,220
independent person and you wanna control
415
00:24:36,220 --> 00:24:39,180
everything, well you just do that.
416
00:24:41,040 --> 00:24:45,260
Oh, during the network, you
know, and, and in my experience,
417
00:24:45,520 --> 00:24:49,940
and this is just, you know, from talking
to many, many, many customers and, and,
418
00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:51,820
and people in the podcasting world,
419
00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:56,380
the promises that are given
you
420
00:24:57,320 --> 00:25:01,220
are rarely exactly what happens.
Could be better, could be worse,
421
00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:06,340
but it's not, they can't guarantee
the result. They just can't.
422
00:25:06,340 --> 00:25:08,540
There's no way to guarantee success.
423
00:25:09,240 --> 00:25:13,780
And there is a boatload of
responsibility that comes with,
424
00:25:14,370 --> 00:25:17,980
with running a podcast
network. And some people are,
425
00:25:18,650 --> 00:25:21,340
they thrive at it and some
people know it's not for them.
426
00:25:21,610 --> 00:25:23,500
There's nothing wrong with that. Um,
427
00:25:23,500 --> 00:25:27,580
we just are recommending that you look
at the pros and cons, you know, these,
428
00:25:27,790 --> 00:25:29,420
these benefits that we've,
429
00:25:29,890 --> 00:25:33,660
that we've given you and just the
insight that we've had. Mike, you've,
430
00:25:33,660 --> 00:25:33,860
you know,
431
00:25:33,860 --> 00:25:37,420
you've been part of one for many years
now and we've just been involved with
432
00:25:37,660 --> 00:25:40,340
customers doing this
for a long, long time.
433
00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:42,820
So make sure you have
all your considerations.
434
00:25:43,480 --> 00:25:47,060
Yep, for sure. And, and you know, and
I've known lots of network people,
435
00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:47,500
you know,
436
00:25:47,500 --> 00:25:51,580
people that start networks and they
run them for a few years and then they
437
00:25:51,580 --> 00:25:55,980
decide they don't wanna run 'em
anymore and, and they go away.
438
00:25:56,280 --> 00:25:59,340
Mm-hmm.
necessarily a bad thing. It's, you know,
439
00:25:59,340 --> 00:26:00,780
everything has its time.
440
00:26:02,030 --> 00:26:03,410
We love seeing a network thrive.
441
00:26:03,950 --> 00:26:04,783
Oh for sure.
442
00:26:08,350 --> 00:26:13,330
Think about what happens
if one of the shows goes
443
00:26:13,380 --> 00:26:16,410
viral, for lack of a
better term. You know,
444
00:26:16,410 --> 00:26:19,290
if you get a show that
is just a super mega hit,
445
00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:22,930
what is that gonna do to the
rest of the shows on the network?
446
00:26:23,630 --> 00:26:25,730
You know, it can also go
viral for bad reasons.
447
00:26:26,010 --> 00:26:29,570
448
00:26:30,310 --> 00:26:31,850
one of the networks I was dealing with,
449
00:26:32,150 --> 00:26:37,090
one of the shows had probably 30 times
the audience as any of the other shows
450
00:26:37,110 --> 00:26:40,010
on the network. And of
course that person was,
451
00:26:40,160 --> 00:26:44,880
felt that they were being held back mm-hmm
452
00:26:46,260 --> 00:26:46,560
you know,
453
00:26:46,560 --> 00:26:51,240
they didn't have full control anymore
and they didn't have a very robust
454
00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:54,720
contract figuring, you know, figuring
out what to do. If that happens,
455
00:26:54,720 --> 00:26:58,920
that's something you may want to think
about is what happens if a show gets
456
00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:01,880
really big. Cuz that
could happen, you know,
457
00:27:02,060 --> 00:27:04,160
in fact that's kinda
what you're going for,
458
00:27:04,820 --> 00:27:07,040
but what happens to the rest
of the shows on the network?
459
00:27:08,020 --> 00:27:12,200
Cuz that person that
has this huge audience
460
00:27:12,820 --> 00:27:14,000
should be paid more.
461
00:27:14,790 --> 00:27:18,760
They're the ones bringing the most in
and so they should get the most out,
462
00:27:19,540 --> 00:27:23,650
or at least that's how I would
set it up if I was to do it.
463
00:27:23,790 --> 00:27:27,890
But I'm not gonna run a network
anytime soon. How about you Mackenzie?
464
00:27:28,510 --> 00:27:29,850
No, I don't think so.
465
00:27:30,280 --> 00:27:35,250
It's a lot of work. It's a lot of
messing around and it could be worth it.
466
00:27:35,990 --> 00:27:39,730
It really could, but I don't wanna
get into a business anytime soon.
467
00:27:39,910 --> 00:27:43,650
So
I think we got this, uh,
468
00:27:43,700 --> 00:27:48,410
horse beaten pretty well, so,
uh, do you have any final, uh,
469
00:27:48,410 --> 00:27:49,243
comments?
470
00:27:49,950 --> 00:27:51,570
No, just, uh, you know,
471
00:27:51,590 --> 00:27:55,690
do your research and look up some of your
favorite networks of your own and try
472
00:27:55,690 --> 00:27:58,210
to get it a good idea
of how those function.
473
00:27:58,350 --> 00:28:03,050
And of course if you guys have any
questions about how we can help with
474
00:28:03,810 --> 00:28:07,090
creating one or, you know, using
our tool to create a network, uh,
475
00:28:07,090 --> 00:28:08,490
just let us know.
476
00:28:09,430 --> 00:28:12,570
All right, well, we'll uh, catch
you next week with another episode.
477
00:28:13,470 --> 00:28:16,970
Thanks for joining us. Come back
next week and in the meantime,
478
00:28:17,360 --> 00:28:22,290
head to podcast insider.com. For more
information, just subscribe, share,
479
00:28:22,430 --> 00:28:23,490
and read our show notes.
480
00:28:23,940 --> 00:28:28,290
Check out the latest suite of services
and learn how blueberry can help you
481
00:28:28,730 --> 00:28:31,090
leverage your podcast.
Visit blueberry.com.
482
00:28:31,630 --> 00:28:35,970
That's blueberry without the ease
because we can't afford the ease.
Apple Podcasts
TuneIn
Deezer
Paypal