The Podcast Space
Your Podcast is more than just 'content' - it can be the most powerful tool in your business!
This show explains exactly the systems and strategies you need to implement to get there, without overwhelm. Hosted by Podcast Content Strategist and Award-Winning Marketeer, Ana Xavier, The Podcast Space is an actionable, ethical, and 'imperfect' show that will teach you how to better market your podcast!
New episodes every Wednesday.
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49. Best practices for Podcast Cover Art: strategies for professional branding, and evergreen advice for photoshoots, Yesenia Bocanegra
Get ready to discover the secrets of creating an amazing podcast cover art! Join me, and my special guest, Yesenia Bocanegra, a video podcast coach and former photographer, as we dismantle common limiting beliefs and share the real essentials of captivating cover art.
Whether you believe your face needs to be on the cover, or that all your brand colors must be represented, we’re here to set the record straight. Discover how selecting the right image, considering the balance of colors, and choosing the appropriate outfit can contribute to an eye-catching cover that truly represents your branding.
48. Super Podcast Episodes: what are they and why they matter in content strategy
What are Super Episodes, and how are those important pieces of your podcast’s content strategy?
This episode is particularly beneficial for small business owners who are looking to strike the right balance between their strategic goals and listener interests. We delve into the realm of Q&A episodes, highlight the importance of establishing authority in your field, and reveal how to decode your analytics to find those golden episodes that resonate with your audience.
47. How to read podcast analytics like a pro so you can grow your podcast
Why are we still fixating on podcast downloads when we could be decoding the complex narrative of podcast analytics for actionable results?
This episode is all about challenging these old habits and shifting the focus toward understanding trends, planning content, and converting listeners into paying customers. As your podcast content and marketing expert, I'll be guiding you through this labyrinth, sharing critical insights on how to read and apply these analytics effectively.
46. How to overcome perfectionism as a podcaster: ego vs content value
How do you free yourself from (the often self-imposed) podcast perfectionism?
How do you reframe your mindset to stop overthinking every single step of your podcast process, and actually start thriving and ENJOYING the journey?
Where do you start when you want to jump into video podcasting, or emailing your dream guest, but you can only think about how you’re not ‘qualified’ to be a podcast host?
This episode includes my own journey with ‘perfectionism’ (read high working standards), and how my journey can provide a framework for your podcast growth.
45. 3 Episode scripting techniques that lead to fewer mistakes, better inflection, and more confidence
Do you constantly trip over your words? Which forces you to be editing for hours.....
Or do you sound monotone and want to learn about how to incorporate inflection in your episodes? Maybe you just want to sound more confident in your intro…
This week’s podcast episode has the solution for you, as I’m sharing two techniques I learned at journalism school and another one I perfected during my radio days... The best part? It all comes down to how you script and align your podcast’s text!
Curious? Dive in!
44. Curating the Listener Experience to 2x Downloads
Curating the listener experience for both new and existing listeners is key to not only doubling your downloads...but also increasing listener retention. But in practical terms, what does that actually mean? In this episode, I break down the 3 strategies I’m using to grow my downloads month-on-month and to convert organic website traffic into new listeners. Get the details inside!
43. How to incorporate listener feedback on your podcast strategy, and when to ignore it
Ever wondered how to sift through the noise of listener feedback and make it work for your podcast strategy?
From understanding and applying listener feedback, to offering a fresh perspective on discerning direct and indirect feedback, to strategically aligning it with your content, and avoiding the dreaded analysis paralysis - this episode covers it all!
41 / 42 Podcast SEO: A Practical Guide to Search Engine Optimization, Show Notes, YouTube and Multimedia Content, with Sarah McDowell
If you’ve been on the internet for a hot minute, you’ve heard the term ‘SEO’ or ‘Search Engine Optimization’.
Now, you also probably heard that can leverage podcasts for their useful SEO capabilities. Whether you’re just starting, or you’re trying to improve your organic discoverability, this episode is a must-listen. SEO expert and host of The SEO Mindset Podcast Sarah McDowell shares with us a very practical guide to podcasting. It includes a breakdown of actions for podcasters who want to delve in slowly, and those who are ready to implement everything in one sitting.
And of course we’ve also covered the classic questions ‘Are transcripts really important?’, and ‘How should I structure my show notes?’
40. Avoid these common social media pitfalls as a podcaster to start seeing audience growth
Ever feel like you're lost in the noise of social media, and your podcast promo isn’t bringing in new listeners? Or worse, you publish content and it’s just… crickets?
This episode is going to completely change the way you feel about social…as it takes you through the top reasons why your social media strategy might be falling flat and hands you practical tips on how to start seeing listener growth. Learn to navigate design, branding, and engagement in the crowded social media ecosystem, and discover three weekly post ideas that will make your podcast pop! Ready to power up your podcast's social media game? Let’s go!
39. The opportunities of Latine audiences, and creating bilingual content, with Yesenia Bocanegra
Since 2020, monthly podcast listenership among US latinos increased 52%, compared to the general US population increase of just 14%! This means that there are HUGE opportunities for hosts who want to create targeted content, or that are considering adding a Spanish podcast to their catalog.
As we celebrate National Hispanic History Month, I invited bilingual podcaster, video podcast coach, educator and overall wonderful human being, Yesenia Bocanegra to discuss the ins and outs of creating content for multiple audiences. We also talked about what to consider in terms of workflow, and how to manage impostor syndrome when you’re creating content in a second language.
38. The Downside of 'Fake It Till You Make It' in Podcasting
Is ‘Fake it Until You Make it’ still good advice for podcasters in a time when most audiences crave authenticity? Whether you’re a fan of the quote or you loathe it, this episode will provide contextual information you need to be aware of if you want to become a successful podcaster.
37. The Recipe for Memorable Interviews and Shareable Content, with Kendall Breitman
“Wow what a great interview, I can't wait for it to be live to share it with my community!”
This is the sentence we all want to hear from our guests, right? That's a pretty good indicator of the energy of the interview... and the chances of making it bingeable not only for our listeners, but also our guest's community.
But what are the secrets to creating interviews that lead to great conversations... that turn into fantastic promotional resources that generate buzz online?
That's what I'm going to be talking about with my guest Kendall Breitman, a former journalist with 10 years of experience working in television and video production for places like NBC, Bloomberg News and Politico. Kendall really shared her best tips to generate incredible interviews!
36. Podcast Strategy in Action: It isn't what you think! Lori's Success Story
A successful podcast has the power to create strong, authentic connections, foster partnerships, and empower businesses. In this episode, we dive deep into the incredible journey of Lori Williams, a senior living consultant who leveraged the power of podcasting to transform her business and create a lasting impact on her community.
If you always wondered what working with a fun podcast strategist (me!) looked like, this episode’s for you!
35. 8 Skills You’ll Master Through Podcasting
Did you know you can use your podcast to ‘hack’ yourself?
Your Podcast is the best tool for personal growth and discovery. Through the years I’ve worked with podcasters from all over the world, I’ve found that there are about 8 skills that you will master when you podcast.
So have you been maximizing your podcast, or are you sleeping on these upskill?
34. A 1200% download increase and lessons from a business sabbatical
Have you heard these myths about podcast growth during sabbaticals?
Myth 1: Taking a break means losing listeners.
Myth 2: No new listeners will discover your podcast while you're away.
Myth 3: Your podcast growth will plateau during your sabbatical.
Want to know a few more myths, truths, and bombshell discoveries? Listen to this episode to get the scoop!
33. Summer Spark Series: Can you run out of things to say on your podcast?
“What if I run out of things to say on my podcast?”
“What if I create this amazing podcast project and suddenly run out of things to say?
Is this possible to have empty page syndrome? Yes, it can happen... but how do YOU avoid that happening to you? This episode includes the best that I’ve gathered while producing podcasts for the past 10+ years.
32: Summer Spark Series: 5 practical strategies to increase download numbers
If you're looking to grow your podcast's impact, increase the number of people listening to the show, or just doubling the amount of plays per listener, these 5 practical strategies to increase podcast download numbers are just what you need to grow your show.
31: Summer Spark Series: Why obsessing over creating a uniquely, perfect podcast is limiting your growth
It’s episode 3 of the Summer Spark Series and we're diving deep into a topic that's probably been on your mind: the quest for a uniquely perfect podcast / episodes. Now, don't get me wrong—striving for uniqueness is essential, but here's the catch: obsessing over it can actually hinder your podcast's growth.
But as usual, this episode includes 4 obstacles that you’ll face when you’re trying to be ‘too unique’, and the solutions for it.
30: Summer Spark Series: These 9 locations will get your podcast immediate visibility
Growing a podcast isn't the easiest thing to do...
But just like anything in life, there are multiple paths to see growth: if you have a budget for it, you can invest in ads; if you're budget wise, you can do podcast swaps, or feed drops on other creator feeds...
You can also go downtown and hold a sign... (just kidding!)
If these options sound overwhelming, I can recommend 9 places that will give your podcast immediate visibility, and that can be completed in less than one hour!
29: Summer Spark Series: How to determine if your podcast is successful
Everyone wants to have a successful show.... but about 90% of podcasters never took the time to define what successful actually means...or they're just going by what seems to be everyone else's success measure: the number of downloads you get.
You may be on the same boat - you started, but now you have no idea where you should be. You hear people stating that success if having a lot of downloads, or really famous guest…
You’re probably disappointed if you aren’t there, but this episode will completely change how you see success.