313. Know The 411 of Podcasts and Podcasting with Rob Walch

Today, we have an awesome guest who will be sharing his knowledge on the subject of podcasting. If you are a podcaster, an aspiring one, or someone who really loves podcasting, this is for you! In this episode, we’ve got Rob Walch, the Vice President of Podcaster Relations for “Libsyn” (Liberated Syndication). Rob was inducted into the Podcasting Hall of Fame in 2016. Prior to joining Libsyn in 2007, he was President and founder of podCast411, Inc. He is also a Co-Author of the book “Tricks of the Podcasting Masters” - Que 2006, an editor’s pick as a Top 10 Reference book for 2006 by Amazon.com. Rob was listed as the 5th most influential person in podcasting according to the book “Podcasting for Dummies” – Wiley Press 2005.   To name a few, Rob has consulted on podcasting for eBay, Jack Welch, Tim Ferriss, Senator Edwards, Governor Bill Richardson, Dr. Mark Hyman, Noah Shanok (Stitcher), and the Sacramento Kings/Monarchs. He is also on the editorial board and a columnist for the Podcast Business Journal. Rob was Chair of the Education and Outreach Committee for the Association of Downloadable Media and on the committee for the IAB Podcast Metric Guidelines.  Rob started podcasting in 2004 and is the host of the award-winning podcast called, “podCast411,” where he has interviewed such prominent podcasters. Rob is also the host of Today in iOS (iPhone) Podcast, the first and largest podcast about the iPhone. the KC Startup 411 podcast covers the Kansas City Startup scene and is a co-host of “The Feed” Podcast - which is a bi-weekly podcast covering Podcasting.  Since 2004, Rob has presented at well over 100 events on the subject of podcasting and New Media. Now, on this episode of the dHarmic Evolution, we have the privilege to listen to his insights, valuable experiences, and wisdom that we can definitely learn from. We’re still in the music city of Nashville, but we’re going to dig deep into the podcasting world with Rob Walch!  More about Rob Walch If you find today’s episode appealing to you, and you want to learn more about podcasting, you can connect with Rob Walch with all the links provided below. Quotes: 08:25 “I thought it was going to be “BIG” early on. I mean, before Apple even supported it, I quit my day job and went podcasting full time. So that was April 2005, I left a six-figure income to do podcasting. Early on, I  thought this had potential to be really big.” 09:11 “Where podcasting comes into play, and the strength is it's a distraction medium. It's something you can listen to while you're doing something else – while you're walking the dog, working out, doing yard work, driving to work, to and from, at work. It's something that you can have going as a distraction, as getting your mind off of the task at hand that’s chewing up all your time. This just helps pass the day, and audio has always had that capability.” 17:44 “…when I got to that point where I wasn't worried about the recording anymore, I found it easier to concentrate more on the content of what was going on in the interview, and that helped me really find my voice.” 34:29 “I mean that's what we try to do. We try to help you get out everywhere because you never know where your show is going to take off.” 52:05 “I think everyone should podcast. Everyone has a voice. I think the biggest impediment to getting people into podcasting is always that they don't like the way their voice sounds. I just say, “Well, remember this, Gilbert Gottfried has a podcast, and if he can have a podcast, anybody can have a podcast.” Timestamps: 00:50     Introducing Rob Walch 02:44     The Genesis of Podcasting, and how Rob started in this space 06:52     Who are the influences at the beginning of podcasting? 08:10     When did Rob realize that podcasting will be big? 10:09     Did Rob have a monetization plan when he began in podcasting? 12:03     There is a lot of room for podcasters and it is a very medium niche compared to other platforms 14:37     What would Rob say to a new person who wants to get on board and start their podcast? 16:32     How long did it take for Rob to find his voice? 18:21     In a lot of interviews that he has done, is there any favorite or a really extraordinary one? 21:14     Rob talks about his take on Netflix entering into podcasting. 23:18     Monetization in podcasting – how it works, why people should know it, and what to take action on.  26:44     As a consultant, what is his take on companies stacking out on business without any profits? 33:36     The other platforms that are available in podcasting. 37:15     Who started Libsyn and how did he get affiliated with it? 39:45     How many podcasts is he currently and actively doing? 41:28     The high points of data privacy, and what it looks like without it. 47:15     What is Rob’s feeling on the future of podcasting. 50:35     How was Rob’s move to Tennessee? 53:08     Listen to “Ride On” by James Kevin O’Connor   Spotify Playlist: Did you miss the alumni artists on the dHarmic Evolution? Make sure to check out the Spotify links below so you can support these amazing talents and hear their great music. Share them with your friends, also! dHarmic Rising Stars: Aquila https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4loDaYF0OuWRjZeMXvEjK4?si=L20-loGXR9i6IW0Z_GjEnA dHarmic Rising Stars: Orion https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5CnL9tl0xbU4oDh6jtJBZx?si=ecg7eEbLQcSu1dRBDCGALg The dHarmic Evolution links: There are amazing changes on the website dharmicevolution.com so make sure you check it out and don’t forget to sign up to your favorite platform as well, so you will be updated when a new episode is released. Do you know someone who struggles with depression? Or are you also suffering from it? Please check the website dharmicevolution.com where you can find out more about, “7 Steps to Freedom”. It’s just a 30-minute read, but the strategies in there are invaluable. You can also visit our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dharmicevolution/ Opportunity for our listeners who are artists, authors, and keynote speakers! Go to the Facebook group and let the world support you! It’s a good place to post your content to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/995607857167395. Special links and Mentions: Jack Welch Tim Ferriss John Edwards Bill Richardson Mark Hyman Dave Winer Adam Curry August Trometer Sacramento Kings Quincy Jones Marco Arment Dave Mansueto Dave Chekan Elsie Escobar Connect with Rob Walch: Email:                   [email protected] Website:              https://podcast411.libsyn.com Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/podcast411 Twitter:                @podcast411 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/podcast411/