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NLev
3.0 out of 5 stars Not for beginners
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2019
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I really wanted to love this book because I love Kristin and her podcast By the Book, but I was really disappointed by how out of touch it was for people who are just starting out. Interview a bunch of producers?? I don't even know how to find ONE producer! And then that producer is supposed to do a bunch of stuff for you that if you're just starting out YOU are going to have to do but she acts like it's a given your producer is handling it. Get interviewed by podcasts? There are other examples like this where it's like I'm sure this is VERY informative for people who already have a following but I was hoping for more grassroots building up your fanbase kind of help. How do you handle finding a producer even. Anyway, she is very funny and a great writer so that aspect was enjoyable I just wish it was more helpful for those just starting out.
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AndreainOly
5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for beginning podcasters!
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2019
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I pre-ordered this book because I love Kristen Meinzer and am an avid listener of her By the Book podcast. I thought it would be a book for beginners only, but I WAS WRONG.

Still in the dreaming and scheming stage? Or clocked in over 100 episodes? Either way, this book has much to offer. For By the Book fans, it is a great behind-the-scenes peek into the making of the show. The introduction makes you feel like Kristen is wrapping you in an enormous hug and letting you know that you are OK.

Here's a "Duh, why didn't I know that?" small tip - Meinzer tells us to re-record from the beginning of a sentence when you flub a line, instead of just repeating the screwed up word...why hadn't I figured this out before? Over half the book applies to people who have existing shows, and I found the Cast It/Make It/Share It/Grow It sections incredibly helpful. It was also fun to go back and re-think our existing show (Preheated, the Baking Podcast) using the prompts and questions in the Dream It/Write It/Host It sections. Also the Diversity section is something you won't find elsewhere, and it's so important.

Other valuable aspects of the book: the template for an effective pitch email, politeness reminders, and tips to get people to respond by being persistent, yet polite and professional. Knowing that someone as successful as Kristen doesn't just snap her fingers and get a guest is super helpful.

To get the most out of this book, read it first and then listen to By the Book Episodes 97 & 98 where Kristen and Jolenta use the book to create a new podcast called We Love You (And So Can You). I don't know that I've ever heard a self-help author use THEIR OWN BOOK to do something in real life, in real time. It was such a fascinating way to learn that creating a podcast is not a linear process and taking in feedback can make your show better. Hearing the back and forth of the Steps play out in real time as they create the new show demonstrates how to take the information and apply it to an actual podcast creation.
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Rebecca Ryan
5.0 out of 5 stars Filled with practical step-by-step advice
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2019
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If you're considering this book, you're considering a podcast. And unless you're a delusional nincompoop, you want someone who'll tell you the TRUTH about your idea and how to squeeze all the best from your time and effort. Enter Kristen Meinzer, a bona fide EXPERT on all things podcast. I gobbled this book up, made highlights and dog-ears, and am re-reading it for the second time.

The book breaks podcasting into these sections:
1. Dream It - here Kristen asks good questions and tells the truth in a way that doesn't make you feel silly for not knowing.
2. Write it - Yes, you should write your show and give it structure, and Kristen's got the data to prove why
3. Host it - Should you have a co-host? Yes, yes you should and here's why...and how to handle things when you disagree
4. Cast it - Honestly, this was the part of the book that I think will help my podcast the most, long term
5. Make it - I needed to read this section; it's the part I'm most nervous about
6. Share it - You want an audience, right?
7. Grow it - The podcast isn't "over" after it's released; this is the nuts and bolts of how to make your podcast more influential

How much do I like this book? I stopped to write this review while I was fetching the link to share with others!
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DIRTY, LAZY, KETO
5.0 out of 5 stars Great advice for shaping podcast content! (not marketing, strategy, or equipment)
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2019
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As a long time listener if By the Book podcast, I was thrilled to preorder Kristen’s handbook. I had been planning the launch of my own podcast, DIRTY, LAZY, Girl and eager for your expert guidance. Your book arrived right in the middle of our launch. Mostly, your suggestions for episode content organization and how to connect with listeners reinforced our plan. We appreciated that! Clearly, we were on the right track. I understand you didn’t want to include a lot of technology or marketing explanation, as you mentioned that info could be found on blogs everywhere, but I would’ve enjoyed some more of your personal guidance over the “Getting Started” process beyond recording an episode. Everything is so overwhelming at the start, and having more direction of what steps do take after the first podcast is recorded would have been helpful. Specifically, I’d like to hear more strategic advice like how to smartly choose a company to host the podcast, how to make top performer lists for Apple, marketing suggestions, and how to incorporate advertising. The business part is something you have so much experience with, and I’d like to hear more. Most of us newbies won’t be in a position to hire a producer or join a network, so advice on running the business part of a podcast would be super helpful. Second book, maybe? Insider tips from the expert!

Your writing style is so clear and to the point. I appreciate your humor and kindness to help the reader make a great product. Overall, I felt like I was reading a warm guidebook from a well intentioned friend trying to help me shape the vision of my podcast. Thanks again and I look forward to many more books from you. Keep up the great episodes too!
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Mum of Two
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read,practical,knowledgeable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2020
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Love this book. It's easy to read and fun in style but it's also the most practical book. It leads you through the thought processes and planning requirements to make a podcast successful,right into the implementation. It has helped me to plan my podcast and I will be launching in the next couple of months. Highly recommended.
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Paolo
3.0 out of 5 stars It’s okay
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2019
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Not as in depth as it claims. I was unimpressed with the content which I could have found online. Feel cheated.
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Josepha Malone
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2020
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Excellent information and fantastic book
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Cliente de Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Lectura Interesante
Reviewed in Mexico on September 20, 2019
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He estado leyendo bastante acerca de podcast, justamente esperaba el lanzamiento de este libro al venir de alguien que ha estado en esto desde hace tiempo, una lectura bastante ligera y que te ayudará a entender como va todo este rollo del mundo de los podcast.
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Gustavo Salazar
2.0 out of 5 stars Contenido bueno, libro de dudosa procedencia.
Reviewed in Mexico on August 30, 2020
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Lo que comunica la autora es muy acertado y en general te da muy buenos consejos para comenzar a crear tu podcast. Lo que no me dejó del todo conforme es la calidad de los materiales del libro: se siente como si fuera una copia del libro original, ya que la calidad del papel y del empastado es pésima. Además, las solapas del libro vienen pegadas, cosa que jamás había visto en un libro original.
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