Big Podcast

Grow Your Podcast Audience, Build Listener Loyalty, and Get Everybody Talking About Your Show

By: David Hooper

Narrated by: David Hooper

Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

Is it worth doing a podcast if nobody listens? It's not.

You started your podcast because you want to spread an important message, share your passion, and make money.

But your podcast hasn’t quite taken off like you thought it would.

What happened?

This book is for podcasters who can’t quite figure out what they’re doing wrong (and are ready to do things right).

You’ll learn:

• Why your “natural personality” may be repelling people and how to make it attract listeners to your podcast like a magnet
• What to do when a company tries to “lowball” you on advertising fees (Do nothing, except send them the email in the sponsorship chapter.)
• It’s easy to screw up an interview. To be sure you don’t run into any problems, use my “guest contract”.
• A six-word “trick” (learned from a 20-year radio veteran) that will instantly make you a better host
• Nine reasons to kill an interview before it happens – ignore these “red flags” and you’ll be sorry.
• What Victoria’s Secret models know about podcasting (even though you never hear them talk)
• Nervous on the mic? You have lots of company – 75 percent of podcasters to be exact. I give you a 5-step way to cure your “stage fright”.
• If you’re scared of getting bad reviews, don’t worry – I have three simple ways to handle critics (two of which can turn critics into fans).
• Why copying top podcasters may be killing your podcast and how to develop a podcasting style that works for you (and will attract more listeners)
• My three-step “episode teaser” formula – it’s boring, but it works.
• Thinking of doing a “daily” podcast? You must listen to my advice on this first.
• Want to impress a guest? You'll learn my three-step follow up “ritual” that will make being on your podcast unforgettable (and encourage guests to promote your episodes)
• And that’s just the start....

You'll also get a free downloadable "Big Podcast Toolkit" with podcast episode templates, social media cheat sheet, a guest contract, and more to help you grow your podcast!

©2019, 2020 BigPodcast.com (P)2020 BigPodcast.com

Something for EVERY podcaster

I have been podcasting since 2013 and listened to this book 2 full times before writing this review. There is something for all of us in this book. Newbie, veteran, solo host, interview based, even co-hosting. Lots to learn from in here.

The One Stop Shop For Podcasting

I own the paperback and audio version of this book. As a paperback, it can double as a weapon.

This is not someone who jumped on the podcast bandwagon and had a bunch of virtual assistants assemble some articles into a book. This is great advice, great strategies from someone who is doing it and doing it well.

This is a great mix of storytelling (based on Dave's history in marketing) and spot-on advice. Dave doesn't pull any punches and lets you know it all starts with figuring out who your audience is and then giving it to them.

He helps you avoid any of the common podcast mistakes. Dave points out that when you first start recording you don't have to release everything (a mistake many "not ready for prime time" podcaster make).

This book can be used to help you launch a podcast, Dave's experience in marketing can help the established podcaster think outside the box and engage their audience and create a steady stream of word of mouth testimonials that will get everyone scrambling to listen to your next episode (so established podcasters can use it to GROW their audience).

His years of interviewing musicians enables Dave to deliver first-hand knowledge on creating compelling interviews.

The bonus content in the audiobook is a nice addition for those (like me) who have the paperback.

By far the best book about Podcasting!

Hooper nailed it with Big Podcast. And just like his own podcasts, he uses unique (and amusing) stories to illustrate his main points. This book was both valuable and fun - something that’s sorely missing from most How-to Podcast material.

a lot an ideas

I'm a podcaster already and it give me some perspectives that I didn't think about it before

thanks for the tips and the resources

Comprehensive guide on podcasting

I downloaded the audiobook version of this book, and it was a very engaging read. Kept my attention with the narration. Very comprehensive, and answered many of the questions I have/had about podcasting. I plan on starting a podcast myself so this was a great guide for a newbie like myself.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Great companion to printed title

I bought the book some time ago and keep it nearby for reference. It's great, but in the audiobook -- especially the first few chapters -- it really focuses my thinking about podcasting in a way that quickly reading a large book did not.

In the first hour I got lots of great ideas that I missed from the book and that understanding of where the author is coming from really helped frame the rest of the content. The bonus chapter available only in the audiobook is of tremendous value, especially once the reader shares a mindset with the author.

My only downgrade is that it is a huge undertaking to absorb this much material as an audiobook. It might have been better as a series of thematic books that built upon one another rather than one long tome. Nevertheless, the chapters are easily navigated and one can take what they need from it as they need it.

It's a must have reference, but take your time at the beginning and get to understand what the author is about and DON'T jump to the bonus chapter before absorbing the spirit of the book. You'll rob yourself of some important advice.

Couldn't get through it

Admittedly, this book is intended for those who see their podcast as part of their business, or who hope to turn their podcast into a business. I don't have a problem with that. But early on, the author is rather dismissive of hobby podcasters. Apparently because the author does not see them as being serious about podcasting—seemingly because they are not looking to turn their podcast into a business. It's fine that his book is not addressed to them, but it was unnecessary, pointless and somewhat offensive to be dismissive of them simply for that (and apparently no other) reason.

Beyond that, the book tended to be repetitious. Points he quite sufficiently made in one chapter are then made all over again in later chapters. It's almost as if this was not written to be a coherent book, but is merely a collection of blog posts or articles thrown together as a book. Repeating information and points that had already been sufficiantly made as if they were new information would make some sense for blogs and articles since one could not be certain that the reader had read those other blog posts or articles. But in a book, where presumably the reader starts at the beginning and progresses to the end in an orderly fashion, it is unnecessary, annoying and boring.

I'm sure David Hooper is a skilled marketer. Unfortunately for the reader, being a skilled marketer does not necessarily make one a skilled author. This book proves that point.

The money book for creating a podcast!

I am in the beginning stages of starting a podcast that I would very much like to be successful. So, I set out on a learning journey to gain as much knowledge as I possibly could, find as many resources as well as any tips tricks or hidden gems in the podcasting world. I’ve read 10. Yes 10 how to create your own podcast books and even completed the 50 day plan for creating a podcast. None of those books or resources come close to the detailed amount of information in this book! If you are serious and I mean serious about starting a podcast start with this book. This book will give you all the resources, information and sound (no pun intended) advice on how to make your podcast great. If it sounds like a lot of work after you’re done reading it, it is. Nothing in life is easy and if you want to be successful put in the work and if you want a successful podcast listen to David Hooper.

Excellent information

Very insightful and thorough. I will listen to it again. it's a lot of information and I want to apply these strategies according to his layout. thanks for the valuable information.

Best book on podcasting

I have now listened to 3 books on podcasting and read on paper an additional one and this is the best by far!

The author is also a great narrator of this audiobook!

Loved it! Thanks!