I just got back from attending Podcast Movement, a bi-annual conference where podcasters, podcast marketers, and creative professionals alike gathered to glean from each other’s wisdom and insights. The energy in the room was contagious; so much that it became so clear to me how much it just cannot be manufactured online.
1. Be vulnerable
If I took anything away, it’s how important it is to get face-to-face with your fellow industry professionals. Get unedited, get raw, get authentic. This American Life’s Ira Glass answered rapid-fire questions on stage and his vulnerability matched more of a dim-lit restaurant corner table than a keynote speaker in front of hundreds. His honest, eccentric, yet self-doubtful thoughts were refreshing. I walked away wondering, how can I share more of that – of myself – with my world?
2. Humanity; the magic touch
Industry experts shared strategies galore for podcasters making their way. To continue with the theme of human connection, the most powerful ones in my opinion were those that advised you straight up, talk to your people. One was to have a “call us to leave a voicemail” prompt in your podcast description. Having this open-door policy for your brand, no matter if you’re a podcaster, brand CMO, or producer is the connection everyone’s craving. Fatima (Quill and Cohost) shared insights on AI that struck a chord with me—she’s skeptical about using AI for scripting, emphasizing that it might limit creativity and authenticity. Instead, she advocates for using AI as a stepping stone, and taking it and running. Thresholds are crossed when you push your boundaries and get out of your comfort zone.
3. Talk to your people
Another gem was opening up one slot a week on Calendly for listeners. Over the course of a year, that’s 50 conversations that can deepen your understanding of your audience. It’s a simple yet impactful way to keep your content grounded and relevant.
4. Use your numbers the right way
Everyone’s buzzing about competitive metrics. (Here’s our framework for analyzing your podcast metrics, if you’re interested.) Using them to better serve your audience is key. If you don’t have a clear differentiator, create one! Tools like Spotify polls and live webinars with real-time feedback can help refine content segments and identify what resonates most with your audience.
5. “Creative intersection”
I remember learning in one of my Graphic Design classes about the perfect ratio of timeless to timely. This week, a speaker labeled this concept your “creative intersection”. Applying it to podcasting (or just anything outside of design) was a lightbulb moment for me. The challenge? It can’t be something you’re still figuring out. Success with this concept is about a balancing act of clarity and vision.
6. Tools for tracking
Tom Webster (Sounds Profitable) shared his advice on tracking average listen + watch time resonated with me—downloads can be misleading, but you can’t fake engagement. VidIQ was also mentioned as a game-changing tool for YouTube, offering insights that can fast-track your growth. Speakers also gave new ideas for elements for interaction like live polls, expert panel discussions, and behind-the-scenes content can make each episode more engaging and interactive.
7. This thing called imagination
And just as people were getting excited about the concept of having a video version of every episode, he pushed back on the necessity of it every time.
“The theater of the mind is the greatest stage.” He continued, “It may not always serve your content better than audio would alone,” encouraging podcasters to really analyze what they’re putting out there and how their audience absorbs it.
8. Left inspired
If I was walking into this conference expecting anything, it was more podcasts to listen to. I attended a session on 5 examples of brand podcasts who are killing it, essentially. We got to listen to clips of these in our fancy headphones we wore for each session – and to get to pause and immerse myself in the magic of what these brands have produced – was one of my favorite moments from the whole week. Dior’s “Dior Tales” uses family-friendly whimsical storytelling with sound effects of nature to elevate its legacy, while Trader Joe’s “Inside Trader Joe’s” podcast gives a BTS of what’s to be on the shelves. It was a 30-minute session in leveraging content to create deeper connections, but I walked away with a nostalgic desire to listen to a story before I fall asleep that night, a record-breaking shopping list, and most of all, a newfound appreciation for Dior and Trader Joe’s.
9. We’re all still learning
Tom shared some breakthrough moments with us uncovering what “we’re all still learning”. For instance, when he brought up that the podcast industry still hasn’t nailed down what happens when a listener finishes an episode, the audience (podcasters, industry professionals) gave nods, gasps, and snaps. He explained that it’s a gap that offers a huge opportunity—how can we “hack the queue” like YouTube does?
10. But have made progress, too
It was encouraging and exciting to hear things we’re already doing, too. Everyone’s always talking about advertising and always has a new idea for how to do it better. A lot of speakers this week stripped it down to human connection. It’s not just about promoting a product; it’s about associating your brand leaders with the right values and conversations. Honestly, this is Share Your Genius’ podium, and made me proud and excited to work with a team so passionate about the right things.
Now, time to dive into Tom Webster’s book, The Audience is Listening, but not without lengthening my podcast queue. After all, education can come in many forms, but emotion—that’s something only a podcast can truly deliver.
