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Dave Jackson

Anybody But Spotify

Published about 2 months ago • 3 min read

Podcasting Observations

by Dave Jackson

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I was in a reddit group for podcasters and someone asked should they change from Buzzsprout to Spotify for Creators. For me it will always be, "Anybody but Spotify."

You're forgetting one big point. Buzzsprout (or really any host that's not Spotify) creates features that work in the open podcast system. Spotify creates features that only work in Spotify. They are looking at the Podcast name space and adding new features that can be used in all new podcast apps. Spotify makes features that only work in Spotify.

Spotify sometimes "enhances" their feature announcements. For example, I work up to the headline, "You can play music in your podcast." I sprung out of my bed and created the podcast I had waited decades to create. SPotify is sometimes referred to as the "Walled Garden"

The I found out:
The podcast would only play in the Spotify app, not the Spotify website.
The podcast would only play in the app for people who are paying for Spotify.
The podcast only only play to paying Spotify people after they approved every episode.
That's a bit different than "You can play music in your podcast."

Search for Spotify in the reddit and you'll see where they have removed shows with no warning and no appeals. When you use Spotify as THE source for your feed, that means you are shut down everywhere. You have no leverage because you're not paying them anything.

Walled Garden

My favorite "Walled Garden" moments are at podcast events. For example at Podcast Movement at Podcast Movement Buzzsprout is there answering questions and connecting with their customers. Spotify had a special room down the hall (not in the exhibit sections) and it was by appointment only. Ask any podcast consultant to name the people at Buzzsprout (Kevin, Alban, Jordan), Captivate (Danny and Mark), RSS dot com(Greg, Ben), Mike at Blubrry, I don't know anybody who can name a person at Spotify (maybe if you have 20,000 downloads an episode you might get someone's attention).

They Don't Care About You

Most podcast companies care about your and want you to be successful so you can keep paying for your hosting. Spotify hopes you are already successful so they can run ads on your show, and if you're lucky, they might let you keep some of it.

If you want to make some money with your show, use the ones built into Buzzsprout that YOU have control over. If you're audience isn't there yet, go listen to the Buzzcast as they have tons of GREAT Content. You could go listen to the podcast to help indie podcasters from Spotify called... oh wait, there isn't one.

#anybodybutspotify

My Favorite Hosts

My Favorite hosting companies are Captivate and Buzzsprout (in that order, Captivate let's you have as many shows for the same price). If you need free se Red Circle or RSS.com but keep in mind even if you go bowling, it's not free.

Hobbies Cost Money

Golf? Not free.

Walking? Probably going to buy some shoes.

If you can't afford the $20ish dollars a month for hosting, it's not that you shouldn't podcast. It may just be you shouldn't podcast now. Go use a tool like Monarch Money and get your finances in order and then come back to your podcast idea.
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Coming Soon

I'm doing a revamped version of "How to start a podcast from scrath" episode. Follow the show to get the episode the minute it’s available.

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Go Podcasting!

Dave Jackson ​
2018 Podcaster Hall of Fame Inductee
Podcast Consultant, Speaker, Author
​www.schoolofpodcasting.com
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P.O. Box 6574, Akron, OH 44312
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Dave Jackson

Podcast consultant - School of Podcasting

Dave Jackson began podcasting in 2005 and launched the School of Podcasting (schoolofpodcasting.com). He has helped hundreds of people plan, launch, and grow their podcasts. In 2018 he was inducted into the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame.

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