Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my episode not published?
Is it publishing day and you aren't seeing your episode on your favorite listening app? There is a lot to consider:
Are you sure the episode didn't publish? Here's how to check.
- Check another platform to verify, you are on several (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Play)
- If you are on a mobile app, completely close the app or force quit the app through your settings in order to force it to refresh
- If in your computer browser try using a different browser or incognito browser
- Use a different device completely, if you are on your phone, use a computer or vice versa
- Empty your cache
- Ask someone else to look it up to verify
If you find that the episode IS published, you just aren't seeing it on your personal device or browser, it is an isolated incident and we suggest taking steps to update your app or program.
If after updating you are still experiencing issues, do a simple search on Google, browse their support articles or contact the app or website's support team as we do not offer support on 3rd party platforms.
If your episode IS NOT published, please get in touch with us right away.
Blubrry
Powerpress Plugin for Wordpress
Blubrry has created a way for you to do your initial podcast setup and post your new episodes from within your Wordpress website. This is only an option for those that have a Wordpress website and does not work with any other website platform. Below are some of the benefits and drawbacks of using the Powerpress plugin.
Pros:
- Posting your show using this plugin automatically adds new episodes to your podcast feed (which goes to Apple, Spotify & other platforms) AND to your website. You do not need to post it twice (to Blubrry and your website) nor do you need to buy any other players or plugins to get the show on your website.
- Episodes are relatively easy to publish. They are published similarly to how you would publish a regular Blog Post.
Cons:
- Your podcast feed is coded into your website. If your website goes down you will not be able to publish new episodes during that period and depending on the cause of the outage your podcast feed might be interrupted as well.
- Show notes on the site and on other platforms is one in the same. If you want to add text, code, images, etc. to the website version of your show notes that you don't want displayed for listeners in Spotify or Apple, for instance, that will not be possible.
- You must take precautions when changing your site's permalinks or any URL connected to the podcast feed as it may break your feed.
Neutral:
- Episodes are Posts in the eyes of Wordpress and will be treated as such. This is neither good nor bad but it will impact how your episodes are displayed on your site. If you are not happy with how episodes display by default you will need to contact your website designer to change your theme settings in order to change how episodes display on your site.
Read more about Powerpress on Blubrry's site here: https://create.blubrry.com/resources/powerpress/
Zoom
How Do I Record
MIC OR HEADPHONES AREN’T WORKING
Check out this how-to video from Zoom. It will walk you through the whole process. Feel free to send this to your guests before their interview if you think they might need assistance.
MY GUEST CAN’T GET INTO THE MEETING
If your guest has tried multiple times but can’t get into a meeting and you know you’ve given them the correct Zoom meeting url, simply end your meeting and start a new meeting with a different meeting ID. The meeting ID is the number in your zoom link (ie. ‘1234567890’ in the following link - https://zoom.us/j/1234567890)
HOW TO GIVE MY GUEST THE MEETING ID IF I’VE ALREADY STARTED THE MEETING
You can copy & paste the meeting ID directly from the Zoom program. Click ‘Invite’ at the bottom of the meeting window then click ‘copy url’ and paste into an email to your guest.
HOW TO RECORD ON TWO SEPARATE TRACKS
In podcasting, having each speaker on a separate audio track is ideal in order to provide you with the best audio quality in the finished episodes. For a video on how to record on two separate tracks, click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16P0q06hoTVYoK6UZvZt4_okgHwSomMHX/view?usp=sharing
Podcasting Glossary
ATR-2100
This is one of the most popular mid-range microphones. It is reasonably priced and provides very good audio quality.
Acuity Scheduling
An online platform that helps streamline the process of scheduling and getting pertinent info from your potential guests. It is also great for automating scheduling and meeting/appointment reminders for your business overall. Acuity can cut back on your guest communication time by 90% and is highly recommended.
Batch recording
Purposefully scheduling multiple interviews or episode recordings in a row or on the same day. For instance if you schedule 3 interview in one day and record a solo episode before or after, that creates a month’s worth of content in just a few hours.
Blue Yeti
The Blue is the most popular high-end microphone used for podcasting, manufactured by Yeti. It provides excellent audio quality.
Companion Course
We've created an online course that accompanies the Concept to Launch or Ready Aim Fire packages that Turnkey offers. If you have one of these packages but have not received your login credentials please put in a support ticket and we will set you up with some or resent your initial invite.
Episode art
This is the square image that may accompany your individual episodes. Episode art is optional and must be at least 1400x1400 for iTunes and some other podcast platforms to utilize the image. If the image is too small or the podcaster simply chooses not to use episode art then your show art will accompany each episode instead. Info often seen on episode art include the guest’s name, the episode title and number, or even a quote or headshot of the guest.
Guest intake form
This is the form you send to your guest once they have agreed to be on the show. This form will gather all info the host might need during the interview (like the guest bio) as well as everything needed to write the show notes (like the guest’s social media links).
Intro/Outro (AKA Open/Close)
This is the audio “bumper” or clip that goes at the beginning and end of each episode. When we create your intro and outro we record your intro/outro using the script that you’ve written and lay that over the music of your choice.
iTunes
iTunes is still the biggest player in the podcasting space. As the saying goes, if you aren’t on iTunes, you don’t have a podcast. Once we receive all your launch files and get your show set up we will submit to iTunes and the other big platforms and we will send you those links as soon as your show is approved.
Podcast Host (AKA 'hosting service')
The service you pay to store your podcast data. Your host issues your RSS Feed.
Podcast Host (this is you, the show host!)
The person that is conducting the interview or is recording solo episodes for the show
Podcast Platforms
A site or service that allows you to search and listen to many different podcasts. The big 4 include iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify and they account for over 80% of all downloads of podcasts worldwide but there are many dozen platforms out there.
Pre-interview checklist
These checklists are to ensure that everything goes smoothly during your interview. The checklist includes things like turn off your computer and phone notifications and check to make sure you are using the correct microphone. We have a checklist for both the host and the guest and all hosts should be walking their guest through the checklist before pressing record for their interviews to ensure the best audio quality.
RSS feed
Your feed is a set of code that makes up your podcast. It includes your show logo, episode audio files, and other basic text information like descriptions author’s name, show website, etc. The RSS feed must be set up with your host before you can start publishing episodes. Once your feed is live and validated you can submit to iTunes.
Shared Google Folder
Each podcast has its own Google Folder where the podcast client and Turnkey team can exchange and store files and other information. The primary function of the folder is to give you a place to upload your recorded audio. If you don’t know where your Google Folder is or you are having trouble accessing it, let us know and we will assist you.
Show Notes or Show Notes Template
Show notes are the text that gets attached to your episode when it is published. Show notes often include a summary of the episode, social media or website links as well as Calls to Action that were mentioned in the episode. We have a template which has been tested over thousands of episodes and then we tailor it to your show specifically.
Show art or Show logo
This is the logo for your show. All platforms have upload requirements but most conform to the iTunes size requirements which is a square logo between 1400x1400 and 3000x3000 pixels.
Show Sheet
The Show Sheet is specific to Turnkey podcast and is not an industry term. This is where you will keep track of your episodes. The columns include episode number, date of release, show guest name or title and notes. It is your responsibility to keep this up to date by adding the guest name or title ONLY so that we know what order you would like your shows released in. Do not rearrange items in the other columns.
Tascam Recorder
This is a very high quality compact audio recorder that allows you to record on the go without a computer. It connects to your ATR-2100s easily and is the best way for you to record your show on the go without a computer.
Welcome Episode or Episode 001
This is your first episode and your chance to introduce yourself to your audience. It helps potential listeners know if a show is of interest to them and lets them know what to expect from your show. Use this episode to explain who you are, what the show is about, how often you will publish and the format of the show, to name a few.
Zap or Zapier
Zapier is a service we use to automate some of our backend processes. We create a Zap that allows us to automatically receive a copy of your guest intake forms so you don’t have to send them to us. You can use it to automate your business as well.
Zoom Meetings or Zoom.us
This meeting platform, typically used by business owners for meetings and webinars is by far the best podcast recording tool we have found. It is easy to use for both hosts and guests, allows recording on separate tracks regardless of the number of people on the call and has very reliable service and audio quality.
Zoom Recorder
This is a handheld audio recorder that is best used for recording podcasts on the go and without a computer. The Zoom recorder connects to two ATR-2100 mics for a lightweight, simple way to record high quality remote recordings