Streamlined Podcaster: Tips to Help Solo Podcasters Save Time and Create Great Content

With Pete Davidson launching a new "podcast" on Netflix that is neither distributed anywhere else, nor available in audio-only, a new debate has ignited around what even is a podcast. Some will argue that a podcast needs to at least have an audio-only version. Some will say it needs an RSS feed to qualify. But I think the answer is something else, and it has to do with engagement. As I consider my own content strategy, here's where I'm drawing the line between what goes on YouTube, and what goes on my podcast. What do you think? Let me know at https://streamlinedfeedback.com Interested in starting a podcast? Get free hosting at https://rss.com/?via=joe-newsletter

Solo podcasts are the way to go in 2026, for a lot of reasons. You control the full narrative. They are easier to produce. You can be authentic. And you can solve a very specific problem. But lots of people are uncomfortable recording solo episodes. So here are 3 tips to help you do it better. Do this, and you'll have great, helpful, focused solo episodes. What do you think? Let me know at https://streamlinedfeedback.com. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RSS.com: https://rss.com/?via=joe-newsletter

What should podcasters focus on in 2026? And how will that affect your recording and editing process moving forward? In this episode I'll cover the 2 biggest pieces of advice I've been hearing: What do you think? Let me know at https://streamlinedfeedback.com Check out RSS.com for free podcast hosting: https://rss.com/?via=joe-newsletter

RSS.com has released their Free Local and Nice podcast hosting plan, and it's a truly free plan that doesn't limit you based on uploads, hours of content, or duration of episode in feed. It's a fantastic development for people who want to start a podcast with a little bit less risk. Here's what it means for you. Learn more at https://joec.pro/rss (affiliate link) *Disclosure: I am an evangelist for RSS.com, However, they did not ask me to create this episode; I think it's a truly great think for podcasters.

The Independent Podcaster Report 2025 by The Podcast Host is out now. I break down my favorite parts, and offer strong opinions on making money, video, and AI. Unsurprisingly, many (about 30%) feel time starved and worry about burnout...but does AI help prevent that? Not necessarily. View the Report: https://alitu.com/creator/content-creation/the-independent-podcaster-report-2025/ Check out RSS.com for podcast hosting: https://rss.com/?via=joe-newsletter

Something I hear far too often from podcasters is, "Well it's just a hobby, so I don't want to spend money." Imagine taking that approach with nearly any other hobby. As my friend Brian says, the only free hobbies are in nature, or at the library (and even there, you probably pay taxes to support the library). The point is, if you're even remotely serious about your podcast, you need to invest in it...even if you call it a hobby. In today's episode, I tell you why, and where to start

Sometimes the simplest ideas create the biggest impact. A voice notes podcast — literally you talking into your phone for a few minutes — can deepen relationships with your audience, build trust, and even drive sales. I first started mine as a lead magnet, but realized the off-the-cuff episodes were connecting more than the polished ones. Turns out, your audience doesn’t always want perfect — they want real. In this episode, I break down why these short, raw audio episodes work so well, how to record them without overthinking, and what you actually need to launch one today (hint: just your phone and five spare minutes). Takeaways voice notes podcast Links Build With BeckyStreamlined SolopreneurRSS.com

I'm starting to wonder if a host/co-host format is actually the best format for a podcast. I’ve been listening to a lot of different podcasts lately—rewatch shows, comedy shows, tech shows—and one thing keeps standing out: good banter makes a podcast worth coming back to. But here’s the catch…banter only works when it supports the mission of the show. Get it right, and you create a bond with your audience. Get it wrong, and your listeners tune out.

Ever feel like your business eats up every free moment? The truth is, you don’t need Taylor Swift-level fame or Hormozi-style hype to succeed. What you actually need is space—room to create, promote, and step away without guilt. Like this episode? Subscribe to Streamlined Solopreneur too. That’s why I use the GAPS framework: Gear, Automations, Playbooks, and Support. It’s the system that helped me reclaim 10–12 hours a week, even during one of the busiest summers of my life. In this episode, I break down how you can use GAPS to stop fighting with your tools, cut the manual busywork, and finally get your time back. Top Takeaways knowing your audience, creating for them, promoting, and experimenting.finding the time to do it.Gear:Automations:Playbooks:Support:Show Notes Watch on YouTubeOverwhelm QuizRiversideRSS.comTella.tvEcamm LiveZapierNotionSamson Q2U Microphone

Are you making your podcast guests do your work for you? Too many hosts fall into bad habits that frustrate guests and make their shows look unprofessional. Here are three common mistakes to avoid — and what to do instead. If you want to create a better guest experience and produce content your audience actually enjoys, this will help you cut the clutter and focus on what matters. Top Takeaways Want to learn how to make real improvements to your podcast process? Take the Overwhelm Quiz at https://streamlined.fm/overwhelm Looking for great podcast hosting built for podcasters? Check out RSS.com

Many podcasters start with the hope that downloads and sponsors will magically appear — but if you want your show to make money, you need more than wishful thinking. This episode walks through the three essential “I’s” to transform a podcast from a casual hobby into a revenue-generating asset: IntentionInvestmentIteratipon Podcast hosted by RSS.com Description written by ChatGPT based on the transcript

Monetization is a super common problem for many podcasters. Most think they'll start a podcast, get a bunch of downloads, and sponsors will come looking for them. That is almost never the case — nor is it the case that sponsorship is the only option. And what I LOVE sponsorship. After all, I'm a sponsorship coach for my friend Justin, and RSS.com, for whom I'm the evangelist, just launched our PAID feature to make ads easier than ever. But depending on the goal of your podcast, you might seek other monetization paths. That's why I came up with the CAMPS framework: Listen to learn more! Read the full article here: CAMPS: Updating the Podcast Monetization Framework Also check out: RSS.com to learn about PAIDWizard's Guild

Hot take: If you're not wearing headphones while podcasting in 2025, you're doing it wrong. I don't care how good Riverside's echo cancellation is or what magic AI audio cleanup you're using - I will literally refuse to record with guests who won't wear headphones. In this episode, I explain why "fixing it in post" with apps like Descript and Adobe Podcast AI is actually making your audio WORSE, not better. I've been on shows where my studio-quality audio gets destroyed by automated filters that were never needed in the first place. The truth is, these AI audio tools make assumptions about your recording environment and apply blanket fixes that can create weird artifacts, dropped sounds, and unpredictable results. When you wear headphones, you get clean, "unopinionated" audio that gives you or your editor full control over the final sound. 🎙️ What you'll learn: 🎧 Are you team headphones or team "the software will fix it"? Let me know at streamlinedfeedback.com!

Have you ever been invited on a podcast only for it to be turned into a sales call? Yeah, me too. And it's getting worse. In this episode, I break down the sneaky tactics some "podcasters" use to get you on what they claim is an interview, but is really just a thinly veiled attempt to pitch you their services. From deleting your episode when you refuse to buy, to publishing 5 episodes a day with bathroom-quality audio, these red flags are easier to spot once you know what to look for. I'll share real examples from my own experience (including the guy who pitched me SEO services right after asking "did you have fun today?") and give you the exact questions I ask to weed out these fake opportunities before wasting your time. 🎯 Major red flags covered: 💡 Bonus tips from the community: See the LinkedIn post 🤔 Ever been bamboozled by a fake podcast invite? Share your story at streamlinedfeedback.com!

Remember Van Halen's famous "no brown M&Ms" rider clause? It wasn't because they were divas - it was a genius test to make sure venues actually read their contract. I've borrowed this concept to create my own screening system for podcast guest pitches. With 4-8 pitches hitting my inbox daily (and most being AI-generated garbage), I needed a better way to separate serious guests from spray-and-pray agencies. In this episode, I share the exact screening question I use that instantly reveals whether someone actually researched my show or just copy-pasted a ChatGPT template. I'll also share some real examples of terrible pitches I've received (spoiler: one agency sent me the SAME pitch twice for different shows), plus the simple criteria that save me hours each week in pitch evaluation. What you'll learn: Read the full article What's your "Brown M&Ms test"? Share it at streamlinedfeedback.com

Remember the alien in Men in Black asking for "sugar in water"? That's exactly what AI-generated podcast pitches sound like - almost human, but missing something fundamentally authentic. As someone who receives dozens of guest pitches, I'm seeing a disturbing trend: more people are using ChatGPT to write their outreach, and it's backfiring spectacularly. From generic "hope this email finds you well" openings to completely irrelevant topic suggestions, AI pitches are easier to spot (and delete) than ever. In this episode, I break down why AI pitches fail so badly, share some cringe-worthy real examples I've received, and give you a proven template for crafting pitches that actually get responses. Plus, I'll tell you about the one pitch that was so good it led to an amazing interview. What you'll learn: Read the full article Have pitch horror stories to share? Send them to streamlinedfeedback.com

With AI-powered apps like Sonar promising to give you "just the highlights" from podcasts, and services like Blinkist condensing books into summaries, I'm asking the hard question: Are we missing the point of content consumption entirely? In this episode, I dive into why I think these summary services fundamentally misunderstand what makes content valuable. Spoiler: It's not just about the facts - it's about the personality, perspective, and promise that creators bring to their work. I share my thoughts on why most business books are fluff, why many podcasts are "meandering unstructured messes," and what separates great content (like "Sponsor Magnet" by Justin Moore and "The Rest is History" podcast) from the forgettable stuff. Read the full article Featured in this episode: What's your take on AI summarization tools? Let me know at streamlinedfeedback.com

After 9 years of podcasting and approaching 500 episodes, I'm sharing my honest thoughts on whether episode numbers actually matter for most podcasts. Spoiler alert: they probably don't matter as much as you think! In this episode, I break down when episode numbers are crucial vs. when they're just technical baggage. I also share how I've been experimenting with my own show format, consolidating from 4-5 podcasts down to 3, and why I stopped saying episode numbers during recordings. Whether you're just starting your podcast or you're a seasoned host questioning your current system, this episode will help you think more strategically about episode numbering and what actually serves your audience. 🔗 Mentioned in this episode: My full article on episode numbersPodviz by RSS.comThe Rest is History podcast💬 Have thoughts on episode numbers? Send them to streamlinedfeedback.com Podcast is hosted by RSS.com, where I am a content creator and evangelist.

Earlier this year, I set out to answer a simple question: can you reasonably record a podcast from your phone? As someone obsessed with gear and high-quality production, I assumed the answer would be no. But after some experimentation, I discovered that not only is it possible, but it can also be a game-changer for podcasters who want to create raw, behind-the-scenes content. Here’s how I streamlined the process into a low-effort workflow anyone can replicate. Get this and every article at https://podcastadvent.org ★ Support this podcast ★

A few months ago I launched a free private podcast called Joe’s Audio Notes. The episodes are very short (7 minutes or less), where I share my thoughts on being a solopreneur, a podcaster, a parent, and other thoughts related to being a productive member of society. I'm sharing 3 of the episodes here (which you can find in the chapter markers): If you like it, I'd love for you to join! You can sign up for free here. ★ Support this podcast ★