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You’ve got podcasting questions, and PBJ‘s Traci Long DeForge is here to answer them. Traci is the founder of _Produce Your Podcast. _In our latest installment of this special feature, Traci answers reader questions about release forms, growing your podcast and a few things about your launch.
PBJ: Do guests need to sign any disclaimer or release forms before I release their interview content? Traci: The choice to use releases or disclaimers are at your discretion. Some podcasters will record an authorization statement before the start of recording of the show asking the guest to acknowledge they are being recorded for promotional purposes. Some podcasters use a guest release form every single time they have a guest. The advantage of using a guest release is freedom. You are in the one in control of how your show is edited, where it’s distributed and whether it’s monetized. Most guests understand this when they accept the invitation to be on your show. But, without an official release document a guest, who for any reason, is not happy with the show could make demands such as having the show removed from your feed, compensation for monies you earn on the episode or for the continued right to distribute and/or sue for damages. Laws vary from state to state, the best way to address this issue is to discuss the options with a media attorney licensed to practice in your area.
PBJ: What is something you know now that you wish you knew when you started podcasting? Traci: The full story of the amount of time it takes per episode to put out a quality show. You find out early on many moving parts and combined they take more time beyond recording the podcast. The post-production process of editing, uploading, distributing and marketing an episode requires an investment of time and resources. This can lead to a strain on the podcaster’s bandwidth and finances if not planned out or worked into a budget. Underestimating the task line and time needed to release an episode can lead to abandoning what could be a great show over time. It’s best to have these items outlined on the front end before you begin so you can set expectations for yourself and your listeners. One recommendation is to start with releasing one or two episodes a month and then building up from there. Add more episodes as you become more comfortable with the process or have the budget to outsource it.
PBJ: How long did it take you to grow your podcast to the point where you felt like you were making a difference? Traci: Building an audience is equal to building a community. It takes time. It takes a village. It takes consistency. Some podcasts experience more accelerated growth because they already built a community online before releasing an episode. The podcast was added into their existing marketing strategy so it appeared like an automatic success. There aren’t neighborhoods where all the houses were built overnight. They start with one house and then the others pop up on the street. This is the same with growing your podcast community. It only takes one listener to make a difference with your message. You can impact change, make a listener laugh or inspire motivation by affecting people one at time. It may start with the first house in the neighborhood but before you know it you’ll be making a difference to the whole neighborhood.
Send questions to Traci at traci@produceyourpodcast.com and remember to check back each week!
_Traci Long DeForge is the founder of Produce Your Podcast, and a consultant, speaker, and strategist. She can be contacted at _traci@produceyourpodcast.com_ or 912.223.9525. Visit her websites at _TraciDeForge.com_ and _ProduceYourPodcast.com_. _