Feed Your Brand
Feed Your Brand
Tracy Hazzard & Tom Hazzard
Ambitious podcast pros (and aspiring pros!), this is your weekly deep dive and direct line to podcast mastery and what truly moves the needle to show success. Forget the fluff and the generic advice—Feed Your Brand delivers the actionable strategies and real-world insights you need to dominate your niche. This isn't just a podcast; it's your live mentorship and coaching, designed to fuel your thriving brand, attract your ideal audience, and generate consistent revenue. As proud supporters of PodcastersUnited.org, a non-profit movement created by podcasters, for podcasters, about podcasters, we provide all this—the podcast, live mentorship, and coaching—FREE to Podcasters! Join LIVE https://podcastersunited.org/events every Wednesday Noon PT.This year, in our live sessions, we've tackled every critical facet of the content creation ecosystem, starting with the absolute bedrock: Mindset and Foundation. Your hosts and mentors, Tracy Hazzard and Tom Hazzard; founders of the podcast hosting and podcast AI production platform, Podetize.com; have each recorded over 1500 podcast episodes, launched over 1200 shows guiding pros like you (and helped new creators avoid common pitfalls) through establishing a robust monetization strategy, building a scalable business model, and laser-focusing your unique brand story. We hammer home the non-negotiable importance of a clear mission, vision, and values to ensure your content generates authentic revenue.To keep your show growing, we cut through the noise with Content Strategy and Planning. No more haphazard ideas—we equip you with a systematic approach. Our coaching covers everything from pinpointing your target audience and dissecting their pain points to building a robust content calendar that actually works. We break down how to ideate compelling topics, structure engaging episodes that hook listeners, and craft captivating show notes that drive real engagement. Plus, we introduce frameworks for evergreen content, ensuring your efforts keep paying dividends long after initial publication.Production and Promotion are central themes because, let's be real, you need to sound and be seen like a pro. We demystify the technical aspects, exploring essential equipment, advanced recording techniques, and editing best practices for professional-grade audio. Beyond the mic, we dive deep into the art of promotion: effective launch strategies, leveraging social media like a boss, cross-promotion tactics, and SEO optimization for maximum discoverability. We show you how to repurpose content across platforms, extending your reach and impact without reinventing the wheel.Understanding your audience's journey is paramount, leading us to Audience Engagement and Community Building. We equip you with strategies to cultivate a loyal listenership, drive those crucial reviews, and build a vibrant community around your brand. We unlock the power of interactive content, Q&A sessions, and leveraging listener feedback to refine your offerings and forge stronger connections.Finally, we bring it all together with Monetization and Business Growth. We unveil diverse revenue streams beyond traditional sponsorships, including leveraging your podcast to sell products, services, and courses. We explore affiliate marketing, membership models, and the undeniable power of lead generation through your content. We provide the insights you need to scale your business, build a high-performing team, and optimize your processes for sustainable, explosive growth.Our style? Energetic, direct, and relentlessly practical. We bring you real-world examples, personal anecdotes, and step-by-step guidance—all designed to ignite your action and deliver tangible results. Feed Your Brand isn't just about launching a podcast; it's about building a powerful media asset that fuels your business, amplifies your message, and solidifies your position as an authority in your field. Join us and unlock the immense potential of strategic content.
Podcast Video Marketing with Whitney Lauritsen: Grow Your Show
Podcast video marketing on Instagram requires a strategic mix of short-form Reels and vertical clips to capture attention and funnel scrollers back to your full episodes. Social media strategist Whitney Lauritsen explains that while conversion rates on social platforms are traditionally low, the high organic engagement of video makes it an essential tool for "broadcasting your passion" to a wider audience. By repurposing podcast recordings into 9:16 vertical clips and focusing on a strong hook in the first two seconds, creators can bypass "camera-ready" myths and use raw authenticity to build a know-like-trust relationship with their digital community.Success in video marketing stems from understanding platform-specific rules and prioritizing consistent value over high production quality. The episode outlines a clear roadmap for podcasters: set a specific aim (like growing downloads), pick the right platform, and distribute content across TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube Shorts on a staggered schedule to avoid redundancy. Podcasters should record in Speaker View rather than Gallery View to ensure high-quality vertical cropping and utilize tools like Canva or InShot for simple editing. By delegating tasks like keyword research and caption writing to assistants, hosts can maintain a sustainable content calendar that keeps their show visible in ever-changing social algorithms.
Mar 19
1 hr
How to Say Thank You to Your Podcast Listeners Meaningfully
A truly meaningful thank you to podcast listeners involves moving beyond generic holiday greetings to offer sincere acknowledgment, specific appreciation, and exclusive value that recognizes their time and loyalty. While tools like AI can suggest typical "Thanksgiving-themed" scripts, the most impactful messages are those that feel personal and authentic, such as thanking listeners at the beginning and end of every episode to reinforce their importance to your brand. By prioritizing genuine connection over sales-driven tactics, hosts can build deeper trust and turn passive listeners into a dedicated, thriving community.The path to building a loyal audience relies on the power of appreciation and creative recognition. Creators should implement Review Shout-outs to acknowledge individual fans, as this practice has been shown to exponentially increase engagement and review counts. Instead of standard "Cyber Monday" sales, offer exclusive rewards for listeners, such as free access to a training or a private Q&A session, which serves as a tangible thank you for their time. Finally, donating your "ad space" to a nonprofit of the month shows your audience that you are committed to using your platform for good, further strengthening the relationship between host and community.
Mar 5
17 min
Avoid Over-Guesting: Growing Your Podcast Authority First
Over-guesting occurs when a creator prioritizes appearing on other shows more than publishing and promoting their own episodes, leading to a significant imbalance in their authority ranking. If you guest on a high-authority show that is optimized better than yours, their content can actually outrank your own platform on Google and podcast apps, effectively pushing your show down in search results. To master appearances without losing ground, hosts must maintain a consistent weekly publishing schedule and ensure they are investing as much time in their own platform as they are in external publicity.The key to a successful promotion strategy lies in the 1 to 4 ratio: for every four episodes you produce for your own platform, you should aim for one guest appearance on a non-reciprocal show. This balance ensures that you are constantly building your own "residual value" on Google and YouTube rather than just providing fleeting content for someone else's audience. By focusing on your own platform first, you avoid the trap of constantly restarting the "know, like, and trust" cycle with new audiences and instead leverage guesting as a targeted networking tool that supplements—rather than replaces—your primary brand voice.
Feb 10
18 min
How to Create a Simple Podcast Social Media Plan to Get Found
An effective podcast social media plan prioritizes discoverability over aesthetics by focusing on high-conversion platforms and a consistent, automated posting schedule. While social media conversion rates can be as low as 1.3% due to their "interruptive" nature, podcasters can significantly boost their odds by leveraging Google-owned platforms like YouTube and cross-linking to searchable WordPress blogs. By setting "starter goals"—such as attracting a specific audience or simply maintaining a "live and posting" status—creators can build a sustainable 90-day plan that refines their "hypothesis branding" without leading to burnout or "podfade."The core of a simple social media plan lies in selecting one channel at a time to avoid overwhelm and utilizing a specific mix of multimedia assets. These assets include Episode Art, Guest Ego Bait™, Audiograms, and Video Memes, all designed to drive traffic back to your website rather than third-party apps like Apple Podcasts. To maintain a healthy audience relationship, follow the 30/30/30/10 rule: 30% original content, 30% guest/partner features, 30% interactive engagement, and 10% uniquely personal or "weird" content. Using tools like Buffer or MeetEdgar ensures your presence remains active, allowing the "residual value" of your content to work for you over time.
Feb 6
40 min
How to Optimize Social Media Profiles for Loyal Podcast Fans
Optimizing social media profiles requires shifting from a self-centered resume style to an outward-facing "digital trade show booth" that addresses the audience's specific pains and aspirations. Host Tracy Hazzard emphasizes that since most users are on social media for personal connection rather than business messages, your profile must serve as a compelling cold calling card. By customizing your name field with authority credentials and creating a strong, service-oriented headline, you transform a passive profile into an active lead-generation tool that builds immediate trust and invites meaningful connections.Standing out requires a strategic blend of visual impact and clear messaging across all platforms. Creators should utilize impactful banners that account for device-specific overlaps, ensuring key branding is visible on both desktop and mobile. A frictionless call to action (CTA), such as inviting users to subscribe to a podcast, works best because it meets the user where they already are without requiring complex sign-ups. By treating descriptions as "service-first" summaries rather than personal histories and utilizing maximum character counts for searchability, podcasters can effectively turn casual scrollers into binge-listeners.
Feb 4
30 min
Pause Like A Pro: A Strategic Guide To Taking A Podcast Break
Hold onto your microphones, podcasters! We're hitting the refresh button to bring you an even more electrifying experience! Get ready for a major glow-up on our YouTube channels and a supercharged coaching call mentorship format. We're talking next-level content and support to help you absolutely crush your podcasting goals in the coming year. We'll also keep you ahead of the curve, sharing the latest strategies and the "why" behind every change, so we can be your trusted guide in the ever-evolving world of podcasting. Hit pause for now, this will be worth the wait!In the meantime - tell us what kind of podcast coaching you need. https://s.zoom.us/m/bZECFZAmD.For the QR Code, click HERE: Don’t miss any tips or tools! Join the experts at Podcasters United LIVE every Wednesday at Noon PST. PODCASTERS UNITED MISSION - Uniting independent podcasters in order to create more power amplification! By uniting, we make sure every voice is heard, even without big network marketing dollars. Podcasters United empowers podcast hosts to grow by providing the necessary tools, tips, tactics, and resources to promote, amplify, and collective bargain for publicity and monetization opportunities. Through unification, we leverage our collective force to level the playing field with networks that can outspend any individual independent podcaster. And, thanks to our generous sponsors, we provide it without any union dues! Join the movement created by podcasters, for podcasters, about podcasters — FREE to Podcasters! Join us at https://podcastersunited.org/__________________Wish you could get expert podcast tips like this every week for FREE? You can!But let's be real, if you're serious about podcasting, you NEED to actually show up at our next LIVE expert session where we drop knowledge bombs about what you won't hear anywhere else. The truth about what it takes to produce, market and monetize your podcastWHEN: every Wednesday at Noon PT | 1pm MT | 2pm CT | 3pm ETThis isn't some fluffy, surface-level chat meant to sell you something. We're diving deep into the tips, tools and tactics to help you play as a free agent in the big league of podcasting with the big kids.Skip this live stream and you'll be missing out on crucial insights that could make or break your podcasting journey.Set a reminder NOW: https://podcastersunited.org/eventsWhile you are at it, subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter to get alerted to the weekly LIVE topic and get proven and useful podcasting tips, news and resources, customized just for you. https://podcastersunited.org/join-us/You get a newsletter! You get a different newsletter! And you get your own newsletter too!
Oct 1, 2025
21 min
Podcast Guest Confirmation Page: Cool Elements That Make Your Guest a Star
Ever wonder what happens after a guest says "yes" to your podcast? The secret to seamless, professional guest booking lies in a killer confirmation page and making your guest feel valued. Discover the essential elements you need to impress your guests, streamline your process, and ensure every interview goes off without a hitch. Don't miss these crucial follow-up strategies that will elevate your podcast and make every guest experience exceptional! Don’t miss any tips or tools! Join the experts at Podcasters United LIVE every Wednesday at Noon PST. PODCASTERS UNITED MISSION - Uniting independent podcasters in order to create more power amplification! By uniting, we make sure every voice is heard, even without big network marketing dollars. Podcasters United empowers podcast hosts to grow by providing the necessary tools, tips, tactics, and resources to promote, amplify, and collective bargain for publicity and monetization opportunities. Through unification, we leverage our collective force to level the playing field with networks that can outspend any individual independent podcaster. And, thanks to our generous sponsors, we provide it without any union dues! Join the movement created by podcasters, for podcasters, about podcasters — FREE to Podcasters! Join us at https://podcastersunited.org/__________________Wish you could get expert podcast tips like this every week for FREE? You can!But let's be real, if you're serious about podcasting, you NEED to actually show up at our next LIVE expert session where we drop knowledge bombs about what you won't hear anywhere else. The truth about what it takes to produce, market and monetize your podcastWHEN: every Wednesday at Noon PT | 1pm MT | 2pm CT | 3pm ETThis isn't some fluffy, surface-level chat meant to sell you something. We're diving deep into the tips, tools and tactics to help you play as a free agent in the big league of podcasting with the big kids.Skip this live stream and you'll be missing out on crucial insights that could make or break your podcasting journey.Set a reminder NOW: https://podcastersunited.org/eventsWhile you are at it, subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter to get alerted to the weekly LIVE topic and get proven and useful podcasting tips, news and resources, customized just for you. https://podcastersunited.org/join-us/You get a newsletter! You get a different newsletter! And you get your own newsletter too!
Sep 23, 2025
6 min
Podcast Succession Planning: What Happens To Your Show When You're Dead?
What happens to YOUR show if you can no longer continue? It's a terrifying thought, but planning for this possibility is absolutely critical for the survival of your content and your legacy. Whether due to illness, unforeseen life changes (like divorce or jail), or simply a desire to move on, you don't want your years of hard work to suddenly vanish. Discover strategies to navigate the unexpected, ensuring your podcast or broadcast can thrive, even without your original voice, ensuring your message continues to resonate long after you step away from the microphone.Don’t miss any tips or tools! Join the experts at Podcasters United LIVE every Wednesday at Noon PST. PODCASTERS UNITED MISSION - Uniting independent podcasters in order to create more power amplification! By uniting, we make sure every voice is heard, even without big network marketing dollars. Podcasters United empowers podcast hosts to grow by providing the necessary tools, tips, tactics, and resources to promote, amplify, and collective bargain for publicity and monetization opportunities. Through unification, we leverage our collective force to level the playing field with networks that can outspend any individual independent podcaster. And, thanks to our generous sponsors, we provide it without any union dues! Join the movement created by podcasters, for podcasters, about podcasters — FREE to Podcasters! Join us at https://podcastersunited.org/__________________Wish you could get expert podcast tips like this every week for FREE? You can!But let's be real, if you're serious about podcasting, you NEED to actually show up at our next LIVE expert session where we drop knowledge bombs about what you won't hear anywhere else. The truth about what it takes to produce, market and monetize your podcastWHEN: every Wednesday at Noon PT | 1pm MT | 2pm CT | 3pm ETThis isn't some fluffy, surface-level chat meant to sell you something. We're diving deep into the tips, tools and tactics to help you play as a free agent in the big league of podcasting with the big kids.Skip this live stream and you'll be missing out on crucial insights that could make or break your podcasting journey.Set a reminder NOW: https://podcastersunited.org/eventsWhile you are at it, subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter to get alerted to the weekly LIVE topic and get proven and useful podcasting tips, news and resources, customized just for you. https://podcastersunited.org/join-us/You get a newsletter! You get a different newsletter! And you get your own newsletter too!
Sep 17, 2025
28 min
Spotify Show Removal: How A Podcast Was Shut Down Due To The DMCA Takedown
Think AI music and image takedowns are a pain? You haven't seen anything yet! A new AI threat is emerging that could lead to mass takedowns of podcast shows that talk about books. Authors and publishers are using AI to find unauthorized uses of their content, and it can even happen when you have permission! What's worse, Spotify, a platform many of us rely on to reach subscribers and listeners, is involved. The consequences for featuring an author and book are severe. So, is it still worth it to feature authors and books on my show? And what do I do if Spotify hits my entire show with a DMCA takedown? If you're an author or a podcaster who features books, get the inside scoop and find out what to do if this happens to you.Don’t miss any tips or tools! Join the experts at Podcasters United LIVE every Wednesday at Noon PST. PODCASTERS UNITED MISSION - Uniting independent podcasters in order to create more power amplification! By uniting, we make sure every voice is heard, even without big network marketing dollars. Podcasters United empowers podcast hosts to grow by providing the necessary tools, tips, tactics, and resources to promote, amplify, and collective bargain for publicity and monetization opportunities. Through unification, we leverage our collective force to level the playing field with networks that can outspend any individual independent podcaster. And, thanks to our generous sponsors, we provide it without any union dues! Join the movement created by podcasters, for podcasters, about podcasters — FREE to Podcasters! Join us at https://podcastersunited.org/__________________Wish you could get expert podcast tips like this every week for FREE? You can!But let's be real, if you're serious about podcasting, you NEED to actually show up at our next LIVE expert session where we drop knowledge bombs about what you won't hear anywhere else. The truth about what it takes to produce, market and monetize your podcastWHEN: every Wednesday at Noon PT | 1pm MT | 2pm CT | 3pm ETThis isn't some fluffy, surface-level chat meant to sell you something. We're diving deep into the tips, tools and tactics to help you play as a free agent in the big league of podcasting with the big kids.Skip this live stream and you'll be missing out on crucial insights that could make or break your podcasting journey.Set a reminder NOW: https://podcastersunited.org/eventsWhile you are at it, subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter to get alerted to the weekly LIVE topic and get proven and useful podcasting tips, news and resources, customized just for you. https://podcastersunited.org/join-us/You get a newsletter! You get a different newsletter! And you get your own newsletter too!
Sep 10, 2025
36 min
Becoming A Podcast Guest Magnet: Sharing The Benefits Of Guesting On A Podcast
Whether you're just hitting record on your very first episode or you've got a seasoned show with thousands of listens, you may always be looking for that next big guest get. You know the one – that guest that doesn’t give podcast interviews often and is shielded by their team. But here's the thing – how do you make your podcast so irresistible that these fantastic guests are practically lining up to be featured? It's not just about getting them on air; it's about showcasing what’s in it for them – why your show offers an unparalleled platform for their message, their brand, and their reach. Get ready to turn your podcast into a magnet for the kind of guests that will genuinely boost your show's impact!Don’t miss any tips or tools! Join the experts at Podcasters United LIVE every Wednesday at Noon PST. PODCASTERS UNITED MISSION - Uniting independent podcasters in order to create more power amplification! By uniting, we make sure every voice is heard, even without big network marketing dollars. Podcasters United empowers podcast hosts to grow by providing the necessary tools, tips, tactics, and resources to promote, amplify, and collective bargain for publicity and monetization opportunities. Through unification, we leverage our collective force to level the playing field with networks that can outspend any individual independent podcaster. And, thanks to our generous sponsors, we provide it without any union dues! Join the movement created by podcasters, for podcasters, about podcasters — FREE to Podcasters! Join us at https://podcastersunited.org/__________________Wish you could get expert podcast tips like this every week for FREE? You can!But let's be real, if you're serious about podcasting, you NEED to actually show up at our next LIVE expert session where we drop knowledge bombs about what you won't hear anywhere else. The truth about what it takes to produce, market and monetize your podcastWHEN: every Wednesday at Noon PT | 1pm MT | 2pm CT | 3pm ETThis isn't some fluffy, surface-level chat meant to sell you something. We're diving deep into the tips, tools and tactics to help you play as a free agent in the big league of podcasting with the big kids.Skip this live stream and you'll be missing out on crucial insights that could make or break your podcasting journey.Set a reminder NOW: https://podcastersunited.org/eventsWhile you are at it, subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter to get alerted to the weekly LIVE topic and get proven and useful podcasting tips, news and resources, customized just for you. https://podcastersunited.org/join-us/You get a newsletter! You get a different newsletter! And you get your own newsletter too!
Sep 3, 2025
34 min
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