What is Smart Speaker?
A smart speaker is a voice-activated device (like Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple HomePod) that allows users to listen to podcasts via voice commands.
Why Smart Speaker Matters for Podcasters
Smart speakers represent a growing segment of podcast consumption, particularly for news briefings and daily shows. Optimizing for smart speakers involves ensuring your podcast is listed in the default directories (Apple for HomePod, Spotify/Amazon Music for Alexa, Google Podcasts for Google Home). It also requires 'Voice Search Optimization'—having a show name that is easy to pronounce and understand for a computer. If your podcast name is a pun or uses creative spelling, a voice assistant might fail to find it when a user asks.
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Audiogram
An audiogram is a short video clip that combines audio from your podcast with a visual waveform and your cover art, creating shareable social media content that promotes your show.
Waveform
A waveform is a visual representation of audio that shows the amplitude (loudness) of sound over time. In podcasting, waveforms are used in audiograms and editing software to visualize audio.
Show Notes
Show notes are written summaries or bullet points that accompany each podcast episode, typically including key topics, guest information, timestamps, and links to resources mentioned in the episode.
RSS Feed
An RSS feed is a standardized XML file that contains information about your podcast episodes, including titles, descriptions, audio file URLs, and publication dates. It's how podcast directories and apps discover and update your show.