The myth of the strength and importance of Apple’s New and Noteworthy is again debunked by Rob Walch of Libsyn.com in an audio episode posted by Podcasting Step by Step.We will address this issue once more, only because the newsletters and other podcasters are bringing up the importance of being in this Apple category as a formula for success and monetization. This discussion comes from a post of the podnews.net newsletter recently.

This dialogue has been going on for a few years, mostly from uninformed new podcasters that may consider themselves pundits (especially if they had just started their podcasts and now see themselves as authorities) in the podosphere. This misinformation is once again set straight by Rob Walch — who has been podcasting for over 15 years and has addressed this situation over and over again in various episodes and interviews.

So here, in the player, Rob will discuss this myth (as well as other topics) about podcasting in a 38-minute audio episode. You can get the entire audio episode of this interview at this link at Podcasting Step by Step.

In addition to again debunking the myth of importance of the New and Noteworthy Category in Apple, Rob also speaks in the audio episode about the following:

• How many episodes should I launch with?
• How long should my episodes be?
• How do I get into New and Noteworthy?

My perspectives on this issue is from my personal experience. Yes, in the past, my podcast show, PodcastReporter.com, did make it into New and Noteworthy — but it was not number one. And the difference in downloads and also subscriptions was almost negligible. Thus, for me, New and Noteworthy was basically “worthless.”

Having known Rob since 2006 (where he and I were attendees at the Podcast and New Media Expo in Ontario, California), as well as an interview that I conducted in 2007 when Rob was VP of Podcaster Relations for Libsyn.com, I very much respect his opinion and viewpoints as a true pundit of the podosphere.

He has been a promoter of podcasting — as he has been on other podcast shows — in particular, the recent show from Libsyn called The Feed; and also one of the very first shows in 2006, called Today in Podcasting (which he co-hosted with Paul Colligan, Dave Jackson and Gary Leland.

He was one of the first podcast interview shows (as many affectionately called it “Inside the Podcaster’s studio”) called podcast411.com.

Rob also details the value from reviews, according to Apple. In addition to other issues and topics, Rob’s discussion pours the truth on what other new podcasters are promoting as misinformation. I would suggest that you take to heart what he says about important aspects of your podcast shows. He definitely will let you know about the importance of number of episodes to launch, as well as other topics which many neophytes ask about — and they can mainly become misinformed.

The other myth that is debunked is that your episode length has to be 25 minutes or about that, due to the average length of time for a commute. As you will hear from Rob, he proves that the stats show that listeners prefer long-form content today. He makes the distinguishing point that podcasts are not radio (and most of the misinformation possibly comes from those with authority in radio). Rob’s suggestion is NOT to listen to those who speak authoritatively who have a background in radio and pontificate about podcasting (especially if they themselves don’t have their own podcast).

If you attend one of the podcast conferences, the chances are that you will see Rob Walch at the Libsyn booth. He would be answering questions about Libsyn, but also will share with you information about podcasting — from 15 years of podcasting experience. His word comes with lots of research and proof. As a matter of fact, in the early days, Rob stressed that podcasters should know how to create their own feeds — how things have changed, since most podcasters today don’t even know what a feed is, let alone know the internals.

So, if you think that New and Noteworthy is something in which you need to invest time, effort, and possibly money — please think again, as you would hear this from the expert and a truthful discussion.

We hope that your success in podcasting would come without having to strive to be featured in New and Noteworthy.

Copyright (c) 2019, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Rob Walch and Podcasting Step by Step. All rights reserved.