Podcast Summary: "This is your sign to start that podcast" Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe Release Date: November 18, 2024

1. Introduction and Inspiration

In the episode titled "This is your sign to start that podcast," Coco Mocoe opens by sharing her recent experience at Spotify's "Now Playing" event, likening it to her personal version of the Met Gala. She highlights the presence of prominent podcasters like Emma Chamberlain, Colin and Samir, Jay Shetty, and others, which fueled her aspiration to become a panelist at such prestigious events someday. Coco expresses her gratitude towards her audience for supporting her podcast and Substack newsletter, emphasizing the community's role in her growth.

[00:00] Coco Moco: "Last Wednesday I was at my version of a Met gala. It was the Spotify now playing event where they invited a bunch of big podcasters to do panels..."

2. The Current State of Content: A Creativity Crisis

Coco delves into the current landscape of content creation, describing it as entering a "dark age" characterized by a "creativity crisis." She observes that while the past decade saw a podcasting gold rush, recent years have been marred by repetitiveness and a lack of originality across platforms. Coco cites the over-saturation of formulaic content, particularly on YouTube, where creators mimic the success-driven strategies of influencers like Mr. Beast, leading to what she terms the "industrialization of YouTube."

[07:05] Coco Moco: "Now, the content space and even some of the big podcasts have become just repetition farms. They go viral by just repeating whatever topics are already popular on TikTok."

3. The Renaissance of Podcasting

Amidst the stagnation in content diversity, Coco posits that podcasting is on the cusp of a renaissance. She urges creators to seize this moment to introduce fresh and unique voices into the long-form content sphere. By doing so, podcasting can overcome the current creativity slump and offer audiences substantive, original content that stands out from the fleeting trends of short-form platforms like TikTok.

[09:30] Coco Moco: "The renaissance of long form begins as we move out of the dark ages of repetitive short form content."

4. Spotify's New Video Podcast Features

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Spotify's recent introduction of video podcasting features. Coco explains that Spotify is pushing creators to adopt video formats by launching a dedicated website, creators.spotify.com, which facilitates the uploading of podcast videos and clips formatted similarly to TikTok feeds. This strategic move positions Spotify as a formidable competitor to YouTube, aiming to capitalize on the popularity of video content.

[14:25] Coco Moco: "They are trying to compete with like a YouTube. They even announced a new monetization model based on premium subscriptions."

5. Monetization Models and Spotify’s Strategy

Spotify's new monetization model is another focal point of the discussion. Coco outlines that creators can earn revenue based on the number of views their video podcasts receive. For example, a top-performing podcast could potentially earn up to $45,000 in a month with 1.25 million views within 30 days. However, Coco expresses skepticism about the longevity of this model, drawing parallels to TikTok's beta program, which initially offered substantial payouts to creators but later scaled back as platform loyalty solidified.

[20:15] Coco Moco: "I think something similar is probably going to happen with Spotify, where maybe in 2025 and 2026 they'll be paying out these really big dollar amounts, but then the moment they get more of the market share, they're going to pull back a ton."

6. Tools and Logistics for Starting a Podcast

Coco provides a comprehensive guide for aspiring podcasters, detailing the essential tools and platforms required to launch a successful show:

• Filming Equipment:

  • iPhone or Smartphone: Accessible and high-quality cameras suffice for beginners.
  • Sony ZV1: Preferred for better video quality.
  • Mini Tripod: Ideal for stable filming setups.

• Audio Equipment:

  • Basic Option: Utilize old iPhone headphone jacks as microphones.
  • Advanced Option: Invest in Hollyland microphones for superior audio quality, especially in multi-person setups.

• Lighting:

  • Quality Light Source: Coco recommends investing in a reliable light over cheap ring lights to enhance video quality during darker hours.

• Editing Software:

  • CapCut: Favored for its user-friendly interface and suitability for beginners, unlike more complex programs like Adobe Premiere Pro.

• Storage Solutions:

  • External Hard Drives: Essential for managing large media files and ensuring efficient editing workflows.

• Podcast Studios:

  • Peerspace.com: A platform akin to Airbnb for creators, allowing access to professional podcast studios in major cities.

[28:50] Coco Moco: "The number one pain is a crater when you're doing long form content. Not just TikTok is storage space, as I'm sure you guys know."

7. Navigating RSS Feeds and Distribution

Understanding RSS feeds is crucial for podcast distribution across various platforms. Coco explains that creators can obtain an RSS feed through services like Megaphone, Substack, or creators.spotify.com. This feed allows podcasts to be published on platforms such as Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and others. Coco emphasizes the flexibility to transfer RSS feeds between platforms if creators find better alternatives later on.

[33:40] Coco Moco: "An RSS feed is basically a URL, and then they'll give you instructions on how to take that URL and to publish it to Apple and to publish it to YouTube podcasts, Google podcasts..."

8. Emphasizing Long-Form Content’s Impact

Coco underscores the enduring influence of long-form content compared to ephemeral short-form media. She highlights the concept of "object permanence," where long-form content like podcasts and extended YouTube videos leave a lasting impression, fostering deeper audience engagement and influence. Coco contrasts this with the fleeting nature of TikTok videos, which, despite high view counts, quickly fade from the audience's memory.

[18:00] Coco Moco: "The longer your video, the more the rpm, the more money you're going to make per view or per listen. Long form media has longer object permanence, which means more influence."

9. Real-World Examples of Podcast Influence

Illustrating the power of podcasts, Coco references political figures utilizing long-form interviews to sway public opinion. She contrasts Kamala Harris's brief appearance on "Call Her Daddy" with Donald Trump's and J.D. Vance's extensive sessions on "Joe Rogan," which garnered millions of views and had a tangible impact on their campaigns. This comparison underscores the effectiveness of detailed discussions in shaping narratives and influencing outcomes.

[22:45] Coco Moco: "Donald Trump went on Joe Rogan. So did J.D. Vance. Both of their episodes were three hours long or more and Trump's got 45 million views."

10. Final Call to Action and Additional Resources

Concluding the episode, Coco passionately encourages listeners to embrace podcasting as a medium to express unique perspectives and contribute to the impending renaissance. She assures aspiring podcasters that there will never be a perfect time to start, emphasizing the importance of taking the plunge and learning through the process. For those seeking deeper insights and advanced strategies, Coco directs them to her Substack newsletter, where extended content and trend reports are available to paying members.

[42:00] Coco Moco: "Please, please, please, you guys, I'm begging you, start a new podcast now. If you are like, I want to do a new show, but I don't know what my angle will be, that is what the next portion of this podcast is going to be about."

Notable Quotes

• Inspiration to Create:

  [00:00] Coco Moco: "That is what inspired today's episode of Ahead of the Curve with Coco Moco."

• Critique of Repetitive Content:

  [07:05] Coco Moco: "They're just rehashing things that have happened two weeks ago on TikTok, and most of the time they're not adding any new information or adding any new perspectives."

• Monetization Skepticism:

  [20:15] Coco Moco: "I think something similar is probably going to happen with Spotify, where maybe in 2025 and 2026 they'll be paying out these really big dollar amounts, but then the moment they get more of the market share, they're going to pull back a ton."

• Encouragement to Start:

  [42:00] Coco Moco: "Please, please, please, you guys, I'm begging you, start a new podcast now."

Conclusion

Coco Mocoe's episode serves as both a critique of the current content landscape and a rallying cry for creators to contribute fresh, original voices to the podcasting world. By leveraging new tools, understanding distribution mechanics, and embracing long-form content's enduring impact, aspiring podcasters can navigate and thrive in this evolving digital era. Coco's passion and practical advice make this episode a compelling listen for anyone considering launching their own podcast.