Recap: Alberto Betella on RSS.com’s Free Tier, the RSS Opportunity, and How Video Factors into Podcasts
In the vast world of podcasting, understanding the backend technology that powers your favorite shows (or your own), as well as the platforms that support content creators, is crucial. In this conversation, Alberto Botella, co-founder of RSS.com, and Arielle Nissenblatt (AKA me writing this), founder of Podcast Plunge | Podcast Recommendations & Media News and EarBuds Podcast Collective get into the RSS opportunity and more.
We discuss the fundamentals and history of RSS (really simple syndication), the nuances of podcast hosting, the differences between providers, and the benefits for creators that are coming from emerging technologies such as Podcasting 2.0. Our conversation also highlights the launch of a new free plan from RSS.com (called the FLAN Plan - free, local, and niche) for podcasters aimed at fostering creativity and making a bet on audio-focused projects and teams.
This post is a recap of our conversation that outlines some takeaways at the end. Thank you to everyone who attended live and participated in our discussion! You can also watch an edited version of the livestream above!
Note: the internet connection wasn’t stable, so there are moments where the video is frozen. The audio is clear throughout.
What Is RSS and Why Is It Important That You Actually Know How to Talk About It as a Creator?
RSS, which stands for Really Simple Syndication, is a protocol for distributing information online. Originating in the early 2000s, RSS feeds operate as semantic text files containing critical elements of a podcast, such as titles, descriptions, and audio files. This open technology is pivotal in syndicating content across various platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and third-party podcatchers like Pocket Casts, Castbox, Overcast, and more that scrape Apple’s distribution
.The real beauty and opportunity of RSS lies in its flexibility and how extensive it is. Despite being a text-file protocol, it’s deeply enmeshed with how internet content is distributed and consumed. It not only drives podcasting but is also key for websites, blogs, and beyond. Understanding the applications (and limitations) of RSS is essential for any content creator. If you can use RSS tags’ capabilities to your advantage, there are some real SEO and audience engagement benefits.
Demystifying Podcast Hosting and Podcasting 2.0
First, what actually is a podcast hosting provider? Podcast hosting platforms like RSS.com are not content creators. You are the content creator. But you knew that already. Hosting providers are facilitators who provide distribution, analytics, and monetization services for the creators. With working groups developing advancements such as Podcasting 2.0, new features like transcripts, chapters, and geolocation for episodes are now available, enhancing the way podcasts are produced, discovered, and consumed. And these working groups are constantly advocating for creators — finding more ways to expand the usage of the technology of RSS.
What podcasting 2.0 capabilities are you currently using for your show? Let us know by leaving a comment.
RSS.com’s Commitment to the Creator Community
Alberto shared the ethos behind RSS.com, emphasizing their commitment to supporting creators by offering a free tier… the newly-launched “Free, Local and Niche” plan, or FLAN. FLAN allows podcasters to focus on content creation without immediately thinking about the financial implications. With no limits on episodes, duration, or storage, this tier aims to be an incubator for more diverse and hyperlocal content, betting on the creativity and future success of its users.
This move towards a free plan highlights RSS.com’s focus on people over profits, investing in the potential of creators and encouraging the development of original content. This approach underscores the importance of enabling storytellers to reach audiences without barriers to entry.
Video in Podcasting (Of Course We Covered This)
Alberto and I had to get into the blurred lines between audio and video content, particularly with many platforms labeling seemingly any talk show or visual content as a “podcast.” Alberto stresses the intimate nature of audio content and how it creates a unique bond with listeners. Video content, on the other hand, competes for attention across multiple senses. And while video can be entertaining, amazing, crucial, beautiful, all of the above and so much more, audio-only still has merit and, despite some click-baity blog posts, is nowhere near past its prime.
For creators, while video can enhance discoverability, especially on platforms like YouTube, it should be pursued with specific goals in mind rather than as a trend to follow.
Key Takeaways | Here’s What To Do Now
Understanding RSS: Recognize that RSS is a foundational technology. It’s super important for distributing audio-focused shows across platforms that consumers are hanging out, ready to discover your show.
Podcasting 2.0: Explore functionalities that this technology offers, like chapters, transcripts, and more for enriching your podcast and enhancing fan interaction.
RSS.com’s FLAN Plan: Take advantage of their new free plan to build and experiment with podcast content sans financial stress.
Audio vs. Video Content (not really versus, but juxtaposed): Evaluate the benefits and potential downsides of integrating video into podcasting based on your audience’s needs, what they’re asking for, technological setup, your budget…Focus on the strengths of audio content and the unique bonds you can foster with your fan base.
My hope is that this conversation shed some light on the intricacies of podcast technology. I want to offer pragmatic to-dos when it comes to how creators can take advantage of these tools to expand their reach and grow their audio (and maybe video) portfolio creatively.
As the landscape evolves, understanding these elements (and others as they arise) can empower creators to make informed decisions about their content strategy.
