In the final episode of the series on show design, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, delves into the intricacies of designing content for both audio and video simultaneously. He challenges the common practice of simply filming a podcast, highlighting the need for intentional trade-offs when catering to these different formats. Ed explains the unique experiences and expectations of audio and video audiences, offers three approaches to integrating video into an audio-first show, and discusses the production complexities and additional costs involved. He emphasizes the importance of a coherent show design that prioritizes either audio or video, supported by thoughtful supplementary materials. Ed concludes by stressing the significance of designing a well-structured and sustainable show to ensure long-term success and audience retention.

00:00 Introduction: Should We Do Video?

01:16 Why Audio and Video Are Different

03:00 Three Approaches to Audio and Video

05:36 Why 'We'll Just Clip It' Usually Fails

07:08 How Cameras Change Behavior

09:27 Production Reality: Time and Budget

10:40 Framework for Making Decisions

11:57 Coherence Matters More Than Reach

12:54 Closing: Good Podcasts Are Designed

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive - and then a VC - Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story.

Contact

Web: www.1878.studio

Email: hello@1878.studio

Mobile: 425-520-3483

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, emphasizes the importance of aligning production budgets with the strategic goals of a podcast to ensure its sustainability. He provides a detailed breakdown of the various components involved in podcast production, such as research, recording, editing, quality control, and asset creation. Ed discusses different budget tiers, their trade-offs, and how production choices impact the overall quality and longevity of a podcast. He stresses the significance of carefully planning production to avoid burnout and ensure long-term success, and concludes by highlighting the importance of maintaining clarity and realistic schedules.

00:00 Introduction: Production as Strategy

01:21 What Production Actually Includes

02:48 Production Time Breakdown

04:25 High Production vs High Quality

05:53 Budget Tiers and Trade-offs

08:42 Time as the Real Constraint

09:53 In-House vs External Production

11:13 Episode Frequency and Sustainability

12:15 Designing for Longevity

13:12 Key Takeaways

13:59 Next Episode Preview

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive - and then a VC - Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story.

Contact

Web: www.1878.studio

Email: hello@1878.studio

Mobile: 425-520-3483

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Keep Listeners Engaged

In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, delves into the importance of episode structure for podcasts. He explains that while topics and guests are often the focus, listeners mainly care about whether an episode feels worth their time. Good structure helps guide listeners effortlessly through an episode, leading to higher completion rates and stronger audience relationships. Barker highlights common pitfalls such as meandering conversations and outlines strategies for maintaining listener engagement through clear narrative arcs and recurring segments. He also discusses the significance of pacing and impactful openings and endings. Ultimately, well-structured episodes not only benefit the audience but also make the host's job easier and improve the overall success of the podcast.

00:00 Introduction: Why Structure Matters

01:00 The Data on Drop-Off Rates

01:23 Why Conversation Alone Isn't Enough

03:09 What Listeners Actually Want

03:48 The Shape of a Good Episode

05:41 Openings: The First Minute

07:09 Pacing Over Length

08:47 Using Segments to Create Rhythm

11:31 How Structure Helps the Host

12:29 Why Endings Matter

13:44 Structure Respects the Listener

14:47 Next Episode Preview

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive - and then a VC - Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story.

Contact

Web: www.1878.studio

Email: hello@1878.studio

Mobile: 425-520-3483

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast Formats as a Strategic Choice

In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, talks about why choosing a podcast format is a strategic decision rather than a creative one. He explains how the right format influences the sustainability and operational load of a podcast. Barker outlines various formats like loose conversational interviews, structured interviews, narrative storytelling, and co-hosted conversations, discussing their respective pros and cons. He emphasizes that an ill-informed format choice can lead to burnout, inconsistency, and ultimately, failure to build an audience. By understanding the demands of each format, podcast creators can make informed decisions that lead to a more coherent and sustainable show.

00:00 Introduction: Format as Strategy

00:47 What Format Determines

01:19 Format Examples in Practice

02:30 Why Interviews Become the Default

03:14 The Booking Trap

04:37 Guest-Led Trade-offs

05:53 Where the Thinking Happens

06:07 Single Host Monologue

06:48 Co-Hosted Conversation

07:52 Structured Interview Format

08:45 Narrative or Reported Format

09:46 Why to Avoid Panel Shows

10:43 Why Constraints Make Shows Better

12:10 Format and Sustainability

13:18 Format as a Positioning Tool

13:58 Questions to Ask About Format

14:45 Wrap-up and Next Episode

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive - and then a VC - Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story.

Contact

Web: www.1878.studio

Email: hello@1878.studio

Mobile: 425-520-3483

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Designing a Resonate Show: The Blueprint for Show Design Success

In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, explains why designing a show is crucial for creating a successful podcast. He differentiates between a podcast and a show and discusses the importance of having a clear, repeatable idea that builds audience trust and loyalty. Ed compares two companies' podcast strategies to illustrate the difference in outcomes when a show is well-designed versus simply producing content. He emphasizes the risks of replicating other successful formats without understanding their core value and guides marketing teams on how to strategically plan their podcasts from the ground up.

00:00 The Power of Podcasts for Brands

00:39 Starting with the Right Question

01:21 Podcast vs Show: Understanding the Difference

02:16 Example: Two Companies, Different Outcomes

03:24 Why Interviews Alone Aren't Enough

04:50 The Importance of a Central Idea

05:53 The Risk of Copying Successful Shows

06:49 Three Strategic Questions to Ask

08:22 Designing for the Return

08:50 Reducing Risk Through Upfront Design

09:51 Closing and Next Steps

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive - and then a VC - Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story.

Contact

Web: www.1878.studio

Email: hello@1878.studio

Mobile: 425-520-3483

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Future Podcast Measurement

In the final episode of the Showmakers analytics series, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 explores the future of podcast measurement. He discusses the limitations of current metrics and predicts significant advancements in attribution, brand lift studies, and sentiment analysis using AI. Ed emphasizes the shift from mere data collection to actionable insights that enhance both internal and external brand storytelling. By focusing on audience emotion, brand trust, and improved integration with overall marketing strategies, this episode presents a vision where podcasts become a crucial part of a brand's intelligence system.

00:00 Introduction

00:22 The Current State of Podcast Measurement

01:17 The Future of Attribution

02:50 Smarter Brand Lift and Sentiment Analysis

03:59 Measurement as Brand Health Indicator

05:04 AI and Automation in Podcast Analytics

06:38 Internal Measurement and Employee Engagement

07:01 From Proving Value to Using Insights

08:45 The Next Five Years of Podcast Measurement

09:53 Closing Thoughts

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive - and then a VC - Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story.

Contact

Web: www.1878.studio

Email: hello@1878.studio

Mobile: 425-520-3483

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Building a Lasting Podcast Measurement System

In the final episode of Showmakers’ analytics series, Ed Barker of Studio 1878 discusses how to create a measurement system that endures leadership changes and budget reviews. He emphasizes the importance of turning data into a rhythm that the business understands and ensuring measurement becomes part of the working culture. Barker outlines the creation of a measurement stack, setting up a cadence, assigning ownership, and designing dashboards tailored for different audiences. He stresses the significance of incorporating feedback and institutionalizing the measurement system to future-proof it. Finally, Barker highlights the need for measurement to be a cultural pillar, driving better decisions and long-term success for brand podcasts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:19 The Importance of a Lasting Measurement System

01:40 Building Your Measurement Stack

02:51 Setting Up Cadence and Ownership

03:47 Creating Effective Dashboards

05:02 Feedback Loops and Continuous Improvement

05:56 Institutionalizing Your Measurement System

06:49 Leadership and Long-Term Value

07:46 Measurement as a Cultural Practice

08:27 Conclusion and Next Steps

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive - and then a VC - Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story.

Contact

Web: www.1878.studio

Email: hello@1878.studio

Mobile: 425-520-3483

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Balancing ROI and Creativity in Brand Podcasts

In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 discusses the tension between proving ROI and maintaining creativity in branded podcasts. Ed explains why ROI should not dominate the planning phase and how focusing too much on it can stifle creativity. He introduces the concept of ROI through financial, behavioral, and reputational lenses, emphasizing that true podcast success builds trust and familiarity over time. He advocates for thinking of a podcast as an ecosystem with inputs, outputs, and outcomes, and provides practical advice for presenting ROI to budget owners without sacrificing creative freedom. Ed concludes by affirming that a successful podcast is one that feels human and not just like another sales tool.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Showmakers

00:53 The ROI Dilemma in Branded Podcasts

02:10 Understanding Different Types of ROI

03:28 The Challenge of Attribution in Podcasts

04:23 Connecting Creativity to Commercial Outcomes

05:27 The Compounding ROI of Podcasts

06:20 Protecting Creativity in Podcasting

07:28 Reporting ROI Effectively

09:20 Key Conversations with Budget Owners

10:55 Conclusion and Next Steps

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive - and then a VC - Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story.

Contact

Web: www.1878.studio

Email: hello@1878.studio

Mobile: 425-520-3483

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.