The podcast marketplace is becoming increasingly busy, and standing out is now harder than ever.
Even if you know you have a podcast idea worth listening to, you aren’t guaranteed an audience. Everything from the name of your very own podcast to the professional podcast production process might be holding you back from success.
The Podcast Blueprint is an online course hosted on Udemy by podcaster Andrew Ferebee.
The course is designed for both those completely new to podcasting, and those who have experience but no audience.
Using clear and engaging lectures exploring the topic in-depth, the Podcast Blueprint is designed to make your podcast a success.
In this podcast production editing blueprint review, we’ll take a look at what the Podcast Blueprint has to offer, and whether this course is really what your podcast needs.
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What Is The Podcast Blueprint?
Podcast Blueprint is an online course hosted by Udemy, and created by Andrew Ferebree (founder of Knowledge for Men).
The course is intended for both those new to podcasting, and those with experience in the podcasting world who want to reach a wider audience.
The aim of the Podcast Blueprint course is to help you gain an audience for your podcast in only a few lessons.
Over the 8+ hours of video tutorial, the course covers tips on quality podcast production, improving the ranking of your podcast, finding quality guests, and eventually monetizing your podcast.
The format of the course is simple: 60 lectures are divided into 10 sections, for a total course length of nine hours and fourteen minutes.
Presented in PowerPoint with a voice-over guide, each lecture can be downloaded and listened to repeatedly.
So, is the Podcast Blueprint the course you need?
The Podcast Blueprint Highlights
The Podcast Blueprint is a wide-reaching course designed to help you find an audience for your podcast.
With over 5,000 students, the Podcast Blueprint must be doing something right. Let’s take a look at the highlights of the course.
Target Audience
Whether you’re completely new to podcasting, or you’ve already started but you’re struggling to find success, the Podcast Blueprint is for you.
This course is aimed at anyone who wants to grow an audience for their podcast, and can even help those with several years of experience.
For those just starting out, the Podcast Blueprint covers the very basics, including how to choose a name, and how to actually record and upload your podcast.
From here, the course material delves deeper into growing an audience, before eventually turning to monetizing your podcast, and where to go in the future.
If you have been podcasting for a while, you might feel these early lessons aren’t much use.
However, if you’re struggling to find an audience, the short and engaging lessons are worth listening to.
Much of the later advice will also appeal to those with a reasonable audience, looking to rank higher and make money.
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Content Of Lectures
The Podcast Blueprint provides an incredibly thorough introduction to podcasting, covering topics from choosing a subject to getting sponsorship.
The course is divided into 60 video lectures, which are typically between 5 and 15 minutes.
These bite size lectures are excellent for those who like to learn on the go, as they’re well suited for a commute.
Each lecture covers a specific part of podcasting, with advice drawn from course instructor Andrew Ferebree’s real world experience.
As you progress through the course, you’ll discover how to continuously grow and improve your podcast.
The course isn’t focused on any single area or topic of podcasting — whether you’re hosting true crime or home cooking, the same advice can apply.
While this is useful, particularly for beginners who are still defining their podcast, those with a niche topic in mind may prefer a more specialized course.
Permanent Access To The Course
Once you have paid for the Podcast Blueprint course on Udemy, you have access to the lectures for life. Each individual lecture can be downloaded and played repeatedly.
There are several advantages to this. First, you can pursue the course in your own time. With no rush to complete the course before it expires, you can fit the lectures into your busy schedule.
Second, you can refresh and review any previous lectures as you advance through the course.
Any advice you overlooked earlier can be repeated, and you can really make the most of the information given.
Finally, you’re able to enjoy each lecture, rather than struggling to take all the information in before the video expires.
One of the advantages of the Podcast Blueprint is the breadth of information it gives, so the lack of time frame is a real bonus.
Realistically, you aren’t going to need some of the later lectures (on guests and monetization) until your podcast is established, and this will take some time.
Experienced Host
The course is run by Andrew Ferebree, founder of KnowledgeForMen.com, a popular blog and podcast.
This podcast ranked #1 in iTunes New and Noteworthy when first released, and has since been ranked #1 in general health, and #27 out of 250,000 podcasts.
The Knowledge For Men podcast has also attracted top guest appearances, and has been downloaded over 250,000 times.
Much of the course is based on Ferebree’s experience in podcasting, so it’s essential to know his methods have paid off.
As well as knowing Ferebree’s successes, students can discover the mistakes he made, and the pitfalls to avoid.
Format
Using a PowerPoint presentation with recorded voice over, the Podcast Blueprint is an easy course to follow. Each lecture is short and focused, covering a single topic in around 5 to 15 minutes.
By breaking each topic down into shorter lectures, the Podcast Blueprint is easy to enjoy on the go.
The PowerPoint/voice over format should also appeal to those who like to listen on the go.
With each slide informing the lecture, rather than leading, you can listen to the course on public transport, and as you accomplish other tasks.
The Podcast Blueprint Disadvantages
While there are many advantages to the Podcast Blueprint course, these are some issues that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Slightly Outdated
The major issue with the Podcast Blueprint is its age. This course was last updated in 2015, and some of the information could do with a refresh.
Some of the advice is, if not completely outdated, less relevant than at first release.
This problem is most apparent when it comes to recommendations. Some of the equipment recommended by Ferebee is no longer available, or simply no longer top of the market.
Similarly, hosting sites and online forums recommended by Ferebee are often irrelevant, or not as prominent as when the course was first introduced.
While much of the advice given on the Podcast Blueprint is still relevant, particularly the lectures around starting your podcast, there are issues.
The podcast market is a very different world today than it was in 2015.
The Podcast Blueprint still contains plenty of good advice, and most of the lectures are still relevant to the podcast market. However, the overall age of the course does impact the performance.
Lack Of Videos
For the most part, the PowerPoint and voice over method is an excellent way of introducing the course material. However, this simple presentation style does hold it back in places.
Occasional videos would really add to the value of the course, helping the student to better get to grips with the advice given.
Videos have become a standard of the online learning experience, so the lack of videos in the Podcast Blueprint does feel like an oversight.
With that being said, not every student will feel the benefit of videos, and for some lectures, we can’t imagine they would add much to the experience.
If you’re a visual learner, the lack of video guides in the Podcast Blueprint might present a notable issue. Overall, the presentation style is simplistic. Like the content, it may be in need of a refresh.
Pricing
The Podcast Blueprint can be purchased for a one time cost from Udemy. After purchase, you have permanent access to the course content, and students can download each lecture to enjoy at their own pace.
The Podcast Blueprint is well priced for a nine-hour course, and we love that a single payment buys permanent access.
For the number of lectures included, plus the breadth of information covered, the pricing does seem reasonable.
However, the relative age of the course does present some issues. If you’re looking for specific advice on equipment and hosting, then the Podcast Blueprint doesn’t offer much for the money.
Podcast Blueprint Verdict
The Podcast Blueprint draws heavily from Andrew Ferebee’s personal experience growing and monetizing a popular podcast.
The in-depth lecture series is easy to understand, with a simple presentation format that covers everything from starting your podcast, to finding sponsorship and diversifying.
However, the age of the course is a major disadvantage, particularly for those with no podcast experience.
While much of the advice is still applicable, specific recommendations are often outdated.
Overall, the Podcast Blueprint is an engaging course with plenty of useful content, even if the occasional recommendation is no longer relevant.