Leah Bryant [00:00:04]:
Hey. Hey, podcasters or podcaster to be. Welcome back to The Podcasting Problem Solver. I am Leah Bryant, your

Leah Bryant [00:00:12]:
podcast producer, strategist, and founder of Leah Bryant Co, where we help business owners turn podcast ideas into intentional strategic shows that actually support their business instead of becoming just another thing on the to do list. But before we get started with today's topic, I'm gonna share this review that honestly made my whole week. It's from Chrissy, host of Old School Food Freedom. And she's not only a client, but she's also one of the kindest, compassionate ladies that I know. I will link her show below, so go check it out. But here is what she said. Podcasting Problem Solver is a fantastic show for anyone considering a podcast launch and for existing podcast hosts. Leah keeps each episode lighthearted, simple, informative, and fun.

Leah Bryant [00:01:08]:
She's the podcast mentor you always wanted. Side note, I've been working with Leah Bryant Coe for a year and highly recommend her services. Our show has seen so much growth and improvement since onboarding. They feel like part of my team. I love that Leah has a show of her own now. I've already been inspired to make a change after just one episode. Chrissy, that means a lot coming from you. So thank you so very much for your sweet review and your support, and I love supporting your podcast and just really excited about the growth that we've seen in such a short amount of time by implementing just a few tweaks.

Leah Bryant [00:01:43]:
So let's get started with today's episode. Let me guess. You finally hit publish on your first episode. Yay. But then the panic sets in. I hear it. Wait. Where does it go? Do I have to upload it to Apple and Spotify? And what even is an RSS feed? If you've ever felt like the podcast distribution is some kind of secret underground tunnel, only tech bros understand.

Leah Bryant [00:02:14]:
Do it with me. Deep breath. So I'm gonna break it all down today, where your podcast lives, how it gets to all the apps, and what you need to know to avoid the most common tech mistakes. But first, let's talk about what is an RSS feed anyway. So picture this. Your podcast is a box of gourmet cupcakes. Fun fact, in my mid to late twenties, I owned a cupcake business. So this is why you're gonna have cupcake references every now and then.

Leah Bryant [00:02:46]:
But so your podcast is like a box of gourmet cupcakes, and your host, Buzzsprout, is the bakery. The RSS feed, well, that's your delivery truck. It's a special URL with all your show's info, the title, the description, all the SEO goodness, cover art, and every episode you upload. And podcast platforms like Apple, Spotify, Amazon don't technically store your audio, but they subscribe to that feed, the same way listeners subscribe to your show. So every time you drop a new episode, here's what happens. You upload your audio to your host, like Buzzsprout, the RSS feed gets updated, the apps check that feed, and poof, your episodes appear. Except it's not magic. It's just clever Internet plumbing.

Leah Bryant [00:03:37]:
But here's a mindset shift I want you to lock in. Your podcast doesn't live on Apple or Spotify. It lives on your host, like Buzzsprout. Apple and Spotify, well, they're just streaming your show from an RSS feed, like glorified content portals. So choosing the right host really matters. Your host is your content headquarters, your command center, your digital storefront. It's where your branding lives, your categories, your show description, your SEO. All of that gets sent out through your feed.

Leah Bryant [00:04:11]:
So when someone finds you on Apple Podcasts, thanks to that good SEO you've got working, that first impression, the title, the artwork, clarity of your niche, is all pulled from your feed. This is part of the attraction phase in my seamless framework. Because if your show isn't set up to catch your ideal listeners' attention or have the SEO working for them, they're gonna scroll right past it. So how do you even get on Apple, Spotify, and all the other platforms? Well, once you've updated a trailer or your first episode, your host, especially if it's Spreadsprout, makes it easy to get listed. What you're gonna do is you're just a copy your RSS feed, paste it into the submission forms, and hit submit. One pro tip for you is that Apple can take up to five days to approve. Spotify is usually instant. So if it's taking a minute, don't panic.

Leah Bryant [00:05:03]:
It's normal. I've actually seen it not take up to five days except around the holidays. So keep that in mind. But once you're in, every episode you upload to your host gets pushed out everywhere automatically. No re uploading, no tech gymnastics. Can't be raised the roof for that? So we want to avoid rookie mistakes. Right? So let me save you from these tech traps I see all the time. Like, submitting an empty feed, you need a trailer or an episode uploaded first.

Leah Bryant [00:05:36]:
Copying the wrong feed link, use your public RSS feed, not a preview. If you're freaking out over slow updates, Apple caches content, so give it twenty four to forty eight hours. You can also do a manual refresh in your Apple Podcasts Connect. And using a host that locks you in, some like Spotify podcasters limit your control. So this all falls under the execution in my seamless framework, where we get the tech working with you, not against you. So here's the truth. Your RSS feed isn't just a nerdy back end thing. It's the highway your content rides on to reach the people who need it.

Leah Bryant [00:06:18]:
And then your show is built with clarity and alignment. Every episode becomes a tool that builds trust and authority, reinforces your unique approach, educates your listeners, and moves them closer to working with you. You don't need to be a tech wizard, but what you do need is to understand how this engine drives growth to your brand. So what if you didn't get on Amazon or iHeart right away? Completely fine. You can go back and submit your show later, even months in. In fact, I recommend doing a quarterly check-in to, one, make sure you're showing up everywhere your audience actually listens, two, to update your description and branding as your business evolves, and three, optimize based on what's working. Podcasting isn't supposed to be set it and forget it. But with the right tools, it doesn't have to be overwhelming either, especially when you're not juggling 12 platforms every week.

Leah Bryant [00:07:14]:
Getting your podcast out into the world isn't about uploading it everywhere manually or decoding tech jargon for hours. It's really about understanding the why behind the process so your podcast works for you, not the other way around. So whether you're gearing up to launch or you're already a few episodes in and still wondering how it actually all connects, use this episode as your tech blueprint. And if you want a step by step roadmap that walks you through everything from concept to launch without the overwhelm, then you definitely wanna grab my seamless podcast launch roadmap with private podcast. It's everything I teach my clients broken down into bite sized doable steps. If you want weekly pep talks, podcast tools, and behind the scenes strategy, well, hop on over to my newsletter. The link's in the description below. And until next time, keep it strategic, keep it simple, and keep it seamless.

Leah Bryant [00:08:05]:
Thanks for tuning in.