# Podcast — Start Here (unstick list)

Everything is built. What's left is 40 minutes of clicking. Do it in this order.

**Grab your files first:** open `optimizedairway.com/download/podcast` on your phone or laptop.
That page now has the 3000×3000 cover, the trailer MP3, and Episodes 1–3 MP3s — you can
play them right in the browser and download each one.

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## Order of operations

| # | Step | Time | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create the Buzzsprout account ($12/mo plan) | 5 min | buzzsprout.com |
| 2 | Paste Podcast Info | 10 min | `01-buzzsprout-ready-to-paste.md` |
| 3 | Upload the 3000×3000 cover | 2 min | Settings → Artwork |
| 4 | Set categories + keywords | 3 min | Health & Fitness › Medicine |
| 5 | Upload + publish the **trailer** | 10 min | Episodes → Upload New |
| 6 | Submit to directories | 5 min + wait | Directories tab |
| 7 | Schedule Episodes 1–3 for the same Tuesday | 15 min | Episodes |
| 8 | Send me the RSS URL | 1 min | back here |

Do NOT wait on step 6 to do step 7. Schedule the episodes while Apple reviews.

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## The three things that trip people up

**1. Owner email.**
Use a mailbox you actually check. Apple sends a verification link to the podcast owner
address before it will list the show. `hello@optimizedairway.com` does not forward to your
inbox, so do not use it here or the listing will stall silently.

**2. You need one published episode before directories will accept the feed.**
Publish the trailer *first*, then submit. Submitting an empty feed gets rejected and you
have to start the Apple review clock over.

**3. Apple takes 1–5 business days. Spotify is usually same-day.**
Don't announce a launch date until Apple comes back approved. Announce the *trailer* on
Spotify while Apple reviews — that's the whole point of dropping the trailer early.

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## Publishing schedule (recommended)

| Date | What goes live |
|---|---|
| Today / tomorrow | Trailer publishes. Submit to all directories. |
| +5 days (Tuesday) | Episodes 1, 2 and 3 all drop together. |
| Every Tuesday after | One new episode, 6:00am ET. |

Three episodes at once is deliberate — Apple's "New & Noteworthy" surfacing favours shows
with more than one episode, and new listeners binge.

---

## Upload settings for each file

| Field | Trailer | Ep 1 | Ep 2 | Ep 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File | `00-trailer.mp3` | `01-myo-as-an-rdh.mp3` | `02-implementing-into-practice.mp3` | `03-benefits-to-hygienists.mp3` |
| Title | Welcome to Optimized Airway | Myofunctional Therapy as an RDH | Implementing Myo Into Your Practice | What This Work Does for You |
| Episode type | **Trailer** | Full | Full | Full |
| Season | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Episode # | *(blank)* | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Show notes | `episodes/00-trailer-show-notes.md` | `01-myo-as-an-rdh-show-notes.md` | `02-implementing-into-practice-show-notes.md` | `03-benefits-to-hygienists-show-notes.md` |

Turn **Magic Mastering ON** for every upload. It levels the volume — worth the $6/mo on
solo-recorded audio.

---

## When you're done

Send me the RSS feed URL (Buzzsprout → Directories → copy the RSS link). I'll:

- Wire the live Apple + Spotify buttons into the `/podcast` page
- Embed the trailer player on the site
- Push the launch captions from `03-launch-captions.md`

---

## Still to build (after launch)

- [ ] Episodes 4–8 scripts (keeps you 5 weeks ahead)
- [ ] Audiogram template for each episode's promo clip
- [ ] `podcast.optimizedairway.com` custom domain (CNAME)
- [ ] Review-request CTA baked into episode outros 1–10