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20 Legal and Business Myths that hold Podcasters back

Gordon Firemark, The Podcast Lawyer™, breaks down the top 20 business and legal myths that podcasters believe, which can hinder their success. From copyright issues to business structure, this episode covers essential insights to help you navigate the legal aspects of podcasting and achieve long-term growth.

Key Points:

  1. Myth #1: "I don’t need to worry about copyrights; I'm too small to be noticed."
  2. Myth #2: "Contracts are only for big deals; I can handle things on a handshake."
  3. Myth #3: "I can use any music or sound clips as long as I credit the source."
  4. Myth #4: "Forming a business entity is too complicated and unnecessary for a podcast."
  5. Myth #5: "Trademarking my podcast name isn’t necessary."
  6. Myth #6: "Monetization can wait; I'll focus on it once I have a bigger audience."
  7. Myth #7: "Legal issues only arise for controversial content."
  8. Myth #8: "I don't need to worry about privacy policies or disclaimers."
  9. Myth #9: "Guest releases are unnecessary if my guest agrees to be on the show."
  10. Myth #10: "I can ignore listener feedback or complaints without any repercussions."
  11. Myth #11: "I don't need an LLC or other business structure; sole proprietorship is fine."
  12. Myth #12: "Free hosting platforms are good enough; paid services are unnecessary."
  13. Myth #13: "It's too early to think about sponsorships or ads."
  14. Myth #14: "My podcast is just a hobby, so I don't need to treat it like a business."
  15. Myth #15: "DIY legal documents found online are sufficient."
  16. Myth #16: "Social media alone is enough for marketing my podcast."
  17. Myth #17: "I don't need to worry about tax implications until I'm making significant money."
  18. Myth #18: "Listener feedback isn't important; I know what my audience wants."
  19. Myth #19: "I can handle everything myself; I don't need a team."
  20. Myth #20: "Only big podcasts need to worry about analytics and metrics."

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Legit Podcast Pro
Exploring Podcasting through the legal and business lens from The Podcast Lawyer™, Gordon Firemark

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Gordon Firemark

Gordon Firemark (gordonfiremark.com) has practiced media and entertainment law in Los Angeles since 1992. Widely known as The Podcast Lawyer™ (ThePodcastLawyer.com), he has spent his career helping creative industry professionals make deals that make sense, and that get their productions developed, financed, produced and distributed. His practice also covers copyrights, trademarks, business transactions, and corporate matters for clients in media and entertainment.