Is Everyone Really Using Spotify? HollyLand Lark M2S Review

In this month's "Question of the Month," I wanted to explore the discrepancy between Spotify's perceived dominance and the actual listening habits of podcasters. Despite frequent headlines touting Spotify as the number one streaming platform, my personal statistics and community feedback tell a different story. By surveying my audience about their platform preferences, I uncovered that Apple remains the top choice for most listeners, challenging the narrative often presented in media reports about Spotify's market leadership. Thanks to everyone who chimed in! Gear Review: HollyLand Lark M2s Wireless Lavalier System Quick Take: I was genuinely impressed by the Holly Land Lark M2s - this tiny microphone packs a surprisingly warm sound. At around $150, it's a solid investment for podcasters and content creators. Key Features: Compact wireless lavalier microphone system Versatile receiver with USB-C and headphone jack connectivity Compatible with phones and recorders (I used my Rodecaster Duo) Built-in noise reduction app Option to record two mics on separate channels for post-production editing Pro Tip: Grab this from Sweetwater. They offer: Extended warranties Killer customer service Competitive pricing Free shipping (often cheaper than Amazon) FREE CANDY<<<<< Noise Reduction: The app's built-in feature is decent - not perfect, but definitely helpful. Pro move? Set up both mics on separate channels so you can fine-tune your audio in post-production. Bottom Line: The Lark M2s is a compact, versatile mic system that punches above its weight. Definitely worth checking out for podcasters looking to upgrade their audio game. Takeaways: The new Hollyland Lark M2S microphone sounds surprisingly warm, which totally blew my mind! Spotify claims to be the number one podcast platform, but the real stats tell a different tale. Charging guests to appear on your podcast? Brace yourself, the FTC has some rules you need to follow! Using music in your podcast? Be careful, because Spotify's bots don’t care about your permissions! It's always a good idea to double-check the facts you find online, especially from big companies! Exercise is tough, but once you get through it, you'll feel so proud of yourself, like you just conquered a mountain! Links referenced in this episode: Hollyland Lark M2S Wireless Lavalier System schoolofpodcasting.com thehoodratrecap.com createartpodcast.com findapodcastabout.xyz passacls.com tkbpodcaststudios.com castahead.net Deal Casters Podcast Financially Confident Christian Grit and Growth Business Truth Unveiled with Ralph Because of My Podcast Akron Podcast Feeding My Faith Podcast Hot Seat Podcast Review Show Podcast Rodeo Show Podcast Website Tips Profit From Your Podcast Future of Podcasting Your Podcast Consultant Heartbeat Community Tool Circle Community Tool Switchy (Dave's favorite marketing tool) Mentioned in this episode: Live Appearances I loved connecting with my audience. Here are the next events I will be at: November 11: Podindy.com (use the coupon code SOP) February 23-26, 2027: National Religious Broadcasters nrb.org I'd love to speak at your event. Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/contact Where Will I Be? Question of the Month: The Smallest Amount of Downloads We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why? Does the size of your audience matter? Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes) School of Podcasting Check Out Dave's Newsletter With Behind the Scenes Content In each issue of Podcasting Observations, I share my thoughts on what is happening in the podcasting space, my latest content, and things that have caught my eye. I also may ask for your opinion. Join the free community Podcasting Observations Get Your Podcast Up and Going in Six Weeks Dreaming of starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? Podcasting in Six Weeks gives you a clear, step-by-step path to go from idea to launch with confidence. This practical course is designed to help you create, record, edit, publish, and promote your podcast in just six weeks. Whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by the technical side, you'll get the guidance, structure, and tools you need to launch a podcast that sounds professional and reaches the right audience. Ready to stop overthinking and start podcasting? Join Podcasting in Six Weeks today and turn your voice, ideas, and expertise into a show people want to hear. The best part? It's only $1 Classes Start June 3rd Podcasting in Six Weeks