PodCraft | How to Podcast & Craft a Fantastic Show

A quickfire episode running through the following content frameworks, with examples and exercises on how to apply them in your own podcast. Lists: Where you break things down into bite-sized, numbered pieces that are easy to skim and share. Use lists to highlight top picks, tips, or resources your audience will love.Comparisons: Where you help people decide by putting two options head-to-head. Break down the pros and cons so your audience can make smarter, more confident choices.Reviews: Where you share your honest opinion about a product, service, or experience. Show your audience what’s great, what’s not, and whether it’s worth their time or money.Case Studies: Where you tell real-life stories to inspire or teach your audience. Dive into successes, challenges, or unique approaches that they can learn from or relate to.Costs: Where you break down what things cost and whether they’re worth it. Help your audience understand where to spend, where to save, and what to expect financially.How-Tos: Where you teach your audience how to do something step by step. Make it simple, clear, and actionable so they can achieve their goals with confidence.

Podcast celebrities aside, how much money can the everyday independent podcaster expect to make?Well, the answer is “it depends”. But, based on our own experiences of well over a decade in the medium, here are some realistic breakdowns, examples, and goals. Full article: How Much Money Do Podcasters Make?Elsewhere, we also talk through a brilliant piece by Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt of Podcast Marketing Magic: Podcast Marketing and Publishing: What’s in and What’s Out for 2025?

Colin and Matthew analyse some interesting data from our Podcast Planner tool. 43% of over 1,500 respondents told us they’d rather host a solo show than create content with other people. So why might this be? Perhaps there's a bit of post-pandemic Zoom fatigue in here where people are fed up with feeling like they are "on a call". There are a lot of positive reasons for going solo, too, including the flexibility, simplicity, control, and ownership. Here's the full report if you'd like a look over the data for yourself: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/business-of-podcasting/solo-podcasting/

Discover nine valuable tips to save time while podcasting. Learn the art of batch recording for efficiency without sacrificing warmth. Master time management techniques, including time blocking and focused editing. Explore the benefits of using templates and dynamic ads to streamline production. Uncover how automation and outsourcing can elevate your workflow, making content creation less daunting. Maximize your productivity and enjoy the process of crafting engaging podcasts!

Being interviewed on another podcast is a great way to bring value to a wider audience and grow your own as a result. But most podcasters (even those who don't run interview shows) have inboxes choked full of spammy and cynical requests to guest on their show. On this episode, we'll show you how to create a compelling pitch that actually gets seen by its intended recipient. Who knew such things were possible? On top of that, we discuss podcast listener pet peeves, as well as the various ways you can (effectively) get feedback on your podcast! MentionedHow to Get Booked as a Guest on Another PodcastIs Your Podcast Annoying?How to Get Podcast FeedbackInterview with the Founder of PodchaserIndiePod CommunityThe Podcraft Academy

We've run a fair few surveys and reports this year, all of which have produced some interesting and actionable data. On this episode, we look at nine headline stats from 2024, and talk through the takeaways and lessons we can glean from them. “If It’s Not Got an RSS Feed, It’s Not a Podcast,” say 67% of PodcastersMost Podcasters Upload Audio-First Content to YouTubeSurvey Reveals How Listeners Want to Engage With Your PodcastOnly 8% of Podcasters Enter AwardsOnly 1 in 4 Podcasters Monetise The Blue Yeti is Still the Most Popular MicInstagram and Facebook Are the Most Popular Social Platforms for PodcastersData on How Podcasters Measure SuccessMost Listeners Find it Easy to Discover New Podcasts

It's tempting to take a break from podcasting over the holidays, not because you necessarily want to, but because you think your audience will do the same. However, data from the latest Podcast Marketing Trends Report suggests that isn't true, and December is actually one of the top months for combined podcast downloads. On this episode, we dig into the details and offer some tips for keeping your feed active without doing yourself out of a well-earned rest. MentionedKeep Publishing Over the Holidays, Podcast Report SaysYour Podcast Won't Go Viral, and That's a Good Thing

It's time to delve into the findings of our 2024 Podcast Discoverability Survey. Here, you'll find data on everything from whether or not it's easy to find new podcasts, to how audio quality and ads affect podcast listenership. We also talk through some other new posts on the site, as well as some published elsewhere (including one that we disagree with quite heavily!). The Podcast Discovery Report 2024MOVO iVlogger-PRO ReviewBest Podcast DirectoriesFull Disclosure: The Power of Unedited Audio (Blubrry)Do we need to kill off the word Podcast? (John McDermott)Adapt or Get Left Behind: The Future of Podcasting Is Multi-Platform (Max Cutler)The Hidden Risks of YouTube and Spotify That The Suck-Up Podcast Bros on LinkedIn Won't Admit (Neal Veglio)

In this episode, Colin covers two major topics to help podcasters improve their shows. First, he dives deep into creating a unique value proposition, sometimes called a unique selling proposition (USP) for your podcast, explaining how to make your show stand out and attract more listeners. He breaks down what makes a great USP, using examples from brands like Airbnb and Fjallraven, and shows how to apply these principles to podcasting. The second half focuses on interview preparation, where Colin shares nine actionable tips to conduct better podcast interviews, from proper guest research to creating engaging conversations that benefit both the guest and the audience.

There are plenty of places online where you can ask for podcast comments and get in on the episode discussion. Here are some of the more popular options.And, does your podcast need a media kit? Yes, definitely. A podcast media kit is a package of information about your podcast that’s easy to share and consume.Also MentionedThe Podcraft AcademyThe Podcraft Listener Space