PodCraft | How to Podcast & Craft a Fantastic Show

Can a podcast rooted in one city or neighbourhood really matter to listeners halfway across the world? Or should hyperlocal shows focus purely on the people right on their doorstep?In this episode, we are joined by Cody from the Community Build Up podcast. Together, we dig into the tension between going deep on local stories and widening the lens to reach a bigger audience. You’ll hear how podcasters are using place-based content to grow loyal followings, why a global reach isn’t always the right goal, and how you can decide what works best for your own show. If you’ve ever wondered whether to keep things close to home or aim for international ears, this one’s for you.

What does it take to keep a podcast sustainable while still growing your audience? In this live coaching episode of Podcraft, Colin and Matthew sit down with Ellie and Will, hosts of Lively Minds: The UK Mental Health Podcast. Together, they explore the origins of the show, the challenge of carving out a unique voice in a crowded mental health space, and why clarity around their mission matters so much. Ellie and Will share how their project grew out of conversations during lockdown and why they wanted to go beyond surface-level wellbeing advice to have deeper, more nuanced discussions around mental health.The conversation also digs into practical strategy, from balancing consistency with sustainability to experimenting with shorter co-hosted or solo episodes. Colin and Matthew share ideas for authentic audience growth without social media overwhelm, creative approaches to collaboration, and sustainable ways to explore monetisation through community support or aligned partnerships. Packed with encouragement and practical insights, this session shines a light on what it really takes to sustain a meaningful podcast for the long term.

How do you turn your podcast audience into paying members? In this episode, Colin talks with Mike Morrison from Membership Geeks about the strategies podcasters can use to build successful memberships.You’ll learn how to choose the right model for your show, whether that’s creating outcomes, fostering mastery, building connection, or offering resources. Mike shares real examples of podcasters who have grown six-figure memberships, explains why content alone is no longer enough, and reveals how to keep members engaged for the long term.If you're in or near the UK, be sure to check out Retain Live 2025, which is taking place in Newcastle on the 23rd and 24th of September!And if you want one resource to help you start up a membership, try The Membership Roadmap. This is Mike's full guide to planning and launching a successful membership.

What can three years of data really tell us about how podcasts grow? In this episode, Jeremy Enns from the Podcast Marketing Academy unpacks the latest Podcast Marketing Trends report, exploring why growth is slowing for big shows but accelerating for independents, the growing role of video in podcasting, and whether social media really moves the needle. The discussion also covers the pull of algorithms, the power of strong show concepts, and how newsletters fit into a sustainable growth strategy. If you want clear insights on what actually works in podcast marketing today, this is the conversation to hear.Also MentionedThe RACE Framework: How to grow a podcast WITHOUT social mediaAlitu: The ultimate podcast maker softwarePodcraft Pointers: Weekly podcasting tips, tools, and resources

Indy is creating a podcast for his online gardening club, Tender Shoots, aimed at listeners aged 65 to 100. His mission is to make the experience simple, welcoming, and accessible. No technical headaches, just great gardening advice.The challenge is balancing ease of use with modern podcasting features like chapter images and detailed show notes. Indy is tackling this by streamlining the subscription process and guiding members on how to use podcast apps. The goal is to offer an enjoyable and educational experience tailored to older gardening enthusiasts, without letting the tech get in the way.Looking for support or coaching in your own podcasting ventures? Head on over to thepodcasthost.com/help and tell us what you need!

There is no shortage of potential income streams for your podcast. But rather than telling you all the things you could try, how about some real-world case studies from ten successful independent podcasters?Our recent survey suggested that only 1 in 4 indies monetize their content, despite the majority of them wanting to build some income streams.So, on this episode of Podcraft, we’re going to dig into the monetization methods and strategies that have actually worked for our IndiePod Legends, as well as the many that haven’t!The aim here is to show that while some revenue streams are a good fit for some, they don’t work so well for others. We’ll also answer questions like:WHEN should you try to monetize?What are some great on-ramps for smaller podcasts?Can monetizing your content hamper your creativity?The PodcastsThe Joy of CruisingWild for ScotlandTravel N Sh!tBoard Game Design LabShe Well ReadFighting ThroughLush LifeThe Mindful Marketing PodcastI Should Be Writing

Podcasting isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.Figuring out who you want to reach and how you’ll serve them is hard work, but it’s the kind that truly moves the needle.In 2025, we risk losing sight of that north star. Too often, clarity is traded for trends, and purpose is swapped for perceived expectations. Stay focused. The best podcasts still begin by serving real people, not chasing the algorithm.On this episode, I'm joined by Rachel Corbett, who brings a wealth of podcasting experience to the table. We discuss some recent data collected through regular polls in our Podcraft Pointers newsletter. Then, we catch up on the latest tools, tactics, and techniques that are working well for us right now.Key Talking PointsThe "Podcasting" Name Debate83% of surveyed indie podcasters believe the term "podcast" hasn't outlived its usefulnessIndustry voices with big profiles are pushing for rebranding, but thousands of creators prefer keeping the termComparison made to radio shows that also stream video - they don't stop being called "radio shows"Major platforms (YouTube, Spotify, Apple, CNN) still use the term "podcast"Video vs. Audio-Only ContentMany new podcasters feel overwhelmed by video expectations and delay starting their showsVideo doubles workflow time and adds technical complexity (lighting, makeup, outfit changes for batch recording)Consistency matters more than video for podcast successRisk of creative monoculture - video favours simple chat show formats over inventive audio formats like dramas and documentariesMonetisation Challenges with VideoDynamic ad serving (industry standard) doesn't work on YouTube or Spotify's cached video feedsForces return to baked-in ads, creating same problems the industry solved years agoCuts off major monetisation channels for creators heavily dependent on SpotifyPlatform Control IssuesGoogle pushed video podcasts on YouTube for monetisation reasons, not creator benefitSpotify requires opt-in for RSS distribution, creating discovery barriersPlatforms can change algorithms overnight, affecting reachThe Value of Audio-First Content91% of surveyed podcasters believe spoken word audio should be championed alongside videoAudio provides escape from screen time and fits seamlessly into daily activitiesPodcasting originally succeeded as an antidote to screen addictionLong-form, relationship-building content vs. addictive 6-second hook cultureAI and Workflow ToolsChatGPT valuable for idea generation and content planning, not wholesale content creationAdobe Enhance effective for audio cleanupAI clipping tools not yet reliable for video editingCanva increasingly useful for quick design and video creationEquipment and SetupMany experienced podcasters stick with reliable, familiar gear for yearsWireless lavalier mics making location recording less intimidating for guestsAI audio cleanup tools reducing need for perfect recording environmentsIndustry ComplexityPodcasting has become significantly more complex compared to simpler early daysMultiple platform considerations creating workflow complicationsNeed to balance innovation with accessibility for new creators

Tomas Loucky, better known as Tommen, is an expert in growing an audience on LinkedIN, and has been growing his Podcast 'Produced By' there for the past year. With over 20,000 followers, he joins Colin to talk about building a personal brand, repurposing podcast content, and finding great guests through LinkedIn. They dig into how to strike the right balance between personal and business-focused posts, and why authenticity and experimentation are key to growing an audience.Check out Tomas's podcast Produced By with Tommen, along with his other channels and projects, right here.

If you're looking to gather genuine feedback from your podcast listeners, surveys can be a powerful tool. But only if people are willing to complete them.In this episode of Podcraft, you'll learn how to create listener surveys that generate more responses and more meaningful insights. Whether you're collecting feedback for your own decisions or planning to share the results publicly, these tips will help you get it right.Also mentioned in this episode: Our 2025 Indie Podcaster Survey is now open. Complete it and you'll receive a free PDF copy of our Podcast Growth book, plus the chance to win $500 worth of podcast gear from Lewitt.Take the survey at thepodcasthost.com/survey25

What if the key to podcasting success isn't working harder, but working with more structure? More systems, more process. Many independent podcasters burn out trying to juggle content creation, editing, promotion, and everything in between. But there's a better way.On this episode, Colin is joined by Layla Pomper, CEO of ProcessDriven. The pair explore how structured workflows can actually enhance, rather than hinder, your creative freedom. Layla reveals how independent podcasters can use documented processes and templates to reduce decision fatigue, prevent burnout, and scale their shows effectively.You will also:Discover practical strategies for systematising content planning, editing, and promotion while maintaining creative freedom.Learn how creating recurring task lists and frameworks not only ensures consistency and quality but also provides the flexibility to take breaks without disrupting production.This episode offers actionable insights for podcasters looking to delegate tasks, minimise repetitive work, and focus on what matters most - creating original content and growing their audience.Whether you're struggling with overwhelm or ready to scale, Layla's expertise in making business processes enjoyable will help you build a more organised, efficient podcasting workflow.Also MentionedThe 2025 Indie Podcasters SurveyA quick, easy, and cathartic click through your podcasting experience. Not only will you have the opportunity to win $500 of podcasting gear from Lewitt, you'll also be guaranteed to get a free PDF copy of our Podcast Growth book in your inbox once the survey closes!