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Be a Better Podcaster

Tips, advice, recommendations, and more to help you on your podcasting journey, and grow your podcast effectively and for the long-term.

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Featured Post

A Step-by-Step Guide to Better Audio

Hi Reader, When you finish recording, you’ve only done half the job. What happens in post-production determines whether your show sounds like a polished, professional podcast or just a raw recording. Great audio isn’t about expensive gear or fancy studios. It’s about making the listening experience as smooth and distraction-free as possible. And that comes down to how you process your voice. Here, I'm going to walk you through my preferred post-production workflow, step by step. You’ll learn...

Collage of various flyers and posters on a wall.

Hi Reader, One of the most common things I see getting asked about podcasting is sponsorships. Should you run them? How do you find them? Are they worth the effort? So I want to break down some of the more common questions around this, and how to think about them. How are podcasters getting sponsors? It’s usually one of two ways: Pitching brands directly. Getting approached by companies who already see the value in podcasts. Direct pitching works best if you know your audience and can show...

Hi Reader, Being an indie podcaster isn’t easy. You wear every hat - host, editor, promoter, marketer. You balance podcasting with work, family, and life. And sometimes, it feels like you’re staring up at giants - big networks with bigger budgets, bigger teams, and bigger reach. But here’s what you might not realize: You already have what they don’t. You have your voice. The way you tell stories, the way you share experiences, the way you connect with your audience. No one can replicate that....

An image of a pair of headphones

Hi Reader, One of the biggest upgrades you can make to your podcast has nothing to do with your mic. It’s your room. Because even the best microphone can sound cheap if you’re recording in a boomy, echoey, untreated space. So let’s break this down and help you get the best sound for your room, no matter what your budget is. Soundproofing vs. Sound Treatment Soundproofing = keeping outside noises out (traffic, dogs, neighbours). This usually requires construction-level work and a big budget....

Be a Better Podcaster live stream

Happy Friday! At least it's Friday when I wrote this. :) Just a quick one, to let you know I'm hosting a live stream on Saturday August 9th at 9.30am Pacific / 12.30pm Eastern / 5.30pm UK time. This is a bi-monthly live stream where I'll be answering any questions you have about podcasting - getting started, gear, software, hardware, growing your show, understanding data, and much more. Basically, any question you have, I'll be here to answer it (and if I don't know the answer, I'll find out...

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AI is everywhere. From voice cloning tools to episode summaries, it's creeping into every corner of the podcast world. And while it can absolutely help you be more productive, it can also quietly chip away at your creative control if you're not careful. So when should you use AI in podcasting? Use it to support your workflowNeed a transcript fast? Use AI. Want a decent first draft of your show notes or social posts? Use AI. Tools like Castmagic, Deciphr, ChatGPT, as well as Spark AI from...

When we talk about podcast editing, most of us are thinking about one thing: how do I make this sound good? And that’s absolutely the right instinct. But the definition of “good” can change depending on how your audience is actually consuming your podcast. The reality is, your listeners aren’t always sitting in a quiet room with studio headphones on. The most popular ways people consume podcasts right now Let’s start with where and how people are listening: Smartphones: According to multiple...

Checking data analytics on a phone.

When you check your podcast host analytics, then look at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, the numbers often don’t line up. That’s not a glitch - it’s because each platform tracks different things, in different ways, for different purposes. If you’re serious about measuring your podcast’s growth, it helps to know what each platform is actually telling you, and which metrics are worth paying attention to. Here’s a straightforward breakdown. Your Podcast Hosting Platform Most hosts track...

With Chartable shutting down at the end of last year, podcasters have been wondering what tool(s) to use to get listener insights, discover similar shows, and track marketing efforts. If you relied on Chartable (or even just dabbled in it), there’s good news - Rephonic is an excellent free tool that can step in and offer even more. I recently shared a video walkthrough of how Rephonic works and why it’s worth your time - here’s the short version. Why Rephonic is a Smart Replacement for...

A horse trailer is parked in the snow

When was the last time you listened to your podcast trailer? If it’s been a while, you’re not alone. Most podcasters create a trailer when they launch and never touch it again. But here’s the thing: your trailer is one of the most important parts of your podcast. It’s often the first thing new listeners hear. It’s what platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify use to preview your show. And it might even be what potential sponsors check out before checking out the rest of your podcast. If you...