PodCraft | How to Podcast & Craft a Fantastic Show
228 episodes - English - Latest episode: 17 days ago - ★★★★★ - 67 ratingsPodCraft takes you from novice podcaster to confident broadcaster. We’ll teach you how to start and grow a successful podcast in our easy-to-follow seasons. Let’s start at the start with the groundwork and planning stages. Why do you want to podcast, who do you want to reach, and why? Then, let’s learn what we’ll need to record, publish, and distribute it. Once that’s done, we move on to marketing, growth, and monetisation. Here, we help you to reap the rewards of all your hard work. On PodCraft we also run regular Q&A episodes, offer analysis and data on the podcasting industry, and talk about the latest tools, tips, and tactics that are improving our own processes and workflows.
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Episodes
The 10 Commandments of Podcasting
June 11, 2019 09:00 - 42 minutes - 19.6 MBSome might call this a "Pet Peeves" episode, but you can also think of them as "Growth Opportunities". Are you doing some things that might be costing listeners to drop off and unsubscribe? Or is your show set up in the way that it's really hard to even find listeners in the first place? Then you might want to check yourself against our 10 Commandments of podcasting (of which there's actually 14. Thou shalt not be able to count to 10, and all that...) Thou shalt not have an extra long th...
Podcast Listening Apps - and should you be listening to LESS podcasts!? PodCraft 1109
June 04, 2019 08:00 - 29 minutes - 13.7 MBA bit of a bonus episode to bring down the curtain on our Podcast Equipment Series. You put a lot of work into creating your episodes, so let's have a chat about where (and how) your end product is actually consumed. This episode starts with a discussion about why you should consider listening to less podcasts too. It was prompted by a great article by Greg Campion titled The Problem With Podcasts (thanks for the heads up, PodNews) and, for a deeper dive on this, check out the excellent ...
Video & Live Broadcasting | PodCraft 1108
May 29, 2019 11:00 - 34 minutes - 15.7 MBThere are a few good reasons why you might want to broadcast the recording of your episodes live - and maybe even film them too. Doing live episodes can help build and harness community, as your listeners can feel more directly involved with your content. And the content itself can benefit from that immediate feedback. The ability to answer questions and offer help and advice in real time can really enhance your podcast. You can also double up your content output without doubling up your...
Podcast Gear Stats: What Are Podcasters ACTUALLY Using? RODE Procaster Giveaway
May 22, 2019 11:00 - 18 minutes - 8.56 MBOkay, granted, having a top-of-the-range mic doesn't necessarily mean you'll have top-of-the-range content. But the various bits of equipment different folks are using to create audio can become an obsession for some podcasters. We know this because the Equipment section of our site is by far the most viewed and visited. Combine that with your average podcaster's love of stats, and that's what led to us running our first podcasting gear stats survey back in 2017/18. Well, that survey is b...
Recording & Editing Software | PodCraft 1107
May 15, 2019 10:00 - 36 minutes - 16.8 MBIn this episode we're looking at Audio production software, commonly know as 'Digital Audio Workstations' in the audio production industry. We'll look at the most common options out there to give you an idea of which one might suit you. A Digital Audio Workstation (or DAW, for short) is simply an audio editing package that lets you cut out mistakes, splice together different clips and add in music or sound effects. It also allows you to process your audio with a range of different effects, ...
Bits & Bobs: Cables, Stands, & More | PodCraft 1106
May 01, 2019 04:00 - 29 minutes - 13.6 MBCables, stands, jacks, plugs, pop filters – the less glamorous, but still utterly essential part of the podcasting equipment pantheon. It’s common for podcasters to spend three figure sums on both their mic, and their recording device, then link the two together with a cable they’ll spend $5 on. On this episode, we look to better understand all these different ‘Bits & Bobs’ by running through what they are, what they look like, and what they do. Types of Audio Cable & Connection XLR Cabl...
Audio Monitoring | PodCraft 1105
April 23, 2019 11:00 - 25 minutes - 12 MBPodcast listening isn't exclusive to podcast listeners. Podcasters need to listen to their own audio too - both whilst it's being recorded, and whilst it's being edited. We call this type of creator listening "monitoring", and that's what we'll be discussing on this episode of PodCraft. Key Considerations Listen through headphones (even a cheap pair of earbuds) whilst recording audio to pick up on any issues in Real Time. Use headphones or speakers with a flat frequency response. Don't u...
Mobile Recording with Smartphones or Tablets | PodCraft 1104
April 17, 2019 11:00 - 25 minutes - 11.6 MBYou most likely already carry an expensive recording device around with you everywhere you go. We're talking, of course, about your smartphone. In this episode of PodCraft we take a look at the different gear and options available for turning your phone or tablet into a fully functioning podcast studio. Gear Mentioned Rode SmartLav + and SC6 Splitter - lavalier mic option Samson Go Mic Mobile - wireless option, lavalier or handheld Zoom iQ5 - attachment capsule Shure MOTIV MV88 - at...
Do I need a Mixer for Podcasting? If so, Which One? PodCraft 1103
April 01, 2019 23:00 - 29 minutes - 13.7 MBOn this episode of PodCraft we're talking Mixers - when and if you might want one. It's not cut and dry by any means! Let's look at the arguments. And you can also check out our Best Podcast Mixers roundup if you're already won over to the idea of getting one. We'll be mentioning some of our favourite models in this episode too. When Might You Think About Getting a Mixer? Here are the reasons you might want to go ahead and starting looking at mixers: You want more audio inputs - eg. mor...
Choosing a Digital Recorder for Podcasting | Podcraft 1102
March 20, 2019 00:00 - 16 minutes - 7.46 MBIn this episode we’ll cover why you might want to use a digital recorder in your podcasting efforts, and how to choose the best one for you. We’ve discussed digital recorders in the past, and in fact you can find current definitive guide here: The Best Digital Podcast Recorders on the Market. This episode discusses the very same stuff with a little extra detail. We'll cover: Why Might you Need a Digital Recorder for Podcasting? Mobile recording – capture an interview any time, any plac...
What Microphone Do I Need to Podcast? Podcraft 1101
March 15, 2019 12:00 - 30 minutes - 14.1 MBIn this episode, we’re talking microphones. We cover the best microphones for podcasting, and how to choose the right one for you. You can also read our popular article on the subject: The Best Podcasting Microphones For series 11, we’re looking at your next steps in terms of equipment. In this series we’ll be going through all of the kit you can use for podcasting, from one end of the audio chain to the other – microphone to editor. For each type I’ll be covering Entry level and pro l...
The Podcast Host 2018 End of Year Review
December 18, 2018 14:00 - 49 minutes - 22.8 MBAs another year draws to a close, we sit down to chat through the last 12 months at The Podcast Host Towers. What went well? What didn't? And what do we have planned for the future? In terms of big milestones this year, we had the long-awaited launch of Alitu - The Podcast Making App, the switch up of The Podcast Host Academy to an annual membership, the launch of our Podcast Launch Service, and we brought down the curtain on this first season of our space-science audio drama documentary po...
Promoting Your Podcast with an Audio Trailer
September 11, 2018 23:00 - 24 minutes - 11.5 MBCreating a 30 second promo trailer for your show is a great way to grow your audience. A trailer is a little "taster" for potential new listeners, and gives them an idea of the tone, feel, and content of the show. It's easy to consume, and easy to share too. On this episode we're going to listen to and offer feedback on some promo trailers that were created by members of The Podcast Host Academy as part of our monthly ($50 prize) competition. The shows are; The Postcard Academy - https://pos...
How to Find Your Niche & Be an Audience Magnet
August 29, 2018 23:00 - 27 minutes - 12.8 MBOn this episode, we're talking niche. That's neeeesh, not nitch, but either way, it's all about getting really specific with your content offering. Karen Reyburn is our guest, and her whole business is built around this concept. She runs a creative agency, but for a particular niche: Accountants. On this episode you'll learn: What is a niche, exactly? And why it's not just an industry How to find your own niche, and be an audience magnet Can you go too small with a niche? Resources The Pro...
How to Tell Great Stories in Your Podcast, with Jessica Abel
August 14, 2018 23:00 - 42 minutes - 19.5 MBBy it's very nature, podcasting is storytelling. But what makes a story good, or interesting? Well, who better to give us a crash course on how to tell great stories than Jessica Abel, creator of the essential book and podcast series Out on the Wire. In this episode, the key things you'll learn are; How to capture good stories How to draw stories out of interviews How to use tools such as the X/Y Formula, the Focus Sentence, and the Story MatrixSupport the show (https://pod.academy)
How a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) Can Help You Simplify & Grow Your Podcast | The Podcraft Podcast
August 07, 2018 23:00 - 28 minutes - 13.2 MBJon Ferrara was the founder of Goldmine, which was a customer management tool back in the day, but when he sold that company he didn’t stop thinking about connections, and networks. He kept an eye on the CRM market, and spotted the fact that they tended be pretty expensive or over complicated, or a bit […]Support the show
How to Get More Exposure for Your Podcast | The Podcraft Podcast
July 31, 2018 23:00 - 25 minutes - 11.6 MBYou can pour your heart and soul into making the best podcast possible. But simply hitting publish and taking the “if you build it, they will come” approach isn’t enough, sadly. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to optimise your show’s exposure and continually grow your audience with new listeners. And to talk […] Support the show (https://pod.academy)
What’s Next? Stepping It up | Podcraft 1013
July 24, 2018 23:00 - 30 minutes - 14.2 MBPlanning and launching your first podcast can be a steep learning curve. But once you’re actually putting episodes out there, the pitfalls are a little different. Now the battle is about keeping things consistent, sustainable, and enjoyable. So once you get past your first 20 episodes, what then? That’s what we’re going to help you […]Support the show
Putting Your Podcast out into the World | Podcraft 1012
July 17, 2018 23:00 - 28 minutes - 13.1 MBSo far we’ve walked you through to the point where you’ve uploaded your first episode to your media host. At this stage, you have a podcast. But it still can’t actually be found in all the places people actually listen to podcasts. That’s an easy fix though, don’t worry! In this episode we’ll tell you […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Podcast Hosting & Websites | Podcraft 1011
July 10, 2018 23:00 - 23 minutes - 10.8 MBSo you’ve recorded your first podcast episode and now you’re ready to share it with the world. How exactly do you upload it though? In this episode we’ll give you a crash course on podcast websites and media hosting. Here you’ll learn what you need to publish a podcast episode, and the various options available […] Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Podcast Branding: Artwork and Music | Podcraft 1010
July 03, 2018 23:00 - 24 minutes - 11 MBCover art and music are two ways of branding your podcast and giving it its own unique personality. It isn’t essential to have music in your podcast however. If you want to keep your show really raw and simple then you might avoid using it altogether. But music can create that immediately identifiable opening to […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Editing Your Podcast | Podcraft 1009
June 26, 2018 23:00 - 31 minutes - 14.5 MBWithout a doubt, editing is the one aspect of podcasting that we’re most frequently asked about. In this episode we’re going to run through some of the options available to you when it comes to editing. What Can I Edit With? You can use a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to edit your podcast. Commonly used […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Recording Environment | Podcraft 1008
June 19, 2018 23:00 - 22 minutes - 10.5 MBOn today’s episode of Podcraft we’re taking a look at something that’s super important. However something that you might not naturally consider. Your recording environment! By this, we mean the place you decide to record and how all of the factors around you can come into play. Recording Environment The recording environment goes hand in […]Support the show
Your Podcast Recording Set-Up | Podcraft 1007
June 12, 2018 23:00 - 20 minutes - 9.62 MBWe know that one of the biggest barriers you might have stopping you creating your podcast is worrying about how to set-up your equipment. We’re going to go through how to get your show on tape, how to set-up everything you need to record your perfect podcast. And we’re going to cover recording online, and […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Planning & Scripting Your Episode | Podcraft 1006
June 05, 2018 23:00 - 18 minutes - 8.62 MBWinging it is certainly a skill, but there’s also something to be said for great planning & scripting. It can be the difference between a listener feeling really engaged with your podcast and thinking it’s a bit of a waffle. Planning & Scripting In the sixth episode of our tenth season of Podcraft, we look […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
How Long and How Often? | Podcraft 1005
May 29, 2018 23:00 - 16 minutes - 7.5 MBThere’s no doubt that you’re recording a podcast about something you love. And therefore you can probably talk for days all about your topic! However, you only hold your listener’s attention for so long. So how do you figure out what the best length is? And how often should you give your listeners new episodes […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Formats And Approaches | Podcraft S10E04
May 22, 2018 23:00 - 16 minutes - 7.68 MBIn the fourth episode of our new Podcraft season, we talk formats and approaches. You’ll need to consider which kind of format you’d like your podcast to be when beginning to plan out your podcast. And you’ll need to work out the approach you’re going to take to get you there. Let’s run through the […]Support the show
Who Are You Podcasting For? | Podcraft S10E03
May 15, 2018 23:00 - 13 minutes - 6.02 MBIn this episode of our tenth season of Podcraft, we continue to explore the first steps in launching your own podcast. This week we focus on audience. We talk about who you should be podcasting for and how to find out who your audience is. Who Are You Podcasting For? An Avatar is your ideal […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
What Are You Podcasting For? | Podcraft S10E02
May 08, 2018 23:00 - 13 minutes - 6.09 MBIn the second episode of our tenth season of Podcraft, we debate the answer to one of the greatest questions that every podcaster faces; What are you podcasting for? If you are thinking of launching your own podcast, you should have a reason for doing so. In the show we explore the best way to […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
The Benefits Of Running A Podcast | Podcraft 1001
May 01, 2018 23:00 - 17 minutes - 8.15 MBIn the first episode of our tenth season of Podcraft we decide to re-evaluate the basics. As a celebration of our tenth season anniversaray, we are re-examining and re-recording the topics we discussed in Season one. Episode one looks at the benefits of podcasting. Benefits Of Podcasting Number 1: Engagement Voice engages audience. This builds […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Making Your Podcast more Accessible (& Growing Your Audience as a Result!)
March 28, 2018 23:00 - 27 minutes - 12.4 MBOn this episode of Podcraft, I’m talking to Nicolas Steenhout from the A11Y Rules Podcast. Nicolas is an accessiblity evangelist, helping anyone he can to improve their online content’s accesibility. I loved his top-line advice around the all-round benefits of being familiar with accessibility: A little time spent learning the basics of accessibility can help […] Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Tools & Tactics for Making a Highly-Produced Podcast | Podcraft 908
March 08, 2018 00:00 - 41 minutes - 18.9 MBIn the final episode of our season on creating Highly-Produced Podcasts, we look at some of the tools and tactics to make your workflow as smooth as possible. Tools for Planning Evernote Trello Notion Tools for Scripting Scrivener Celtx Trint – Automated transcriptions (cheaper) Rev – Human transcriptions (more accurate) Tools for Production Adobe Audition […] Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Audiobooks, Patreon & Sponsorship to Monetise a Creative Podcast
February 27, 2018 00:00 - 31 minutes - 14.6 MBIn this episode I’m talking to Joanna Penn of ‘The Creative Penn Podcast‘ about monetisation methods for podcasting. Joanna runs one of the UK’s longest lasting shows, alongside her hugely successful ‘self publishing’ website: The Creative Penn. Early on she made the decision that the show had to pay for itself, to justify her time away […]Support the show
The Podcraft 2017 Christmas Special
December 24, 2017 00:00 - 43 minutes - 20.1 MBThe Podcast Host team try the “just 3 guys, in a basement, drinking beer” approach in this Christmas special, where, unfortunately, you’ll learn absolutely nothing about podcasting. Well, maybe there’s a bit of “how not to” in here… Aside from that, some of the topics you will hear about are Scottish beer, animal adoption, tabletop wargaming, […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Do I Need a Team to Make a Highly-Produced Podcast? Podcraft 907
December 21, 2017 00:00 - 45 minutes - 20.8 MBThe vast majority of podcasts are run by one single person. But does the “one man band” approach work for Highly-Produced Podcasts? The answer is, it depends. There are reasons why it can work, and reasons why it might not. You might really dislike some of the tasks involved in putting this type of show […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Using Music & SFX in Highly-Produced Podcasts | Podcraft 906
December 14, 2017 00:00 - 39 minutes - 18.2 MBThe use of music, ambience, and sound effects can really enhance your podcast episodes and give them that highly-produced feel. In this episode we talk about the use of these elements, and how to get the right balance so that they enhance and compliment your content. We discuss where to find music and sound effects […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Doing Interviews for Highly-Produced Podcasts | Podcraft 905
December 07, 2017 00:00 - 24 minutes - 11.2 MBIt’s likely that you’ll want to have interviewees and guests on your highly-produced podcast. Like pretty much everything we’ve discussed in this series so far, there’s an overlap with recording interviews for “standard” podcasts. But there’s definitely some extra work in the planning and execution we can put in that can enhance our finished piece, […]Support the show
Recording & Equipment for Highly-Produced Podcasts | Podcraft 904
November 30, 2017 00:00 - 28 minutes - 13.3 MBDo you need different equipment and recording methods to create a “highly-produced” podcast? The short answer is no, but we’ll be taking a look at this question in more depth on this episode. There are various elements that make up highly-produced episodes. You’ll need to record the presenter narration, as well as the interviews or […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Scripting & Planning Highly-Produced Podcasts | Podcraft 903
November 23, 2017 00:00 - 32 minutes - 14.9 MBOne of the main things that sets a highly-produced podcast apart from a “standard” podcast is the level of scripting and planning. It’s a good idea to think in advance about the ultimate aim of your series, the aims of each individual episode, and how they all fit and flow together. There’s a decent chance […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Structure & Framework of a Highly-Produced Podcast | Podcraft 902
November 16, 2017 00:00 - 26 minutes - 12.2 MBAlthough there’s no rules in podcasting about how episodes must be structured, we do see some common themes when we look at highly-produced shows. These podcasts tend to have more elements, and the presenter may duck in and out, introducing, getting out the way, then coming back to pass comment on something. This might be […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Creating Highly-Produced Podcasts | Podcraft 901
November 09, 2017 00:00 - 25 minutes - 11.5 MBWhether you’re trying to stand out in an increasingly crowded market, or want to showcase your production skills, making a highly-produced podcast series can be great for building an audience and getting noticed. And by “highly produced” we’re really talking about shows that mix in multiple elements beyond the standard intro-content-outro template. A much used […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
What If My Topic Is Dry? | Podcraft 817
September 28, 2017 23:00 - 17 minutes - 7.86 MBThe ins and outs of employment law might not sound like the most entertaining topic in the world to most people. But Blackadders Solicitors here in The Podcast Host’s hometown of Dundee are building a dedicated and enthusiastic following around their show Employment Lawyer In Your Pocket. In this episode I’m chatting with one of […]Support the show
How to Spread the Word & Convert Listeners in Non-Podcasting Niche | Podcraft 816
September 21, 2017 23:00 - 30 minutes - 14 MBIn this episode I talk to Andrew Clews of The Motoring Podcast about how they’ve gone about breaking into very non-podcasting niche. We also delved a little into how they’ve gone about structuring their show, to allow for different types of content and different types of listener: particularly news vs industry stories. If you’re curious […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Monetizing a Local Podcast | Podcraft Episode 815
September 14, 2017 23:00 - 30 minutes - 14 MBOn this week’s episode of Podcraft we’re joined in the studio by Ryan McLeod. Ryan runs a local design studio business, Slurpp, as well as his own Podcast based around the creative industries in our very own city, called Creative Chit Chat Dundee. And that’s what we’re going to be talking about on today’s Podcraft […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Podcasting Law: Stay Legal & Protect Your Brand | Podcraft 814
September 07, 2017 23:00 - 34 minutes - 15.7 MBSome of the biggest questions we get here at The Podcast Host are surrounding the legalities of podcasting and creating content. We’ve been trying to trace down a podcasting expert who specialises in this sort of stuff, and that’s who we’ll be interviewing on this week’s episode of Podcraft – the show about everything podcasting […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Why You Don’t Need 20 Episodes to Launch a Podcast | Podcraft 813
August 31, 2017 23:00 - 23 minutes - 10.7 MBSomething that we’ve been hearing quite a lot recently is people thinking they need to have a load of recorded podcasts before they launch. We disagree. You don’t need 20 episodes (or even 10…or 5) episodes recorded before you launch your show. We’ll be explaining this, and more, in detail on this episode of Podcraft […]Support the show
Introducing the Hostile Worlds Podcast
August 28, 2017 23:00 - 4 minutes - 2.3 MBHere at The Podcast Host we’ve been hard at work recently, creating a new highly-produced podcast. It’s called Hostile Worlds, an it’s an audio drama/space documentary hybrid. If that’s right up your street, or if you just want a taster of how something like that might sound, then here’s a little teaser for you… Join […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
Live Shows: How to Broadcast Your Podcast | Podcraft 812
August 24, 2017 23:00 - 17 minutes - 8.14 MBEver thought about broadcasting your podcast live but also keeping it as a podcast as well? Well you’re in luck, because that’s exactly what we’ll be discussing on this week’s episode of Podcraft. This is the podcast about everything podcasting, from launch to monetization and everything in between. We’d also like to thank Podbean for […]Support the show
How to Find a Fault in your Podcast Setup or Equipment | Podcraft 811
August 17, 2017 23:00 - 21 minutes - 9.75 MBIt’s episode 11 of season 8, and we’re looking at those most annoying of creatures – faults in our setup! It happens, every now and again: you make a recording and there’s some kind of buzz or whine in the background. Or, perhaps there’s no sound at all – it’s just not recording. How do […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)
When & How to Change Your Podcast Name or Branding | Podcraft 810
August 10, 2017 23:00 - 23 minutes - 10.6 MBThis week, I’m (Colin) doing solo show answering a question that came up in The Podcast Host Academy community forum. One of our members is finding his original podcast brand and concept a little limiting. It’s a common thing – we start out in quite a niche subject, and end up wanting to branch out […]Support the show (https://pod.academy)