PodCraft by Alitu: Honing the Craft of Podcasting

Back in November, our Independent Podcaster Report found that only 15% of creators were actively monetising their shows. Of those that did, the majority were running ads and sponsorship. If you missed it, ​the full report is here​.This week on Podcraft, we got into the thornier side of that: can ads erode audience trust? Are they an annoyance? And how many is too many?We picked apart some other claims, too: AI voices will become indistinguishable from real hostsOne viral clip can change everythingYouTube rewards podcasters more than podcast apps doIf you don't have 5+ hours a week, don't start a podcastYour podcast idea isn't uniqueIf you're not getting feedback, your podcast isn't memorablePodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

If you build an audience on a third-party platform, it's often said that you don't "own" that audience. But does this miss the point of what an audience actually is? That's just one of the discussion points this week as we continue our 'agree or disagree?' journey through podcasting. Are Solo podcasts harder to grow than interview shows?Are interviews the laziest form of podcasting?Is owning your email list more important than growing your podcast?Will AI replace most podcast editing within 2 years?If you let AI write for you, will you lose the ability to write?Are long-form podcasts dying?Does consistency matter more than quality?If your podcast isn’t growing, is it your fault?Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

"Podcasting should never feel like hard work". It sounds nice, but is it true? If it were that easy, wouldn't everyone have a massively successful podcast?On the latest episode of Podcraft, we’re back with our “agree or disagree” format, running through a few statements and giving our take on each. Here's everything we discussed...You should plan at least 10 episodes before launchingThe narrower the niche, the betterAudiograms still work in 2026It’s okay if your first 3 episodes sound badYou might as well host on Spotify - it’s freeShort episodes perform betterWeekly publishing is unrealistic for most peoplePodcasting advice creators are part of the problemPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Is your podcast growth at the mercy of "the algorithm", or do you have more control than you think? On this episode of Podcraft, we run through a few statements about podcasting and debate on whether we agree or disagree with them. Podcasters need to keep in touch with industry news and trendsPaid subscription requires extra work or contentPodcasters control their own discoverabilityYouTube is now more important to podcasters than Apple PodcastsSponsor and ad reads should always be host-readGuesting on other podcasts is overrated Also mentioned: Colin's Creator Business PageAlitu: The Podcast Maker

How do you know if your podcast sponsorships are actually driving results? Here are four practical ways to track listener engagement and show sponsors what’s really working. These tips make it easier to prove value, strengthen partnerships, and grow your show’s revenue!MentionedAlitu: The Podcast MakerGoogle Campaign URL Builder

If running your podcast has started to feel like a grind, you risk losing your creative spark. This week, I want to try something that'll help rekindle your enthusiasm for podcasting. The episode of Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Have you ever noticed that a podcast you follow hasn't put out an episode in months, only to find they're still actively publishing on YouTube?In this episode, Colin’s away, so I’m joined by Jacob to unpack a shift we’re seeing more and more. Creators recording for YouTube and letting the audio feed fall away. Sometimes intentionally. Sometimes just because it feels easier.We talk about why this is not really an audio versus video debate. It’s a distribution debate. When you remove open RSS and rely on a single platform, you change how people can consume your show. You also risk cutting off your most loyal listeners, the ones who want to listen while walking, driving, or working, not sit and watch.From there, we dig into Apple’s latest move to support video more seriously inside Apple Podcasts. Instead of clunky separate feeds, Apple is rolling out HLS video streaming via hosting providers. We explore what that could mean for open podcasting, how it compares to Spotify’s walled garden approach, and whether pricing could become the real barrier for indie creators.We also talk about pull-based content systems for curating your podcast or newsletter.If information is infinite in 2026, curation becomes valuable. I share an idea for building a pull-based workflow that gathers relevant updates automatically, so you can filter and add your own perspective rather than spending hours manually searching. Jacob walks through practical ways to prototype this using AI projects and automation tools, without needing to code.The episode of Podcraft is sponsored by Beamly, and is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Our indiepod legends have given us many insights, tips, and words of advice this season. They're speaking from positions of authority and experience, but they didn't get there overnight. On the final episode of Season 20, we'll dig into what they wish they'd known before they started and ask about some mistakes they see new podcasters make.Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

On last week's episode of Podcraft, we agreed that sponsorship was broadly overrated for the average indie creator.But... that doesn't mean it isn't the right fit for you.Maybe you podcast within a specialist hobby, professional field, or enthusiast community. In many niches, sponsorship fits naturally because you're talking about certain tools, products, or services anyway.Getting paid for those endorsements can help support your work without any disruption to your content. It's only a matter of reaching out and asking.But that's the tricky part. Does the person you speak to understand the power of audio? And do they want to make a split-second decision based on comparing your download numbers to the social media metrics of your average "influencer"?On this quick episode of Podcraft, I run through what I learned after creating a 2026-proof media kit for my own hobby podcast. If you're even considering sponsorship, I think you'll get a lot from it...Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Which podcasting best practices are actually worth your time, and which ones are overhyped?In this episode, we take a deliberately opinionated look at common podcasting advice, tools, and assumptions, and decide whether each one holds up in practice.Good mic technique - underrated or overrated?Written podcast descriptions - underrated or overrated?Podcast show notes - underrated or overrated?High bitrates and lossless audio - underrated or overrated?Short video clips for social - underrated or overrated?Researching guests and planning out interviews - underrated or overrated?"Celebrity" guests - underrated or overrated?Podcast sponsorship - underrated or overrated?Intro music - underrated or overrated?Hiring a podcast editor - underrated or overrated?We also tackle a thoughtful listener question on how to relaunch a podcast with existing episodes. The answer outlines a practical two-week sprint focused on SEO, guest sharing, collaborations, email lists, and early momentum, without relying on social media.MentionedBeamly Podcast Subscriptions & Memberships PlatformRephonic GraphHow to Title Your EpisodesSCALE: Podcast Growth FrameworkHow to Write a Great Podcast DescriptionHire a Podcast ProducerKit vs Beehiiv for Email NewslettersPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

What will podcasting actually look like by the end of 2026, once the hype settles and habits stick?In this episode, we make grounded predictions about where the medium is heading and what creators may want to do less of. We examine the growing pushback against video-first shows that neglect audio listeners, why audio-only content may regain strength, and how screen fatigue could reshape creator priorities.We also look at the future of tools and platforms. Where AI editing genuinely saves time, where it risks flattening personality, and why rougher, more human solo content may become more valuable rather than less. We explore distribution too, including what might come next from Spotify, whether Apple Podcasts is likely to evolve, and why open RSS still matters even as video grows.Finally, we wrap up by looking ahead. Which formats are likely to thrive, how monetisation and advertising may shift, and how creators can decide what is actually worth their time.Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Do you still need all the “must-do” podcasting advice that gets recycled every year, or has some of it quietly expired?In this episode, we revisit a long list of podcasting essentials and ask one question of each: Does this still matter in 2026? We look at what still earns its place, what has changed, and what you can stop worrying about entirely.The focus is on practical decisions, not trends. When consistency helps and when it gets in the way, why some advice was never essential to begin with, and how much effort makes sense depending on whether your show is a hobby, a growth project, or a business.The thread throughout is simple. Understand why you are doing something, not just whether you have been told you should.Do you still need...A podcast website?A podcast trailer?Apple Podcasts reviews?A microphone?A consistent format or length?To launch with three episodes?An email list?To add metadata to your files?Interview guests?An RSS feed?To listen back to your episodes?Also mentionedGet in touchPodpagePodcast trailer guideUsing Rephonic to find collaborators The Samson Q2U micPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Can you legally use music, TV clips, or radio audio in your podcast, or is it a fast track to takedowns and trouble?In this episode, we unpack how copyright actually works for podcasters. What fair use really means, why it is a legal defence rather than permission, and where creators most often get caught out. We look at the practical risks, including automated copyright detection, platform removals, and takedown requests from rights holders.A quick note before you listen: we are not lawyers. This episode is based on our experience and understanding of how copyright is applied in practice, not legal advice. If you plan to rely on a fair use defence, you should understand the risks involved and make that call deliberately.Our conversation also widens into modern podcasting workflows. We discuss why video podcasts still need to work as audio-first shows, how many “video listeners” are actually listening in the background, and how relying on visuals can quietly break the experience for most of your audience.MentionedWhere to Get Podcast MusicThe Maono PD200W Hybrid Mic (affiliate link)The One Essential Rule Video Podcasters Can't IgnoreGuardian piece on some video podcasts making for bad audio experiencesPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Almost all the benefits of podcasting stem from one thing – and that’s consistency. If you publish quality content over a prolonged period of time, you eventually hit a critical mass of episodes you can now call your “back catalogue” – and it’s a powerful tool.On this episode of Podcraft, we’re going to look at the benefits of this published body of work, which includes the ability for new listeners to binge your content, as well as providing you with a tonne of repurposing options, too.Following up on our previous episode, From Doubt to Determination, we’ll also continue to explore the barriers and challenges our Indiepod Legends have faced, as well as how they’ve overcome them. It’s another value-packed programme filled with lessons, takeaways, and motivating anecdotes!The PodcastsBring Your Product Idea to LifeThe Joy of CruisingWild for ScotlandTravel N Sh!tBoard Game Design LabShe Well ReadFighting ThroughLush LifeThe One Percent Better RunnerThe Savvy Social PodcastThe Euro TripI Should Be WritingPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

We test your podcasting knowledge in a series of quizzes and challenges. Along the way, we tackle industry stats, listener behaviour, gear trends, and a mix of real and not-so-real podcasts, while reflecting on the numbers and themes that shaped podcasting over the past year.Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Are you using AI to sharpen your thinking, or quietly letting it replace it?Can podcasters and creators still work with AI without losing the slow, human thinking that makes ideas worth sharing? We talk about using AI as a sounding board rather than a generator, why “thinking walks” still matter, and how convenience can flatten creativity if you are not careful.There are practical lessons, too. We cover how to handle co-hosted interviews without talking over each other, what changed after a recent home studio move, including audio and lighting choices, and details of a new podcast launch challenge aimed at getting shows live in January.MentionedThe 2026 Podcast Launch Challenge7 Ways to Make Your Content Irresistibly Human in an AI AgeTour of Colin's Video Podcast SetupColin's Video Lighting (Affiliate Links)Neweer LED Panel LightsSoftbox AttachmentGrid AttachmentPhilips Hue Strip LightsPhilips Hue Go LightPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Imagine a podcaster who has been publishing for a couple of years. Every time they check their stats, the number is the same.They assume they have hit a plateau.So they spend more on marketing. They push harder on promotion. Nothing changes. The number stays flat.What that number does not show is what is happening underneath. New listeners are finding the show. At the same time, existing listeners are drifting away. Growth and churn are cancelling each other out.The show is moving. The metric makes it look stuck.In this episode, we're joined by Dan Misener from Bumper to unpack why download numbers can be misleading, and what better signals actually tell you how your podcast is performing. We also tackle churn head-on. If new listeners are finding your show but not sticking around, we look at what might be driving that drop off and what you can do to change it.The Bumper DashboardColin's tour of the Bumper Dashboard & Podcraft's analyticsHow to Calculate Your Podcast Listen TimeThe 2026 Podcast Launch ChallengePodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Fiction podcasts often hold listeners for longer than non-fiction shows. But what can non-fiction creators learn from this? We break down the simple storytelling tools that keep audiences hooked, including open loops, stronger intros, clearer arcs, and themed seasons. We also highlight some easy wins that improve retention, such as smoother transitions, cleaner audio, and titles that set clearer expectations.We then dive into a detailed review of a history and policy podcast and explore the lessons it offers for growth. Naming clarity, smarter show notes, and better use of a back catalogue all come up as high-impact opportunities. We also look at ways to reach more listeners through collaborations, community spaces, news-reactive episodes, and in-app promotion. The thread throughout is simple. Strengthen retention first, then build reach with structure, consistency, and relevance.MentionedPutting the Past to Work: The History-Policy Podcast at UCLAHow to Record the Perfect Podcast IntroApply to be Featured on Apple PodcastsThe SCALE Podcast Growth FrameworkThe Bumper Dashboard: The Future of Podcast AnalyticsPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

What if monetising a podcast was simpler than the usual laundry list of tactics suggests? A new model called the Three As breaks earning potential into three clear paths: Audience, which includes supporter perks and light adsAuthority, which covers coaching, courses, and specialist servicesAssets, which includes books, products, and affiliate incomeThe aim is to choose the route that fits your show’s size and purpose rather than copy the strategies used by giants.Elsewhere, recent Independent Podcaster survey results show creators splitting into two broad groups. Audio-first shows follow flexible production routines, while video-led podcasts often feel the pressure of weekly uploads from platforms like YouTube. These differences show up in formats, production time, and a growing worry that video’s rise could narrow the types of stories podcasters feel able to make.There is also a look at the event season ahead and how to get more from it. The focus is on going in with clear intentions, using the space to meet potential guests, and treating each venue as a chance to make connections rather than sit through panels all day.The episode ends with practical studio advice. Creating depth behind you, shaping your light, and mixing fixed and angled shots can all lift your visuals without expensive gear. A bit of planning and a thoughtful layout often matter more than the camera you use.Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

In this conversation, Colin sits down with Craig Hewitt, founder of Castos, to discuss the shifting landscape of content creation. Fresh off completing a 100 Days of YouTube challenge, Craig shares why he chose video over podcasting during that time, what he learned about platform growth, and the powerful truths about podcast numbers versus engagement (where podcasting still shines!)They explore the convergence of audio, video, and email platforms, the challenges of monetization in podcasting, how AI is reshaping content workflows (without replacing creators), and why a few hundred engaged podcast listeners might be more valuable than 100,000 YouTube views.GuestCraig Hewitt - Founder of Castos, a podcast hosting platform. Recently completed 100 Days of AI on YouTube, growing from 250 to 11,000 subscribers. Find him at Castos.com or search "Craig Hewitt" on YouTube.Chapter Markers[00:00] Introduction & Catching Up[02:15] Has Podcasting Changed More in the Last Year?[05:30] What is Podcasting in 3-5 Years?[08:45] Craig's 100 Days of YouTube (And No Podcasting)[12:20] The Convergence of Content Platforms[16:00] Product Development: When to Expand vs Focus[20:45] Spotify as a Video Platform[25:30] Exclusive APIs and Platform Access[30:15] What Really Matters in Podcast Software[35:00] The Monetization Challenge[42:30] AI in Content Creation[48:00] Building AI-First Products[52:15] Craig's AI Learnings from 100 Days[56:45] Growing on YouTube: Concept is Everything[62:00] The 800 vs 11,000 Paradox[66:30] Small Audiences, Big RevenueKey TakeawaysPlatform choice matters: Optimize content for one channel rather than trying to make everything work everywhereEngagement beats reach: A few hundred loyal podcast listeners can be more valuable than 100K YouTube views for certain business modelsAI is a tool, not a replacement: It amplifies human capability but requires strategic implementationConcept is king on YouTube: Title, thumbnail, and mass appeal trump production qualityPodcasting works best for: Coaches, consultants, and anyone with high-ticket offerings and existing audiencesThe industry irony: Even podcast hosting companies prioritize YouTube and blogs over their own podcastsLinks & ResourcesCastos: https://castos.comAlitu: https://alitu.com (podcast editing and hosting)The Podcast Host: https://thepodcasthost.comCraig's YouTube: Search "Craig Hewitt Castos"Creator Hooks: https://creatorhooks.com (mentioned for title/thumbnail generation)Notable Quotes"For certain types of people in certain situations, a podcast is by far the most valuable kind of marketing real estate they can have. The rub is that's not everyone or even most people." - Craig Hewitt"If you have 1,000 podcast listeners, you might convert 500 of them, but if you have 10,000 YouTube watchers, you might still only convert 500 of them." - Colin GraySubscribe to PodCraft for more conversations about running a successful podcast in today's evolving content landscape.