Podcasting Insights: growth advice for people and brands

In this episode:This podcast is taking a new direction. Audience is split; creators want craft, while marketers crave strategy. A brand new show called B2B Podcasting Insights is launching for the business-minded listeners. Podcasting Insights will still be your creative haven, sans the marketing jargon. Expect shorter, punchy episodes that dive into serious ROI without the fluffy stuff. Next week, we'll chat about why consistency in podcasting might just be overrated. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

You know that thing where you give everyone else great podcast advice… and then ignore it yourself?Yeah. That.In this episode, I’m calling myself out. And fixing my own podcast strategy in public. I realised my show had drifted, lost focus, and wasn’t clear who it was really for. So I’m stripping it back, rebuilding the positioning, and showing you exactly how to get clarity on your own audience too.If you’ve ever wondered whether your show’s serving the right people, or just shouting into the void then this one’s for you.You’ll learn:🎯 How to define your podcast audience (for real)🚫 What to cut ⚖️ The balance between craft, creator joy, and cash in the bank🔁 How to rebuild a show without starting from scratch👉 Site: https://podmastery.co👉 Contact: https://podmastery.co/contact👉 Leave me a voicemail: https://podmastery.co/voicemailMentioned in this episode:A Podknows ProductionPodknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

If you're fed up with hearing people insist you "need to put your podcast on YouTube", this episode will give you a sense of relief. I've just come back from judging the Independent Podcast Awards and spent time with some of the best indie creators around. What struck me wasn't how eager they were to jump on video, but how quickly the myth started to unravel once we looked at what video actually costs independent podcasters, in cash, energy, and lost focus. This episode is all about unpacking the hard truth behind the "you must do video to grow" narrative and how most audio-first shows are actually better off keeping their attention on what already works. I share a case study of a winning indie show, Floating Space, and its host’s reaction when I pushed back on video hype and explained why going all-in on YouTube rarely delivers for indies who aren’t looking to become full-time video editors. There’s plenty here that you won’t find in any of the LinkedIn gurus’ posts, and you’ll walk away understanding why "discovery" isn't just about being searchable—it's about being findable and worth listening to.Chapters:00:00 The Video Myth02:00 Hype vs Reality05:00 Awards Night penny-drop08:00 “But you publish video…”11:00 What to do instead15:00 7-day focusPodcast Improvement Audit (Lite): https://podmastery.co/liteThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

AI makes it easy to ship more… of nothing. Here’s why “slop-casting” is flattening audio and how to outplay it with Voice, Value, and Vulnerability. Bonus: suggestion for a simple A/B experiment you can do today to audit your soul in the feed. Prefer an actual audit with me? Book here: podmastery.co/lite.Mentioned in this episode:A Podknows ProductionPodknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

There’s a hard truth most podcast experts will dodge, but I don’t have the energy or patience for avoiding it - there’s a reason your podcast audience isn’t growing, and it’s not because you haven’t been hustling hard enough on LinkedIn or spamming your socials. Look, I see it over and over; brand new podcasters with all the energy in the world, launching their show and immediately going full throttle with promotion before even figuring out whether the content’s actually any good. In this episode of Podcasting Insights, I lay out why that’s a sure-fire way to set yourself up for repeated disappointment and burnout. Instead, I’ll walk you through my entire approach for building podcasts people actually want to talk about, and not just because you begged them to on LinkedIn. We get into why promotion isn’t the lever you pull first, what actually matters to develop a show that holds attention, and what I make every client face up to before they spend a penny (or another hour) trying to chase down listeners.00:00 Why Your Promotion is in Reverse!04:53 Integrity and Strategic Success07:34 "Building Loyal, Valuable Audiences"12:57 Silent Launch Strategy Advice13:59 Proof Before Promotion StrategyUseful links:Get your audit - https://podmastery.co/liteSee your Apple Podcasts retention data: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/ Spotify dashboard: https://podcasters.spotify.com/gatewayFind all episodes of Podcasting Insights: https://www.podmastery.co/Tom Webster's The Audience Is Listening: https://audienceislisteningbook.com/Mentioned in this episode:A Podknows ProductionPodknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/Show Notes SimplifiedAre you sick of having to write out your episode descriptions (show notes) from scratch every time? Want to set up a templated approach that will save you hours every week? This tool is for you! (Note - this is an affiliate offer, but I don't recommend tools I'm not using myself, and I use this one DAILY)Simplify your show notesThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Rapper's Delight might be the anthem we often think of when it comes to hip hop's origins, but let me hit you with a plot twist – it wasn’t the first. That honor actually goes to a gospel group called the Jubilees, who dropped a rap-like hit back in 1946! Wild, right? This kick-off leads us into a deep dive about the real essence of being ‘first’ in the podcasting world. It’s not just about who got there first; it’s about who can break through the noise and grab attention. We’ve all seen the podcasters vying to become the next ‘Diary of a CEO’ but spoiler alert: that’s a one-way ticket to nowhere. Instead, let’s focus on carving out our unique space. How do we find our own ‘Rapper’s Delight’ moment? It’s all about framing our conversations in a way that makes our audience stop, listen, and think, ‘wow, this is fresh!’ We chat about flipping the format, leading with tension, and showing up authentically. The takeaway? Don’t worry about being first or copying others; instead, aim to be the one who resonates. Let’s turn those critiques into stepping stones and make our voices heard in this crowded podcasting arena!Links referenced in this episode:podmastery.corockflight.copodmastery.co/contactpodmastery.co/voicemailAlso mentioned in this episode: Sugar Hill Gang Jubilaires Diary of a CEO Stephen Bartlett Primark Rock Fight Podmastery.co Apple PodcastsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Every podcaster dreads it: that brutal one-star review, the public comment that rips your hard work to shreds. But what if your harshest critic is actually your greatest growth tool?In this episode of Podcasting Insights with The Podmaster, I'm sharing the real story of how a vocal hater went from blasting my radio morning show to becoming one of my biggest advocates, even booking me for private gigs. You’ll learn how I made that happen, and how you can use the same methods for your podcast and any critics you get along the way. Also, I'll share the four ways critics can sharpen your podcast, and the simple rules that stop you from losing your mind when trolls strike.If you’ve ever felt crushed by negative feedback, this episode will change how you see it forever. Don’t fear your haters. Love them, learn from them, and watch how fast your podcast grows.Mentioned in this episode:Book your Podmaster auditWanna get unstuck from the sub 100 downloads per month doldrums. Fancy getting closer to top 2% podcaster glory? Sounds like you need one of my Podmaster audits. Go to podmastery.co/lite and within 5 business days you’ll get a full video and written report on my findings. That's podmastery.co/lite Podmaster auditThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Curious?This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Let me tell you where most podcasters get it wrong right from the jump. It’s that tired cliché “If you build it, they will come.” This episode is my reality check for you, and if you're honest with yourself, it could save you more disappointment and wasted effort than you realise. I walk through why just recording a bunch of episodes and putting them online is never going to magically build an audience, no matter how unique your idea feels. What you’re going to hear is the real work that has to go into positioning, marketing, production, and – above all – earning the right for your audience to come back again and again. It’s not glamorous, but it works, and I’m breaking down exactly why.The episode gets into the numbers, the psychology, and the relentless myth that your social media follower count will somehow guarantee instant podcast listeners. It doesn’t. You’ll learn why podcasts and radio might share a delivery method (audio) but are incomparable when it comes to how people find and commit to content. I’m calling out the ‘gurus’ peddling fairytales and laying out instead the importance of actionable strategy.With thanks to Irina Tudorache - https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-tudorache/ and Michelle J Raymond for their valuable contributions towards this episode.If you'd like to leave me a message, the voicemail is https://podmastery.co/voicemailMentioned in this episode:A Podknows ProductionPodknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Every new podcaster does it. You launch your show, then spend the whole week refreshing your hosting dashboard analytics like it’s going to magically change. And when those first week podcast download numbers trickle in, they feel… embarrassingly small.Here’s the truth: those numbers don’t matter. Like, at all.In this episode, I’ll explain why your launch week stats are useless, the psychology behind why we obsess over them (hello, spotlight effect), and the success metrics that actually fuel real podcast growth. From listener retention to 30-day rolling averages, I’ll show you what’s worth tracking — and what’s just noise.If you’ve ever felt crushed by your first week’s downloads, this one’s going to reset how you think about podcast success.Mentioned in this episode:Free PLOT workbookA Podknows ProductionPodknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Why Your LinkedIn Followers Don’t Listen To Your PodcastA painful truth for business podcasters who still think follower counts equal listeners...Let’s get uncomfortable for a moment.LinkedIn tells you that bigger is better. Hit that 10,000, 50,000, or even 100,000 follower milestone, and suddenly you’re tempted to believe you’re sitting on a goldmine of eager podcast listeners.That couldn’t be further from the truth.I’ve consulted with more than enough LinkedIn 'influencers' to know this: if you’re counting on that social proof to deliver actual podcast results, you’re going to be disappointed. In fact, if you’re expecting more than a handful of listeners per episode simply because you have a five-figure following, you’re already losing the game.Here’s the reality.LinkedIn is a platform designed to serve its own interests, not yours. The algorithm is geared towards creating a false sense of reach and relevance. You post about your new episode, rack up a few dozen likes, maybe a polite comment from that one guy who always chimes in, and screenshot the analytics because they look impressive.But when it comes to actual podcast listeners—real people pressing play, not bots or random scrollers—the numbers barely register.And don’t just take my word for it. I’ve literally done the math for clients. The entire illusion falls apart once you work through the numbers on how posts convert followers into listeners. You’d be amazed (or horrified) at how small that number is.Imagine this: 100,000 LinkedIn followers. That’s enough to fill a stadium, right?So, if you’re chasing followers and bragging about your vanity metrics, you’re fooling yourself.Want to break this cycle?Listen to this episode to get the background on the problem.Then, get the Swipe Files so you can fix it. Ready to do the math? Get your free files at podmastery.co/math, or reach out for a straightforward audit of your podcast’s real growth potential.Because your real audience deserves better than a vanity strategy.Timestamps00:00 "LinkedIn Followers Don't Equal Success"03:57 Deceptive Podcast Popularity Tactics08:59 Boost LinkedIn Engagement Tactics10:46 "Podcast Growth and Mastery Tips"Mentioned in this episode:A Podknows ProductionPodknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Every August, you'll hear the same noise about everyone disappearing.Holidays, beaches, the world moving a little slower. I used to kinda buy into this myth myself, until I watched a client hit pause, just to realise that their audience hadn't gone anywhere. They'd simply found something else to jam into their earbuds. This latest episode of Podcasting Insights is all about flipping the so-called 'summer slump' on its head. I’m walking you through three moves you can make right now, literally before the weekend’s over, to keep your download numbers in healthy shape and your listeners coming back for more. No grand production, no drama, just practical steps you can act on right away. Mentioned in this episode:Book your Podmaster auditWanna get unstuck from the sub 100 downloads per month doldrums. Fancy getting closer to top 2% podcaster glory? Sounds like you need one of my Podmaster audits. Go to podmastery.co/lite and within 5 business days you’ll get a full video and written report on my findings. That's podmastery.co/lite Podmaster auditA Podknows ProductionPodknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

How long should your podcast episodes actually be? Today, we’re tossing the rulebook out the window and figuring out episode length. Forget those guru-mandated magic numbers; it’s all about what suits your story and your listeners' needs. Whether you’re aiming for a quick, snappy 15-minute burst or a deep-dive extravaganza of over an hour, we’ll guide you through the pros and cons of each format. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

It’s a well-worn scene now, isn’t it: you spend your evenings slicing up episodes, creating what you’re told are “virality-ready” podcast clips, then blowing them out across Instagram and TikTok, all on the promise - usually delivered to you by a LinkedIn “guru” - that social video is the missing link between your pod and the big leagues. You get a few views, maybe even a flattering comment from someone you’ll never meet. But, let’s be honest. The podcast stats don’t move. Maybe there’s the odd outlier, but mostly, you’re banging your head against the same wall every upload cycle. I see it every week with new clients, and it’s always the same confusion: “I’ve got the clips, Neal. I followed the formula. Why is my actual audience not growing?” There’s a reason for it. And in this episode, I break open exactly why your current approach isn’t moving the needle and what you need to flip around to get real, sustainable listener growth.Mentioned in this episode:A Podknows ProductionPodknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/Book your Podmaster auditWanna get unstuck from the sub 100 downloads per month doldrums. Fancy getting closer to top 2% podcaster glory? Sounds like you need one of my Podmaster audits. Go to podmastery.co/lite and within 5 business days you’ll get a full video and written report on my findings. That's podmastery.co/lite Podmaster auditThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Welcome to Podcasting Insights with The Podmaster. I’m Neal Veglio, and I’m here to help independent podcasters and small business owners get real results from their shows. In this episode, I’m sharing my top five strategies for being a better guest on other people’s podcasts. If you’ve been invited onto shows and want to make a bigger impact, or you’re feeling nervous about coming across well as a guest, I’ve got you covered. My goal is to help you not just appear as a guest, but become someone hosts want to invite back. If you’re ready to up your podcast guest game and create more opportunities for your brand, this episode is for you.Mentioned in this episode:A Podknows ProductionPodknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Free download with this episode - podmastery.co/PLOT==================================There's something I see too much in podcasting and it still baffles me: the endless, rambling intros that sound like the warm-up act for a local weather segment rather than a well-crafted episode. Yet, podcasters fall into the trap every week, convinced their audience wants a 20-minute recap of what their dog ate for breakfast. So in this episode of Podcasting Insights I share my PLOT framework—the four-step, no-nonsense approach I've been using and refining for years, both with my own content and with clients who actually care about real retention (not just download numbers to brag about on LinkedIn). If you want honest specifics about how to hook, teach, and genuinely deliver value, without dropping your play-through stats, the PLOT method is the tool you should be using.Here’s how it breaks down, if you want to jump to what matters most:[00:00:00] – Why endless preamble kills retention, and what the first 60 seconds must accomplish[00:01:23] – Building a preview that sells the value of the episode (without overloading details or wasting attention)[00:02:56] – Understanding and using retention data: where to find the stats in Apple and Spotify dashboards, and what to do when your episodes drop below 60% retention[00:04:04] – ‘Launch’: Creating a structure with clear signposting, hooks, and removing dead wood; using sound design to keep listeners tuned in[00:05:57] – The ‘Offer’: Moving beyond pure value dumps, and making a meaningful offer that lets listeners take the next step without feeling like they’re being hard-sold[00:07:31] – ‘Takeaways’: The method for making sure what you teach actually sticks, using the 3:2:1 wrap-up and the power of a micro challenge[00:08:30] – When to tease the next episode and how not to overdo it[00:09:22] – Recap of the PLOT steps, and your reminder to ditch the 60-minute weather intros for goodIf you're serious about building a podcast that doesn't just get plays, but actually keeps listeners coming back, and moves them to action, stick this episode on your list. And if the insight makes you rethink your next intro, or finally gets you on track with what a good episode structure should look like, you’ll know it’s working. Hit subscribe and let me know what works.Mentioned in this episode:Free PLOT workbookA Podknows ProductionPodknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Let’s chat about Klaxon AI and what it brings to the table.... specifically, the promise of whipping up professional audio ads for podcasts and radio quicker than you can brew a cup of coffee. A polished 30-second ad is ready to roll. For 99 quid. Plus VAT. But is it any good? We'll learn together shall we?Go ahead and press play.Relevant links:https://www.klaxon.ai/https://www.asa.org.uk/codes-and-rulings/advertising-codes.htmlhttps://advertise.acast.com/news-and-insights/five-proven-ways-to-positively-impact-your-brands-kpis-when-advertising-in-podcastsMentioned in this episode:A Podknows ProductionPodknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

I’ve lost count of the number of podcasters who approach me – sometimes in a panic, occasionally in despair – to say that their listener numbers are flatlining. Every week when they check their analytics (and let’s be honest, we all do that even when we say we don’t care about the stats, right?), the needle hasn’t really budged. That’s when they ask for a magic bullet. In almost all cases, it comes down to one thing they haven’t given anywhere near enough attention: their podcast intro. Now, before you tap out thinking, “Oh, my intro’s fine, mate. I even paid someone on Fiverr to do it for a tenner,” let me assure you – it probably isn’t 'fine'. In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes on why that all-important first impression matters so much more than most podcasters think.The mentioned study... https://time.com/3858309/attention-spans-goldfish/Timestamped Summary[00:00:01] – Why you need to give more thought to your intro.[00:00:28] – Why long or waffly intros kill shows.[00:01:13] – Real-life case study: Catherine Eardley’s weak intro.[00:03:13] – Catherine’s new, much sharper intro.[00:03:37] – Research: Microsoft’s attention span report.[00:06:44] – The practical method for fixing intros: a plain English breakdown of my “PLOT” system, and why “Preview” and “Launch” are most essential.[00:07:20] – Before and after demo of a “standard” dull intro versus a reworked, punchy, listener-centred one.Free Intros Blueprint https://podmastery.co/introsLinks referenced in this episode:podmastery.co/liteMentioned in this episode:Free Intros BlueprintDownload your free blueprint hereFree Intros BlueprintThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

You know that feeling you get when you’ve poured your heart into your podcast for months, only to see the kind of download numbers you could count on one hand? If that’s you, I want you to know you’re definitely not alone. The sheer number of podcasters who reach out to me, stuck in this exact scenario, is far higher than you’d probably guess. But here’s the kicker: it rarely comes down to a lack of effort or even a lack of content. More often, the problem is rooted in five persistent myths that quietly steer podcasters straight into a rut. Myths I see crop up almost every time I run an audit for someone serious about improving their reach. If you’re at the point where you’re open to a bit of tough love, this episode will give you a chance to step off the hamster wheel, take a proper look at what's holding your show back, and finally start seeing the kind of traction you actually deserve.Book your podcast audit nowhttps://podmastery.co/liteTimestamped summary00:00 Guest Dependency Issues in Podcasts04:00 Downloads Don't Equal Engagement09:41 Podcast Monetization Myths DebunkedMentioned in this episode:Book your Podmaster auditWanna get unstuck from the sub 100 downloads per month doldrums. Fancy getting closer to top 2% podcaster glory? Sounds like you need one of my Podmaster audits. Go to podmastery.co/lite and within 5 business days you’ll get a full video and written report on my findings. That's podmastery.co/lite Podmaster auditA Podknows ProductionPodknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

If you’ve spent time scratching your head over how to actually make money from your podcast – not in a pipe dream, “I’ll just wait until the sponsors come running” sort of way, but in a real, put-cash-in-your-bank-account way – this episode is going to either save you from a world of wasted effort…or register as the podcasting equivalent of hearing Santa isn’t real. ==============================================================Have you signed up for my "Top Listener Pet Peeves" report yet?https://podmastery.co/petpeeves==============================================================I get it: the advice out there is either laughably vague or refers to audience sizes that would make most national radio stations blush. You’re told to focus on sponsors. You’re sold the idea that passive ad income is lurking just around the corner, when in reality, most podcasters would be financially better off mowing lawns. On “5 ways to make money with your podcast,” I’m breaking from that nonsense and lifting up the hood on what actually works if you’re not one of the lucky few sitting on tens of thousands of downloads. And, yes, I’ll lay out the business models that don’t work for the majority – and point you to approaches that actually deliver if you’re willing to think a little more creatively and act with intention.Chapters:00:00 Monetising for Indies04:17 Targeted Digital Products06:27 Podcast SponsorshipMentioned in this episode:Book your Podmaster auditWanna get unstuck from the sub 100 downloads per month doldrums. Fancy getting closer to top 2% podcaster glory? Sounds like you need one of my Podmaster audits. Go to podmastery.co/lite and within 5 business days you’ll get a full video and written report on my findings. That's podmastery.co/lite Podmaster auditA Podknows ProductionPodknows helps brands and creators to build their podcasts into virtual sales and marketing teams which get them results even when they're sleeping. Find out more at https://podknows.co.uk/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy