Podcasting Insights with The Podmaster: growth advice for people and brands

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

In a world where anyone with a microphone can claim to be a podcast expert, it’s crucial to arm yourself with the knowledge on how to differentiate the true pros from the shady fakers.We’re putting our detective hats on and analysing the tell-tale signs of those who are merely cashing in on your naivete.From the overly polished personal branding clips that scream desperation to the suspiciously high follower counts that suggest a bot brigade, we dissect the modern-day snake oil salesman lurking in the podcasting community. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Podcasters, gather 'round! We've got some juicy nuggets from Apple's latest WWDC that are sure to make your ears perk up and your podcasting dreams a little brighter. Companies mentioned in this episode: Apple Apple Podcasts Overcast Pocketcast AirPods 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 lesson quietly looming for every podcaster right now, and it comes from a place no one really expected: Marc Maron's WTF podcast is ending. Yes, the granddaddy of indie podcasting—the guy who not only defined the space for a generation, but who made even the President stop by his garage—has finally called it quits, citing burnout. That’s not just 'big news' for the podcasting industry, it’s a full warning bell for anyone invested in building their own show. You want to know what this means for you, and—crucially—how to avoid letting your own podcast become the next long-form collapse? In this episode, I get right into what the end of WTF really signals for indie creators, where Maron went wrong, and most importantly, how you can avoid burning out or falling off the map yourself.Timestamped Summary00:00 Marc Maron's Podcasting Lessons03:53 Podcasting Burnout Highlighted by Security Incident06:21 Outsource Podcast Editing for Efficiency09:51 Podcast Exit Strategy Challenges15:15 Batching Themed Episodes: Market Opportunity18:13 Maximizing Podcast Content Value20:28 Turn Critics into AlliesMentioned 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

You’re an audio-first podcaster, and I get it—maybe the thought of adding video sends shivers down your spine, or just makes you roll your eyes at the idea of becoming yet another wannabe YouTuber. But what if dipping your toe into the video waters didn’t mean selling your soul to the YouTube algorithm, or breaking the bank on kit that just sits in the box? There’s a brand-new webcam—the $69 Lenovo C55—that’s just burst onto the scene, and in this episode, I give you exactly what you need to know if you’re toying with the idea of showing your mug on screen without looking like a relic from the dial-up era. Companies mentioned in this episode: Lenovo This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

There’s a nasty little mistake that’s probably killing your podcast—and most podcasters have no idea they’re making it. I’m not talking about your audio quality, your marketing, or even whether you’re publishing regularly. It’s something much more fundamental but shockingly overlooked. Psst! This episode comes with a free downloadable resource. Get it here - https://podmastery.co/titleIn this episode of Podcasting Insights with The Podmaster, I walked through a real-world fix for the most common reason your audience “just isn’t finding you,” no matter how good your content is. If you think your show deserves a bigger audience or you’ve been frustrated by that steady trickle of downloads that never quite becomes a surge, you’ll want to listen in. Trust me, I’ve just come back from talking to every kind of podcaster at The Podcast Show in London, and almost all of them had this issue—whether they realised it or not.I tell the stories of Grace and Luke—two podcasters who, like a lot of people, had clever, catchy titles they were really proud of. But the reality is, their otherwise smart titles were doing absolutely nothing to help them get found. My friend and colleague Colin Gray also recently posted about episode titles on LinkedIn and I think you should check it out. Here it is - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/colinmcgray_podcast-podcasting-contentmarketing-activity-7336372482544689153-lzvS?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACx8U4ABavMWewKoCnY83LZFc5pdJxl8sdgTimestamped Episode Summary:00:00 "Improve Podcast Visibility with Titles"03:06 Podcast Discoverability Issues06:39 Revamping Podcast Titles for Clarity10:17 "Podcasting Insights Appreciation"Mentioned in this episode:Get your free podcast title checklistCheck your podcast's title against my free checklistTitle checklistA 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 wrenching your hair out over your stagnating podcast audience, parked stubbornly south of the 100-listeners per episode mark.... Give me your ears! Not literally, keep those; you’ll need them for what you're about to hear.The pain of the plateauI get it; the deflation hits hard when your buffer audience wouldn’t fill a dinghy, let alone that elusive cruise liner you dream of sipping Negronis on after a good hour in the hot tub. But I'm going to share two key bits of insight with you.1: How you need to reframe your current audience stats.2: What you can do to increase them if you're still seeking dopamine. By the time we’re done, you’ll have a noggin brimming with tactics tailored to your individual podcast challenges. Because, let’s face it, moulding a prosperous podcast it’s not about rolling dice, it’s about strategy. Want to get more of a handle on your podcast strategy so you can enjoy more new ideal listeners who are actually going to enjoy what you're putting out? Contact me!https://www.podmastery.co/contact/Timestamped summary:00:00 Recommend using one of two website platforms.05:23 Grow podcast with targeted ad investment.08:25 Targeted, precise traffic without any wasted efforts.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Now and then, we like to share a show we hope you'll either like yourself, or know someone who will. Here's "Different, not broken". Check it out at https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/listenThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Are you leaning a bit too heavily on Descript? Or, God forbid, trusting a one-click AI tool to turn your podcast into the audio equivalent of a ready-made M&S dinner for a first date you actually care about? This episode is for you.Listen, I don't care what all the “podcast productivity” wizards on LinkedIn will tell you. They love to make bold claims about how AI editing tools are making everyone’s life easier. But let’s be honest: if you use these tools the way they want you to—blindly, with zero thought—you’ll end up with a podcast that sounds like it was stitched together by someone who barely knows you, your show, or your audience. (If it sounds like I’m describing your last agency-produced episode, well… you said it, not me.)Let’s get something clear: I like Descript. I use Descript. It’s not about burning it at the stake. It’s that people are treating it like some magic bullet, when actually, used wrong, it’s more like shooting yourself in the foot repeatedly on autopilot. You want action? Here it is: listen to this episode and you’ll finally get what makes a difference between editing for quality, and mashing away at “remove filler words” until you don’t even sound like yourself anymore.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