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Welcome to Smarter Podcasting, by Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
Niall has years of experience in podcasting, producing, editing, and hosting podcasts in various fields. He’s now on a mission to help podcasters create, publish, and build their communities through podcasting by sharing the techniques and lessons he’s learned.
The show is designed to provide valuable insights and practical tips for any podcaster, whether they are individuals or businesses. Niall shares his tried and tested techniques for creating, publishing, and building a show, along with success stories of his own and his clients’ podcasts.
Whether you’re interested in starting a podcast or improving an existing one, Smarter Podcasting is a great free resource to help you.
Join Niall on this podcasting journey by subscribing or following Smarter Podcasting today.
106 Episodes
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In this episode, I take you through my personal experience of evolving from a podcasting novice in 2019 to a professional editor and producer for over 30 shows globally. I provide my top five tips for those interested in starting their own podcast on a budget. My recommendations include selecting basic but vital equipment, creating a workable home studio, utilizing efficient recording and editing software, seeking assistance and guidance from friends and the online podcasting community...
“This sponsorship would never have come without TikTok. This brand did not hear my podcast… they saw a short video on TikTok.” When I recorded this episode, I wanted to share something that genuinely surprised even me: after years of being skeptical about TikTok, a sponsor reached out purely because of our short-form video content. They never listened to the show, never watched the YouTube version—they saw a clip on TikTok and decided Discover Vietnam was a brand they wanted to work with. It ...
"As soon as you start doing something for money, whether you like it or not. It's gonna change." Podcasting expert and host of Smarter Podcasting Niall Mackay is interviewed by Samantha an AI Voice powered by ChatGPT. Niall shares his journey from being an avid podcast listener to becoming a successful podcaster himself. He candidly discusses the challenges of podcasting, strategies for attracting and retaining an audience, and the future of the industry. Niall's wealth of experience...
“If I’d turned this on, even if I was interested in the topic, I would’ve turned it off immediately.” – Niall Mackay That’s what I said during this podcast audit, and I meant it. It wasn’t about the content, Arin’s show, Rock and Metal Faith, has a passionate host, a unique niche, and great energy. But the audio quality was so rough that it distracted from everything else. This episode is a perfect example of why good content isn’t enough if the sound quality turns people away. Arin’s doing s...
Thank you to Anii Hoang from The Aspiring CMO podcast for letting me share this episode with you! In my journey with Seven Million Bikes Podcasts, a pivotal moment emerged when a talented marketing graduate posted on Facebook, expressing her eagerness to contribute blogs for her portfolio. Our initial conversation left me astounded by her vigor, expertise, and most significantly, her knowledge, particularly in domains like SEO, domain authority, and content crafting. As t...
“It was silly then, and it’s become sillier now, the idea that if you build it, they will come.” – Joni Deutsch When Joni said that, it really hit home. So many podcasters (including me, in the early days) believe that great content alone will attract an audience. But as Joni explains, in today’s crowded world of podcasting, you have to market your show just as smartly as you produce it. This episode honestly blew me away. Joni is the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Audience Developm...
Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy, shares his journey from starting a podcast about Saigon in 2019 to running a successful, end-to-end podcast production agency. Niall discusses the evolution of his podcast, including rebranding it to focus on Vietnam as a whole, and how he navigated significant challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of setting specific goals, learning to say no, and focusing on one's primary objective for achieving success. Niall also ...
“The reason I’m putting on a podcast is because I want to listen. I don’t want to read about the hosts - I want you to tell me about you.” — Adrie Mackay This episode is easily one of my favorites — not because of the guest (though she is my wife), but because I finally got to hear the raw, honest perspective of a real podcast listener. Adrie isn’t in the industry; she doesn’t care about gear or metrics. She just loves great stories, good sound, and shows that respect her time. Listening to h...
I'm opening up about my podcasting journey and the blunders I've encountered along the way. Join me as I share some valuable lessons learned from my experiences so that you can avoid these pitfalls and create a smoother path to podcasting success. Key Times to Listen: 00:01:00 - The Importance of Hitting Record 00:02:00 - The Power of Headphones 00:04:30 - Communicating with Guests for Video 00:06:00 - Embracing Dynamic Microphones 00:08:30 - Eliminating Interruptions and Disturbances Key Tak...
In this episode, I'm going to cover one of the most important questions you can find on Google. What editing software do I use to edit my podcast? And what is the difference between audacity and gavage band? And this episode, we're going to cover the pros and cons of each of those programs. And the one major difference that you need to know before you decide which program to choose. Send us a text Email me (niall@sevenmillionbikes.com) or contact me on Seven Million Bikes Podcast...
Tune in to our latest podcast episode featuring me, Niall Mackay, a stand-up comedian and teacher in Vietnam with Andrew Durning from That Mental Ginger Show. In this engaging conversation, Niall and host Andrew discuss the challenges of creating a successful podcast course, their experiences in content creation, the importance of finding one's niche, and much more. With insightful advice and inspiring personal stories, this episode offers both practical takeaways and behind-the-scenes glimp...
“I started with the Blue Yeti microphone, put it between me and the guest, and didn’t realize it was picking up everything—even my dog snoring on the couch.” When I recorded this episode, I wanted to share the exact journey I’ve been on with podcast equipment—from the mistakes I made when I first started to what I use today in my studio. Equipment is one of the biggest questions I see from new and experienced podcasters alike, and it can feel overwhelming. My goal in this episode ...
“Choose one thing that you want to focus on. Start saying no to everything else politely. Make everything you do about that one thing and I guarantee you’ll be successful.” That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my journey of turning a hobby podcast into a full-time business. Today, I opened up about the setbacks, surprises, and wins I’ve had along the way—from starting with one microphone in my living room, to working with RMIT Vietnam on an international project, to facing a health scare...
Choose one thing that you want to focus on. Start saying no to everything else politely. Make everything you do about that one thing and I guarantee you’ll be successful.” That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my journey of turning a hobby podcast into a full-time business. Today, I opened up about the setbacks, surprises, and wins I’ve had along the way—from starting with one microphone in my living room, to working with RMIT Vietnam on an international project, to facing a health scare ...
I've got something special to share with you – an honest review of the Maono PD200X Microphone that's making waves in the content creation world. Join me on this audio journey as we unbox the dynamic Maono PD200X, a versatile USB/XLR microphone with a unique glowing band that sets it apart from the rest. I'll walk you through its technical specifications, ergonomic design, and the powerful Maono Link app, which offers full audio control. And here's the exciting part – I'll compare the PD2...
“I didn’t start this podcast for fame or money — I started it as a tool to help other men.” – Tim When I sat down with Tim Guest for this podcast audit, I knew it would be special. His story is inspiring — from brain surgery in 2020 to completing an Ironman and building The Comeback Plan. What impressed me even more was that his podcast is already in the top 5% globally, yet there are still small changes that could take it to another level. This episode reminded me that even strong show...
In this episode, we explore the benefits and different types of podcast headphones available. We discuss the importance of features like sound isolation, comfort, and accurate audio monitoring in enhancing your podcasting experience and improving sound quality. Here are five key talking points for this episode: Headphone Features for Podcasters: Understand the importance of sound isolation, comfort, and accurate audio monitoring in choosing the right podcasting headphones.Wired vs. Wireless...
In this episode, I provide a comprehensive guide to choosing the best podcast microphone for any budget. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced podcaster, this episode covers various microphone options, explains the differences between dynamic and condenser mics, and compares USB and XLR connectivity. I also shares recommendations for budget-friendly, mid-range, and high-end microphones, highlighting their features and performance. You'll gain insights into microphone types, conne...
This Q&A episode was a little different because instead of gathering listener questions, I turned to my best mate — ChatGPT — to ask me five questions about podcasting. Honestly, I had no idea what was coming, but the questions were spot-on and got me thinking deeply about what works and what doesn’t in podcasting. I shared lessons I’ve learned from years of trial, error, and growth, along with practical advice for podcasters at any stage. What I love about this format is that it forces ...
"Good podcasting is about generously communicating and showing up for your listener and being able to deliver them really good value. " - Mark Steadman If you’re a podcaster, new or experienced, this podpast episode will change the way you approach your craft. This episode with Mark Steadman was an absolute masterclass in podcasting. His insights on putting the listener first have completely reshaped the way I think about crafting episodes. I’ve always believed in respecting the liste...
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