PodCraft by Alitu: Honing the Craft of Podcasting

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 chur...

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 det...

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 ads
• Authority, which covers coaching, courses, and specialist services
• Assets, which includes books, products, and affiliate income

The aim is to choose the route that fits your show’s size and purpose rathe...

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...

Our Indie Podcasters Report shows that once production goes past six hours, audio-only creators are the ones spending the most time in the edit.

But why?

The answer goes beyond workflow. Audio culture has always valued clean mixes, careful pacing, and detailed sound design, so creators tend to polish every moment. Video makers often move faster by embracing jump cuts and a simple top, tail, publish routine.

That doesn't mean video is...

Ever feel like your podcast has started to sound scripted rather than conversational? When the spark fades, it’s time to shake things up. This episode explores how relaxing your format can reignite creativity and flow, why over-scripting kills energy, and how a looser, more natural approach helps you sound sharper and enjoy recording again.

We also dig into some practical podcasting essentials, from Apple’s new AI-generated chapter ...

On a recent episode of Podcraft, Neale James of The Photowalk talked about an email he once received from a listener who was housebound due to illness. They wrote that they could no longer go out for walks but hoped their life might change one day. For now, the sounds of Neale’s walks, even his grumbling at passing planes, reminded them that there was still a world out there.

“That message taught me something important,” Neale said....

Ever wondered what it’s really like to grow a podcast while living off-grid and travelling full-time? Cara and James from Kerouac’s Cruising share how they’ve turned life on the road into a show about freedom, mindset and self-discovery. From dodgy internet connections to finding their voice as creators, they talk openly about what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how they’ve built a loyal audience one mile at a time.

It’s a story about p...

Have you ever thought about publishing a report in your niche? A “state of the industry” piece that delivers fresh data, insights, and analysis to your audience.

Original research can position you as an authority while sparking conversation, attracting media coverage, and opening new opportunities.

But gathering and reporting data is both art and science, and common mistakes can quickly undermine your work.

Fortunately, we’re joined b...

How do you keep a podcast going long enough to reach 500 episodes?

Most shows fade away after a handful of recordings, but The Photowalk has just passed a huge milestone. This week, I’m joined by its host, Neale James, to explore what it really takes to stay consistent, build a community, and even turn a passion project into something sustainable.

Read the full blog post on this too, here.

Neale shares:

• Why showing up every day mat...

Do you think launching a podcast means buying lights, cameras, and spending hours editing? In this episode, Becky Pierson Davidson (Build With Becky) shows why none of that is necessary. Her short, audio-only episodes feel like voice notes from a smart friend, each one sharing a single tip to help community-driven businesses thrive.

Becky explains how she keeps her process simple and sustainable, from idea to published episode in un...

Have you ever wondered how to turn loyal listeners into paying customers without feeling like you’re forcing the sale? In this episode, we explore practical ways to make that leap, from using dynamic ads wisely to weaving your own products and services naturally into your content. It’s all about adding value first and showing how what you offer can genuinely help.

We also chat about some of the bigger questions shaping podcasting ri...

Can a podcast rooted in one city or neighbourhood really matter to listeners halfway across the world? Or should hyperlocal shows focus purely on the people right on their doorstep?

In this episode, we are joined by Cody from the Community Build Up podcast. Together, we dig into the tension between going deep on local stories and widening the lens to reach a bigger audience. You’ll hear how podcasters are using place-based content t...

What does it take to keep a podcast sustainable while still growing your audience? In this live coaching episode of Podcraft, Colin and Matthew sit down with Ellie and Will, hosts of Lively Minds: The UK Mental Health Podcast.

Together, they explore the origins of the show, the challenge of carving out a unique voice in a crowded mental health space, and why clarity around their mission matters so much. Ellie and Will share how the...

How do you turn your podcast audience into paying members? In this episode, Colin talks with Mike Morrison from Membership Geeks about the strategies podcasters can use to build successful memberships.

You’ll learn how to choose the right model for your show, whether that’s creating outcomes, fostering mastery, building connection, or offering resources. Mike shares real examples of podcasters who have grown six-figure memberships, ...

What can three years of data really tell us about how podcasts grow? In this episode, Jeremy Enns from the Podcast Marketing Academy unpacks the latest Podcast Marketing Trends report, exploring why growth is slowing for big shows but accelerating for independents, the growing role of video in podcasting, and whether social media really moves the needle. The discussion also covers the pull of algorithms, the power of strong show co...

Indy is creating a podcast for his online gardening club, Tender Shoots, aimed at listeners aged 65 to 100. His mission is to make the experience simple, welcoming, and accessible. No technical headaches, just great gardening advice.

The challenge is balancing ease of use with modern podcasting features like chapter images and detailed show notes. Indy is tackling this by streamlining the subscription process and guiding members on ...

There is no shortage of potential income streams for your podcast. But rather than telling you all the things you could try, how about some real-world case studies from ten successful independent podcasters?

Our recent survey suggested that only 1 in 4 indies monetize their content, despite the majority of them wanting to build some income streams.

So, on this epi...

Podcasting isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Figuring out who you want to reach and how you’ll serve them is hard work, but it’s the kind that truly moves the needle.

In 2025, we risk losing sight of that north star. Too often, clarity is traded for trends, and purpose is swapped for perceived expectations. Stay focused. The best podcasts still begin by serving real people, not chasing the algorithm.

On this episode, ...