PodCraft | How to Podcast & Craft a Fantastic Show
Podcraft is your weekly, no-nonsense guide to honing the art of podcasting, hosted by veteran creators Colin and Matthew. With over 30 years of combined experience, they cover everything from choosing the right mic to growing your audience and making money from your show. Some episodes dive deep into one topic, like titling episodes or using live events to build your brand, while others feature real-life case studies from podcasters who've been there and done it. Whether you're just starting out or levelling up an existing show, Podcraft gives you the practical advice and honest insights you need to make it work.
Episodes
We recently did a bit of a masterclass on titling your podcast episodes, based on our WHISPER TITLES framework. This framework applies to any type of content, too, not just podcast episodes.
We wanted to build on that in this episode and explore the delicate balance of crafting podcast titles that are engaging yet avoid the contemptuous label of clickbait. We'll delve into the importance of titles in capturing attention amidst a co...
You don’t need to look far to find a heated debate or surprising statistic about video in podcasting right now.
Video is killing podcasts! Video is saving podcasting! If you’re not doing video, what’s the point? It’s a lot.
Regardless of which side of the fence you sit on, there’s one thing I’m sure we can all agree on: Every show is different, and adding video unnecessarily c...
Since 2017, Podnews has been an essential daily briefing for podcasters and industry folks who want to keep their finger on the medium’s pulse.
But this newsletter and its companion podcast aren’t just brilliant sources of news, data, and analysis – they also make for a fantastic case study of creating content consistently over a long period of time.
In this episode of Podcraft, I caught up with James Cridland, the one-man operation ...
In this final episode of the SCALE framework series, we dive into the last two powerful growth strategies: Live & In-Person events and Email & Engagement tactics. Drawing from our recent experience at the London Podcast Show, we share how speaking at events, running booths, and recording vox pops can build genuine connections with your audience.
We also explore nine proven email marketing and engagement strategies that turn ...
Video takes up a lot of focus in the wider podcasting conversation. Do we need to work harder to shine a light on the benefits of pure audio?
We spoke to a bunch of kind and patient people at The Podcast Show London who were happy to share their thoughts.
As part of our SCALE framework, we discuss the importance of community and collaboration in growing your podcast. Learn how to effectively use listener surveys to understand and cater to your audience, turning feedback into powerful content. Discover how collaborating with fellow content creators can expand your reach and enhance podcast visibility. The episode also explores using low-cost merchandise as a marketing tool, rather th...
We're going to tackle the huge topic of podcast growth by walking you through our SCALE framework.
- S – Syndication
- C – Communities & Collaboration
- A – Advertising & Paid Promotion
- L – Live & In-Person
- E – Email & Engagement
On this episode, we start with S for Syndication.
Syndication is all about getting your podcast in front of as many ears as possible. Start by submitting your show to big platforms like Apple ...
Vicki Weinberg, host of the award-winning podcast Bring Your Product Idea to Life, recently celebrated her five-year podcasting anniversary. On this episode, Vicki shares her journey from launching during the first week of lockdown to building a successful show with a dedicated audience.
Starting a Podcast During Lockdown
Vicki launched her podcast right as the UK entered lockdown in 2020, which presented unique challenges a...
We dive into the three sneaky signs you’re stuck in an amateur creator mindset: struggling with writer’s block, relying too much on motivation, and being scared to share your ideas.
On this episode, we'll break down why clarity beats inspiration, how small rituals and voice memos can kickstart your creative flow, and why documenting your journey publicly builds confidence and an audience. From AI tools like VoicePal to the power of...
With its impressive 50k per episode download numbers and strong YouTube presence, Cal Newport's Deep Questions is a podcast in the "top 1%" category. On this episode, producer Jesse Miller joins me for a chat about going from regular caller to planning and running the show. We'll find out more about the role of a podcast producer, as well as the similarities and differences between creating a show with a five-figure audience and th...
The landscape of online search is changing rapidly. While roughly 60% of Google searches now end without a click (known as "zero-click searches"), we discuss how this trend has actually been evolving for years - it's not just about AI.
Key points from our conversation:
- Search behaviours have been changing gradually - Google has long provided direct answers for weather, sports scores, currency exchange, etc.
- Content in the...
A great podcast episode title isn’t just catchy—it grabs attention, boosts discoverability, and sets clear expectations for your audience. On this episode, we break down best practices, including ideal character length and front-loading key information, and introduce the WHISPER TITLES framework—13 proven structures to make your episodes more clickable. Whether you’re aiming for curiosity, emotion, or problem-solving, these strateg...
It’s understandable why so much misleading advice exists around “the podcast launch”. After all, we’re used to the launch life cycles of products, films, albums, and books.
After a few days or weeks, it becomes pretty clear that a new game console or blockbuster movie has sunk or swam. But a podcast isn’t like that at all.
In this episode, we talk about why, before going on to dispel three common podcast launch myths.
Then, we'll go ...
There are more mics, interfaces, mixers, and digital recorders than there are stars in the sky. In this episode, we delve into the cost of podcast equipment in 2025 and give options, examples, and recommendations for every budget and format.
If you've launched a lot of podcasts, you're likely also someone who's quit a lot of them - and that isn't a bad thing. Some shows and topics have natural life cycles, and whether we lose enthusiasm or just feel we've said all there is to say, there's no harm in drawing a line under things and moving on.
We'll often say that podcast sponsorship isn't the only way to monetize a podcast, and for many creators, it likely isn't "the best". But all forms of podcast sponsorship aren't equal, and it's entirely possible that it could be lucrative for you, even without thousands of downloads.
In this episode, we dig deep into the mindset and systems that power a ridiculously consistent and long-lived podcast. My guest is Matty Lansdown, from the How to Not Get Sick and Die Podcast, and he shares how he built his show to over 400 episodes, much of that time while working a full-time job. We explore the psychology of consistency, practical systems for success, and strategies for maintaining quality content production.
Matt...
An effective podcast trailer can help you win over potential new listeners, giving them a flavour of your show. They can easily be played on other podcasts, which can also help you grow your audience. So... how do you make a good one?
Mentioned
Each episode you release will be someone’s first impression of your show. A good podcast intro lets you manage your listener’s experience and let them know what’s in store immediately. Give them a sense of what they will get out of it and leave them no doubt that this is the podcast for them. Later on, use your outro to ensure you turn new listeners into followers or subscribers and guarantee they return for more.
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