In this episode of PodBiz, Norma Jean Belenky speaks with Alice Florence Orr, Staff Writer and Managing Editor at Podcast Review and BBC Radio contributor, about the realities of podcast PR, pitching, and discoverability. Alice shares the common mistakes creators make when pitching their shows, how to think beyond “industry validation,” and why audio-only podcasts still have a unique space in the market.
As she puts it:
“Most pitches fail because they don’t tell me why the podcast matters to an audience.”
Alice Florence Orr is the Managing Editor of Podcast Review and a BBC Radio contributor. Her work focuses on podcast criticism, media strategy, and discoverability, helping creators understand how to reach new audiences. She is also an active voice on LinkedIn, writing about podcasting, media, and culture.
🔗 Connect with Alice on LinkedIn
📖 Read her work on Podcast Review
00:52 – The Money Question | Where Alice sees revenue opportunities
01:44 – Independent Podcasting | Models beyond the big network buyout
04:21 – Reviewing Genres | Why niches and listening habits matter
07:25 – Finding Your Audience | Reverse-engineering discoverability
09:02 – Pitching Mistakes | What not to do in press releases
13:19 – What Reviewers Need | How to make your podcast pitch stand out
17:17 – Discoverability Challenges | Why apps alone won’t get you found
23:38 – Getting Into Podcasting | Alice’s career journey and BBC contributions
27:34 – Looking Ahead | Why audio still matters in a video-first world
“Just because… if you want to make a million dollars, you’ve got to sell your podcast. That doesn’t mean that’s the only way to have a career in this industry.”
“You can have a really successful podcast with only a few hundred dedicated listeners.”
“If it ain’t working and you don’t feel like it’s a fit, maybe you should just move on and try something else.”
PodBiz is the podcast about the business of podcasting. Hosted by industry veterans Norma Jean Belenky and John Kiernan, the show features conversations with creators, executives, and platform leaders to answer one question: Where’s the money in podcasting?
Each episode dives into monetization strategy, adtech, branded content, IP development, and audience growth. Guests include leaders from Acast, Captivate, Crooked Media, Buzzsprout, True Native Media, Podfest, and more.
Learn more: njbmedia.co | thepodhouseproductions.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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