Smarter Podcasting: Making Podcasts Better

Discover how to break the mold of podcast monetization with Adam Schaeuble, host of Podcasting Business School, as he joins Niall Mackay for a transformative discussion.

In this episode, Adam and Niall challenge traditional podcast monetization strategies and unveil innovative approaches to turning your podcast into a profitable venture. Learn how Adam revolutionized his own podcast’s revenue potential and gain fresh insights to max...

Dreaming of quitting your job to podcast full-time? Discover how in the latest episode of Smarter Podcasting!

Join Niall Mackay as he shares his journey and practical advice on growing and monetizing your podcast. This empowering episode delves into seven actionable strategies for turning your passion into profit.
Key talking points:

• Top Monetization Strategies: Learn about the seven most effective ways to monetize your podca...

Struggling to name your podcast? Tune into the latest episode of Smarter Podcasting, where I share 10 essential tips for finding the perfect name for your show. 
Your podcast name is the first thing that potential listeners will see, hear, and remember about your show. It’s important to choose a name that represents your brand, your message, and your style.
If you haven't come up with your show's name, don’t worry...

Are you struggling to expand your podcast audience and take your show to the next level? You're in the right place! In this episode, Niall Mackay reveals 25 actionable growth hacks designed to build your audience and strengthen your connection with your community—all within just 25 minutes.

Niall covers a range of strategies to boost your podcast’s visibility, enhance listener engagement, and leverage your content for maximum i...

Are you ready to create a podcast that listeners can't get enough of? In this episode of Smarter Podcasting, Mark Steadman from Origin joins Niall Mackay to share essential strategies for putting your listener first and crafting content that truly resonates.
Discover the key principles that can help you build trust, attract new listeners, and keep your existing ones coming back for more. Whether you're a seasoned podc...

“Audio is non-negotiable. If it’s hard to listen to, people won’t stay.”

I did a full podcast audit for Christopher Welsh, the host of a brand new philosophy podcast. I love doing audit episodes because they reveal things that most podcasters simply cannot hear themselves.

What stood out to me in this episode was the ambition. There was real creativity, strong storytelling, and a clear desire to make something different. But it was a...

In this episode of Smarter Podcasting, host Niall Mackay explores the controversial topic of SEO in podcasting and its potential to transform your business. Joined by Ian Paynton, an entrepreneur revolutionizing his content agency with podcasting, they break down the essentials of optimizing podcast content for SEO and discuss whether it’s worth the effort. 

Join Niall and Ian as they change the way we perceive podcasting and naviga...

In this episode, the host discusses the importance of content planning in podcasting, emphasizing how good planning can prevent "pod fade," where many shows disappear after just 10 episodes. With the right approach, your podcast can continue for 50 or even 100 episodes.

Host Niall and the guest share practical strategies for content planning, including creating a roadmap for episodes and using tools like Descript and Trell...

In this episode of Smarter Podcasting, Niall interviews Brian Biedenbach from Summit City Studios about how to kickstart a podcast without spending a fortune. They challenge the idea that podcasting requires costly equipment by revealing how they both began their successful podcasts with just a laptop, free software, and an affordable microphone.

Key Talking Points:

• Essential budget-friendly gear for podcasting
• Using free software...

Are you a podcaster looking to grow your audience and measure the success of your show?

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of podcast analytics. From basic metrics like downloads and listener retention, to demographic and conversion data, understanding and utilizing podcast analytics is crucial for any successful podcast.

I share the importance of tracking retention rates, analyzing your metrics, and focusing on the metrics...

“The best part of podcasting was actually just enjoying the patience and the process and not overthinking it too much.”

That line from Radim stayed with me long after we finished recording.

My guest today is Radim Manilic, host of the Daring Creativity Podcast, as he reached a huge milestone. Episode 100. What I loved about this conversation was how grounded it was. There were no shortcuts, no hype, no promises of overnight growth. J...

Podcasting has been revolutionized with the integration of AI technologies. Podcasters can now save time and produce better content with the help of AI tools. 

In this episode, we discover how AI can be used to enhance audio quality, generate show notes, and provide personalized content recommendations. We also explore Descript , an editing tool that uses AI-powered tools to generate voiceovers and speaker labels, and otter.ai, a tr...

Are you considering starting your own podcast but have no idea where to begin? In this episode, we cover everything you need to know to get started on the right foot.

From choosing a topic and name to recording equipment and editing software, I've got you covered. I also discuss how to retain listeners, promote your show, and even monetize your podcast.

Niall Mackay, a seasoned podcast expert, provides valuable insights and shar...

Thanks for listening to this brand new show, Smarter Podcasting. I’m Niall Mackay, the podcast guy and founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. 

I’m a podcast fanatic, stand-up comedian, and teacher. My mission is to help you on this podcast journey with me!

Save Frustration. And time!
Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the wo...

"There's no perfect portion of the podcast that you need to get clipped, try something else if it doesn't hit the right demographic."

Niall Mackay sits down with Arielle Nissinblatt, Community Marketing Manager at Descript, to discuss the evolution of podcast editing and the growing importance of video content in podcasting. Arielle shares her journey in the podcasting industry, from starting a podcast recommenda...

In this episode I interview one of the biggest names in podcasting, Jordan Harbinger!

We delve into the art of preparing for podcast interviews. 

Jordan, whose podcast has millions of downloads, shares his journey from being a Wall Street lawyer to a renowned podcaster. He discusses the importance of extensive preparation, including reading entire books, taking notes, and adjusting interview flow in real-time. 

"Podcast audiences absolutely love consistency." - Charlotte Lewis-West

Niall Mackay sits down with podcast strategist Charlotte Lewis-West to uncover the keys to effective podcast planning and promotion. With years of experience in radio journalism and podcast consultancy, Charlotte shares invaluable insights on developing a solid podcast strategy, understanding your audience, and leveraging various platforms for promotio...

"Podcasting is a window to my world, and through it, I’ve met people I never imagined I’d connect with."

Niall Mackay sits down with Radim Malinic, a creative designer, best-selling author, and the host of Creativity for Sale, now called Mindful Creative. They explore Radim's journey from his initial struggles with podcasting to building a platform that has reached listeners in 85 countries. Radim shares how the mediu...

“If the marketplace is already crowded with podcasts that sound great, you’re going to have to start at that level.” — Mark Hunter

Mark started way back in 2005, long before smartphones, video podcasts, or even basic podcast apps. Speaking to someone who has seen the entire evolution of the industry really opened my eyes to how much has changed… and how much hasn’t.

What I loved most about this conversation is how aligned we are on t...