Smarter Podcasting: Making Podcasts Better
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.
Episodes
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.
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 storie...
“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 ...
“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 ...
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 V...
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...
“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 anoth...
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 ...
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 featu...
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 pod...
"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 th...
“Should you ever change your podcast name? I’ve just done this for the fourth time…”
I open up about one of the biggest decisions I’ve made recently — changing the name of my first and biggest show yet again. From Seven Million Bikes to A Saigon Podcast, then A Vietnam Podcast, and now Discover Vietnam, it’s been a journey of evolution, mistakes, and lessons learned.
Naming a podcast isn’t just about branding; it’s about clarity, gro...
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...
“I’ll be honest, when I first started podcasting, I didn’t care what I looked like—because no one could see me. Now? People aren’t just listening anymore. They’re watching.”
When I started my first podcast in 2019, it was audio-only. No one cared what I wore, whether my hair was a mess, or if I’d just rolled out of bed. Fast forward to today, and video is unavoidable in podcasting. Like it or not, your audience wants to see you as m...
I am joined by audio and video production expert Tomas George.
We dive deep into the essentials of setting up a quality podcast studio, debunking common myths about equipment and emphasizing the importance of affordable yet effective solutions.
We cover the vital role of lenses over cameras, the benefits of dynamic microphones over condensers, and practical advice for lighting and storage. Thomas shares his expertise on camera sett...
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 otte...
“Just because someone knows how to edit a podcast doesn’t mean they should.”
Thinking of hiring a podcast editor — or going full DIY? In this episode of Smarter Podcasting, I share the real pros and cons of outsourcing editing vs. doing it yourself.
From saving time to avoiding costly mistakes, I’ll walk you through what editing actually involves, what to look out for when hiring, and why quality always trumps con...
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...
Starting a podcast? I answer ALL the beginner questions you're too afraid to ask! From understanding the difference between hosts and directories to the REAL time investment (spoiler: it's 8-10 hours per episode), this complete guide covers everything new podcasters need to know.
What You'll Learn:
✅ Podcast terminology that confuses everyone
✅ Audio vs Video - which should YOU choose?
✅ How much...
As a podcaster, it's important to understand the metrics that can help you measure the success of your show.
From the number of downloads and plays to listener retention and engagement, there are a variety of metrics that can provide valuable insights into your audience and help you grow your show.
But with so many different metrics available, it can be overwhelming to know which ones to focus on and how to interp...
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