Smarter Podcasting: How To Use Podcasting For Business Growth

"The podcast isn't the business. The podcast is the handshake that starts the business."

Nearly half of all podcasts are dead within three episodes, and one in three creators quit their show entirely. Most of them don't fail because the host was boring — they fail because of decisions made before anyone ever hit record. In this episode, I walk through the five mistakes I see businesses make over and over again when starting a ...

"The cheapest way to make a podcast is usually the most expensive way to spend your time."

Most business owners default to DIY podcasting because it looks free — no invoice, no line item, no upfront cost. But time isn't free, and for a business owner, the real cost of producing your own show is almost always higher than it looks on paper.

In this episode, I break down the actual maths behind the DIY-vs-outsource decision: what ...

"Downloads are one of the least useful numbers for understanding whether your podcast is actually building your business, and the obsession with downloads is causing real damage." 

For B2B podcasters, the goal isn't massive reach—it's high-value engagement. In this episode, I break down why download counts often mask the true performance of your show and why a niche audience of decision-makers is far more valuable than th...

"Be authentic. If it doesn't feel right inside, don't post it." – Amy Wenham

In this episode, I sat down with Amy Wenham, founder of the Women's Business Network (WBN) in Ho Chi Minh City, to talk about one of my favourite topics—authentic content marketing.

The conversation made me reflect on my own content. We talked about the podcast studio, the countless hours spent setting up lights and cables, and how I'd often forg...

"A podcast doesn't work like a landing page or a Facebook ad. It's not a straight line from listener to buyer. It's more like a web."

I wanted to pull back the curtain on how podcasting actually generates revenue. It’s not about immediate conversion; it’s about trust acceleration. Whether it’s through your listeners, your guests, or the community you build around your email list, your podcast is doing the heavy lif...

“Some invitations are so good I said yes before I even finished reading.” 

I think this episode is essential because the right guest strategy means nothing if your invitation is weak. A lot of people lose great guests before the relationship even starts because their message feels generic, vague, or too much effort to read.

The best invite makes the guest feel seen. It shows you know their work, explains why your aud...

“There is no better networking tool than a podcast. Nothing even comes close.”

I talk about one of the most overlooked ways to use a podcast: not just to educate an audience, but to build real business relationships with people you actually want to work with. Guest interviews are not about chasing big names or collecting LinkedIn screenshots. They are about creating value, having meaningful conversations, and turning a 3...

This is an extra special episode of Smarter Podcasting!

As you probably know, I run Seven Million Bikes Podcasts and we produce podcasts for clients around the world. We've done over a thousand episodes, helped with millions of downloads, and we've even won some awards. 

One of our clients is Laura Colon from Inspired Authority, and I was really, really lucky to be asked by her to be a guest on her show. And so I wanna bring thi...

“Short-form is the movie trailer. Long-form is the movie.” 

This episode is really about making content feel lighter and more connected. You do not need five separate content strategies. You need one strong idea, one strong episode, and a smart way to turn that episode into clips that bring people back to the full story. 

The main idea here is simple: your podcast should be the centre of your content system. Sho...

“Google does not scan Apple Podcasts. Google does not crawl Spotify. Google does not read your podcast show notes inside those platforms.”

In this episode, I break down one of the biggest misunderstandings in podcasting: podcast SEO. A lot of people online tell you to optimise your episode titles, show notes, and descriptions so Google can find your podcast. But that is not really how Google works.

What I want you to unde...

“What if you only had to create one thing per week? Just one.”

This time, I walk through the content system I call the content waterfall. The idea is simple: instead of creating separate content for LinkedIn, newsletters, reels, blogs, and your podcast, you start with one strong podcast recording and turn it into everything else.

I think this episode is powerful because so many business owners are exhausted by content. Th...

“Your first ten episodes are your audition. They're the portfolio. They're the handshake.”

I see too many podcasters treat those early episodes like practice rounds, but new listeners often go back to the beginning to decide if your show is worth their time.

I think this episode is important because your first ten episodes are not just content. They are your foundation. They show people what your podcast is about, why the...

“Podcasting is not just about reaching the right type of person. It is about making someone feel understood.” 

I have seen this happen a lot. Someone says their podcast is for business owners, founders, coaches, or professionals who want to grow. That sounds useful at first, but it is usually too broad to guide real content decisions.

What I have learned is that defining your podcast audience is not just about demogr...

“Most business podcasts fail because they were never built with a clear purpose in the first place.” 

In this episode, I talk about why so many business podcasts start with energy, excitement, and good intentions, but slowly lose momentum.

From what I have seen, the problem is usually not the host, the microphone, or the editing. The real problem is that the show was never built with a clear strategy.

I think a busine...

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 stories, this episode...

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 ...

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 podcas...

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 ...

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 ma...