PodCraft by Alitu: Honing the Craft of Podcasting

What if monetising a podcast was simpler than the usual laundry list of tactics suggests?  A new model called the Three As  breaks earning potential into three clear paths:  Audience, which includes supporter perks and light ads Authority, which covers coaching, courses, and specialist services Assets, which includes books, products, and affiliate income The aim is to choose the route that fits yo...

In this conversation, Colin sits down with Craig Hewitt, founder of Castos, to discuss the shifting landscape of content creation. Fresh off completing a 100 Days of YouTube challenge, Craig shares why he chose video over podcasting during that time, what he learned about platform growth, and the powerful truths about podcast numbers versus engagement (where podcasting still shines!) They explore...

Our Indie Podcasters Report shows that once production goes past six hours, audio-only creators are the ones spending the most time in the edit. But why? The answer goes beyond workflow. Audio culture has always valued clean mixes, careful pacing, and detailed sound design, so creators tend to polish every moment. Video makers often move faster by embracing jump cuts and a simple top, tail, publis...

Ever feel like your podcast has started to sound scripted rather than conversational? When the spark fades, it’s time to shake things up. This episode explores how relaxing your format can reignite creativity and flow, why over-scripting kills energy, and how a looser, more natural approach helps you sound sharper and enjoy recording again. We also dig into some practical podcasting essentials, fr...

On a recent episode of Podcraft , Neale James of The Photowalk talked about an email he once received from a listener who was housebound due to illness. They wrote that they could no longer go out for walks but hoped their life might change one day. For now, the sounds of Neale’s walks, even his grumbling at passing planes, reminded them that there was still a world out there. “That message taught...

Ever wondered what it’s really like to grow a podcast while living off-grid and travelling full-time? Cara and James from Kerouac’s Cruising share how they’ve turned life on the road into a show about freedom, mindset and self-discovery. From dodgy internet connections to finding their voice as creators, they talk openly about what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how they’ve built a loyal audience one...

Have you ever thought about publishing a report in your niche? A “state of the industry” piece that delivers fresh data, insights, and analysis to your audience. Original research can position you as an authority while sparking conversation, attracting media coverage, and opening new opportunities. But gathering and reporting data is both art and science, and common mistakes can quickly undermine...

How do you keep a podcast going long enough to reach 500 episodes? Most shows fade away after a handful of recordings, but The Photowalk has just passed a huge milestone. This week, I’m joined by its host, Neale James, to explore what it really takes to stay consistent, build a community, and even turn a passion project into something sustainable. Read the full blog post on this too, here . Neale...

Do you think launching a podcast means buying lights, cameras, and spending hours editing? In this episode, Becky Pierson Davidson ( Build With Becky ) shows why none of that is necessary. Her short, audio-only episodes feel like voice notes from a smart friend, each one sharing a single tip to help community-driven businesses thrive. Becky explains how she keeps her process simple and sustainable...

Have you ever wondered how to turn loyal listeners into paying customers without feeling like you’re forcing the sale? In this episode, we explore practical ways to make that leap, from using dynamic ads wisely to weaving your own products and services naturally into your content. It’s all about adding value first and showing how what you offer can genuinely help. We also chat about some of the bi...

Can a podcast rooted in one city or neighbourhood really matter to listeners halfway across the world? Or should hyperlocal shows focus purely on the people right on their doorstep? In this episode, we are joined by Cody from the Community Build Up podcast. Together, we dig into the tension between going deep on local stories and widening the lens to reach a bigger audience. You’ll hear how podcas...

What does it take to keep a podcast sustainable while still growing your audience? In this live coaching episode of Podcraft , Colin and Matthew sit down with Ellie and Will, hosts of Lively Minds: The UK Mental Health Podcast . Together, they explore the origins of the show, the challenge of carving out a unique voice in a crowded mental health space, and why clarity around their mission matters...

How do you turn your podcast audience into paying members? In this episode, Colin talks with Mike Morrison from Membership Geeks about the strategies podcasters can use to build successful memberships. You’ll learn how to choose the right model for your show, whether that’s creating outcomes, fostering mastery, building connection, or offering resources. Mike shares real examples of podcasters who...

What can three years of data really tell us about how podcasts grow? In this episode, Jeremy Enns from the Podcast Marketing Academy unpacks the latest Podcast Marketing Trends report , exploring why growth is slowing for big shows but accelerating for independents, the growing role of video in podcasting, and whether social media really moves the needle. The discussion also covers the pull of alg...

Indy is creating a podcast for his online gardening club, Tender Shoots , aimed at listeners aged 65 to 100. His mission is to make the experience simple, welcoming, and accessible. No technical headaches, just great gardening advice. The challenge is balancing ease of use with modern podcasting features like chapter images and detailed show notes. Indy is tackling this by streamlining the subscri...

There is no shortage of potential income streams for your podcast. But rather than telling you all the things you  could  try, how about some real-world case studies from ten successful independent podcasters? Our recent survey suggested that  only 1 in 4 indies monetize their content , despite the majority of them  wanting  to build some income streams. So, on this episode of Podcraft, we’re goin...

Podcasting isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Figuring out who you want to reach and how you’ll serve them is hard work, but it’s the kind that truly moves the needle. In 2025, we risk losing sight of that north star. Too often, clarity is traded for trends, and purpose is swapped for perceived expectations. Stay focused. The best podcasts still begin by serving real people, not ch...

Tomas Loucky, better known as Tommen, is an expert in growing an audience on LinkedIN, and has been growing his Podcast 'Produced By' there for the past year. With over 20,000 followers, he joins Colin to talk about building a personal brand, repurposing podcast content, and finding great guests through LinkedIn. They dig into how to strike the right balance between personal and business-focused p...

If you're looking to gather genuine feedback from your podcast listeners, surveys can be a powerful tool. But only if people are willing to complete them. In this episode of Podcraft, you'll learn how to create listener surveys that generate more responses and more meaningful insights. Whether you're collecting feedback for your own decisions or planning to share the results publicly, these tips w...

What if the key to podcasting success isn't working harder, but working with more structure? More systems, more process. Many independent podcasters burn out trying to juggle content creation, editing, promotion, and everything in between. But there's a better way. On this episode, Colin is joined by Layla Pomper, CEO of ProcessDriven . The pair explore how structured workflows can actually enhanc...

Does your audience expect expertise or authenticity? On this episode, we're joined by Allan Tweddle of Small Investor Toolbox . He's published 13 episodes to date and has struggled with feelings of impostor syndrome, as well as early audience growth. Can we help him? Hit play to find out! Resources Mentioned The RACE Method Growing your podcast through collaborations WHISPER TITLES Framework

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 titl...

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  could kill your po...

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 J...

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...