Podmastery: podcasting insights and advice for indie creators

New research from Signal Hill Insights, presented by Tom Webster at Sounds Profitable, surveyed over 5,000 podcast listeners — and the findings are uncomfortable for most indie podcasters to hear. Probably the most uncomfortable for me to hear, considering they contradict everything I've ever told people around podcast growth. But, as with all things, this research is not gospel. It's, as usual, a...

A couple of episodes back I made the case for Apple Podcasts’ new HLS video. Then I had to go and actually do it — because the theoretical version of podcasting-about-podcasting is slightly embarrassing, and I hold myself to a better standard than the people spouting expertise about things they’ve never tried. So I enabled video for B2B Podcasting Insights, my other show, in Captivate. A real show...

Your show sounds cleaner than it ever has. You've sorted the room, fixed the levels, maybe even brought in an editor. And when you listen back — nothing. No connection. No feeling. Just technically correct audio with nobody in it. Hi, I'm Neal Veglio , founder of the Podmastery community from Podknows Podcasting. And this week, I'm exploring why that hollow feeling has nothing to do with your equi...

Somebody just moved the goalposts on podcast metrics. And most podcasters didn’t even notice. The Alliance for Measurement in Podcasting — AMP — has defined a new cross-platform standard for what counts as a ‘play.’ Spotify has already adopted it. In this episode, Neal breaks down what this actually means for indie podcasters — why your dashboard numbers are about to look fairly different, why tha...

Every podcaster who's ever had a guest on has felt it. You do the edit, write the show notes, create the clips, tag them everywhere — and hear absolutely nothing back. No share. No repost. Not even a like. So is it you? Is it them? Is this just how guests are? In this episode, I'm getting into why podcast guest cross-promotion is one of the most persistent myths in indie podcasting. If you're book...

In the previous episode I explained why we need to be cautious around Apple Podcasts new video HLS streaming feature. Well, this podcast about podcasting is about balance. So now, it's important we look at all the good things about the feature.

With Apple Podcasts video now becoming a mainstream feature as the main hosting platforms roll it out, there are more and more creators leaning into creating this content. But should you be joining them? Well, before we can answer this question, we need to establish the answer to another one; do you understand the algorithmic differences surrounding video and audio? Click play. I'll explain. Compa...

This episode will challenge a lot of assumptions you may have about your audience. If you’ve been losing sleep over whether you need to shift all your energy into video, or feel the pressure to keep up with multi-camera setups just to stay relevant, you’re going to want to pay attention to this one. We’re sharing new research from Tom Webster and the Sounds Profitable team that uncovers who your m...

Beehiiv are targeting podcasters with offers to join their new creator platform. But is this the solution podcasters have been waiting for? Link to check out their teased offer: https://www.beehiiv.com/beehiiv-for/podcasters

Diary of a CEO is doing something genuinely damaging to indie podcasters. Not maliciously. The damage is the business model. Hi, I'm Neal Veglio, The Podmaster. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly why comparing your show to mega-podcasts like Diary of a CEO, High Performance Podcast, and Young and Profiting isn't just unhelpful — it's statistically irrational. Using Phil Rosenzweig's Halo E...

A lot of people are excited about AI tools that promise instant, studio-quality podcast audio. Record on your phone. Click a button. Sound professional. But that story deserves a closer look. Hi, I'm Neal Veglio , founder of Podknows Podcasting and the Podmastery community. In this episode of Podcasting Insights , I unpack what happens when technology starts erasing the difference between effort a...

A lot of people are saying video is the future of podcasting. That video is the gateway drug — the thing that creates new podcast listeners. But that story deserves a closer look. In this episode of Podcasting Insights, I question the growing narrative around video podcasting, discovery, and conversion — and ask whether we’re confusing reach with commitment, and visibility with attention. This isn...

A lot of podcasters don’t actually need any kind of new strategy. They just need honest podcast feedback that tells them what it actually feels like to listen. In this episode of Podcasting Insights, I explain why so many shows stall at “fine,” why polite feedback keeps podcasts forgettable, and how growth usually comes from being braver with what already exists. You’ll learn: • Why “competent” po...

Seriously. It's become a buzzword of basic b*tch podcast coaching. Evergreen podcast content is definitely not timeless. It is just content you have not looked at in ages. If your back catalogue feels a bit… awkward, this episode is for you. Not because you need more episodes. Because you probably need to stop pretending. Hi, I’m Neal Veglio , and in this episode of Podcasting Insights , I’m break...

Most podcasts don’t struggle because the ideas aren’t good. They struggle because the release schedule quietly starts to drain the energy out of them. Somewhere early on, a lot of podcasters decide they probably 'should' be weekly. Not because it makes sense. Because it feels serious. In this episode, I talk about why recording less can actually make your podcast better. I also share a simple way...

Most podcasts don’t lose listeners because the content is bad — they lose them because trust gets broken quietly. Every time someone presses play, they’re making a small agreement with you. And most podcasts break it without even realising. In this episode, I unpack the idea of the “quiet agreement” — and why most if not all small podcasts break it, at least at first. I also share a simple test yo...

Most podcasts sound the same — and it's killing your growth. If your show blends into the feed, this episode breaks down exactly why… and what to change. In this episode you’ll learn: Why copying “successful” shows usually backfires The #1 format mistake (hint: your guest intro) How to build episodes around pain points Why packaging matters more than you think The simple rule for titles, intros an...

Consistency. The word that sends podcasting “gurus” into fits of self-righteous joy as they pedal their courses and services. Think about it—how many times have you been told you have to publish your podcast on the same day, every week, at the exact same time? Some of you are still clutching your calendar and sweating because you’ve missed a Thursday morning release and assume your show’s doomed....

In this episode: This podcast is taking a new direction. Audience is split; creators want craft, while marketers crave strategy. A brand new show called B2B Podcasting Insights is launching for the business-minded listeners. Podcasting Insights will still be your creative haven, sans the marketing jargon. Expect shorter, punchy episodes that dive into serious ROI without the fluffy stuff. Next wee...

You know that thing where you give everyone else great podcast advice… and then ignore it yourself? Yeah. That. In this episode, I’m calling myself out. And fixing my own podcast strategy in public. I realised my show had drifted, lost focus, and wasn’t clear who it was really for. So I’m stripping it back, rebuilding the positioning, and showing you exactly how to get clarity on your own audience...

If you're fed up with hearing people insist you "need to put your podcast on YouTube", this episode will give you a sense of relief. I've just come back from judging the Independent Podcast Awards and spent time with some of the best indie creators around. What struck me wasn't how eager they were to jump on video, but how quickly the myth started to unravel once we looked at what video actually c...

AI makes it easy to ship more… of nothing. Here’s why “slop-casting” is flattening audio and how to outplay it with Voice, Value, and Vulnerability. Bonus: suggestion for a simple A/B experiment you can do today to audit your soul in the feed. Prefer an actual audit with me? Book here: podmastery.co/lite.

There’s a hard truth most podcast experts will dodge, but I don’t have the energy or patience for avoiding it - there’s a reason your podcast audience isn’t growing, and it’s not because you haven’t been hustling hard enough on LinkedIn or spamming your socials. Look, I see it over and over; brand new podcasters with all the energy in the world, launching their show and immediately going full thro...

Rapper's Delight might be the anthem we often think of when it comes to hip hop's origins, but let me hit you with a plot twist – it wasn’t the first. That honor actually goes to a gospel group called the Jubilees, who dropped a rap-like hit back in 1946! Wild, right? This kick-off leads us into a deep dive about the real essence of being ‘first’ in the podcasting world. It’s not just about who go...

Every podcaster dreads it: that brutal one-star review, the public comment that rips your hard work to shreds. But what if your harshest critic is actually your greatest growth tool? In this episode of Podcasting Insights with The Podmaster , I'm sharing the real story of how a vocal hater went from blasting my radio morning show to becoming one of my biggest advocates, even booking me for private...