PodSchool

 Can you actually make money from podcasting? In this episode, I answer one of the most common questions new podcasters ask...how do you make money from a podcast? The truth is, most podcasts don’t make a dime but that doesn't mean it's not possible for your show. You just need the right strategy, the right audience and the right expectations. To help you get to that point, I break down what actu...

Recording with guests in other cities or countries? You’re not alone. Remote recording is a BIG part of podcasting, and while Zoom is the default for many, it’s not built for great audio. So what should you use instead? In this episode, I walk through the best remote recording options and how to make sure your podcast sounds as professional as possible, even if your guest is on the other side of t...

Using music in your podcast can make your show sound polished and professional but it can also get you into serious legal trouble if you don’t know the rules. In this episode, I answer a listener question about using music in podcasts, and cover when to use it, how to use it well, and how to avoid getting your episodes pulled down by platforms like Spotify. What You’ll Learn When and where music w...

One of the most common questions I get asked is “What’s the ideal length for a podcast?” And the answer is…there’s no perfect length. In this episode, I explain what you need to consider when deciding how long your episodes should be, including your audience’s attention span and lifestyle, the quality of your content as well as your own time and energy. Whether you’re doing solo episodes, intervie...

It’s easy to assume podcasting is a low-cost content format, and it can be. But if you’re in this for the long haul, there are a few hidden costs that might catch you off guard. In this episode, I walk through some of the sneaky expenses new podcasters often overlook, including tech upgrades, marketing tools, podcast hosting, and the biggest cost of all - your time. What you’ll learn: The real cos...

If you're trying to decide whether to release your podcast week-by-week or in seasons, this episode is for you. I answer a listener question about the pros and cons of podcast seasons and share why batching and taking breaks can actually help your show survive long term, even if it means slower growth. This is especially helpful if podcasting isn’t your full-time job and you’re trying to keep your...

Some podcasts blow up while others never get off the ground. So what’s the difference? In this episode, I’m answering a listener question about what makes a podcast successful. Is it promotion? A unique idea? Celebrity status? Or is it just about sticking at it? Spoiler alert: It’s not about going viral. But there are consistent things successful podcasters do and they’re things you can do too. 💡...

If you’re tossing up between a lapel mic (also called a lav mic) and a more traditional podcast mic, this episode breaks down the pros and cons of both. While lapel mics are great for video, they often sacrifice the sound quality you need in a podcast. I explain why podcast audio needs to be more intimate, and why your mic setup can make or break your connection with your audience. 💡 What You’ll...

In this episode, I answer a listener question about whether you need to get your podcast guests to sign a release form when they appear on your show. While consent forms are common in the television industry, podcasting is still a bit of a legal grey area. So, what’s best practice? I explain how consent is usually implied, when you might need a signed form, and the simple steps you can take to pro...

This week I’m answering a question about podcast analytics... how do downloads work, what actually counts as a play, and how much of your audience data is real? Spoiler: It’s more complicated than it should be. 💡In this episode I cover… What podcast downloads really mean Whether you can tell how many people really listened to your podcast What counts as a “stream” (and why it doesn’t exist) How t...

In this episode, I’m answering a listener question about podcast networks...what they do, when they’re useful, and how to know if partnering with one makes sense for your show. If you’ve ever thought “a network will help me grow my audience,” this one’s for you, because the truth might surprise you. 💡 What You’ll Learn: Why podcast networks aren’t a silver bullet for growth The minimum audience y...

In this episode, I answer a listener question about every podcasters obsession... audience growth. From consistency and content quality to SEO, guest strategy, and engaging your listeners I explain what actually works (and what doesn't). Spoiler alert: If you're looking for a silver bullet or a shortcut to massive downloads, there isn't one (sorry!) 💡 What You’ll Learn: Why podcast growth is slow...

Not all podcast ideas are created equal, especially when you’re just starting out. In this episode, I answer a listener question about what makes a podcast idea bad and share the one mistake many new podcasters make when choosing a concept for their show. If you want people to press play on your podcast, your idea needs to be more than just “talking to interesting people.” What you'll learn: Why v...

In this episode, I answer a listener question about protecting your show name (which we can all get VERY attached to) and explain why it’s not as simple as registering a business name or grabbing a URL. I'll explain how to avoid naming conflicts, when (if ever) you should trademark your podcast and why it pays to see what's out there before you get to attached to the name you've got. What you'll l...

This might seem like a simple thing to cover but it wasn't always easy! And making sure everyone can access your podcast from every link you send out is essential if you want to grow your show. So in this episodes I share a few of the options you have for a universal link to your podcast that will work for everyone. This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Wangal people, of the Eora Nation. I...

Today I'm answering a question from Katrina... Q: Is it easy to fix audio after you've recorded it? Unfortunately, not always! And sometimes, even when you can fix it, it comes at the expense of your voice because if you're removing sound from the background you're also removing sound from your voice. That can make you sound more robotic and less warm and like a real person. And in a podcast, that...

Today I'm answering a question from Ottilie... Q: Is it better to start with an audio only format or dive straight in to you Tube? Pros' and cons?? Video has become a point of OBSESSION in podcasting and everyone is starting to feel like if they're not filming full length episodes of their podcasts and putting them on YouTube their show will never be a success. But that's absolutely not the case....

Today I'm answering a question from Allan... Q: Is it necessary to have a social media page whilst podcasting? If you're anything like me, you'll try to do anything you can to avoid social media. But unfortunately, if you're build an audience for your podcast from scratch you're probably going to need it. This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Wangal people, of the Eora Nation. I pay my res...

Today I'm answering this question from Donna... Q: In the beginning if weekly too hard to commit to, can you start once a fortnight? Isn't it better to have a crack and then increase it to weekly over time? If releasing your show fortnightly or monthly is going to mean the difference between your show getting out there or never seeing the light of day then you can definitely work on a frequency th...

Today's question is from Angie... Q: Is it ok to edit an interview down? The short answer? Absolutely. In fact, there's nothing that should be going out to your audience without editing. Cutting down an interview isn't about manipulating what your guest is saying, or not respecting the time they gave you. It's about ensuring the content that makes it's way to your audience is the absolute best it...

In today's episode I'm answering this question from Amy: "I really want to start my podcast this year, but I've heard you talk a lot about the fact that a lot of podcasts don't make it. How do I make sure mine does?" This question is all about the concept of podfade, where a podcast fades into oblivion after around about seven to ten episodes (sometimes less). This happens for a bunch of reasons i...

If you've put "Start my own podcast" on your to do list AGAIN this year, in this episode I share the top five things you need to do to get your podcast started so you can finally cross it off! A lot of people jump into podcasting and give up after only a few episodes because they don't understand what they're getting into or what it takes to create a successful show. So I hope these tips help you...

Wondering what all the fuss is about when it comes to YouTube Podcasts? Not sure if you're going to need a complicated video set up to submit your show? Rachel Corbett takes you through what YouTube Podcasts is all about and why you should think about it as a new distribution platform for your podcast. Got a podcasting question you want answered? Let me know via this Google Form. Want more informa...

Podcasting is a great way to get your message out into the world but it’s also a lot of hard work. For every show that’s listened to by millions of people, there are hundreds with an audience consisting of the host and his or her mum. So before you buy the latest gear, don the headphones, and start sprinting towards your dreams of podcasting glory, I share some questions you should ask yourself to...

Launching a podcast is hard at the best of times but what if you’ve got no social media following or email list to share your show with? If you’re starting from scratch that doesn’t mean your show can’t be a success. In this episode I share how to launch a podcast with no following so you can bring new listeners to your show and make it a success. Check out the full episode show notes: https://rac...