Showmakers: your guide to brand podcasting

In this episode Ed Barker, Founder of Studio 1878, talks about how most company podcasts operate in isolation and argues they should be integrated into the full marketing system so each episode does more work. How do you do that? Practical integrations: email (each episode triggers a value-led message, and episodes drive email capture via resources), CRM (use directional company listening data to...

In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, examines why podcast growth is slower and more complicated than most people expect. Audio podcasts compound gradually because discovery is inefficient and listening demands a significant time commitment. The episode covers the main growth levers available to brand podcast producers: guest networks and how to make it easy and worthwhile for guests...

In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, opens a five-episode series on podcast distribution and growth by challenging the assumption that being available everywhere is the right strategy. RSS distribution to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other listening apps is largely automatic and not where the real decisions lie. The harder question is how many additional formats to commit to: full v...

In this final episode of the series on show design, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, tackles the challenge of producing content for audio and video at the same time. Simply filming a podcast is rarely the right answer. Audio and video audiences have different expectations and different listening or watching habits, and serving both well requires deliberate trade-offs rather than a one-size-fits-...

In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, makes the case for treating production budgets as a strategic decision rather than an afterthought. The episode breaks down the components that make up a typical production workflow: research, recording, editing, quality control, and asset creation. Different budget tiers are examined alongside the trade-offs each involves, and the connection bet...

In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, examines why episode structure matters more than most podcast hosts realise. Topics and guests tend to get the attention, but listeners are really asking one question: is this worth my time? Good structure answers that question by guiding listeners through an episode in a way that feels purposeful, which leads to higher completion rates and stron...

In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, argues that choosing a podcast format is a strategic decision, not a creative one. Format determines how much work a show generates every week, and that operational reality shapes whether a show survives long enough to build an audience. The episode examines the main formats available: loose conversational interviews, structured interviews, narra...

In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, sets out why designing a show and simply producing a podcast are two very different things. A well-designed show has a clear, repeatable idea at its centre, and that consistency is what builds audience trust and loyalty over time. Two companies' podcast strategies are compared to illustrate what that difference looks like in practice. The episode...

Future Podcast Measurement In the final episode of the Showmakers analytics series, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 explores the future of podcast measurement. He discusses the limitations of current metrics and predicts significant advancements in attribution, brand lift studies, and sentiment analysis using AI. Ed emphasizes the shift from mere data collection to actionable insights that enhance both...

Building a Lasting Podcast Measurement System In the final episode of Showmakers’ analytics series, Ed Barker of Studio 1878 discusses how to create a measurement system that endures leadership changes and budget reviews. He emphasizes the importance of turning data into a rhythm that the business understands and ensuring measurement becomes part of the working culture. Barker outlines the creatio...

In this episode of the analytics series, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, takes on the question that haunts almost every branded podcast project before a single episode is recorded: how do you prove the ROI? The tension between creative ambition and business accountability is real, but measuring a podcast strictly like a performance ad, chasing direct attribution and conversion, tends to produce...

In this episode of the analytics series, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, works through the gap between having podcast data and knowing what to do with it. Charts and dashboards are only useful if they lead somewhere. The episode breaks down what analytics can and cannot reliably tell you, how to find the signal beneath the noise, and how to translate findings into creative and marketing decisio...

In this opening episode of the analytics series, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, starts with the question most brand podcast projects never answer properly: what does success actually look like? Excitement and a strong concept are a reasonable starting point, but vague goals like awareness or thought leadership lead to measuring the wrong things and wasting time. The episode covers how to conne...

In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, tackles the moment every marketer dreads: being asked how the podcast is performing and not having a confident answer. Downloads and chart rankings are the easy metrics to reach for, but they rarely tell the story that matters to leadership. The episode sets out how to define the purpose of a show before settling on KPIs, which health metrics and...

Building Listener Loyalty in Brand Podcasts In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 discusses the importance of building deep engagement and loyalty in branded podcasts rather than just chasing reach or vanity metrics like downloads and followers. Ed explains how loyalty, consistency, and respecting your audience's time are key to creating a podcast that listeners return to regul...

Redefining Podcast Distribution: Building Reach and Reputation In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 emphasizes the importance of effective podcast distribution. He explains that distribution goes beyond simply uploading to platforms like Spotify and highlights the concept of 'audience design' which involves targeting where listeners already spend their attention. Ed also discu...

From Raw Talk to Brand Narrative In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 explores the crucial role of editing in corporate podcasting. Rather than just trimming and adding music, editing transforms raw conversations into a narrative that mirrors your brand's intelligence, empathy, and perspective. Ed discusses how emotional architecture, pacing, and narrative structure can enhanc...

Keeping Your Solo Podcast Energy High In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 shares practical tips on maintaining high energy levels while recording solo podcast episodes. Ed discusses the importance of visualizing a real listener, recording while standing, using a bullet point script, varying your pacing, and breaking content into segments. He emphasizes the power of storytelli...

How to Make Storytelling a Habit: Enhancing Your Podcast Consistently In the final episode of Showmakers' five-part miniseries on storytelling, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 explores the importance of making storytelling a consistent habit in podcast creation. Ed emphasizes that without intentional storytelling, podcasts can become dull and forgettable. He offers actionable tips on embedding storytel...

Shaping Stories Through Editing: Techniques for Narrative Podcasting In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 explores the art of editing and highlights the importance of narrative shaping in post-production. Ed emphasizes that editing is more than just cutting audio; it's about uncovering and structuring the story within the conversation. He offers practical tips for both DIY edi...

Mastering Storytelling: Listening for Key Moments in Your Podcast In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 dives into the essentials of recording for storytelling in podcasts. He explains how key moments such as changes, emotions, details, stakes, and surprises can transform an okay episode into a great one. Ed shares tips for hosts and producers alike on how to identify and lever...

Unlocking Story Shapes in Podcasting: Practical Applications In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, continues his storytelling series by exploring practical ways to use storytelling in podcasting. He introduces various 'story shapes' such as the hero's journey, before-after-bridge, the mountain, list with a twist, and spark and expansion. Ed explains how these narrative...

The Power of Storytelling in Podcasting Ed Barker from Studio 1878 kicks off a five-part series on storytelling, focusing on its critical role in making podcasts successful. In this episode of Showmakers, Ed explains why storytelling works, especially in a business context. He discusses the importance of making storytelling practical and concrete, rather than vague or cliché. Ed highlights how sto...

Mastering Your Podcast Intro and Outro In this episode of Show Makers, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 discusses the crucial elements of creating effective podcast intros and outros. Ed emphasizes the importance of making a strong first impression within the first 30 seconds and outlines the key components of a compelling intro: stating the show's name, clarifying the target audience, and maintaining a...

In this episode of Showmakers, host Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, talks about the intricacies of conducting stellar podcast interviews. Touching on everything from preparation to execution, Ed offers valuable advice on making guests sound confident and engaging. Key points include the importance of thorough research, the utility of pre-calls, technical preparations, and the art of active list...