The Audacity to Podcast® - tips and how to start and grow profit in podcasting

It might be okay to cover the same topic in multiple episodes from your podcast. Here are 4 questions to guide your decision. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/repeattopics Introduction [00:00] My first episode about the independence of podcasting, from 2017: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/the-powerful-independence-of-podcasting-tap312/?utm_sourc...

Independence is the greatest power of podcasting—even for corporate podcasters. Here are some reasons to celebrate the freedom of podcasts. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/independence26 Introduction [00:00] 1. Talk about whatever you want [01:23] 2. Run your podcast however you like [03:55] 3. Reach a global audience with your voice [05:26] 4. P...

The world of podcast metrics can get confusing. Here are the most important terms, what they actually mean, and the caveats you need to know. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/dvpva Introduction [00:00] 1. Downloads (and "streams") [01:18] 2. Plays [12:02] Special thanks [17:34] If you value The Audacity to Podcast, please consider giving back what...

Covering more than one subject on your show? Discover how it affects your listeners, findability, and growth, plus a smarter way to handle multiple topics. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/mixtopics Introduction [00:00] 1. The podcast versus its episodes [01:28] 5 Ways to Handle Multi-Topic Episode Titles: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/5-ways-t...

Use four practical questions to reconnect with your podcasting goals, measure success by the right outcomes, and better serve the audience you already have. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/smallaudience Introduction [00:00] 1. Why did you start podcasting? [02:34] What Is Podcasting PROFIT? https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/what-is-podcasting-prof...

Headphones might be doing more harm than good in your podcasting. Here’s where to remove them and what to use when you still need monitoring. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/headphonesoff Introduction [00:00] What's a podcast anymore? https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/whats-a-podcast-anymore/?utm_source=the_audacity_to_podcast&utm_medium=podca...

Learn when podcasting best practices are not rules but only guidelines, what tradeoffs matter, and how to break podcasting rules with intention instead of laziness. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/breakrules Introduction [00:00] Break "rules" with intention [01:40] Consistency: a guideline, not a law [04:05] https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/how-t...

You've probably heard the podcasting advice that you must choose a niche, or even "niche down." But your topic isn't the only kind of niche your podcast could have! Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/niches What is a "niche podcast"? [01:42] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/niche 1. Topic [03:58] 2. Audience [06:52] 3. Style/approach [08:5...

Here's how to balance your podcast SEO, spark curiosity, and maintain clarity when naming podcast episodes that don’t fit neatly under one topic. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/multitopictitles Introduction [00:00] 1. Find a theme [01:44] 2. Use the most compelling topic—keep those promises! [05:05] https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/remember-and-...

I've been teasing for a while that I made some major workflow changes for The Audacity to Podcast, Here's what I change and why. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/workflow25 Introduction [00:00] 1. Chapters and transcripts with PodChapters [01:24] Try PodChapters FREE on your next episode! https://podchapters.com/ 2. Back to outlines instead of scr...

Skip the mixers and mic stands. These lightweight podcasting accessories fit in a small bag and can help you podcast from anywhere. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/lightweightgear Introduction [00:00] 1. Smartphone [01:11] 2. Wireless lav mic kit [02:40] https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/larkm2s 3. Phone stand with selfie stick [06:58] 4. Miniatur...

Your podcast makes promises through its branding, titles and descriptions, and your own words. Learn 3 ways to identify and keep those promises. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/promises Introduction [00:00] 1. What might your audience expect? [01:56] Listen to my first episode 2. What does your description promise? [11:10] 3. What have you said i...

When is it okay to pay a guest or pay to be a guest? And when you should you disclose compensation to your audience? Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/payinterviews Introduction [00:00] 1. It's okay to pay to interview a guest on your podcast [00:54] 2. It's okay to pay to be a guest on another podcast [03:16] 3. Podcasters must disclose if they're...

Learn how to smartly handle podcast episode numbers when your title starts with a number, so your RSS feed, website, and podcast apps are optimized. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/combinenumbers Introduction [00:00] When to Use Podcast Episode Numbers - The Audacity to Podcast® When to AVOID Podcast Episode Numbers - The Audacity to Podcast® Sho...

Teleprompters aren't only for newscaster and politicians! They can be great for podcasting—even if you podcast in only audio! Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/teleprompter Introduction [00:00] Get one of my recommended teleprompters: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/why-you-should-consider-a-teleprompter-for-your-podcasting-workflow/#recommendatio...

Discover when it makes sense to use clever podcast titles instead of descriptive ones, and learn how to protect your podcast SEO while doing it. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/clevertitles Introduction [00:00] 1. When clever podcast titles have clarifying subtitles [01:41] Kicked from Apple Podcasts? What Happens When You Keyword-Stuff Podcast T...

Track active podcast metrics from Apple Podcasts, analyze 110 categories, monitor Podcasting 2.0 trends, and easily download beautiful 4K charts! Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/newpii Introduction [00:00] Visit Podcast Industry Insights: https://podcastindustryinsights.com/?utm_source=chapter_1&utm_medium=notes&utm_campaign=tap424 Track...

Explore whether OpenClaw belongs in your podcasting workflow, including the security risks, potential costs, practical use cases, and why you should never sacrifice your humanity for AI automation. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/SLUG Introduction: What is OpenClaw? [00:00] Try OpenClaw, if you dare: https://openclaw.ai 1. OpenClaw has massive se...

Far more exciting than winning "World's Best Cup of Coffee," Edison Research revealed that as of Q4 2025, Americans spent more time listening to podcasts than spoken content on AM/FM radio! Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/podcastsbeatradio Intro: Share of Ear study [00:00] Podcasts Lead AM/FM in Spoken-Word Listening, Marking a First: https://www...

Following up from my previous episode (#420) about using numbering your podcast episode, here are 5 times and places to not use episode numbers. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/avoidepisodenumbers Introduction: listen to #420 first! [00:00] When to Use Podcast Episode Numbers: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/when-to-use-podcast-episode-numbers/...

I've changed my mind since 12 years ago in episode 175, when I proposed that episode numbers were unnecessary for most podcasts. Now, I see more cases when you should consider using episode numbers with your podcast. It comes down to this: use episode numbers when they matter to your audience. Specifically, here's how to determine when that applies. Please share this episode from your podcast app...

No matter where you are in your podcasting journey, it's possible to make one of these podcasting mistakes at any point! Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/5commonmistakes 1. Striving for "perfect" [00:40] Sony ZV-E10 II mirrorless camera: https://podcasting.deals/Bs4fi Sigma 16 mm f/1.6 lens: https://podcasting.deals/QmPnet 2. Doing too much [10:21...

Do you have any unfinished episodes? Maybe you already recorded them but just haven't gotten around to editing them. Or maybe you started writing the outline, but you never finished. Then this challenge is for you! Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/unfinished "If it'll keep, it'll preach" [00:49] Complete the preproduction for draft episodes [05:22...

I'm back from Podfest Multimedia Expo 2026 in Orlando. This is now my favorite podcasting conference, and I'd like to share some thoughts. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/podfest26 1. Community is still priority [01:54] 2. The Podcast Hall of Fame is a highlight [05:19] https://podcasthall.com 3. Lots of quality teaching [07:18] 4. The location i...

When thinking about upgrading your podcasting workflow, you probably immediately think of actual podcasting tools: microphones, recorder/mixer/interface combos, podcast hosting, podcasting software, cameras, lighting, and such. But that's not what I'm going to share with you! In fact, none of these are explicitly podcasting tools (with one on the fence). And not a single one of these is yet anothe...