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

Post office boxes (maybe called something else in other countries) require an investment (especially increasing the last few years), but they could be worth it for you! Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/pobox Privacy, obviously! [01:05] Use your PO Box for public records [01:51] Check your own domain's WHOIS/RDAP information: https://who.is Encoura...

Surveying your audience doesn't have to be a complicated matter. Moving into a new year, here are the three most important questions I recommend you ask your audience. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/3questions 1. "What would you like more of from me/us or my/our podcast?" [01:20] 2. "What would you like less of from me/us or my/our podcast?" [02...

Is WordPress still the best choice for your podcast website, or should you try something else now? Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/needwordpress Your podcast does need a website! [01:16] Podcast-hosting providers have much better websites now [05:24] Captivate podcast hosting: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/go/captivate Buzzsprout podcast hosti...

Running short on time but feel obligated to podcast? Should you "wing it" or just cram like a procrastinating high-schooler the night before a big test? Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/SLUG 1. Respect your audience's time Should Podcast Episodes Have a Consistent Length? 2. Always consider quality over quantity Seth Godin's blog 3. Adapt to preve...

There are plenty of great podcast-hosting providers, but some of them are committing podcasting sins that could make it harder for you to use them, or impair your podcast's performance. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/hostingsins (I earn from qualified purchased through my affiliate links in this episode, but I recommend things I truly believe in...

In a world that can't correctly define a podcast anymore, there's a new obsession over and pressure to publish video. But if you are able to publish both audio and video, which should actually be your priority? Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/higherpriority Introduction [00:00] What's a Podcast Anymore? [episode 400] https://theaudacitytopodcast....

You may have heard that certain topics are "taboo" to share in your podcast, but are they really? Or is it okay to share your "controversial" perspectives? I'm not going to tell you what you "should" do on this issue. Instead, I'll give you several things to consider so that you can make the decision you believe is right for your podcast. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://...

Podcast chapters allow your listening audience to get extra context during your podcast, more easily take action, and jump to spots in your episodes. So are chapters right for your podcast? Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/chapters What are podcast chapters? [01:05] Answering the objection: chapters allow audiences to skip content [03:53] The help...

During or after a tragedy, podcasting may be the last thing on your mind. Or maybe it's actually something you want or need to get back into, but you're not sure if it's appropriate. Whatever the "tragedy" is to you, there is no single right answer to this. But I would like to share several points for you to consider so that you can make the decision that's right for you. Please share this episode...

With the death of Todd Cochrane, his funeral, and the assassination and martyrdom of Charlie Kirk, I'm taking a week off of The Audacity to Podcast. But with the return, I want to address several somber and even controversial questions you might have related to podcasting. For example: • How should you prepare your podcast for your own death? • Should you address current issues or tragedies in you...

Todd Cochrane, a great podcasting pioneer, an advocate for independent podcasters, and one of my good friends died Monday morning, September 8, 2025. Blubrry CEO Todd Cochrane has died: https://podnews.net/update/todd-cochrane-rip Todd Cochrane's Obituary: https://podnews.net/article/todd-cochrane-obituary Blubrry Podcasting Mourns the Loss of Founder and CEO Todd Cochrane: https://podnews.net/pre...

Want a bigger audience? Want to make money with your podcast? Want to become a better podcaster? Want to grow your authority and popularity? I believe that whatever it is that you want from your podcast can probably be achieved with two things. But I'll warn you! These two things are not easy. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/improve2things 1. Kno...

I'm back from Podcast Movement 2025 in Dallas and I have thoughts, especially after my previous episode about why you should attend live events for your podcast. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/pm25 Introduction [00:00] Why Attend Live Events for Your Podcast? Podcast Movement + Sounds Profitable + Podnews [01:35] NYC and Austin locations might b...

Live events can provide great opportunities to grow your knowledge, create content, expand your network, and grow your podcast audience. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/whyattend More episodes about getting the most from live events. 7 tips for effective blog/podcast cards How to Get the Most from Podcasting and Social-Media Conferences Avoid The...

It takes more than high quality content to make a full-time income from your podcast! Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/fulltime Introduction [00:00] Option 1: A big audience [01:37] Option 2: A generous audience [02:15] StickerMule: https://stickermule.com Dashery, by TeePublic: https://www.dashery.com/ Redbubble: https://redbubble.com/ Option 3:...

Unlike traditional broadcasting, there are no "show clocks," scheduled ad breaks, or rigid time slots for podcasts. So should you care about publishing episodes of different lengths? While I think episodes don't have to be the same length, there are some considerations. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/consistentlength 1. What does your audience e...

This fundamental question that has been challenged and even abused: what is a podcast anymore? There's plenty of misinformation and disinformation out there about what a podcast is. My efforts to help set the definition straight may be fruitless, but there's more to consider here than only the meaning of the word. This is my 400th episode of The Audacity to Podcast, to to commemorate this mileston...

Podcasting guesting is consistently the #1 way to grow your own podcast. This works because it gives you the opportunity to get in front of more ideal listeners, provide value and demonstrate your knowledge, and it's easy for them to follow you over to your podcast. But how do you find the first shows you should try getting on? Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacity...

I see podcasters often think that their podcast might grow faster if they switch podcast hosting providers, like from Blueberry to Captivate or vice versa. But is this true? Short answer, no. Now, of course, I'm going to give you more details about that. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/hostinggrow Short answer: no 1. Podcast stats may be measured...

Intentional growth requires regular evaluation and adjustment. That applies to so many areas of life and business, and your podcast is no different. I've put together five things I suggest you evaluate about your podcast every year so that you can make the changes necessary to keep growing your podcast. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/evaluateyea...

How long should your episode closing be? While your episode openings should be as short as possible, the length of your episode closings can be a bit more dynamic. The answer is actually a little different this time: as simple as possible. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/simpleclosing Answer: as simple as possible Spread out your calls to action...

What is the first thing your audience hears when they play your latest episode? Are you providing value in your opening, or just keeping your audience from what they came to hear? Although the terms "intro"/"introduction" and "opening" are often used interchangeably, I'm going to be more specific to call the "opening" everything your audience hears before your episode's unique content. Please shar...

As The Audacity to Podcast celebrates 15 years of professional podcasting, I invite you to take a critical look back at the biggest mistakes I've made and things I wish I did differently with my show. My hope is that this will inspire you to either fix these things early for yourself, or avoid them altogether! Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/15re...

Whether by choice or beyond your control, your podcast might have to go on a hiatus—and it could so long that the podcast seems dead! How do you come back from that and get back into your rhythm? It will take some work, but here are my recommendations (and what I'm practicing myself, too!). Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/revive Review your podca...

Redirects come in multiple types. When misused, they can cause some major problems, as even happened to me recently. Here are some warnings to watch for whenever you use redirects. Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/redirectcautions “Redirects and How to Use Them in Podcasting”: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/redirects-and-how-to-use-them-in-podca...