Launch, growth and success tips for Podcasters and wider content creators. Read a set of quick points, from tool reviews to growth tactics, and much more, all aimed at helping you create the show of your dreams. If you're building a personal or a content brand, then get started with us!
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Want a bigger audience? Build a smaller community (Podcraft Pointers)
Published 26 days ago • 7 min read
Mic Drop Fact
During WWII, some nations experimented with using low-frequency sound waves as a potential weapon. This is called a sonic or ‘acoustic attack‘. Sonic weapons can be explicit, e.g. an extremely loud noise. Or, they can be covert, like infrasound that affects the human body without the targets noticing.
Hullo there!
The Legend of Podkin One-Ear is our current bedtime story. The wee one seems to be enjoying it, and so am I. Here's a nice quote I thought you might enjoy, too:
"Stories belong to the teller," says the bard. "At least half of them do. The other part belongs to the listeners. When a good story is told to a good listener, the pair of them own it together."
You won't find that kind of wisdom in Mr Tickle's Tickly Day, will you?
What if the secret to a bigger podcast audience is thinking smaller? Lindsay explores why intimate, focused communities can outperform follower counts, and what most podcasters miss about real connection. That’s just one insight in this jam-packed guide. There’s a lot to chew on.
We've always believed in our humble 'podcast maker' software Alitu, but to hear the line, "so creators can use their favourite sites, like Alitu", whilst the app displays in the background of the WWDC keynote was... surreal, to say the least 😂
In this episode of Podcraft, I caught up with James Cridland, the one-man operation behind Podnews, to pull back the curtain on how he’s built what might be the most consistent content machine in podcasting.
You can now add podcast episodes, songs, and audiobooks to your "in this episode" section in the Spotify mobile app. A handy companion feature to our omnipresent "links in the shownotes" line.
Most people fear public speaking more than they fear spiders. Colin was no different (I bet he's terrified of tarantulas, too), but he believes applying for speaking gigs and getting up on stage as much as possible played a big part in the early growth of The Podcast Host.
Podcasters often worry about "starting over" when their show isn't working anymore. But here's the thing: re-launching isn't about losing what you've built. It's about using everything you've learned to create something better.
Sibilance refers to harsh “s,” “sh,” and similar sounds that can distract listeners in spoken audio. Traditional de-essers reduce these frequencies, but they often lack precision or tonal control. iZotope’s Velvet plugin offers advanced sibilance management, mouth click removal, and spectral shaping in one tool.
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"Whether it was a gripping novel that kept you up all night or a podcast episode that sparked new ideas, share your experiences with us.
Let us know why it resonated with you. Was it the characters, the plot, or maybe the host's voice that drew you in? Let us know what made it special and how it impacted you. Your insights might just inspire someone else in our community (like me) to pick up that book or tune into that podcast."
You Don’t Need to Be an Authority. You Need to Be Curious 🤔🎙️
We hear a lot about how podcasters should “niche down” to eliminate competition and establish themselves as the authority on their podcast’s topic. But you don’t have to be Bill Gates to produce a podcast about Microsoft. Instead, curiosity can build empathy in your audience, which goes a long way to build trust and grow your show. Let’s unpack the pressure to “niche down,” why it matters (or doesn't), and how an inquisitive mindset opens up the relationship with your audience. 🌱
Firstly, what does “niche down” mean? And why does it matter?
Your podcast’s niche reveals what your show is about and who it’s intended for. When someone suggests podcasters should “niche down,” they mean to make that niche more specific. For example, a podcast about repairing classic appliances for antique collectors could turn into a podcast about repairing Hoover Constellation model 822A vacuum cleaners for antique collectors interested in mid-century modern electronics. You can position yourself as the authority on the Hoover Constellation 822A, and delight a small, loyal fan base. Pretty soon, though, you’ll run out of things to talk about. 🧹
Some podcasters describe themselves as an authority to impress sponsors. But, experts run the risk of tunnel vision. When you’ve been told a million times that you are the star-determined guru for any topic, you lose perspective and the flexibility to evolve. And that can alienate your audience.
Curiosity, however, seats you and your audience in the same car, setting out on a path of discovery. Your followers come to your podcast to learn. When you’re making the podcast to learn, too, you’re both on the same team. This builds empathy and trust. 🚗
For example, I produce a podcast about creative writing. It’s far from the only one on the Internet. But, my podcast has a tight niche: writing for audio drama podcasts. I’m qualified to produce a podcast about audio drama writing, and could style myself as an authority. Do I? NOPE. Here’s why.
I’ve been writing audio drama podcasts for about ten years. In podcasting, that’s almost “since the beginning.” But, compared to the history of storytelling, my knowledge is a drop in the bucket. As soon as I claim that the way I know how to write is the one correct way, I’ve just shut all the doors to other storytelling methods and techniques. How can I learn something new if I already claim to know everything? Where’s the fun in that? Instead, we research and discuss new strategies and ideas. 📚
When a podcast maintains an attitude of authority, there’s little to no room for growth. When a host admits they don’t know everything, but want to know more, there’s loads of room for the audience to feel comfortable asking questions, paying attention, and getting in touch. They feel more empathy for the host, and they’re more likely to recommend the show to others. 💬
It can be tempting to style oneself as the authority on a topic to try to impress sponsors with one's expertise. But that isn't a sustainable recipe for podcast growth. Instead, demonstrate what you do know, and show how you want to learn more. When there are gaps in your knowledge, admit it. Bring guests on your show who can fill in those deficits. Research different aspects of your show’s topic, and examine different perspectives. Not only will you learn more, but also, your audience wants to come back and share your discoveries with you. 🔍
⚠️ Due to popular demand, the Mindset Moments section is becoming its own newsletter on Substack. Subscribe here to continue receiving Lindsay's essential weekly thoughts on mastering your message and mindset. ⚠️
⬇️ RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
🏃 The RACE Method Checklist 🌱
Sure, social media and video can be incredibly useful for marketing your podcast. But what if you had no inclination to use either? RACE is a proven framework for running a growth-optimised podcast without a newsfeed or algorithm in sight. This week we've repurposed it for you in a super handy checklist form...
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Matthew & Colin
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Launch, growth and success tips for Podcasters and wider content creators. Read a set of quick points, from tool reviews to growth tactics, and much more, all aimed at helping you create the show of your dreams. If you're building a personal or a content brand, then get started with us!
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