The Podcast Accelerator: How to Grow Your Podcast

Welcome to this bonus episode of In & Around Podcasting. This week, Mark and Danny take a look at this year's Podcast Movement, taking place in Washington, D.C. between August 19 and 22.

They share tips for first time attendees, how to plan your schedule effectively, some things you shouldn't forget, and loads more useful tips.

Links to interesting things from this episode

In & Around Podcasting is a podcast industry podcast brought to you by Mark Asquith and Danny Brown.

If you enjoy...

In episode 14, we discussed whether the V4V - Value4Value - model was dead, with a focus on streaming sats (Satoshis) since this is primarily what many podcasters associate V4V with.

The episode stirred up quite the conversation online, with some interesting takes on the episode and points raised. So this episode sees Mark chat with David Medus on how he uses V4V beyond sats and the overall philosophy behind it.

Links to interesting things from this episode

Welcome to a special bonus episode of In & Around Podcasting. This week, Mark and Danny are joined by guest co-host Garry Aylott, Head of Design at Captivate, to talk about the new Captivate 2.5 dashboard release.

This includes designing for both indie podcasters and large media production companies, as well as taking podcast networks up a notch for all Captivate podcasters. Sit back for an educational walk-though of the SaaS decision-making process.

Links to interesting things from this episode

In & Around...

We love podcast industry podcasts - there are a lot of them and they're run by smart, passionate people who live and breathe podcasting and who are usually industry professionals.

Sometimes though, they don't give the day-to-day enthusiast, creator or indie podcaster a platform to have their say, often taking "the view from the top" as delivered by the "podcasting professionals".

In & Around Podcasting has been designed to respect and live alongside those shows and to be an accessible, inclusive podcast for every single podcaster; a show that allows everyone with an interest in the...

It's time for a change: https://www.inandaroundpodcasting.com.

Fan of the show? Find it helpful?

You can become a supporter of the show via a one-off tip that I'll use to buy a beer at this link: Support The Podcast Accelerator: How to Grow Your Podcast.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot and for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

If you...

What does the future of podcast monetization look like?

Today I'm joined by Sam Sethi, founder of https://www.podfans.fm, a new platform embracing creator culture and a pioneer of the value for value movement within podcasting and beyond.

Fan of the show? Find it helpful?

You can become a supporter of the show via a one-off tip that I'll use to buy a beer at this link: Support The Podcast Accelerator: How to Grow Your Podcast.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot and for free...

I got into podcasting a decade ago. Since then, I've seen it change from a fledging industry with little revenue flowing through it and flourish into a genuine media industry with billions in ad revenue available every year, the teething problems of a measurement industry, and the "boom" of 2019-2021 (ish).

There are people who have been in this game longer than me, and we've all seen the industry change. I've spoken about podcasting becoming a genuine "industry" many, many times but right now, we're at an inflection point in the journey of podcasting and there are...

You know me, I don't sugarcoat when I feel that something isn't as good as it could be. And, with the world of podcasting growing and, in particular, the choices that consumers have about the myriad shows they can listen to, it's never been more important for your show to "get things right".

But what is "right"?

Surely that's subjective?

Yes, of course, it is - but there's little doubt that best practices now exist in podcasting and that there are objective changes that you can make to your show that will increase...

I'm delighted to be able to give my reaction to the Squadcast acquisition by Descript, plus I preview a little of Podcast Movement 2023 and thank Josh for his kind beer money!

Fan of the show? Find it helpful?

You can become a supporter of the show via a one-off tip that I'll use to buy a beer at this link: Support The Podcast Accelerator: How to Grow Your Podcast.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot and for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

It's survey time!

I'm working on making sure that my content continues to help you in the very best way possible. To do that, I need your very honest views, and this year, I need them in a few specific areas, please.

Do you have two minutes to take my short listener survey, please?

Here's the link: https://mark.live/survey

Oh, it's anonymous, too - I don't need your name or your email address.

Thank you so much!

Fan of the show? Find it...

Design is everywhere. Design is every THING. You simply cannot escape it.

But, as podcasters, we fall into the same trap that so many other types of organisation fall into: commoditising design and believing it to be something that we can either skimp on, do ourselves or that doesn't matter.

All of that is simply wrong, and very seriously wrong.

We also believe that design simply means "graphic design". It doesn't. Designing every single aspect of your show means that you can genuinely compete for revenue with the big shows, shows that often...

When I first started my journey within the podcasting world, I was lucky enough to meet a range of people who have gone on to become genuine friends.

Amongst those is one of the finest, most revered people within our industry, Dave Jackson, a friend, mentor-from-afar and Podcast Hall of Fame inductee who continues to help podcasters around the world every single day.

On this episode, Dave and I dig deep into the last two decades of the podcasting industry and speculate on what might happen over the next twenty years.

This episode's...

In this episode, I have a deep-dive conversation with Mike Wooller, Head of Content Partnerships at Global. Mike has a wealth of experience in the industry and this episode is a must-listen for the serious indi podcast creator.

We kick things off by demystifying some of the often-used industry jargon. Mike breaks down what terms like "Spot", "Programmatic", "Direct Sell", "Host Read", "MRG", and "CPM" really mean.

Next, we're discussing the current climate in the podcasting world. How are brands and advertisers responding to the ever-changing economy, and what does this mean for the podcasting...

Warning! This episode contains some f-bombs and other well placed word bombs - but they’re worth it.

Threads, the brand new "chat app" and Twitter alternative from Meta, aka Facebook, aka Instagram, aka Zuckerberg, launched last week and has already amassed almost 100 million users.

Within three days, I saw a podcast "guru" claiming to know how to use Threads to grow your podcast and, sure enough, the content they published about it was shockingly awful.

So, how do you use Threads to grow your podcast audience?

The truth is that, ri...

When it comes to generating predictable revenue from a podcast, reliability in downloads is vital.

Whether that podcast is monetised via programmatic ads, directly sold host-read ads, selling merch, selling live-taping tickets, listener support via tips and memberships or a diverse combination of these and more, there are certain elements that make that show reliably profitable.

When a podcast is monetised well, it delivers repeatable and reliable numbers that can be projected and used as the basis for business decisions. Brands and ad partners actively seek out shows that will solidly perform week in and...

I frequent many podcasting communities and without a doubt, the biggest question (and the biggest question for the last decade) is "How do I grow my podcast?".

I've spoken before about why this isn't an easy task and why that might even be the wrong question to ask. The truth is that running a podcast as an independent creator is really hard, it's really time-consuming and by the time we've produced our episode, we often don't have the mental bandwidth or the physical time to properly market our show and thus, we simply end up in a...

In this episode, I discuss how to build audience loyalty and drive podcast growth through exclusive content and early/premium access. Learn how to identify the types of content that resonate most with your listeners and create a compelling premium offering that sets your podcast apart.

Get practical tips on delivering high-quality, exclusive material and fostering a sense of community among your subscribers. Unlock the power of premium access and take your podcast's growth and monetization to new heights with these proven strategies!

Fan of the show? Find it helpful?

You can become...

In this episode, I dive into my experience at the Podnews Live Manchester event on June 13, 2023. Held at The Lowry Theatre in Salford, Manchester, this event was an absolute success, buzzing with industry experts and enthusiasts.

An impressive lineup of speakers took to the stage, including industry stalwarts like Podnews' James Cridland & Sam Sethi, little ol' me, Crowd Network's Michael Carr, and many others. Each speaker brought something fresh, adding new energy to the dialogue about the future of the podcasting industry.

Personally, I walked away with three clear insights: the need for more Podnews...

Last week, me and the Captivate (@CaptivateAudio) team hit London for The Podcast Show (@PodcastShowLDN). We joined our fabulous Global family (@Global) as podcasting industry experts, enthusiasts and creators descended on England's capital to celebrate, learn and hypothesise about podcasting and the way that the industry has been, where it is today, and where it will be tomorrow.

In its sophomore year, The Podcast Show had a lot to prove - but did it live up to the hype?

In this review, I go deep into if The Podcast Show London is worth a trip...

In this episode, I'm taking you on a deep dive into YouTube's long-awaited new podcasting features that have the potential to increase and enhance the way that we, as creators, connect with our audience. Join me and special guest James Cridland, the founder and editor of Podnews, as we explore these new features and address some critical questions.

We'll begin by discussing the specifics of YouTube's new podcasting features and who has access to them. James and I discuss the process of getting your podcast on YouTube using and delve into the possibilities of RSS integration in...

In this episode, I explore the power of podcast memberships and share valuable strategies for creating irresistible subscriber experiences.

Learn how to design a membership program that captivates your audience and keeps them engaged, with tips on content selection, delivery, and promotion. Discover how you can leverage the potential of memberships to boost your podcast's growth, revenue, and long-term success.

Don't miss this essential guide to elevating your podcast's appeal through captivating membership experiences!

Useful links from the episode

Fan...

As I bring The Podcast Accelerator back from hiatus, I wanted to share my thoughts and experiences from over a decade in podcasting.

But, rather than just rattle through a list of things that I've seen and how the industry has developed, I thought it's be fun to bring on a podcasting talent and good friend to interview me for my own show - so, welcome to the show my interviewer, Danny Brown of Pod Chat and Captivate fame!

My interviewer...

Today I'd like to run you through what's coming up on the podcast that will help you to grow your audience!

As I come out of hiatus I've planned an array of content to help with your podcast growth, monetisation and that will also give you some insights into the state of podcasting on YouTube, via community and more.

And I've got some fantastic guests lined up to help me!

Fan of the show? Find it helpful?

You can become a supporter of the show via a one-off tip that I'll...

The hiatus is over!

It's been a while but I'm back to educate and (subjectively...) entertain those creators looking to build a meaningful, sustainable podcast audience.

There will be some changes so I want to spend a little time reflecting on why I took a break and talking about what's coming up, what's changing, and more about the format. Plus, I'll tell you a little about the things that I've been working on in the meantime.

Thanks for your patience, I'm excited to get back to this.

Useful links from the...

I'm having a little bit of a break from the podcast to focus on family and Captivate but will be back shortly! In this episode I'll talk to you about why, when I'll be back and recommend a LOT of excellent content to help you to grow your podcast while I'm away! 

Useful links from the episode

Podcasting tech can seem overwhelming but it rarely is once you know how to use it. Here are three creative and actionable ways that you can instantly start to use dynamic ad and content insertion to enhance your podcast today.

Fan of the show? Find it helpful?

You can become a supporter of the show via a one-off tip that I'll use to buy a beer at this link: Support The Podcast Accelerator: How to Grow Your Podcast.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot and for free. So, here's...

Hey, Mark here dropping in to say that I'll be away for a couple of weeks on some family time. Don't worry, all is well and I'll be back in a couple of weeks with some great news and sharing a brilliant episode on how you can use dynamic podcast content to instantly enhance your show. Until then, thank you for your support and keep on captivating! Is this your first episode? Here's what to expect: Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the show that helps busy podcasters to grow their audience in specific, actionable ways. I’m your host Mark As...

The truth is that you and I, we don't know everything and remaining humble is a skill and mindset that we all, as podcasters, must practice and adopt so that we don't limit the potential of our podcast by letting our ego get in the way.

Fan of the show? Find it helpful?

You can become a supporter of the show via a one-off tip that I'll use to buy a beer at this link: Support The Podcast Accelerator: How to Grow Your Podcast.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a...

An interview show is touted as the way to "explode" your influence and increase your impact by the gurus who sell anything to anyone, but you've followed all of their advice and for some reason, your numbers aren't moving and your guests don't often share the interviews that they do with you. Why?

Fan of the show? Find it helpful?

You can become a supporter of the show via a one-off tip that I'll use to buy a beer at this link: Support The Podcast Accelerator: How to Grow Your Podcast.

Your next...

The panacea for the busy podcaster is a robust set of processes. But are your processes devolving your podcast into a lifeless cookie cutter template? Are your processes undermining your creativity and, if so, how can you achieve the perfect balance?

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and MD and co-founder of Captivate.fm, the world’s only growth-oriented podcast host where you can get your first month of podcast hosti...

Each social channel has its nuances, benefits and flaws. Twitter is my personal favourite for podcast growth so today I'm sharing a few simple strategies that I employ to build my podcast audience using the platform.

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and CEO and co-founder of Rebel Base Media, the podcast tech company that creates the Podcast Success Academy, Podcast Websites, Poductivity, Rebel Base Studios & Captivate.fm, the world’s onl...

We all want more "engagement" on our podcasts but the word itself poses some challenges and leaves us fighting for broad strokes of interaction that we just can't scale. But we can fix it.

About The Podcast Accelerator

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and CEO and co-founder of Rebel Base Media, the podcast tech company that creates the Podcast Success Academy, Podcast Websites, Poductivity, Rebel Base Studios & Cap...

For a special bonus episode, I'm sitting down to chat with one of our co-founders, Mark Asquith, to chat about our acquisition by Global and the exciting future of Captivate.

This is Captivate Insider, a weekly update on what's happening here at Captivate, where we're actively helping the serious independent podcast creator save time, grow their podcast and monetize their content.

Join me your host, Garry, the Head of Design here at Captivate where I'll be chatting with our team to get a behind the scenes look at what goes into designing and developing our...

The newly revamped weekly podcast growth newsletter and podcast is here! But... what's the point?!

(Want the email version? Hit "Subscribe" at https://www.twitter.com/MrAsquith)

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and CEO and co-founder of Rebel Base Media, the podcast tech company that creates the Podcast Success Academy, Podcast Websites, Poductivity, Rebel Base Studios & Captivate.fm, the world’s only growth-oriented podcast host where you can g...

This is Captivate Insider, a weekly update on what's happening here at Captivate, where we're actively helping the serious independent podcast creator save time, grow their podcast and monetize their content. Join me your host, Garry, the Head of Design here at Captivate where I'll be chatting with our team to get a behind the scenes look at what goes into designing and developing our features, our views on what's happening in and around podcasting PLUS grab some tips on using Captivate along the way. A new show lands every Wednesday in your preferred podcast app and if you're not...

A little update on the 2021 holiday break here on the show... and Happy Holidays!

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

P.S. you can start engaging with your listeners using AWeber. It's free...

Black Friday just rolled around once more and, as ever, my inbox was flooded with sales from all sorts of people including podcast "gurus".

I'm sure that you had the same emails.

With January about to roll around again, the emails will just keep on coming with offers that are too good to be true, time-bound ("Act now!") and at a huge discount ("Down from $997 to $297, today only!").

It means you can save a bit of money, so what's the problem?

The problem is: to succeed at anything, you have to...

As a serious independent podcast creator, it’s important that you have a full toolkit available to you to help you to grow your podcast’s audience and to monetize your show(s) in diverse ways.

There are so many options available to audio influencers and podcast creators that it can be hard to figure out which range of options to incorporate into your monetization strategy but, inevitably, the subject of sponsors, ads and ad partners will present itself, often sooner rather than later.

In short: dynamic ad insertion, or “DAI”, is the process of recording...

You'd be forgiven for thinking I've been lazy over the last month.

My podcast publishing has been slower than usual - dropping from once per week to once every two weeks - but, it hasn't been due to laziness. It's been due to experimentation. Honestly. Promise.

But why?

A few weeks ago I had a planned week off from publishing. I had a family holiday booked and, as usual, I let my audience know not to expect an episode of The Podcast Accelerator that week.

Logging back into my Captivate account...

There's an old adage that every entrepreneur claims that they coined but that Jeff Bezos, he of space, is widely credited as saying first:

"Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room."

What do people say about your podcast when you're not in the room? What do they tell friends about your podcast and how, if you aren't in that proverbial room, can you have any influence over what they say?

By creating an experience.

Brand, at its core, is just that: the promise of a...

I owe you an apology. Last week I didn't get my usual Monday content out because we had a crazy week with two Captivate mega feature releases. My bad, I thought I had time to get it done but Monday got away from me and it's my fault - I'm sorry.

But, here I am this week!

Last time, I talked to you about how to cope with podcasting overwhelm and gave you a rule of thumb to start implementing right away. It works, it really does (and not just for your podcast, for most...

The more you strive to grow your podcast, the more your plate fills up with things you need to do and eventually, you end up with more and more plates to the point that you could enter the world plate spinning championships.

The point is: there are a lot of people giving you advice on how to grow your podcast and most of it is decent advice (except those dodgy LinkedIn "podcast promoters") and so when you begin to think about actually what to do about your audience growth, you can feel so overwhelmed that you do not...

Podcasting isn't easy.

There's so much that goes into a quality podcast episode and that's before we even talk about the launch process, the marketing requirements and all of the pesky business "stuff" that goes into finding and managing sponsors, listener support and any other legal obligations you may have as you start to generate revenue.

It's why Captivate creates so much free educational content - anything that will help you to navigate the challenges of being a day-to-day podcaster is worth doing.

Podcasting is just podcasting, right?

"Podfade" is the t...

You don't need big numbers to monetise your audio influence. You just need a plan. Try this one.

Last week Captivate launched professional podcast network features and cross-promotional feed drops to all podcasters using the platform.

It's a world-first innovation in podcasting but it's more than just a feature-set, it's part of a methodology for creating your own podcast ecosystem that can be scaled and monetised. 

Podcast listeners don't do what you think.

In my mind, someone who listens to my show enjoys it, tells people all about it and it's the...

For the full Captivate cross-promotional feed drops and network product release notes, check out the blog post here: https://www.captivate.fm/product-releases/network-features/

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

P.S. you...

This week is Captivate's second birthday and to celebrate we're running our annual three-hour growth summit over on our YouTube channel. Entitled Ready, Set, Grow!, the event will feature three amazing speakers and during the summit, I'll be announcing and demo-ing a huge new range of Captivate features to help you, the indie podcast creator and audio influencer, to grow and monetize your audience.

There'll be a full, deep-dive education episode of The Podcast Accelerator landing on Thursday to compliment this so for now, let me tell you about the event and what to expect.

...

Last week I spoke to you about the three big "sins" of podcast coaching; the three red flags that you should look out for when hiring or working with a podcast coach.

When it comes to coaching, there are inevitably the very bad ones, but there are also the very good ones, too. After I'd told you my views on how to spot the bad ones last week, Steph Fuccio asked me to do a "good list" - so here it is... my 3 signs of a great podcast coach. Plus a little bonus tip at the end, bec...

At least four times per week someone emails me asking why their podcast audience isn't growing. I always reply and ask for a little more info and usually refer them to the free Captivate Podcast Growth Labs because their reply typically frustrates me.

They're usually paying a "podcast coach" to help with their growth. 

And that makes me think: if they're paying someone to help, why are they emailing me asking for my help, too?

I'm not a podcast coach. I used to coach people on the business of podcasting a few years ag...

When I was younger I could work for a lot longer without breaks. Now I get tired. It's not so much a physical thing as it is a mental thing - my ideas get a little slower to form and my ability to focus on learning and developing is hindered.

That's hardly surprising - rest is vital to a successful and happy lifestyle - but the challenge that I often find personally is knowing what to do in order to develop myself after I've rested.

There's so much that commands your attention and often, as po...

Now I'm no expert on LinkedIn, but when my long-time friend Jonathan Baillie-Strong asked me what types of posts I've seen work best on LinkedIn for podcast marketing, I had to dive in. For me, it comes down to what type of media you publish and how you title it...

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

Michael Herst asked me during our Podcast Launch Accelerator office hours on Facebook how to handle it when a guest drops out, both from a content perspective and whether you should re-publish an old episode, plus from a guest management perspective.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

A quick update on the format of The Podcast Accelerator. Moving to longer-form Monday episodes from July 12th :)

Do you feel like you don't know what to do or when to do it when it comes to growing your podcast audience and generating revenue from your show?

You're not alone -after all, you didn't become a podcaster to learn about marketing, promotion and monetization!

That's why today, we're launching Captivate Growth Labs.

Captivate Growth Labs is a safe place to learn all of the skills that no one told you that you needed to become a successful podcaster and is completely free to all Captivate users!

With an actionable...

Long-time friend Steph Fuccio asked this insightful question during one of our Podcast Launch Accelerator office hours sessions on Facebook - and I have a few thoughts on it.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

I'm a huge fan of transferrable skills.

When I ran my digital agency I was the person who knew plenty about plenty and could talk knowledgeably enough on marketing or design or coding or user experience or app development to be able to 1. sell those things and 2. manage them successfully.

I'm no specialist in any of them, product marketing seems to be my specialism, but I have enough quality knowledge from years of experience to be able to connect the dots and importantly, to be able to apply knowledge from one skillset to the requirement of...

This is a superb question from Michael Rodriguez! I'm a fan of social marketing but only when it fits our plans, our schedules and our goals. So, here's what I'd choose...

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

How do you write your episode titles? Serious question. It sounds easy, right? It is, you just choose something descriptive and evocative. But does that guarantee a click?

A few weeks ago I authored a podcast growth thread on Twitter containing five things that I see podcasters doing wrong every day and quick ways to fix them.

Over the next couple of weeks, I'm going deeper into each of these problems to add more context, take a closer look at how to implement the fix and why I suggested each particular approach.

Last ti...

Taruna asked me during our Podcast Launch Accelerator office hours on Facebook whether it was wise to relaunch her podcast because she's not promoted her show much and had a little time off. Let's dig into that!

This week we released Captivate 2.0 to podcasters across the globe. Let me be your personal changelog right here and update you on the whole list of new features!

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

This week we release Captivate 2.0 after over 6,500 people joined us for our YouTube reveal.

It's been a humbling journey and today my only job is to say thank you to you, the ever-present podcaster, for your support.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

James asked me on our Podcast Launch Accelerator office hours if he should name his show after himself because it seems to be the trend these days - I have thoughts...

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

Just as the podcast hosting world tried to catch up, Captivate is about to change the game again...

Join me live on Thursday 3rd June at 11am Eastern on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/rebelbasemedia.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

There is no quick fix

That's it, that's the content. Thanks for listening!

Alright, I know I'm being a little facetious here but this situation is so distressing to me that if I don't act like that, I'll end up quitting work and becoming a hermit here in the hills of Yorkshire, only leaving my cave to test out new

A really insightful question came in from Alexandro over in our Podcast Launch Accelerator Office hours recently. He asked: "What's the biggest mistake that podcasters make at 5-10 episodes in?"

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

We can't ask listeners to make us their number one, must-listen podcast choice without giving them a reason to do so.

In fact, podcasters like you and I fall into a trap of expecting listeners to do too much for us as soon as they've begun to listen to our podcast. We ask them to share, to subscribe (follow, now!) and to review our podcast "if you like it".

The problem is, there's no structure to any of it.

It's something that we fall into because it's what every other podcaster does. I'm...

Stephen Kosmyna asked me what the number of downloads is that you need before you consider monetizing. It's a multi-layered answer so today, I'm digging in for it.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

Last week I authored a podcast growth thread on Twitter containing five things that I see podcasters doing wrong every day and quick ways to fix them.

Over the next five weeks, I'm going deeper into each of these problems to add more context, take a closer look at how to implement the fix and why I suggested each particular approach.

Cumulative downloads = the total number of downloads that your entire show has had for the month across all episodes. 

Aka "the biggest number".

The cumulative download number sounds really awesome when...

Ok I know this sounds like an obvious question but the fact is, podcasting is changing very rapidly so as a new podcaster it can be super hard to figure out where your show needs to be. Let me give you a rundown.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

Last week I discussed the new Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and why I thought it was restrictive to podcasters looking to build a business.

My main bone of contention is the lack of ability that creators have to ask their buyers whether that buyer wants to let the creator stay in touch via email.

But was I too harsh in my assessment?

I'm a business person first. I have been since I was 23 and since then I've only failed to pay my mortgage once.

It was in 2012. We were running our design and...

Kipper McGee, of Brandwidth on Demand and a good friend of mine asked if Facebook is still a good marketing tool for podcasters due to the increasing amount of people choosing to spend less time on the platform. With iOS 14 changes, there's more to consider in 2021, that's for sure!

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

Last week, Apple announced Apple Podcasts Subscriptions:

Apple Podcasts Subscriptions is a global marketplace for listeners to discover premium subscriptions offered by their favorite creators, including The Athletic and NPR. The Midnight Miracle, the groundbreaking new original series hosted by Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey, and Dave Chappelle, will be available next month with a subscription to the Luminary channel on Apple Podcasts.

The news was met with mixed reactions in the podcasting industry and, inevitably, podcasters are scrambling for information on what this means for them.

I've been one of those at the...

My long-time friend Annette Bone asked on last weeks podcast launch office hours how she can get PR companies that help her into events as "press" to give her testimonials for her podcast. Here's how I'd approach it personally.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

I've been lucky enough to speak on stages all over the world thanks to podcasting. From educating at Harvard University to delivering a TEDx and speaking at the biggest podcasting conferences on the planet.

But during all of that time, I haven't once scripted a talk.

Not once. Not even my TEDx.

But in January I began scripting my Monday podcast episodes. 

If I can speak on some of the world's biggest stages without scripting, why did I start scripting my short-form podcast - especially after 1,300+ episodes?!

When I wr...

Following up last week's question from Doug, who is going through the free Podcast Launch Accelerator course, he also asked if it's wise to mix podcast formats between solo and interview style on the same show. The answer is...

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

Lockdown has been hard. I've been a royal pain in the rear to be around, I'm sure. 

We're social creatures after all but one phrase that keeps coming up during these "How's lockdown been?" discussions is:

"Well, it's good to be busy, isn't it."

It really is, we aren't here to stagnate! We're here to progress as individuals, collectives and as a species.

But as a podcaster, there's a huge difference between being busy and actually progressing. The trouble is, most of us don't see it until it's too late...

H...

Doug Piper is working through the free Podcast Launch Accelerator course and during the office hours a couple of weeks ago he asked me about cover art, what to do and not to do. Here's my list of top things to avoid!

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

My friend Ashleigh asked me recently about whether she can build her network AND monetise through an interview show and it led me to think more about how you set primary and secondary goals for your show.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

Last week the podcast industry reported that there are now two million active podcasts, up from one million a year ago and up from the ~190,000 that existed when I started podcasting 8 years ago.

Are you about to get drowned out?

Podcasting is too big for you

Two million is a lot of podcasts. Right?

Sure it is. And while it's brilliant for the industry (read: money in the industry) it's a statistic that is terrifying for the independent, day-to-day podcaster like you and I.

Think about it: content production co...

Michael Rodriguez asked me "Can your show bounce between a solo show sometimes and interviews others, especially when starting off and trying to get people to interview?"...

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

Following up on last week's question, Doug also asked "In my programs which are recorded from webinars I have a Q&A at the end of the program. Do you think I should include the Q&A in the podcast?"

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

A quick scheduling update and teaser for what's coming up here on The Podcast Accelerator. Your next steps I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next: Watch my free podcasting tutorials on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/rebelbasemedia (https://www.youtube.com/rebelbasemedia) Learn how to launch your own podcast the right way, for free (plus a comprehensive download-and-keep crib sheet): https://www.podcastsuccessacademy.com/ (https://www.podcastsuccessacademy.com) Ask me anything at all about podcasting over on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrAsquith (https://www.twitter.com/MrAsquith) P.S...

If you've ever seen or heard me talk about the Listener Acquisition Flow at Podcast Movement, Podfest or on my show, you know that I've long struggled with the word "subscribe" in podcasting.

I started considering it a few years ago when watching the Infinite Dial by Edison Research and Triton and I was reminded of it again last week when watching the 2021 event, too.

"Subscribe" IS a problem in podcasting and despite shouty OG podcasters saying it's not, times have changed and it really is a small problem with big connotations.

But wh...

This week, Doug Piper asked "If you're starting a new podcast and you've created 40 or more episodes ready to release. How many would you start with and how often would you release them?" so let me get right to that...

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

That episode title right there, that's called a "bait and a switch".

I have no intention of teaching you how to explode anything.

Annoyed? Close the email now, it's cool.

Or don't, your call.

But you see, this is an experiment: will people who don't usually open these Monday emails open this one because of that subject line?

If so, what did they expect to find?

A proven method for podcasting success?

A roadmap to 10x your downloads?

A path to podcasting superstardom?<...

Gareth Beardall this week asked me how long is TOO long for a podcast and you know, it's a very common question. So, let's find out.

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

I once saw some advice from a podcast guru in their *paid* Facebook group telling someone who wanted to double their audience to produce twice as many shows to do it... need I say more?

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

There's been a lot of noise lately about podcast advertising and dynamic ad insertion (or content). Rightly so: DAI/DCI is a super exciting facet of podcasting that can make your content more relevant, timely and valuable. Here's my simple explainer!

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

Last week we integrated Captivate with Descript to make your life easier as a podcaster and although integrations sound really cool on Twitter, I wanted to spend a bit of time today giving you some actual real-life insights on how you can make a better podcast by using Descript.

In fact, here's Descript - this is the only link to it.

What is Descript?

Friend and advisor to Captivate Evo Terra has started creating 60-second flash briefings for his show, Podcast Pontifications and it's something we've done for our shorter shows, too. What are the benefits, why create one and how can you produce one for your own podcast?

You're going to need this link:

https://developer.amazon.com/en-US/docs/alexa/flashbriefing/steps-to-create-a-flash-briefing-skill.html

Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot, and usually for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

I delivered a talk at Podcast Movement back in 2015 and during the session I made a quip about podcasters like myself waking up, making a coffee and firing up their download analytics to check the downloads that happened overnight.

I then went on to state that when I was a new podcaster I'd not only do that myself, but I'd check them every single hour throughout the day.

It got plenty of laughs and more than a couple of head shakes from the seasoned podcasters in the room.

It was a flippant point...

If your podcast complements your business, getting a steady flow of traffic between the two is crucial to your success. In this week's podcasting Q&A, I talk about how to use your podcast as a lead generation tactic.

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and CEO and co-founder of Rebel Base Media, the podcast tech company that creates the Podcast Success Academy, Podcast Websites, Poductivity, Rebel Base Studios & Captivate.fm...

It feels like every podcaster, entrepreneur and creator (+ Elon Musk) is on Clubhouse, the new audio-only, open-forum social media app. Is it here to replace podcasting? How can you use it to market your show? Is it even worth bothering about? Let's dive in!

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and CEO and co-founder of Rebel Base Media, the podcast tech company that creates the Podcast Success Academy, Podcast Websites, Po...

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and CEO and co-founder of Rebel Base Media, the podcast tech company that creates the Podcast Success Academy, Podcast Websites, Poductivity, Rebel Base Studios & Captivate.fm, the world’s only growth-oriented podcast host where you can get your first month of podcast hosting for just one dollar and transfer an existing podcast in, completely free.

Thank you so much for joining me on the Podca...

Podcast marketing is a grind, that's true. But there are some fundamentals you should always consider to be your "true north". I experienced something weird with a salesperson this week that got me thinking about the lesson it can teach us about podcast marketing fundamentals.

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and CEO and co-founder of Rebel Base Media, the podcast tech company that creates the Podcast Success Academy, Podcast We...

Before the holidays, we covered a couple of ways to grow your podcast organically over social media. This week - paid ads. What should you know before getting stuck in? What works best, and where should you spend your money? ShePodcasts member Cindy for this question.

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and CEO and co-founder of Rebel Base Media, the podcast tech company that creates the Podcast Success Academy, Po...

Why do most podcasters want more of the things that don't matter unless they have a plan for using that growth when they hit it?

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and CEO and co-founder of Rebel Base Media, the podcast tech company that creates the Podcast Success Academy, Podcast Websites, Poductivity, Rebel Base Studios & Captivate.fm, the world’s only growth-oriented podcast host where you can get your first month...

Thanks to podcaster Aaron Griffin who asked this really interesting question - "who is at the center of your podcast, you or your listener?" Let's get philosophical about podcasting, your community, being a host and a content creator.

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and CEO and co-founder of Rebel Base Media, the podcast tech company that creates the Podcast Success Academy, Podcast Websites, Poductivity, Rebel Base Studios & Captivate.fm, the...

If you haven't, go and listen to episode 240 before this one! What are your goals in podcasting? To podcast professionally? To build an audience? To relax with friends? Whatever your aim is, podcast planning and goal setting is key to your show's success.

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and CEO and co-founder of Rebel Base Media, the podcast tech company that creates the Podcast Success Academy, Podcast Websites, Poductivity, Re...

Podcast reviews are free marketing for your podcast, but few hosts really take the time to put them to work. A podcaster in our Facebook group recently asked us for ways to use reviews creatively as part of a podcast marketing strategy, so here are our 3 top tips!

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and CEO and co-founder of Rebel Base Media, the podcast tech company that creates the Podcast Su...

We've been experimenting with repurposing every episode of the Podcast Accelerator for YouTube. Now we're stopping, and here's the reason why (as well as what you can learn from our journey!)

Welcome to The Podcast Accelerator, the thrice-weekly show that brings you podcast education, industry insights and straight-talking reactions to podcasting news.

I’m your host Mark Asquith, The British Podcast Guy and CEO and co-founder of Rebel Base Media, the podcast tech company that creates the Podcast Success Academy, Podcast Websites, Poductivity, Rebel Base Studios & Captivate.fm, the world’s only growth-oriented podcast host where...