Podknows Business Network

If your podcast is costing you more than it's returning and someone in your business has started asking hard questions about it, this episode is for you.I'm Neal Veglio, and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights I tell you about Jane — a real founder, with a made-up name — who spent £20,000 on her podcast and got £6,000 back. Her financial advisor spotted the gap. She's now weeks away from shutting the show down.She shouldn't. Because the problem was never the podcast.We look at what actually goes wrong when ambitious founders build a content operation: hiring ten specialists before you've plotted the journey, letting each of them optimise a channel your ideal client has never once opened, and leaving the one channel that is right — the podcast — sitting there with no job to do. There's the uncomfortable truth about specialists (they're not scamming you; they're incentivised to believe their thing is your answer), the point at which finance starts looking at black-and-white numbers on a spreadsheet, and why the solution is almost never "kill the podcast" — it's kill the channels that are quietly burning the cash.Plus a listener question from Jordan in Dublin on the nerves that stop you hitting record, and a quick tip that will make you a better editor of your own show in three days flat.Free download Ideal Client Profile one-pager https://podknows.co.uk/ideal-clientUseful links Podknows Website https://podknows.co.ukB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostic https://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast Audits https://podknows.co.uk/auditsAsk a question on the show https://podknows.co.uk/voicemailTimestamped summary00:00 Free download: the Ideal Client Profile one-pager00:11 Let's talk about Jane00:40 £20,000 spent. £6,000 back01:09 Weeks away from killing the show01:18 The problem isn't the numbers01:22 What happens when you surround yourself with specialists02:00 SEO, email, Pinterest, Reels — the channel pile-up02:20 The podcast is the right channel. It just has no job02:54 Welcome to B2B Podcasting Insights03:11 Most founders start with the wrong question03:33 They've got it ass about face03:37 The right sequence: who, where, then which channels03:49 Build the content map before you hire the crew04:19 Why specialists genuinely believe their thing is the answer05:11 The Pinterest problem05:36 Ten people making your wrong channels excellent06:04 Zero results, burnt cash and sleepless nights06:17 When finance looks at the spreadsheet06:40 It might be working — just not yet06:44 It's not the podcast that's broken07:04 The podcast as a content powerhouse07:29 The solution: kill the other channels, not the show07:50 What Jane should actually run08:49 From seven channels down to four08:55 Listener question: Jordan in Dublin on recording nerves09:39 You don't get rid of the nerves. You stop letting them stop you10:22 That nervousness isn't a flaw — it's a sign you care11:06 Rehearse the script. Commit to one take11:40 Perfection is a journey, not a destination11:57 Quick tip: don't publish on the day you record12:55 Distance creates perspective13:06 Final thoughts and next steps

New research from Signal Hill Insights, presented by Tom Webster at Sounds Profitable, surveyed over 5,000 podcast listeners — and the findings are uncomfortable for most indie podcasters to hear. Probably the most uncomfortable for me to hear, considering they contradict everything I've ever told people around podcast growth. But, as with all things, this research is not gospel. It's, as usual, a soupçon of insight into a complex and wide challenge.It challenges what our audio is, what our newsletter does and why our video clips should be. So listen as I break down the Podcast Atlas findings and what they actually mean for indie shows without a publisher, PR team, or paid clip editor behind them.You’ll hear:— Why the 43% trust number matters — and why it’s useless until someone finds you first— What the data says about clips as a discovery engine (and my nuanced take on whether that shifts my position)— Why 61% of your potential audience is untapped and ownable — and what to do about it— The only two things in this whole system you actually own📊 Download the full Podcast Atlas report (free): https://soundsprofitable.com/research/the-podcast-atlas/Three ways to work with me:1. Start the free 7-day podcast makeover email course at podmastery.co2. Take the listener survey and receive a free download: podmastery.co/listener-survey/3. Ready to work directly? podmastery.co/need-podcasting-help/

If you're publishing your B2B podcast like clockwork and still wondering why it isn't moving anything, the problem probably isn't your consistency.Publishing weekly feels responsible. It looks good internally. It gives the team something to point at. But you can be extremely consistent at doing the wrong thing.I'm Neal Veglio, Founder and Director of the UK based podcast agency Podknows Podcasting and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights I'm breaking down why "consistency is key" has become one of the most over-sold ideas in B2B podcasting — and why ramping up your output is usually the opposite of what a struggling show needs.We look at why a shop that can't sell its products doesn't fix things by extending its opening hours, why the podcasting industry keeps selling production fixes for what are really strategy problems, what Dan Carlin's Hardcore History reveals about publishing on your own terms, and why intent — not frequency — has always been the deciding variable.There's also a set of questions you can run on your own show to find out whether it's doing a real commercial job or just quietly building a bigger back catalogue that still doesn't sell.Useful links Podknows Website https://podknows.co.ukB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostic https://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticTimestamped summary00:00 The document every client already has (content pillars = the illusion of strategy)01:50 Welcome to B2B Podcasting Insights02:04 The common problem: your show isn't converting02:40 The shop that just extends its opening hours03:14 Why action feels better than uncertainty03:38 Production fixes for strategy problems (and why they're easier to sell)04:49 "Consistency is key" — and why it's the wrong answer05:07 You can be consistent at doing the wrong thing05:56 Why I've never seen a client get results from publishing more07:10 Permission to publish less07:19 What Dan Carlin's Hardcore History teaches B2B founders09:04 Frequency vs intent: the real deciding variable09:49 Question 1: what's the podcast's commercial job?10:23 Question 2: is what you're publishing doing that job?11:11 Once the job's confirmed, frequency answers itself11:59 Founder FAQ: Natasha's guests won't share their episodes16:52 Quick tip: your episode title is not a book titleMentioned in this episode:Learn More About Podknows PodcastingWe're at https://podknows.co.uk/

A couple of episodes back I made the case for Apple Podcasts’ new HLS video. Then I had to go and actually do it — because the theoretical version of podcasting-about-podcasting is slightly embarrassing, and I hold myself to a better standard than the people spouting expertise about things they’ve never tried.So I enabled video for B2B Podcasting Insights, my other show, in Captivate. A real show, in a crowded market, with real numbers. This episode is the field report.In this one:What HLS video actually is — and why it isn’t the old MP4-in-the-RSS-enclosure trick that nobody could seeWhat the listener experience really looks like (spoiler: “clean” is a Michelin star in podcast infrastructure)The hosting catch — it lives or dies on who you host withThree workflow changes nobody warns you about, including the upload time and editing for two audiences at onceWhat two weeks of data actually showed — told straight, no fake growth-hack victory lapThe honest verdict: who should switch it on now, and who should waitLINKSGot something about your show bugging you at half eleven at night? Go to podmastery.co and click get in touch. Let’s sort it rather than just theorise about it.Recorded on Boomcaster — free trial + 50% off your first three months (affiliate link): podmastery.co/boomcasterAnd go follow B2B Podcasting Insights if you want more on getting the most from a B2B show: podknows.co.uk/b2bpi

If someone in your business has just told you that you need to do a video podcast and you're not sure whether to believe them, this episode is for you.I'm Neal Veglio, and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights I break down why "you must add video" has quickly become the default advice in B2B podcasting — and why following it without a reason often gives you a more expensive podcast that still doesn't have a job.We start with the home-office video makeover nobody needs: the relocated plant, the bookmarked gimbal, the colour calibration card in the post — on a show whose 24 episodes have never once come up in a sales conversation. Then we get to the part most "experts" skip: where your buyers actually are when they consume your content. Not at a desk, notepad ready. On a treadmill. At the side of a swimming pool, taking notes while their kid does lengths. You can't replicate that with video, and the intimacy of audio is doing commercial work long before any sales call happens.This isn't an argument against video in principle. It's an argument against adding it reactively. There's a simple test — strip every visual from your episode and ask whether the listener still gets 100% of the insight — plus the cases where video genuinely completes the show, the attribution problem nobody talks about, this week's Founder FAQ on podcast bios (CV vs. sales tool), and a quick tip that will change how you write every episode description from now on.Useful links Podknows Website https://podknows.co.ukShould Your B2B Podcast Add Video? (90-second decision tree) https://podknows.co.uk/video-decisionB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostic https://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast Audits https://podknows.co.uk/auditsTimestamped summary 00:00 The Saturday-night home-office video makeover 00:52 Welcome to B2B Podcasting Insights 01:07 Where are your buyers actually consuming your content? 02:41 Why you can't replicate audio's intimacy with video 04:41 Making yourself watchable risks making yourself missable 04:47 "Our audience prefers video" — based on what? 06:30 This isn't anti-video — it's anti-video-without-a-reason 06:49 The test: strip every visual and see what's lost 07:47 When video completes the podcast instead of padding it 09:17 The fork in the road: add video or change the content 10:14 The attribution problem nobody talks about 11:50 A more expensive podcast that still has no job 12:11 The 90-second video decision tree 15:25 Founder FAQ: is your podcast bio a CV or a sales tool? 16:24 Quick tip: write for the "I'm not sure this is for me" buyer 17:54 Final thoughtsMentioned in this episode:Learn More About Podknows PodcastingWe're at https://podknows.co.uk/

If you've published a B2B podcast episode you were genuinely proud of, then watched it land to four downloads and two likes you suspect might be bots, this one's for you.I'm Neal Veglio, and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights I break down why your best episode probably got almost zero shares, what that does and doesn't mean, and why publishing is not the finishing line in your content story.I open with a confession: I watched my own argument, made weeks earlier on this very show, get repackaged by someone else and rack up hundreds of reshares and thousands of comments while my original barely moved. I wasn't angry. I was weirdly pleased, because it proved the idea worked, just not inside my own distribution system.We look at the difference between content that gets shared (comfortable, affirming, validating) and content that gets saved, WhatsApped and referred (uncomfortable, specific, commercially valuable), why a referral from the right person beats 47 likes every time, and how to tell a distribution gap apart from a content failure so you don't go and fix the wrong thing.There's also this week's Founder FAQ on seasons vs. publishing continuously, and a deceptively simple quick tip on episode length and completion rate.Useful links Podknows Website https://podknows.co.ukB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostic https://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast Audits https://podknows.co.uk/auditsTimestamped summary00:00 The idea that wandered off and got famous somewhere else03:52 Welcome — what this episode is really about04:24 You nailed the episode, then the stats didn't move06:44 What actually gets shared in B2B (and why it's useless for pipeline)08:20 Shares vs. referrals: which one is actually worth money 11:11 My Diary of a CEO episode, and watching the idea get repurposed12:55 Distribution gap vs. content failure (magic beans and the uneaten cake)16:36 The only question worth asking: does the right person know it exists?17:12 Founder FAQ: seasons vs. publishing continuously22:20 Quick tip: stop padding episodes — completion rate is the signal23:54 The Podknows Growth Diagnostic and audits24:55 It's probably working offline

Yes, I attended The Podcast Show. Yes I had both good and bad things to say. (One of those things is pasted below from my LinkedIn)But through it all, there was one super surprising benefit I discovered from going to The Podcast Show 2026. I really did NOT see this coming.http://podknows.co.uk/contact(FROM LINKEDIN)The Podcast Show 2026 was ultimately epic. Let me go deeper, fam. Let's slide through the obvious stuff like the wonderful sense of community and camaraderie that exists among the many strangers and even those who are technically 'competitors'. This is one of my favourite things about the show. 10/10 — no notes. I'm going to say that I'm blown away by how seriously the event organisers take this show, and they only ever want to make it better each year. I also thoroughly enjoyed some of the perspectives from the stages. It wasn't a total pitchfest. And if anybody tried to schill their warez, the moderators did a fab job of keeping them back on point. (I felt for Katie Prescott from The Times who had the misfortune of moderating a panel with podcasting's perniciousness incarnate, Jeanine Wright. I mean, the tech ops had to actually resort to drowning her out with music to stop her in her delusional verbal tracks.) I won't say any more on that talk other than to acknowlege the loud and passionate criticisms from the baying audience which reassured my weeping heart. But there were a couple of negatives and it would be off-brand for me not to mention 'em. With iteration, someone, somewhere, is always going to be left slightly disappointed while others benefit. We see this in podcast production all the time – we make a tweak to improve content such as adding sound design or introducing structure, and there will always be someone who hates the new sound because it's no longer what they became comfortable with. So I accept that some of the things that I didn't enjoy as much are a subjective thing. Gone was the business stage – clearly didn't get the bums on seats last year – and so a big reason I enjoyed the event last year was disappeared. We move past that. It's one of those things. I also felt sad at how some of the people hosting talks clearly didn't know their audience. An example of this was a chat about the benefits of immersive sound design that was schilling Dolby as a tool. Now I'm not the biggest technical nerd in this space, but I'm pretty sure none of the podcast apps offer passthru of that standard, so that was a fairly pointless 25 minutes for anyone NOT considering running an audiobook on Audible. My biggest WTF moment was the one pictured. Head honcho from YouTube grabs three creatives who have seen success putting their podcasts on the platform. I'll say this, if a head of content can't project manage success in video podcasting at... well... The Guardian... then I'd have expected them to quit being in charge of content immediately, because it would suggest an incompetency problem. There we no receipts of before YouTube and after YouTube. Just a whole lot of 'trust me bro, we know what we're talking about' which too many lazy last-minute panellists tend to lean on. To be clear, this is a criticism of the individual speakers, NOT the event itself. In old money, definitely still a A+ event. Well done to all the team.Mentioned in this episode:Learn More About Podknows PodcastingWe're at https://podknows.co.uk/

Every podcaster who's ever had a guest on has felt it. You do the edit, write the show notes, create the clips, tag them everywhere — and hear absolutely nothing back. No share. No repost. Not even a like.So is it you? Is it them? Is this just how guests are?In this episode, I'm getting into why podcast guest cross-promotion is one of the most persistent myths in indie podcasting.If you're booking guests to borrow their audience, this episode is going to save you a lot of disappointment.Free 7-day podcast makeover: head to podmastery.co and sign up — one practical tip per day, straight to your inbox.

There's a very specific kind of irony happening across B2B podcasting right now. Someone posts on LinkedIn about the urgent need to differentiate from competitors — gets hundreds of nodding comments, a few congratulatory pats on the shoulder — and then releases a podcast episode that sounds verrrrrry familiar.Hi, I'm Neal Veglio, founder of Podknows Podcasting and host of B2B Podcasting Insights. And in this episode, I'm breaking down why copying the Diary of a CEO container is actively working against your buyers' trust — and what the one thing is that actually differentiates a B2B podcast. Spoiler: it's not your lighting rig.Also in this episode:Founder FAQ: Dominic from Norwich wants to know why his podcast guests never share the episode after recording — and what he can do about itQuick Tip: The simple title strategy that will make every episode you publish sharper, more specific, and more honest than anything you planned in advanceIf your show is built around looking successful rather than being useful, this one's going to sting slightly. In a productive way.👉 Book your diagnostic session: podknows.co.uk/diagnosticMentioned in this episode:Podknows Launch BookGet our free book "Podcast Launch Strategy"Free Launch BookLearn More About Podknows PodcastingWe're at https://podknows.co.uk/

If you've got a B2B podcast and a sales team — there's a fairly good chance they've never properly met.That sounds absurd. And yet it's almost universal.Hi, I'm Neal Veglio, founder of Podknows Podcasting. We're a podcast agency helping B2B businesses and founders enjoy better results from their podcast.In this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights, I'm explaining why the most valuable thing most B2B podcasting strategies are missing isn't more content — it's a single conversation between two teams that should have happened months ago.Whether you're a founder, a CMO, or a sales leader wondering why your expert positioning isn't converting — this episode will change how you think about what your podcast is actually for.Useful linksPodknows Website https://podknows.co.ukB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostic https://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast Audits https://podknows.co.uk/auditsSend a voice note or question https://podknows.co.uk/feedbackTimestamped chapters00:00 The fantasy inbound call01:51 The podcast sales crime scene03:54 Why marketing and sales missed each other05:19 The meeting that never happens06:37 What good looks like on a sales call08:39 Your 10-minute podcast deployment playbook10:40 Founder FAQ: Fred Copestake on sales vs. marketing15:31 Quick tip: when to ask for a followMentioned in this episode:Learn More About Podknows PodcastingWe're at https://podknows.co.uk/

You published your 40th episode this week and your download graph looks less like a rocket and more like a polite cough.The CFO is squinting at the line item.You're Googling "how long should a B2B podcast take to work?" from the toilet at 11pm on a Sunday.Before you cancel the whole thing, there's a chance you're measuring against the wrong clock entirely.I'm Neal Veglio, and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights, I'm breaking down why most founders are timing their podcast from the wrong day — and the reframe that gives most of them six months of their life back.We look at why every branded B2B podcast sounds completely different at episode 15 than it did at episode 1, why your audience doesn't build a relationship with your dress rehearsals, and why two founders on identical publishing schedules can end up in wildly different commercial positions.There's also the 10-minute Monday exercise that tells you whether your show is developing or drifting, a founder FAQ from Sara on what to actually name a B2B podcast, and a quick tip on rewriting your first two lines like a cold open instead of a voicemail.Useful linksPodknows Websitehttps://podknows.co.ukB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostichttps://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast Auditshttps://podknows.co.uk/auditsTimestamped summary00:00 10 months, 40 episodes, and Derek the pop filter00:42 Welcome to B2B Podcasting Insights01:08 The Sunday night founder panic02:15 Why your "start date" is the wrong clock03:30 Episode 15: where your show actually begins05:15 The reframe — six months in, not ten06:30 Not a permission slip: this is a diagnostic07:15 Founder #1 — developing, compounding, working08:30 Founder #2 — still dress-rehearsing at month ten09:45 Monday's 10-minute exercise: two jobs11:00 The sales team test every founder should run12:00 Why the wrong clock kills B2B podcasts12:45 Founder FAQ: Sara on naming a B2B podcast15:00 Quick tip: the first two lines as a cold open16:45 Closing thoughts and diagnostic CTAMentioned in this episode:Learn More About Podknows PodcastingWe're at https://podknows.co.uk/

This episode will challenge a lot of assumptions you may have about your audience. If you’ve been losing sleep over whether you need to shift all your energy into video, or feel the pressure to keep up with multi-camera setups just to stay relevant, you’re going to want to pay attention to this one.We’re sharing new research from Tom Webster and the Sounds Profitable team that uncovers who your most valuable listeners really are — and it’s not who you think.Link to report: https://soundsprofitable.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Audio-Primes-2026-Webinar-Version.pdf

If your B2B podcast sounds "fine" but nothing ever really seems to come off the back of it, the problem probably isn't the content. It's the label. You need to stop making a B2B Podcast and start proactively designing your sales podcast."B2B podcast" has slowly come to mean a very specific thing. And the moment a show accepts that label, it's off the hook commercially. It doesn't have to do a job. It just has to exist.I'm Neal Veglio, and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights, I'm making the case for a completely different framing: the sales podcast.Not a salesy podcast.Not a weekly advert with a theme tune.A show deliberately designed to accelerate a buying decision your ideal customer is already edging toward.Useful linksPodknows Websitehttps://podknows.co.ukSales Podcast Self-Audit (one-page PDF)https://podknows.co.uk/sales-podcast-testB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostichttps://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast Auditshttps://podknows.co.uk/auditsTimestamped summary00:00 A B2B podcast parody01:32 Why "B2B podcast" has become the wrong label02:38 A LinkedIn company page with a microphone03:24 What a sales podcast actually is (and isn't)04:09 Why marketers flinch at the word "sales"05:51 The B2B dodge and its commercial cost08:14 The three-question sales podcast test11:23 What changes when your podcast earns its keep13:38 Pre-sold prospects and a shorter pipeline15:00 Why most B2B podcasts were built to fail16:08 Founder FAQ — Gareth on first-episode nerves17:54 Quick tip — your cover art isn't a logo19:13 The Sales Podcast Self-Audit and next steps

You opened your podcast dashboard this week, saw a number, felt vaguely okay or pretty terrible — and then closed the tab. That's not a podcast strategy. That's reading your horoscopes.In this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights, Neal Veglio gives you the playbook for putting your listener analytics to actual strategic use — starting with what each number in your dashboard is really telling you, and more importantly, what decision it should be prompting you to make.We cover the four metrics that matter for founders running B2B podcasts: why downloads measure reach rather than popularity and what to do with that insight, how completion rate is the single most important number your show can produce, what drop-off points are really telling you about your content and your audience, and why repeat listeners are your most valuable buying-window signal.There's also a Monday morning protocol — a simple, repeatable process for turning your analytics into content decisions and audience-fit tests before your next episode even goes live.Plus: a listener Q&A response to a founder who recorded six episodes and hasn't published a single one, and a quick tip on why your show notes are probably written for the wrong person entirely.Useful linksPodknows Websitehttps://podknows.co.ukFounder Podcast Playbook (Free Download)https://podknows.co.uk/founder-podcast-playbookB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostichttps://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast Auditshttps://podknows.co.uk/auditsTimestamped Summary00:00 — The dashboard problem every B2B founder has01:05 — What this episode is (and isn't) about downloads02:30 — Metric 1: Downloads — reach vs popularity, and what to compare04:15 — Your Monday morning downloads protocol05:00 — Metric 2: Completion rate — the one number to rule them all06:45 — What a sub-40% completion rate is really telling you07:30 — Metric 3: Drop-off points — your script doctor09:15 — Metric 4: Repeat listeners and the buying window10:45 — Monday morning protocol recap11:30 — Founder Q&A: Rachel's six unpublished episodes14:15 — Quick tip: Your show notes are a search landing page15:45 — CTA: The Founder Podcast Playbook and DiagnosticMentioned in this episode:Learn More About Podknows PodcastingWe're at https://podknows.co.uk/

If you've put a solid business case together for a branded podcast to help with your B2B podcast marketing, and still got shot down before the biscuits were finished — it probably wasn't the idea that failed. It was the argument you used to make it.Download numbers and audience engagement strategies mean nothing to a CFO. "Big brands are doing it" lands even worse. What actually works is connecting your podcast directly to a commercial problem the business already admits it has — and reframing it not as content, but as a sales asset.I'm Neal Veglio, founder of Podknows Podcasting, and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights, I'm walking through exactly how to shift the internal conversation around your B2B podcast — from risk anxiety to revenue logic.We cover why stakeholder pushback on business podcasts is almost always a risk problem rather than a content problem, what not to say in a stakeholder meeting, and how to build a six-episode pilot plan that feels contained enough to get a yes. There's also a section on finding your internal champion before you even walk through the door — and why that coalition matters more than any PowerPoint deck.We also tackle publishing cadence (weekly is not a moral obligation) and episode length (it ends when the point is made — not when you've hit 30 minutes).If you're trying to get a branded B2B podcast off the ground, or you're struggling to demonstrate its value internally, this one's for you.Useful linksPodknows Websitehttps://podknows.co.ukB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostichttps://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast Auditshttps://podknows.co.uk/auditsMentioned in this episode:Learn More About Podknows PodcastingWe're at https://podknows.co.uk/

Beehiiv are targeting podcasters with offers to join their new creator platform. But is this the solution podcasters have been waiting for?Link to check out their teased offer: https://www.beehiiv.com/beehiiv-for/podcasters

Diary of a CEO is doing something genuinely damaging to indie podcasters. Not maliciously. The damage is the business model.Hi, I'm Neal Veglio, The Podmaster.In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly why comparing your show to mega-podcasts like Diary of a CEO, High Performance Podcast, and Young and Profiting isn't just unhelpful — it's statistically irrational.Using Phil Rosenzweig's Halo Effect, Nassim Taleb's Silent Graveyard, the Columbia Music Lab experiment, and Daniel Kahneman's narrative fallacy, I'll explain the intellectual architecture behind why these shows exist, who they're actually designed to serve, and why their 'success strategies' are largely retrospective fiction.You'll hear why the gap between what these shows promise and what they can actually deliver is not a flaw — it's the product.Also in this episode:Listener email: Do you actually need a trailer episode before you launch?Experiment: Listen back to your three most downloaded episodes and steal from yourself.If you've been measuring your show against something that was never real — head to podmastery.co and click 'Get your podcasting challenge solved'.Useful links:Phil Rosenzweig's The Halo Effect summarised: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klngdRa8nOINassim Taleb's Fooled by Randomness: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fooled-Randomness-Hidden-Chance-Markets/dp/0141031484The music lab study: https://www.princeton.edu/~mjs3/salganik_dodds_watts06_full.pdf

Your B2B podcast might be producing great content. But if listeners are bailing before you've said anything useful, the problem isn't your topic, your audio quality, or your production value.It's what happens in the first 10 seconds.I'm Neal Veglio, and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights, I'm making the case that intro music and generic cold opens are quietly driving away the very people you're trying to reach — your ideal prospects — before they've heard a single word of value from you.We look at why sonic branding made sense in radio (and why that logic completely falls apart in podcasting), what a B2B buyer is actually thinking in those first few seconds before they decide to stay or skip, and what the ingredients of a cold open that signals authority actually look like.There's also a Founder FAQ answering whether episode length is hurting completion rates (spoiler: it isn't — but something else is), and a practical quick tip for using specific podcast episodes to shorten the trust-building phase of your discovery calls.If your show still opens with 30 seconds of music and a "welcome back," this episode will tell you exactly what that's costing you — and how to fix it.Useful linksPodknows Websitehttps://podknows.co.ukFree Intro Guidehttps://podknows.co.uk/intro-guideB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostichttps://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast Auditshttps://podknows.co.uk/auditsTimestamped summary00:00 The sound of listeners leaving00:53 The 15-second test you should run right now01:54 What your intro music is actually signalling to new listeners03:17 The B2B buyer's mental state when they press play04:11 Why sonic branding is a radio hangover05:40 Active vs passive: why podcasting is not radio06:28 What the wrong version sounds like (live demo)07:10 What the right version sounds like (live demo)08:25 The three ingredients of a proper cold open10:38 The psychology of the first press of play11:34 Founder FAQ: Is my 40-minute episode too long?14:38 Quick tip: pre-sell prospects before your discovery call15:33 Final thoughts and where to go next

If you've built a decent following on LinkedIn and you're still wondering why your podcast isn't getting the downloads you expected, more posting almost certainly isn't the answer.Ten thousand followers sounds like a head start. In podcasting, it barely counts as a warm-up.I'm Neal Veglio, and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights, I'm breaking down why your social media audience and your podcast audience are almost entirely different groups of people — and why treating them as the same thing is one of the most expensive and time-consuming mistakes in B2B podcasting right now.We get into why the barrier to becoming part of someone's social following is so low it's practically meaningless, why platform algorithms are specifically designed to bury your podcast link before anyone clicks it, and why social media call-to-actions account for less than 1% of episode traffic. Yes, less than 1% — and yes, I have data to back that up.I also walk through where podcast audiences actually do come from, why YouTube isn't the magic cross-pollination fix some people are claiming, and a quick episode title test you can run right now to see whether your show is even findable inside the podcast apps.Plus, Rachel from a professional services firm sends in this week's Founder FAQ with a question about a host who's starting to run out of things to say eight months in — and the answer might reframe how you think about your whole show brief.Useful linksPodknows Website https://podknows.co.ukFree Guide — Five Areas Most Branded Podcasts Ignore:https://podknows.co.uk/free-guideB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostic https://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast Audits https://podknows.co.uk/audits

Video podcasting is coming to Apple Podcasts. And not in an indirect way. They're adding it to the native ecosystem for the first time. Libsyn's been allowing passthru of video for years, but this new step means creators can upload full video versions of their show in Apple Podcasts and rely on it being a decent experience.I've been staunchly anti-video using YouTube, but this has changed my mind.Listen to this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights to find out why.Find out more about http://podknows.co.uk/

A lot of people are excited about AI tools that promise instant, studio-quality podcast audio.Record on your phone. Click a button. Sound professional.But that story deserves a closer look.Hi, I'm Neal Veglio, founder of Podknows Podcasting and the Podmastery community.In this episode of Podcasting Insights, I unpack what happens when technology starts erasing the difference between effort and outcome — and ask what podcasting quietly loses when “good sound” becomes a default instead of a craft.This isn’t an anti-AI rant.And it’s not about gatekeeping beginners.It’s about incentives.Standards.And what we’re rewarding at scale.You’ll learn:• Why AI audio tools raise standards and lower effort at the same time• How one-click fixes create a podcasting “house sound”• The difference between accessibility and erasing craft• Why effort still matters, even when listeners can’t hear it• The question creators should be asking before relying on AI cleanupLinks:Waves Voice Regen:https://www.waves.com/voice-regenI’d love YOUR feedback:https://www.podmastery.co/surveyI’ve been doing this for 20+ years and run a successful podcast marketing agency.Want me to audit your podcast?https://podmastery.co/lite

If you’re putting real effort into your B2B podcast and still wondering why it isn’t really moving anything, consistency probably isn’t the problem you think it is.Publishing weekly feels responsible.It looks good internally.It gives teams something concrete to point at.But it rarely builds trust on its own.I’m Neal Veglio, and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights, I’m breaking down why “you must be consistent” has become one of the most over-valued ideas shared by self-styled podcasting experts in B2B podcasting, and what actually does the heavy lifting when it comes to credibility, trust, and commercial impact.We look at why two podcasts can publish on the same schedule and get completely different outcomes, why sounding “fine” is often a bigger problem than sounding wrong, and how podcasts quietly remove doubt long before a sales conversation ever happens.There’s also a simple test you can run on your own show to see whether it’s genuinely doing strategic work, or just adding to a growing back catalogue.Useful linksPodknows Websitehttps://podknows.co.ukB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostichttps://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast Auditshttps://podknows.co.uk/auditsTimestamped summary00:00 The consistency question CMOs keep asking01:08 Why listeners respond to patterns, not schedules03:11 Cadence vs the listener experience04:20 The three-episode trust test05:24 Why publishing more won’t fix vague thinking06:44 Listener message on reporting podcast value internally09:16 Founder FAQ: supportive vs safe podcasts11:11 Final thoughts and next steps

A lot of people are saying video is the future of podcasting.That video is the gateway drug — the thing that creates new podcast listeners.But that story deserves a closer look.In this episode of Podcasting Insights, I question the growing narrative around video podcasting, discovery, and conversion — and ask whether we’re confusing reach with commitment, and visibility with attention.This isn’t about dismissing the data.It’s about questioning the story we’re telling around it.You’ll learn:• Why “discovery” is an incomplete metric• The difference between conversion and gravity• Why video often benefits from defaults, not desire• What podcasting’s real strength has always been• The question creators should be asking instead of “Should I do video?”Links:Podnews story on charting clips based podcast:https://podnews.net/update/complete-rankersEdison Research – The Evolving Ear:https://www.edisonresearch.com/how-new-consumers-are-shaping-podcastings-next-chapter-the-evolving-ear-webinar/I’d love YOUR feedback:https://www.podmastery.co/surveyI've been doing this 20+ years and run a successful podcast marketing agency. Want me to audit your podcast?https://podmastery.co/lite

A lot of podcasters don’t actually need any kind of new strategy.They just need honest podcast feedback that tells them what it actually feels like to listen.In this episode of Podcasting Insights, I explain why so many shows stall at “fine,” why polite feedback keeps podcasts forgettable, and how growth usually comes from being braver with what already exists.You’ll learn:• Why “competent” podcasts struggle to grow• The real question listeners ask in the first 30 seconds• Why delivery matters more than structure• How feedback beats endless strategy tweaksLinks:I'd love YOUR feedback: https://www.podmastery.co/surveyhttps://podmastery.cohttps://podmastery.co/lite

If your B2B podcast relies on interviews by default, there’s a good chance it isn’t really doing its job.Interviews feel safe.They’re familiar.They spread responsibility.And they let the host stay slightly hidden.I’m Neal Veglio, and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights, I’m unpacking why interview-led B2B podcasts are so common — and why they so often fail to create clarity, trust, or commercial impact.I explain how guest conversations can hurt the host’s credibility instead of the listener’s needs, why so many interview shows sound pleasant but change nothing, and how hiding behind guests is usually a psychological decision, not a strategic one.I also share what the data actually shows when we compare interview episodes with solo episodes — including why solo formats consistently outperform on engagement, completion, and real-world response.There’s a clear breakdown of when interviews can work, what they’re genuinely good for, and why they should support a strategy rather than be the strategy.If your podcast gets downloads but rarely gets referenced in sales conversations, inbound messages, or buying decisions, this episode will help you understand why — and what to rethink before booking another guest.Useful linksPodknows Websitehttps://podknows.co.ukB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostichttps://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast Auditshttps://podknows.co.uk/auditsTimestamped summary 00:00 Why most B2B podcasts default to interviews 01:46 Why interview shows feel safe but ineffective 03:23 When interviews actually work 04:47 Solo episodes vs interviews: what the data shows 05:13 Why clarity beats control 06:44 Authority, trust, and brand risk 07:31 What a B2B podcast is really for 08:20 Listener message on choosing intention over frequency 10:14 Founder FAQ: when podcasts start delivering results 12:13 Final thoughts and next steps

Seriously. It's become a buzzword of basic b*tch podcast coaching.Evergreen podcast content is definitely not timeless.It is just content you have not looked at in ages.If your back catalogue feels a bit… awkward, this episode is for you.Not because you need more episodes.Because you probably need to stop pretending.Hi, I’m Neal Veglio, and in this episode of Podcasting Insights, I’m breaking down why “evergreen” became a polite way of saying “I’m never thinking about this again”, and what to do instead.In this episode, I cover:What evergreen was supposed to mean, and what it turned intoWhy podcasters stop sharing old episodes (it gets weirdly emotional)How to reintroduce older episodes without pretending they’re newHow to update the context without rewriting historyWhen to let an episode die, on purposeA practical idea usingCaptivateor Buzzsprout to dynamically inject fresh audio into old episodesIf you have episodes you avoid because they make you cringe a bit, or because you mentioned a tool that no longer exists, you’re not broken.You’ve just progressed.Now treat the work you already did with a bit more honesty.Links: 🔗 Podmastery site – https://podmastery.co 🔗 Book a Podcast Audit – https://podmastery.co/lite

If your B2B podcast is “performing well,” there’s a good chance you’re measuring the wrong thing.Download numbers feel important.They’re easy to report.They look reassuring on a slide.But they rarely tell you whether your podcast is actually influencing anything.I’m Neal Veglio, and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights, I’m unpacking why download numbers are such a comforting distraction — and how they quietly pull B2B podcasts away from doing useful work.I also share a simple reframe that helps teams stop obsessing over reach and start thinking about influence — including the early signs that your podcast is making sales conversations easier, even if the numbers look modest.There’s a listener question from a managing director asking what a podcast is meant to do that a strong sales team doesn’t — and why the answer has nothing to do with audience size.If your podcast gets downloads but still leaves prospects confused, unconvinced, or starting from zero on sales calls, this episode will help you see why — and what to pay attention to instead.Useful linksPodknows Websitehttps://podknows.co.ukB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostichttps://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast Auditshttps://podknows.co.uk/auditsTimestamped summary00:00 Why download numbers feel important01:10 What a podcast download actually tells you02:30 Why downloads are such a comforting lie03:50 How numbers push podcasts into bad behaviour05:20 Why influence beats reach every time06:30 The metrics most B2B podcasts ignore07:40 Listener question: what’s the podcast’s job vs sales?09:10 Using podcasts to shape thinking before the sales call10:00 Why downloads are a starting point, not proofMentioned in this episode:Learn More About Podknows PodcastingWe're at https://podknows.co.uk/

Most podcasts don’t struggle because the ideas aren’t good.They struggle because the release schedule quietly starts to drain the energy out of them.Somewhere early on, a lot of podcasters decide they probably 'should' be weekly.Not because it makes sense.Because it feels serious.In this episode, I talk about why recording less can actually make your podcast better.I also share a simple way to decide your schedule based on intent, not pressure, and explain why consistency isn’t about never missing a release day. It's about something far deeper.If your podcast is starting to feel heavy, rushed, or obligation-driven, this episode will help you reset without disappearing.Chapters00:00 – You Probably Overcommitted (And You Know It)00:53 – Why Weekly Feels “Serious” (But Usually Isn’t Thought Through)01:36 – The Guilt Loop That Quietly Ruins Podcasts02:12 – Recording From Obligation vs Recording With Intent02:47 – What Actually Happened When I Missed Episodes03:19 – The Spotlight Effect (And Why No One’s Watching You That Closely)03:53 – Frequency Doesn’t Build Trust. Intent Does04:15 – What Listeners Really Respond To05:07 – Consistency vs Frequency (They’re Not the Same Thing)05:50 – Recording Less Without Disappearing06:46 – Choosing a Schedule That Actually Fits You07:27 – Why People Forget Podcasts (And It’s Not Because You Missed a Week)Links:🔗 Podmastery site – https://podmastery.co🔗 Book a Podcast Audit – https://podmastery.co/lite

In this bonus episode, we delve into the new exchange for creator-led advertising; Creator X.The platform claims to be built to address frustrations in the market.

If your B2B podcast was working, your sales calls would sound different.Most B2B podcasts are easy to listen to.They’re consistent. Polished. Well-intentioned.And yet… nothing changes.Prospects still ask basic questions.Sales calls still start from scratch.And the podcast quietly sits there, passing time.I’m Neal Veglio, and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights, I’m unpacking why that happens — and what it looks like when a podcast actually earns its place in the buying process.In this episode, I cover:Why podcasts that feel “safe” rarely influence decisionsThe difference between being listened to and being rememberedWhy internal praise is often a warning sign, not a winHow effective podcasts equip buyers for internal conversationsA simple question to tell whether your sales calls should sound different by nowThere’s also a practical segment on guest interviews, including advice shared with Susan Walsh, founder of The Classification Guru, on how to use guests without losing strategic control.If someone could binge your show for months and still ask “so… what do you actually do?”, this episode will help you understand why — and what needs to change.Useful linksPodknows Website:https://podknows.co.ukB2B Podcast Growth Diagnostic:https://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticPodcast audits:https://podknows.co.uk/auditsGuest mentioned:Susan Walsh — The Classification Guruhttps://www.theclassificationguru.com/Timestamped summary00:00 If your podcast was working, your sales calls would sound different 01:10 Why most B2B podcasts don’t influence anything 03:00 The real risk your buyer is trying to manage 05:20 Why neutrality kills decision-making 07:40 Internal praise as a red flag 10:10 Building a podcast that shows up in buying conversations 12:30 Using guests without losing focus 15:10 The sales call test 16:40 How to find out if your podcast is actually doing its job

Most podcasts don’t lose listeners because the content is bad — they lose them because trust gets broken quietly.Every time someone presses play, they’re making a small agreement with you.And most podcasts break it without even realising.In this episode, I unpack the idea of the “quiet agreement” — and why most if not all small podcasts break it, at least at first.I also share a simple test you can run on yourself to check whether your episodes earn the next listen.If you want your podcast to feel intentional, human, and worth sticking with — this episode will change how you think about every minute you record.Links:🔗 Podmastery site – https://podmastery.co🔗 Book a Podcast Audit – https://podmastery.co/lite

Most B2B podcasts don’t actually have a job.They exist because someone, somewhere, decided the company “should have a podcast”. Not because anyone decided what it was meant to do.I’m Neal Veglio, and in this episode of B2B Podcasting Insights, I’m asking the grown-up question almost nobody asks before they hit record...In this episode, I break down:Why so many B2B podcasts quietly become joblessHow interviews often mask a lack of strategyWhat changes inside a business when a podcast becomes operationalA simple test to tell whether your podcast is earning its keep — or wasting attentionIf you’re responsible for a B2B podcast and can’t clearly explain what should change after someone listens, this episode will help you spot the problem — and decide what to do next.Useful links:Visual breakdown: https://podknows.co.uk/joblessPodcast Growth Diagnostic: https://podknows.co.uk/diagnosticTimestamped summary00:00 Why most B2B podcasts don’t have a job01:20 The question nobody asks before launching02:26 Why “brand awareness” isn’t a job03:22 What an operational podcast actually does05:00 How podcasts end up jobless09:20 What changes when a podcast has a job12:40 The disappearance test15:40 The Podcast Growth DiagnosticMentioned in this episode:ChaptersThis podcast uses chapters in apps that support them.

Most podcasts sound the same — and it's killing your growth.If your show blends into the feed, this episode breaks down exactly why… and what to change.In this episode you’ll learn:Why copying “successful” shows usually backfiresThe #1 format mistake (hint: your guest intro)How to build episodes around pain pointsWhy packaging matters more than you thinkThe simple rule for titles, intros and structureLinks:🔗 Podmastery site – https://podmastery.co🔗 Book a Podcast Audit – https://podmastery.co/lite

Most B2B podcasts fail for one simple reason. They’re built around topics nobody is looking for, instead of the real moment a buyer realises something in their business is breaking.In this episode, I break down why your “marketing”, “leadership”, or “productivity” episodes are getting skipped, and what to do instead.We’ll get into:• How to spot actual content you should be publishing, using your sales calls• Why “topics” make your show sound like a 2014 panel discussion• The shift from brand awareness to belief-building• Simple ways to turn your podcast into a pipeline machine, not a weekly choreIf you want episodes your ideal clients recognise themselves in, this is the one to listen to.Want me to help you with all this? https://podknows.co.uk/auditJust want free insights sent directly to your inbox each week? https://podknows.co.uk/email/Mentioned in this episode:ChaptersThis podcast uses chapters in apps that support them.

Consistency. The word that sends podcasting “gurus” into fits of self-righteous joy as they pedal their courses and services. Think about it—how many times have you been told you have to publish your podcast on the same day, every week, at the exact same time? Some of you are still clutching your calendar and sweating because you’ve missed a Thursday morning release and assume your show’s doomed.Today, I’m slapping the nonsense out of that belief.

Today, we’re celebrating a major client milestone - 200 podcast episodes—with Michelle J. Raymond, LinkedIn expert and host of Social Media for B2B Growth.Welcome to another episode of B2B Podcasting Insights! I'm Neal Veglio and in this special episode, I'm stepping into the interviewer’s chair on Michelle J. Raymond’s own podcast to help her share her incredible podcasting journey.You’ll hear honest reflections on the first hundred experimental episodes, the turning points that led to lasting success, and the surprising ways podcasting has transformed Michelle J. Raymond’s business and confidence.From redefining podcast strategy after a dramatic cease-and-desist from LinkedIn to discovering the true power of intimate audience relationships — and why podcasting creates higher-quality leads than any other channel — this episode is packed with raw insights and practical lessons that every B2B podcaster and marketer will resonate with.If you’re curious about what it really takes to grow a B2B podcast over hundreds of episodes and the impact it can have, you won't want to miss this one.Timestamped summary00:00 "Sharing Diverse Podcast Experiences"04:52 "Effort, Alignment, and Success"06:19 "Podcasting for B2B Growth"12:13 "Empowered Communication and Choices"16:22 "Podcasting: Building Real Connections"20:26 "Messages That Motivate Me"22:21 "Podcast Success with Neal"Mentioned in this episode:ChaptersThis podcast uses chapters in apps that support them.

In this episode:This podcast is taking a new direction. Audience is split; creators want craft, while marketers crave strategy. A brand new show called B2B Podcasting Insights is launching for the business-minded listeners. Podcasting Insights will still be your creative haven, sans the marketing jargon. Expect shorter, punchy episodes that dive into serious ROI without the fluffy stuff. Next week, we'll chat about why consistency in podcasting might just be overrated.

Most branded podcasts chase 'awareness' and stall.Let's make sure yours doesn't.Hi, I'm Neal Veglio, founder of Podknows Podcasting.In this episode, I'm making my case for why your show isn’t top-of-funnel content—it’s conversion accelerant.You’ll learn the 70% Rule (who your show is really for), how to swap broad topics for buying-trigger episodes, and why you need this podcast to become your best salesperson, without the pitch.Ready to turn your feed into a closer? Book a Podknows Podcast Audit for a written report, video breakdown, and a 1:1 call—delivered within four working days after booking: podknows.co.uk/audits.Mentioned in this episode:ChaptersThis podcast uses chapters in apps that support them.

You know that thing where you give everyone else great podcast advice… and then ignore it yourself?Yeah. That.In this episode, I’m calling myself out. And fixing my own podcast strategy in public. I realised my show had drifted, lost focus, and wasn’t clear who it was really for. So I’m stripping it back, rebuilding the positioning, and showing you exactly how to get clarity on your own audience too.If you’ve ever wondered whether your show’s serving the right people, or just shouting into the void then this one’s for you.You’ll learn:🎯 How to define your podcast audience (for real)🚫 What to cut ⚖️ The balance between craft, creator joy, and cash in the bank🔁 How to rebuild a show without starting from scratch👉 Site: https://podmastery.co👉 Contact: https://podmastery.co/contact👉 Leave me a voicemail: https://podmastery.co/voicemail

If you're fed up with hearing people insist you "need to put your podcast on YouTube", this episode will give you a sense of relief. I've just come back from judging the Independent Podcast Awards and spent time with some of the best indie creators around. What struck me wasn't how eager they were to jump on video, but how quickly the myth started to unravel once we looked at what video actually costs independent podcasters, in cash, energy, and lost focus. This episode is all about unpacking the hard truth behind the "you must do video to grow" narrative and how most audio-first shows are actually better off keeping their attention on what already works. I share a case study of a winning indie show, Floating Space, and its host’s reaction when I pushed back on video hype and explained why going all-in on YouTube rarely delivers for indies who aren’t looking to become full-time video editors. There’s plenty here that you won’t find in any of the LinkedIn gurus’ posts, and you’ll walk away understanding why "discovery" isn't just about being searchable—it's about being findable and worth listening to.Chapters:00:00 The Video Myth02:00 Hype vs Reality05:00 Awards Night penny-drop08:00 “But you publish video…”11:00 What to do instead15:00 7-day focusPodcast Improvement Audit (Lite): https://podmastery.co/lite

AI makes it easy to ship more… of nothing. Here’s why “slop-casting” is flattening audio and how to outplay it with Voice, Value, and Vulnerability. Bonus: suggestion for a simple A/B experiment you can do today to audit your soul in the feed. Prefer an actual audit with me? Book here: podmastery.co/lite.

There’s a hard truth most podcast experts will dodge, but I don’t have the energy or patience for avoiding it - there’s a reason your podcast audience isn’t growing, and it’s not because you haven’t been hustling hard enough on LinkedIn or spamming your socials. Look, I see it over and over; brand new podcasters with all the energy in the world, launching their show and immediately going full throttle with promotion before even figuring out whether the content’s actually any good. In this episode of Podcasting Insights, I lay out why that’s a sure-fire way to set yourself up for repeated disappointment and burnout. Instead, I’ll walk you through my entire approach for building podcasts people actually want to talk about, and not just because you begged them to on LinkedIn. We get into why promotion isn’t the lever you pull first, what actually matters to develop a show that holds attention, and what I make every client face up to before they spend a penny (or another hour) trying to chase down listeners.00:00 Why Your Promotion is in Reverse!04:53 Integrity and Strategic Success07:34 "Building Loyal, Valuable Audiences"12:57 Silent Launch Strategy Advice13:59 Proof Before Promotion StrategyUseful links:Get your audit - https://podmastery.co/liteSee your Apple Podcasts retention data: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/ Spotify dashboard: https://podcasters.spotify.com/gatewayFind all episodes of Podcasting Insights: https://www.podmastery.co/Tom Webster's The Audience Is Listening: https://audienceislisteningbook.com/

Rapper's Delight might be the anthem we often think of when it comes to hip hop's origins, but let me hit you with a plot twist – it wasn’t the first. That honor actually goes to a gospel group called the Jubilees, who dropped a rap-like hit back in 1946! Wild, right? This kick-off leads us into a deep dive about the real essence of being ‘first’ in the podcasting world. It’s not just about who got there first; it’s about who can break through the noise and grab attention. We’ve all seen the podcasters vying to become the next ‘Diary of a CEO’ but spoiler alert: that’s a one-way ticket to nowhere. Instead, let’s focus on carving out our unique space. How do we find our own ‘Rapper’s Delight’ moment? It’s all about framing our conversations in a way that makes our audience stop, listen, and think, ‘wow, this is fresh!’ We chat about flipping the format, leading with tension, and showing up authentically. The takeaway? Don’t worry about being first or copying others; instead, aim to be the one who resonates. Let’s turn those critiques into stepping stones and make our voices heard in this crowded podcasting arena!Links referenced in this episode:podmastery.corockflight.copodmastery.co/contactpodmastery.co/voicemailAlso mentioned in this episode: Sugar Hill Gang Jubilaires Diary of a CEO Stephen Bartlett Primark Rock Fight Podmastery.co Apple Podcasts

Every podcaster dreads it: that brutal one-star review, the public comment that rips your hard work to shreds. But what if your harshest critic is actually your greatest growth tool?In this episode of Podcasting Insights with The Podmaster, I'm sharing the real story of how a vocal hater went from blasting my radio morning show to becoming one of my biggest advocates, even booking me for private gigs. You’ll learn how I made that happen, and how you can use the same methods for your podcast and any critics you get along the way. Also, I'll share the four ways critics can sharpen your podcast, and the simple rules that stop you from losing your mind when trolls strike.If you’ve ever felt crushed by negative feedback, this episode will change how you see it forever. Don’t fear your haters. Love them, learn from them, and watch how fast your podcast grows.

Curious?

Let me tell you where most podcasters get it wrong right from the jump. It’s that tired cliché “If you build it, they will come.” This episode is my reality check for you, and if you're honest with yourself, it could save you more disappointment and wasted effort than you realise. I walk through why just recording a bunch of episodes and putting them online is never going to magically build an audience, no matter how unique your idea feels. What you’re going to hear is the real work that has to go into positioning, marketing, production, and – above all – earning the right for your audience to come back again and again. It’s not glamorous, but it works, and I’m breaking down exactly why.The episode gets into the numbers, the psychology, and the relentless myth that your social media follower count will somehow guarantee instant podcast listeners. It doesn’t. You’ll learn why podcasts and radio might share a delivery method (audio) but are incomparable when it comes to how people find and commit to content. I’m calling out the ‘gurus’ peddling fairytales and laying out instead the importance of actionable strategy.With thanks to Irina Tudorache - https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-tudorache/ and Michelle J Raymond for their valuable contributions towards this episode.If you'd like to leave me a message, the voicemail is https://podmastery.co/voicemail

Every new podcaster does it. You launch your show, then spend the whole week refreshing your hosting dashboard analytics like it’s going to magically change. And when those first week podcast download numbers trickle in, they feel… embarrassingly small.Here’s the truth: those numbers don’t matter. Like, at all.In this episode, I’ll explain why your launch week stats are useless, the psychology behind why we obsess over them (hello, spotlight effect), and the success metrics that actually fuel real podcast growth. From listener retention to 30-day rolling averages, I’ll show you what’s worth tracking — and what’s just noise.If you’ve ever felt crushed by your first week’s downloads, this one’s going to reset how you think about podcast success.

Why Your LinkedIn Followers Don’t Listen To Your PodcastA painful truth for business podcasters who still think follower counts equal listeners...Let’s get uncomfortable for a moment.LinkedIn tells you that bigger is better. Hit that 10,000, 50,000, or even 100,000 follower milestone, and suddenly you’re tempted to believe you’re sitting on a goldmine of eager podcast listeners.That couldn’t be further from the truth.I’ve consulted with more than enough LinkedIn 'influencers' to know this: if you’re counting on that social proof to deliver actual podcast results, you’re going to be disappointed. In fact, if you’re expecting more than a handful of listeners per episode simply because you have a five-figure following, you’re already losing the game.Here’s the reality.LinkedIn is a platform designed to serve its own interests, not yours. The algorithm is geared towards creating a false sense of reach and relevance. You post about your new episode, rack up a few dozen likes, maybe a polite comment from that one guy who always chimes in, and screenshot the analytics because they look impressive.But when it comes to actual podcast listeners—real people pressing play, not bots or random scrollers—the numbers barely register.And don’t just take my word for it. I’ve literally done the math for clients. The entire illusion falls apart once you work through the numbers on how posts convert followers into listeners. You’d be amazed (or horrified) at how small that number is.Imagine this: 100,000 LinkedIn followers. That’s enough to fill a stadium, right?So, if you’re chasing followers and bragging about your vanity metrics, you’re fooling yourself.Want to break this cycle?Listen to this episode to get the background on the problem.Then, get the Swipe Files so you can fix it. Ready to do the math? Get your free files at podmastery.co/math, or reach out for a straightforward audit of your podcast’s real growth potential.Because your real audience deserves better than a vanity strategy.Timestamps00:00 "LinkedIn Followers Don't Equal Success"03:57 Deceptive Podcast Popularity Tactics08:59 Boost LinkedIn Engagement Tactics10:46 "Podcast Growth and Mastery Tips"

Every August, you'll hear the same noise about everyone disappearing.Holidays, beaches, the world moving a little slower. I used to kinda buy into this myth myself, until I watched a client hit pause, just to realise that their audience hadn't gone anywhere. They'd simply found something else to jam into their earbuds. This latest episode of Podcasting Insights is all about flipping the so-called 'summer slump' on its head. I’m walking you through three moves you can make right now, literally before the weekend’s over, to keep your download numbers in healthy shape and your listeners coming back for more. No grand production, no drama, just practical steps you can act on right away.

How long should your podcast episodes actually be? Today, we’re tossing the rulebook out the window and figuring out episode length. Forget those guru-mandated magic numbers; it’s all about what suits your story and your listeners' needs. Whether you’re aiming for a quick, snappy 15-minute burst or a deep-dive extravaganza of over an hour, we’ll guide you through the pros and cons of each format.