PodCraft by Alitu: Honing the Craft of Podcasting

The Advice We Needed When We Had 7 Listeners (Classic)

Our indiepod legends have given us many insights, tips, and words of advice this season. They're speaking from positions of authority and experience, but they didn't get there overnight. On the final episode of Season 20, we'll dig into what they wish they'd known before they started and ask about some mistakes they see new podcasters make.Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

How to Sell Audio-First Podcasts to Potential Sponsors in 2026

When does sponsorship make sense for audio-first indie podcasts? And why do so many creators struggle to sell it effectively? The issue is rarely a lack of potential sponsors. It is that audio is judged using metrics borrowed from feeds, views, and scroll-based platforms, where attention is shallow and easy to misread.Selling sponsorship on downloads alone almost always undersells an audio-first show. Podcasts are not built on impressions or interruption. They are built on intention, habit, and time spent. When you lead with attention, listening hours, and repeat behaviour, the value of audio becomes much clearer.On this episode, I also rethink the traditional podcast media kit. Static PDFs and rate cards flatten years of listening into a single snapshot. Live, updatable documents work better for audio-first shows because they allow you to explain listening behaviour properly and control the sequence of the conversation: fit first, then structure, then cost.Along the way, I explore why smaller, niche podcasts often outperform larger shows on trust and recall, why longevity is an underrated signal for sponsors, and how framing listening time in human terms can completely change how an audio-first show is perceived.Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

What’s Underrated, What’s Overrated in Podcasting (And Why)

Which podcasting best practices are actually worth your time, and which ones are overhyped?In this episode, we take a deliberately opinionated look at common podcasting advice, tools, and assumptions, and decide whether each one holds up in practice.Good mic technique - underrated or overrated?Written podcast descriptions - underrated or overrated?Podcast show notes - underrated or overrated?High bitrates and lossless audio - underrated or overrated?Short video clips for social - underrated or overrated?Researching guests and planning out interviews - underrated or overrated?"Celebrity" guests - underrated or overrated?Podcast sponsorship - underrated or overrated?Intro music - underrated or overrated?Hiring a podcast editor - underrated or overrated?We also tackle a thoughtful listener question on how to relaunch a podcast with existing episodes. The answer outlines a practical two-week sprint focused on SEO, guest sharing, collaborations, email lists, and early momentum, without relying on social media.MentionedBeamleyRephonic GraphHow to Title Your EpisodesSCALE: Podcast Growth FrameworkHow to Write a Great Podcast DescriptionHire a Podcast ProducerKit vs Beehiiv for Email NewslettersPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Podcast Predictions 2026: What Fails, What Survives, and What Thrives?

What will podcasting actually look like by the end of 2026, once the hype settles and habits stick?In this episode, we make grounded predictions about where the medium is heading and what creators may want to do less of. We examine the growing pushback against video-first shows that neglect audio listeners, why audio-only content may regain strength, and how screen fatigue could reshape creator priorities.We also look at the future of tools and platforms. Where AI editing genuinely saves time, where it risks flattening personality, and why rougher, more human solo content may become more valuable rather than less. We explore distribution too, including what might come next from Spotify, whether Apple Podcasts is likely to evolve, and why open RSS still matters even as video grows.Finally, we wrap up by looking ahead. Which formats are likely to thrive, how monetisation and advertising may shift, and how creators can decide what is actually worth their time.Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host

Podcasting in 2026: What Still Matters (and What Doesn’t)

Do you still need all the “must-do” podcasting advice that gets recycled every year, or has some of it quietly expired?In this episode, we revisit a long list of podcasting essentials and ask one question of each: Does this still matter in 2026? We look at what still earns its place, what has changed, and what you can stop worrying about entirely.The focus is on practical decisions, not trends. When consistency helps and when it gets in the way, why some advice was never essential to begin with, and how much effort makes sense depending on whether your show is a hobby, a growth project, or a business.The thread throughout is simple. Understand why you are doing something, not just whether you have been told you should.Do you still need...A podcast website?A podcast trailer?Apple Podcasts reviews?A microphone?A consistent format or length?To launch with three episodes?An email list?To add metadata to your files?Interview guests?An RSS feed?To listen back to your episodes?Also mentionedGet in touchPodpagePodcast trailer guideUsing Rephonic to find collaborators The Samson Q2U micPodcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host