Podcasting for Indie Podcasters: Podcasting Tips for How to Start and Run a Podcast

Feeling stuck in a podcasting rut? We totally get it! In this episode, we're diving into seven super handy tips to help you shake off that creative slump and reignite your podcasting passion. Whether you're wondering "what to podcast about" or contemplating “should I quit my podcast?”, we’ve got your back with some fun and practical advice to get those creative juices flowing. From revisiting your most downloaded episodes to answering listener questions, we’ll explore ways to make your podcasting journey enjoyable again. So grab a snack, get comfy, and let’s figure out how to podcast like the pros (or at least like we know what we’re doing)!

Takeaways:

1. Revisiting your most downloaded episodes can spark new ideas and help you understand what your audience loves.
2. If you're in a creative rut, just record a messy voice note when inspiration strikes, no matter how wild the idea!
3. Audience interaction is key; asking for listener questions can turn into multiple episode ideas, so don’t be shy!
4. Repurposing old content can breathe new life into your podcast; consider turning popular blog posts into episodes.
5. List episodes are super easy to create and great for SEO, so why not make a top five or seven mistakes episode?
6. Taking a break from podcasting doesn’t mean you have to explain yourself; prioritise your well-being and come back when you're ready.

Read the Blog Post: 7 Tips to Get Out of a Podcasting Creative Slump >> https://veritysangan.com/7-tips-to-get-out-of-a-podcasting-creative-slump/

Podcast Episodes Mentioned:

Ep 43: Should I Quit My Podcast?

Ep 100: Why It's Okay to Take a Break from Podcasting

There's a lot of talk about cutting pauses out of podcast episodes, and a lot of tools, such as Riverside and Descript use the ability to remove pauses as a selling feature.

But sometimes, pauses are needed. I've recently been listening to Paul C. Brunson's We Need to Talk (I'll link it below if you're not familiar with the show). This is about raw and honest conversations and there are times in the show when there are whole pauses, sometimes a few seconds long. And this is ok; it shows raw emotion and the moment and conjecture of what is being said by the guest would be lost or diminished if those pauses weren't left in. They're poignant and allow you as a listener to reflect.

Sure, leaving pauses in won't work for all podcasts and all show or presenter styles, but depending on the content you're delivering, the interviews you're conducting, and the tone of the message that you're delivering, pauses may need to be left in.

So, in a world of podcasting advice where you're constantly being told to trim the pauses and cut out 'dead space' in terms of there being no audio; I'm giving you the permission you need to consider if pauses are needed in your show, and also, permission to leave those pauses in if they work for you and your content.

Read the Blog Post: Should You Leave Your Pauses in Your Podcast Episodes? >> https://veritysangan.com/should-you-leave-your-pauses-in-your-podcast-episodes/

Links referenced in this episode:

1. We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson >> https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/we-need-to-talk-with-paul-c-brunson/id1765126946

Do you really need a podcast coach or course? That’s the million-dollar question we’re diving into today! We’re peeling back the layers on the podcasting coaching scene, where it seems like everyone and their grandma has a “how-to” course to sell. I might even be eating my own words from past episodes because, let’s be real, it’s totally okay to change your mind.

We’ll explore whether a coach can actually help you level up, or if maybe, just maybe, you could save your cash and find what you need in free online communities instead.

Spoiler alert: not all that glitters is gold, and sometimes the best stuff is lurking behind the free curtain. So, grab a cuppa of your favourite drink and let’s get into it!

Takeaways:

• In this episode, we dive into whether you really need a podcast coach or course.
• Changing your mind about podcasting advice shows growth and adaptability in the industry.
• Many people call themselves coaches, but some are more like mentors—know the difference!
• Before spending big bucks on a course, assess what specific outcomes you truly want.
• Free resources abound for aspiring podcasters, so do your homework before hiring a coach.
• Shiny object syndrome is real; just because someone succeeded doesn't mean they can help you.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Free Podcasting Course from Captivate.fm >> https://www.captivate.fm/launch-podcast-course
• My blog >> veritysangan.com

After a seven-month radio silence, I’m back to share some juicy insights about what it means to take a break and why it can be super important for our creative sanity.

I kick things off by admitting that while consistency is the name of the game, sometimes life just gets in the way. Whether it’s personal stuff or just plain old burnout, stepping back can be a game changer. I share my experience of logging into Captivate.fm after my break, expecting crickets, only to find thousands of downloads. Mind-blowing, right? It’s proof that building a solid foundation with good SEO and quality content pays off, even when you’re MIA.

Plus, I dive into the importance of unique listeners; this is the golden nugget of podcast analytics that show us who’s really listening to your content. This episode is a reminder that podcasting isn’t just about the hustle; it’s also about nurturing our creativity and audience.

I promise not to leave you hanging for so long again, because the next episode is going to stir the pot: are podcast coaches worth the cash? Stay tuned!

Takeaways:

1. After a seven-month hiatus, I realised that taking breaks is crucial for creativity.
2. Even when I ghosted my podcast for months, thousands of downloads kept rolling in. What helped? Good SEO. Check out the recommended episodes below to help you up your podcasting SEO game.
3. Unique listeners matter way more than just download counts; it’s about engagement and loyalty, not just numbers.
4. Strong SEO in titles and show notes helped new listeners find my podcast while I was away.
5. Engaging with a smaller audience can be more effective than chasing after new listeners; let's focus on quality over quantity!
6. Consistency is key, but so is knowing when to step back and recharge—don't be afraid to take a breather.

Read the Blog Post: Why Unique Listeners for Your Podcast Are More Important Than You Think

Listen to Episode About Taking a Break from Podcasting:

🎧 Ep 100: Why It's Okay to Take a Break from Podcasting

Listen to Episodes About SEO:

🎧 Ep 108: How Can Fearne Cotton Get Away with This?? - Why SEO-Rich Titles Matter More for Indie Podcasters

🎧 Ep 107: 5 Ways to Boost Your Podcast's Google Ranking

🎧 Ep 104: Why SEO is So Important in Podcasting | How to Implement Your Own SEO Strategy

🎧 Ep 26: How to Repurpose a Podcast Episode Into a Blog Post That’s Optimised for SEO

🌟 Get a free 30-day trial with Captivate ➡️ https://veritysangan.com/captivate

Fearne Cotton has managed to attract a massive audience for her Happy Place Podcast, even with episode titles that primarily feature just the name of her guests. This raises the intriguing question of how she gets away with this, especially when indie podcasters are often advised to use SEO-rich titles to attract listeners.

In this episode, I delve into the reasons behind Fearne's success, highlighting her established brand and the loyal following she's built over the years. Unlike indie podcasters, who may struggle to gain visibility, Fearne's fame and the broader Happy Place movement provide her listeners with a clear understanding of what to expect.

I also share essential tips for indie podcasters on crafting compelling episode titles that can help them attract their ideal audience and stand out in the crowded podcasting landscape.

Takeaways:

1. Celebrity podcasts can thrive with simple episode titles due to their established brand.
2. Indie podcasters, however, need to utilise SEO-rich titles to attract new listeners effectively.
3. Fearne Cotton's podcast success illustrates the importance of building a loyal audience over time.
4. Episode titles should highlight the benefits of the content to engage potential listeners.
5. Creating specific and descriptive titles helps clarify what listeners can expect from each episode.
6. Trial and error with title formats can improve visibility and listener engagement for indie podcasts.

Read the Blog Post: 5 Ways to Make Your Podcast Episode Titles SEO-Friendly

Episodes Mentioned:

Ep 104: Why SEO is So Important in Podcasting

Ep 107: 5 Ways to Boost Your Podcast's Google Ranking

Links Mentioned:

1. ListenNotes - https://www.listennotes.com/
2. Happy Place Podcast - https://www.happyplaceofficial.co.uk/podcast/

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

Are you struggling to get your podcast episodes noticed on Google? Today, I’m sharing some essential tips on how to rank your podcast content higher in search results. We’ll dive into the importance of using SEO-rich keywords, which are specific phrases that can attract more traffic to your content. I’ll guide you through practical strategies for researching these keywords, utilising free tools, and optimising your metadata to improve visibility. Plus, I’ll explain why having a blog post to accompany your podcast episode can significantly boost your chances of being found online.

Highlights:

1. Publish a blog post based on your podcast episode and embed your episode into the blog post - ensure that you use SEO-rich keywords in your blog post
2. Publish your episodes on YouTube either as videos or link your RSS feed
3. Use good quality metadata in your podcast episodes

Recommended Episodes:

• Ep 26: How to Repurpose a Podcast Episode Into a Blog Post That’s Optimised for SEO
• Ep 104: Why SEO is So Important in Podcasting | How to Implement Your Own SEO Strategy

Takeaways:

• Using SEO rich keywords is essential for helping your podcast episodes rank higher in search engines.
• Researching keywords using tools like Google Keyword Planner can significantly improve your SEO efforts.
• Focusing on long-tail keywords can help your content stand out with less competition.
• Incorporating keywords naturally into your metadata avoids keyword stuffing and improves readability.
• Creating engaging titles and descriptions with keywords increases click-through rates from search results.
• Regularly revisiting and updating your metadata ensures that your content remains relevant and discoverable.

Links Referenced in this Episode:

• Google:www.google.com
• Answer to Public:www.answerthepublic.com
• Ubersuggest:www.ubersuggest.com

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

In this episode I’m sharing the 11 things I won’t be spending money on for this year. From avoiding costly podcast managers and editors to steering clear of unsustainable promotion tactics, I’ll explain my reasoning behind each decision.

It’s easy to get caught up in shiny object syndrome, but I’m determined to focus on what truly enhances the listener experience and streamlines my workflow.

Additionally, I’ll reveal the four key areas where I will invest, including website hosting and my trusted podcast platform, Captivate FM. Join me as I delve into smart budgeting strategies that prioritise quality content and effective SEO for the Lazy Girls Guide to Podcasting.

Takeaways:

1. In 2025, I'm prioritising spending on tools that enhance the listener's experience and streamline my workflow.
2. I've identified 11 podcast-related expenses I won't incur in 2025 to maintain my budget.
3. Rather than using expensive podcast promotion strategies, I focus on organic growth through SEO.
4. I'm sticking with my Blue Yeti microphone in 2025, as it meets my podcasting needs perfectly.
5. Investing in my website hosting is essential because it boosts my podcast's visibility online.
6. I believe that customised intro or outro music is unnecessary and I won't be investing in it.

Read the Blog Post: Podcast on a Budget: 11 Things I’m Not Spending Money on in 2025 for the Podcast and 4 That I Am

Timestamps:

1. 00:00 Intro
2. 01:58 Not Spending on the Podcast in 2025
3. 14:20 What I Am Spending Money On
4. 19:08 Financial Strategies for Podcasting

Links referenced in this episode:

1. Visit the blog:https://veritysangan.com/blog
2. Try Captivate.FM free for 30 days:https://veritysangan.com/captivate
3. Try Riverside:https://veritysangan.com/riverside
4. Try Descript:https://veritysangan.com/descript

Today, I'm diving into the exciting new AI features from Captivate Assistant (formerly Captivate Spark) designed to streamline your podcasting process and enhance your content creation. I’ll walk you through how these tools can help you generate episode ideas, create talking points, and even transcribe your episodes, saving you valuable time.

As a podcaster, I know how crucial it is to keep our content fresh and engaging, and Captivate Spark offers some fantastic solutions for that. Whether you’re looking to suggest new episodes or create detailed outlines in just a few clicks, these features can greatly enhance your workflow.

Takeaways:

1. Captivate Spark offers innovative AI tools that streamline podcast episode planning and creation.
2. Using AI can significantly reduce the time spent on post-production tasks for podcasters.
3. The Suggest New Episodes feature analyses trends to generate relevant new content ideas.
4. AI-generated transcripts and show notes can enhance SEO and listener accessibility for podcasts.
5. Captivate Spark's feature for generating episode details saves time and improves content quality.
6. Integrating AI into podcasting can help creators focus more on content and creativity.

Read the Blog Post: AI in Podcasting: Captivate Spark Full Review

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:02 Introducing Captivate Spark: A New AI Feature for Podcasters

05:35 Using AI for Podcast Episode Generation

08:24 Organising Episode Assets

10:49 SEO and Content Formatting

13:14 Exploring the Benefits of Captivate Spark

Links referenced in this episode:

Try Captivate.FM free for 30 days - https://veritysangan.com/captivate

SEO is crucial for boosting your podcast's visibility, and in this episode we will look at how effective keyword strategies can lead to increased both your podcast's downloads and your audience engagement. I'll share my surprising experience of gaining nearly 2,000 downloads during a hiatus from new content, attributing this success to a strong focus on podcasting SEO. We will discuss the importance of crafting clear, keyword-rich episode titles and show notes that resonate with what listeners are actively searching for. By identifying evergreen content topics and utilising tools like Google and YouTube for keyword research, podcasters can enhance their discoverability.

This episode will give you clear, actionable tips for helping you to rank your podcast on Google, YouTube, and other search engines. We'll discuss how to figure out the keywords that your audience are using to search for your content, how to make your podcast episodes searchable, and how you can optimise your podcast assets to get your podcast found on search engines such as YouTube and Google, and podcast directories such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Read the Blog Post: Podcast SEO: Getting Your Show Found by Your Ideal Listener

Free SEO Masterclass >> https://veritysangan.com/stupid-simple-seo-masterclass

Sign up for Stupid Simple SEO >> https://veritysangan.com/ssseo

Episodes mentioned:

• Ep 93: How to Create and Launch a Podcast - Full Tutorial

Takeaways:

• SEO is crucial for podcast visibility; prioritize keyword-rich titles and show notes.
• Create evergreen content that remains relevant regardless of when it's published.
• Use platforms like Google and YouTube for effective keyword research and audience insights.
• Don't underestimate the power of SEO; it can attract listeners even without promotion.
• Focus on clarity in your episode titles to ensure they resonate with potential listeners.
• Remember to engage with your audience's search queries to improve discoverability.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:48 Understanding Podcasting SEO

05:11 Creating Engaging Podcast Content

07:59 Implementing SEO Strategies for Podcasts

09:35 Exploring Evergreen Content for SEO

12:16 The Importance of SEO in Podcasting

Links referenced in this episode:

• Get a free 30-day trial of Captivate.FM -https://veritysangan.com/captivate
• Answer the Public -answerthepublic.com

How much does it cost to run a podcast? Is there a cheaper way to be a podcaster? Are you looking to reduce your podcasting costs? If any of these questions resonate with you then stick around.

In this episode, I share how I managed to slash my podcasting expenses by a staggering 65%, bringing my annual podcasting spend down from over $1,300 to just $453. I dive into the specific subscriptions I cut back on, including tools that were no longer serving my needs and alternatives that provide similar functionality at a lower cost. You'll hear about my experience with various services and how I prioritised what truly adds value to my podcasting journey. Whether you're a new podcaster or a seasoned pro, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips to help you keep your podcasting budget in check.

Read the Blog Post: Podcasting on a Budget: How I Slashed My Podcasting Costs by 65%

Episodes Mentioned:

• Ep 80: How Much Does it Cost to Start and Run a Podcast? - Breaking Down My Podcasting Costs

Takeaways:

• Podcasters often underestimate their monthly expenses, which can accumulate quickly and unexpectedly.
• By reassessing my subscriptions, I managed to reduce my annual podcasting costs by 65%.
• Switching to free tools for email marketing and website design can significantly cut costs.
• Captivate.FM offers a pay-per-download pricing model, making it affordable for most podcasters.
• The quality of your podcast can remain high, despite low running costs.
• Consider evaluating the tools you use regularly to identify potential savings and efficiencies.

Tools Mentioned:

• Hostinger- Get up to 75% off WordPress hosting -https://veritysangan.com/hostinger
• Captivate.FM- get a 30-day free trial -https://veritysangan.com/captivate

Timestamps:

• 00:05 - Slashing Podcasting Costs
• 03:06 - Managing Podcasting Costs
• 05:43 - Investing in Podcasting and Website Management
• 07:59 - Podcasting Costs and Budgeting
• 10:01 - Exploring New Podcasting Tools