Smarter Podcasting: Making Podcasts Better

By: Seven Million Bikes Podcasts
  • Summary


  • Welcome to Smarter Podcasting, by Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.

    Niall has years of experience in podcasting, producing, editing, and hosting podcasts in various fields. He’s now on a mission to help podcasters create, publish, and build their communities through podcasting by sharing the techniques and lessons he’s learned.

    The show is designed to provide valuable insights and practical tips for any podcaster, whether they are individuals or businesses. Niall shares his tried and tested techniques for creating, publishing, and building a show, along with success stories of his own and his clients’ podcasts.

    Whether you’re interested in starting a podcast or improving an existing one, Smarter Podcasting is a great free resource to help you.

    Join Niall on this podcasting journey by subscribing or following Smarter Podcasting today.

    © 2024 Smarter Podcasting: Making Podcasts Better
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Episodes
  • Podcast Audit: Take Her Lead – A Smarter Approach with Nina Devouge
    Dec 30 2024

    "A podcast isn’t just a tool for talking; it’s a platform to share stories that inspire, educate, and connect people." – Niall Mackay

    Nina’s courage in embracing feedback, her openness to learning, and her unwavering dedication to amplifying women's voices made this episode a standout.

    What really impressed me was her willingness to dive into the details, from improving her podcast's structure to sharpening her storytelling, all with the goal of creating something truly meaningful for her audience.

    It’s a testament to how small yet intentional tweaks in podcasting can lead to massive transformations, and I know her listeners will feel the impact of her commitment.

    – Niall Mackay

    Key Takeaways
    - The Power of Niche Podcasting :
    Narrowing your focus creates stronger audience connections.
    - Equipment Matters for Sound Quality : Use dynamic microphones for home recordings to eliminate background noise.
    - The Importance of a Clear Podcast Title : Make your title keyword-friendly and informative for better audience discovery.
    - Crafting Listener-Centric Show Notes : Start with a captivating quote and personalize your notes for stronger engagement.
    - The Role of Consistency in Branding : Ensure your podcast artwork and description align with your mission and values.

    Chapters and Timestamps:

    07:10 - Why Niche Matters in Podcasting
    13:25 - Dynamic vs. Condenser Microphones
    17:50 - Crafting a Strong Podcast Title
    29:30 - Writing Listener-Centric Show Notes
    45:15 - Building Consistent Branding
    53:50 - The Impact of Small Adjustments

    Send us a text

    Save Frustration. And time!
    Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
    Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!

    Need a stunning new logo for your brand? Or maybe a short animation?
    Whatever you need, you can find it on Fiverr.
    I’ve been using Fiverr for years for everything from ordering YouTube thumbnails, translation services, keyword research, writing SEO articles to Canva designs and more!

    Book a call now!

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • How YouTube Transforms Your Podcast’s Reach
    Dec 23 2024

    "The people that are going to consume your short form videos are probably a hundred to a thousand times more than the people who actually consume your content."

    This episode was a real turning point for me. It made me realize just how powerful YouTube can be for podcasters—not just for video, but for reaching entirely new audiences in ways I hadn’t fully appreciated before. I used to think podcasts were strictly audio-only and that YouTube wasn’t the right platform for them.

    But after diving deeper, I’ve come to see how short-form video content can amplify a podcast’s reach dramatically.

    This episode reflects my journey of breaking old habits, adapting to new trends, and embracing the opportunities that YouTube offers to connect with more listeners.

    • Niall Mackay


    Key Takeaways

    • Why YouTube for Podcasts Matters: YouTube is now the most popular platform for podcast consumption in the U.S., even for audio-only content.
    • Creating Short-Form Content is Non-Negotiabl: Viral Shorts attract thousands of views and subscribers, even for niche topics.
    • The Importance of Proper Thumbnails and Titles: YouTube thumbnails and titles need to be visually captivating and optimized differently from audio platforms.
    • Repurposing Podcast Content Across Platforms: You can use short clips from podcast videos to boost visibility on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.
    • How to Link Your Podcast to YouTube via RSS Feed: Using tools like Buzzsprout makes it seamless to connect your podcast episodes to YouTube.


    Chapters & Timestamps

    02:00 - Niall’s Journey to Podcasting Success
    05:00 - Debunking Misconceptions About YouTube and Podcasts
    26:40 - The Power of Short-Form Video Content
    17:50 - How to Get Your Podcast on YouTube
    20:00 - Tools for Optimizing YouTube Podcasts
    33:40 - Lessons Learned: Embrace Imperfection

    Send us a text

    Save Frustration. And time!
    Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
    Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!

    Need a stunning new logo for your brand? Or maybe a short animation?
    Whatever you need, you can find it on Fiverr.
    I’ve been using Fiverr for years for everything from ordering YouTube thumbnails, translation services, keyword research, writing SEO articles to Canva designs and more!

    Book a call now!

    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Mastering Podcast Success—The Art of Planning and Audience Connection with Hugh Hiemstra
    Dec 9 2024

    “Don’t underestimate who you can get—leaders in their field want to share their expertise with a dedicated audience.” - Hugh Hiemstra

    Talking to Hugh Hiemstra was truly a game-changer for me, both as a podcaster and someone who’s constantly looking for ways to improve the creative process. Hugh brought incredible insights into the power of curiosity and authentic questions in creating meaningful conversations. He emphasized how going into an interview with genuine interest—not just for the audience but for yourself—can lead to impactful episodes.

    It’s a reminder that we don’t always have to position ourselves as experts but can instead approach each discussion as an opportunity to learn alongside our listeners.

    Hugh also shared practical strategies for preparation, from leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to involving his audience in shaping episode topics.

    What struck me most was his advice about aiming high when it comes to guests—don’t underestimate who might be willing to join your show. His experiences with securing top-tier experts reminded me that podcasting is not just about content creation; it’s about connection, learning, and continuously improving to deliver value to your audience.

    • Niall Mackay


    Key Takeaways:

    Strategic Guest Selection: Don’t underestimate your ability to secure top-tier guests—they’re often eager to share their expertise.
    Listener Engagement: Conduct surveys to understand what your audience craves and plan episodes accordingly.
    Efficient Use of AI: Tools like ChatGPT can streamline research and categorization, saving hours of prep time.
    Tailored Introductions: Keep bios concise and relevant to the episode's theme to maintain listener interest.
    Plan, but Stay Curious: While planning is essential, leaving room for spontaneous curiosity can lead to more authentic conversations.


    Chapters and Timestamps

    02:30 - The Origins of The Vet Vault
    06:00 - Challenges of Planning in Podcasting
    10:00 - Hugh’s Planning Process
    20:30 - Leveraging AI for Episode Research
    31:00 - Listener Engagement Strategies

    Send us a text

    Save Frustration. And time!
    Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
    Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!

    Need a stunning new logo for your brand? Or maybe a short animation?
    Whatever you need, you can find it on Fiverr.
    I’ve been using Fiverr for years for everything from ordering YouTube thumbnails, translation services, keyword research, writing SEO articles to Canva designs and more!

    Book a call now!

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins

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