A List of Podcast Awards and Competitions in 2026

Podcast award deadlines pop up and change pretty often, so things can move fast. We’ll keep this list as up to date as we can, but it’s always worth double-checking the links we’ve included to get the latest info straight from the source.

The Ambies: The Awards for Excellence in Audio

The Ambies are the award effort of The Podcast Academy, whose “mission is to support podcast makers and advance the cultural merit of the medium.”

“Through programs including The Ambies, we celebrate, inspire, and connect creators from around the world, while attracting new audiences to their work.”

• Fee: Early submissions start from $150
• Deadline: The 2026 Ambies submission period ran from August through November, 2025. Stay tuned for next summer’s entry period.

The Audio Production Awards

Recognizing and celebrating outstanding achievements in Audio production. The Audio Production Awards are open to all: from freelancers to those working at production companies, with brands or broadcasters, independently, or in any form of audio (which includes podcasts, radio, audiobooks, and more).

• Fee: TBA. In 2025, fees ranged from £45+VAT to £65+VAT. Audio UK members get a discount. 
• Deadline: TBA. Typically, the APA’s submission window is in the summer. 

The Austin Film Festival Script Competition

A favorite among audio drama and fiction podcasters, applying to The Austin Film Festival Script Competition includes the opportunity to get reader feedback on your script. Yes, it’s an additional fee, but few (if any) competitions provide this service. Additionally, attendees of the Austin Film Festival speak highly of the panels, workshops, and other educational opportunities.

• Fees: $40-$50
• Deadlines: Early Bird, March 26, Regular Deadline, April 24, Late Deadline, May 27, 2026.

The Gracies

The Gracies are international awards for or about women in television, radio, and digital media. They have select categories for non-English programmes and creators, with English transcripts required. 

• Fees: Range from $75 to $325. 
• Deadline: January 22, 2026.

The Independent Podcast Awards

The Independent Podcast Awards “were launched for those podcasts that are truly free of corporate ties. If you create a podcast but don’t think you have a chance of winning an award against some of the bigger players, this is the place for you and your show.” 

The Independent Podcast Awards will reveal the winners at the event at Kings Place in London on the evening of Wednesday, the 23rd of October. 

• Fees: £35 for your first entry, and subsequent entries cost £5 each.
• Deadline: 5th June, 2026.

The International Women’s Podcast Awards

The International Women’s Podcast Awards “recognize moments of brilliance in podcasting and the women and people of diverse genders that produce them.”

“Celebrate these intimate moments of podcasting brilliance and the women and non-binary folk that make them happen. The organizers [Everybody Media] don’t look at the genre your podcast is in, and we don’t care how many downloads you’ve had.”

• Fees: TBA. For 2025, the fees ranged from £30 to £65. 
• Deadline: TBA. The 2025 deadline was in March, so stay tuned. 

The New America Award

The Society of Professional Journalists’ New America Award honors public service journalism that explores and exposes issues of importance to immigrant or ethnic communities in the United States. Work from any platform is eligible.

• Fees: $40 for SPJ members, $60 for non-members
• Deadline: March 11, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET.

New Jersey Web Festival

NJ Web Fest says, “Submissions from all over the world, and from every genre, are welcome. We accept webseries, short films, pilots, trailers, music videos, narrative fiction podcasts, actual play fiction podcasts, actual play livestreams, and short scripts, so that all digital creators can experience the #JerseyMagic!”

• Fees: $62- $80, depending on category and deadline. 
• Deadlines: Early Bird, Jan 12, 2026, Regular Deadline, March 16, 2025 and June 19, 2026 is the Late deadline. 

The People’s Choice Podcast Awards

The People’s Choice Podcast Awards “is the longest-running premier podcast awards event in the podcasting space, open to shows worldwide.”

“Designed from the beginning to allow fans to show their appreciation by nominating their favorite participating shows. Culminating with a live-streamed awards show on International Podcast Day.”

• Fee: TBA. 
• Deadline: TBA. 

The Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund

This award differs from the others; it’s worth noting because it covers fees for podcasters who may not be able to afford to enter podcasting competitions. LWC Studios launched The Podcasting, Seriously Fund to support independent BIPOC, Queer and Trans audio producers in both submitting high-quality work to media/journalism awards and receiving further production education and training.

With AIR, Pacific Content, Acast, Triton Digital, and Sounds Profitable as Fund Partners, the Fund helps independent U.S., U.K., Canadian, and Australian audio professionals to submit their work to competitions and attend them. 

• Fees: None. 
• Deadline: Rolling! The Fund accepts applications year-round. 

The Pulitzer Prize for Journalism

Yes, you can apply for a Pulitzer Prize. You don’t have to be a Vanderbilt or part of a major network. The Audio Reporting category seeks “deep and revelatory reporting in the public interest” across all forms of audio storytelling, from podcasts to radio broadcasts. The application is open to independent American producers and U.S. broadcast outlets. 

• Fee: $75. 
• Deadline: January 26, 2026. 

The Signal Awards

The Signal Awards “seek to honor and celebrate the people and content that raise the bar for podcasting. Luminaries and leaders within the industry will judge Shows, Limited Series & Specials, Individual Episodes, and Branded Shows & Advertising across categories ranging from Best Innovative Audio Experience to Best TV & Film Recap.”

• Fee: $285 to $1,035
• Deadline: 8th May, 2026

T.O. Webfest

T.O. Webfest is designed to support, connect, promote, and celebrate independent content creators from Canada and worldwide. The TOWF Conference offers engaging keynotes, panels, networking sessions, web series screenings, and an Awards Gala.

This opportunity is mainly for web series, but they also want podcasts: fiction, unscripted non-fiction, and Actual Play. 

• Fees: $25- $75, depending on the genre and submission date. 
• Deadlines: The submission window opens on January 12, 2026. The Early Bird Deadline is February 28, the Regular Deadline is May 15, and the Late Deadline is June 6, 2026. 

Tribeca Audio Storytelling

Deep in the Tribeca Festival is Tribeca Podcasts. “Tribeca’s audio storytelling program is dedicated entirely to scripted content, with a focus on excellence in writing and performance.” 

• Fees: $30-$40. 
• Deadlines: The official deadline is January 14. The extended deadline is February 11. 

The U.K. International Radio Drama Festival 

The UK International Radio Drama Festival is based in Canterbury, Kent, and offers everyone the opportunity to celebrate radio drama through open access to live listening sessions, in person and online. Organised by International Arts Partnership, the festival aims to bring diverse work from across the world, introducing a UK audience to the European tradition of audio drama, often anchored in soundscape, whilst celebrating our own more text-based tradition. 

• Fees: None! 
• Deadline: 17 January, 2026.

The Whickers Podcast Pitch Competition

The Podcast Pitch follows the growing global trend towards solo, episodic listening to factual audio on the move. Single-episode proposals will also be considered. The application is open to all independent podcast makers who fulfill the application’s core criteria.

The Podcast Pitch is a joint initiative with Sheffield DocFest. The Whickers are giving the winner a £15,000 production award and £5,000 to the runner-up. Six finalists will also receive a free pass to the Sheffield Documentary Festival in June 2025, two nights of accommodation, a contribution of up to £400 per project toward their travel expenses, and access to top industry professionals and commissioners of the audio world.

• Fees: “There is no entry fee, but any form with uncompleted obligatory fields will be automatically disqualified.”
• Deadline: 27th February 2026 (23:59 GMT) 

The British Podcast Awards

The British Podcast Awards celebrate excellence across the UK podcasting industry, recognising outstanding shows, individual talent, and innovative audio storytelling. Open to both independent creators and major networks, the awards span a wide range of categories, from comedy and true crime to branded content and specialist topics, making them one of the most influential podcast awards globally.

• Fees: First deadline £210+VAT, extension price £330+VAT.
• Deadline: First deadline, 30th April, extension deadline, 21st May.

So, SHOULD I Enter a Podcast Award?

Without a doubt, winning a podcast award or competition feels good. And, of course, it can help you promote your show. But not all podcast awards and competitions are alike. Some aren’t necessarily rewarding. In this article, I’ll show you how to evaluate podcast awards and competitions, how to apply to them, and how to get the most out of the contest, whether you win or not.

What Makes an Award Rewarding?

Because podcasting is so new, there’s little precedent for what makes a podcast award or competition either prestigious or beneficial. As podcasters, we should take the initiative and evaluate available opportunities to determine if they’re worth the time and energy.

Chiefly, podcasters need to weigh the effort required for the application process against the benefits it’ll yield. What does the award organizer require? Is there a one-page form or a ten-page form? Do they want audio files, links to the show, or a script? What kind of fees or ticket prices are involved? There are a lot of considerations that can affect your decision-making process, and they all involve time and energy.

Eligibility 

Before entering any podcast awards or competitions, the first thing to check is whether your show is eligible.

Region or country of residence, creator demographics, podcast category, and production timeframe can all affect eligibility. If the award is annual, your podcast must have published episodes within the most recent year or season to be eligible. 

In some cases, the average independent podcaster can’t enter. A committee picks the nominations, and then either a jury or public voting determines the winners.

In other cases, your podcast must remain under wraps through the winner’s announcement. The panel judges only unpublished shows for some competitions, such as the Tribeca Festival and the Austin Film Festival’s podcast script competition. Tribeca, for example, wants to premiere the project at its Audio Storytelling festival, just as it does with its film festival. You can’t launch the show until after everyone has been notified. 

Fees and Other Costs

Another aspect to consider when exploring competitions and awards is whether they charge a fee to apply. How does the fee measure up to your other podcasting expenses? For many competitions, the earlier you submit your application, the lower your fee, and fees increase with later deadlines.

Some organizations use fees to make sure only companies with a certain income level can apply. For example, in the case ofthe 2018 Webby awards, entry fees ranged from $175 to $475 per entry. This relatively high price knocks most independent podcasters out of the competition.

Sometimes, the competition’s organizers require nominees to be present at the award ceremony to win. This sparked controversy when the British Podcasting Awards changed ticket prices for their awards ceremony, starting at £295. 

These ticket prices would make it difficult for anyone to attend unless they represented one of the corporations for whom podcasting is a side venture.  Fortunately, the BPAs saw the light and instituted a tiered pricing system to accommodate podcasting companies with more modest funding. 

The fees pay for resources to make the award or competition happen, such as a per diem for evaluators or a website. Personally, I compare a competition’s fee to my monthly media hosting expense because that number stays the same for a long time. I’m more likely to apply if the fee is equivalent to less than a month of media hosting. If the fee amounts to more than a month of hosting, I take a tough look at any possible benefit of applying. 

Is This Award a Good Fit for Your Podcast?

Podcasting awards and competitions all have different reasons for existing. Some are simply a way for a media company to promote itself. Other competitions want to aid in the discovery of new and exciting content, raise professional standards, or celebrate the medium. You need to ask yourself if this is the kind of organization you wish to associate your brand with: Do they make the kind of show you make? 

Take time to find out who or what podcasts won in the past. Do they have the same kind of resources and audience that you have? Technically, my podcast is eligible for a Peabody Award. But, most Peabody winners have full-time teams working on every aspect of production. My show doesn’t. In my case, applying for the Peabodys might not be worth it. That’s not a pejorative view of my show or the award, merely a description.

You also want to look at the prize. Is it money, production, training, or credit toward a company’s goods and services? What about the second prize or finalist level? Is this tier’s prize something that raises your podcast’s profile?

Beware of vampire award systems. Check the organization’s mission statement or “about” page. Some competitions are so new that they don’t know what podcasters really need in a prize. If they offer “exposure,” remember, you can always expose yourself.

Others are flat-out scams. Fiction writers and essayists have been targets of contest scams for much longer than podcasting has existed. Fortunately, they share valuable intel. It’s worth your time to read these cautionary resources:

• Victoria Strauss’ Awards Profiteers: How Writers Can Recognize Them and Why They Should Avoid Them,
• Anne R. Allen’s Beware Bogus Writing Contests! Look For These 8 Red Flags.

These blog posts show a lot of the tactics that people use to make and promote predatory contests to people in any creative field.

Be sure you’re not being drawn into something that costs you money and doesn’t benefit you much.

Good Reasons to Apply to a Podcast Award or Competition, Even if You Don’t Win

If the application doesn’t take time and effort away from your podcasting workflow, the fee is manageable, and if the prize helps your podcast to gain an audience, then you should apply. It’s good PR for your podcast, and deadlines are motivating. For example, applying to a competition is a great way to set yourself up to achieve a SMART goal. It never hurts to light a fire underneath your own cooking pot. Some people need deadlines to be more productive. 

If the podcast award or competition is connected to a conference or festival, applying raises the stakes for attending. You’re not just there for the show; you’re invested. Award ceremonies can help you meet new people, go places, and have interesting experiences. Despite the added expense, it can be fun.

If it inspires you to improve your work, motivates your progress, and helps you share your work with the world, it’s good. But, if the application process requires you to put more into the award or competition than you get out of it, put that time and energy into something else for your podcast.  

Second Place Isn’t a Bad Place

Moreover, even if you don’t win, you may be able to use the festival in your media kit (i.e., saying it’s a finalist or second-rounder). I have submitted scripts to the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference twice, and both were selected as finalists. Including this in any description of those scripts shows that an independent, unbiased expert gave them a seal of approval. 

High-profile competitions may have so many applications that, even if you don’t win, being a finalist is a big deal. Philip Thorne and Øystein Brager sent The Amelia Project to The Austin Film Festival in 2017 and reached the finalist level. Thorne said this experience “gave us that extra push we needed to launch our show. We learnt from some of the most innovative audio dramatists out there, workshopped our script and our pitch, and had BBQ and beers with like-minded and inspiring people.”

For Thorne and Brager, the finalist level fueled them to make The Amelia Project one of the most enduring and engaging podcasts today.

One More Great Podcasting Opportunity

All Hear, The Everything List for Audio Opportunities, is a monthly newsletter that curates and shares an exhaustive list of opportunities for audio creators. I’m not exaggerating. The master list includes grants, education, accelerators, residencies, competitions, and more. Some opportunities are national, others local, so make sure you read the fine print.

Need Help Making an Award-Winning Podcast?

Shows that win awards sound good. The people behind them are also heavily focused on the conversations they have, rather than spending hours per episode wrestling with tech.

All-in-one podcast-maker tool Alitu brings everything you need to record, edit, and publish your show into one place.

It automatically cleans up your audio and balances levels, offers instant filler-word removal, and allows you to edit audio or video simply by editing the transcript text.

Sound like a fit? Try it free for seven days and see how it works for you.

You’ve got great ideas and a microphone, but who exactly are you talking to? Many podcasters say their show is for “everyone.” But vague-casting doesn’t make your show universally attractive. Understanding your ideal audience makes it easier to connect with them and build a meaningful relationship.

Here’s how to define your podcast avatar or ideal listener, what to do with that profile, and how that avatar can help your podcast thrive.

What’s a Podcast Avatar? 

The word may evoke images of blue, elfin creatures, but the word “avatar” comes from Hindi and means the incarnation of a deity in human form. It’s come to mean a personification of an abstract idea. What we mean when we say “audience avatar” is your podcast’s ideal listener. 

Why does this imaginary friend matter? Any podcaster can benefit from imagining their ideal listener as a real person. However, this avatar idea is most helpful for solo podcasters who feel put off by “talking to themselves” behind the mic.

Name your podcast avatar to make the image more concrete. Now, you can think of yourself talking directly to “Bob”, “Helen”, or “Count Chuckles of Chortleton”.

If I asked you to imagine the ideal audience for a “kids and family podcast,” you’d probably picture two kids in the back seat of a car while an adult driver picks out a podcast.

Or, if I say “True Crime podcast,” you might visualize a woman in loungewear examining documents with a magnifying glass.

On the most basic level, that’s an audience avatar. 

When you understand your podcast avatar, you can determine how to reach them and what they can do for you. 

Case Study: The True Crime Audience Podcast Avatar 

Let’s use True Crime podcasts as an example, since many studies have consistently found that they attract a specific audience. I’ll show you the data, and how to make it work for you. 

Who Listens to True Crime?

Sounds Profitable’s Safe & Sound study showed that 38% of women respondents ranked True Crime as their favorite podcast category.  The Pew Research Center found that True Crime podcasts were most popular among women. So, it’s safe to say that the audience avatar for True Crime is likelier to be women (though not universally: my husband can’t get enough True Crime).

How Does This Audience Find and Consume Podcasts?

Now that we know women listen to True Crime, we can examine data about how women find and consume podcasts. For example,  the Women’s Audio Report: Women & Podcasts released by Edison Research and Sirius XM reports that: 

• 40% of respondents ranked True Crime first out of twenty-four categories (verifying what we learned from Sounds Profitable and The Pew Research Center)
• 74% of respondents find out about new podcasts from social media, and 73% find out about new shows via word of mouth 
• The majority of respondents listen to find connection, knowledge, and representation, and are highly responsive to calls to action. 

This is a superficial layer of information. I don’t want to keep you here all day. Now that we know that True Crime listeners tend to be:

• women
• finding their next podcast via social media or word of mouth
• seeking community, education, and representation
• are likely to act on podcast CTAs

What do we do with these data points about our True Crime podcast avatar?  

What Methods Are Appealing?

Our ideal listener is more likely to discover her next podcast listening experience through a social media post or word of mouth, so we know that social media posts will be more effective than purchasing a print ad, for example.

Successful promotion will focus on relationship-building rather than general advertising. Cross-marketing tactics, such as trailer swaps, feed swaps, and guest appearances on other podcasts, can fit into calls to action (i.e., “if you enjoyed this show, then check out that show.”). 

This podcast avatar prefers word-of-mouth recommendations, so empower your audience to be your word-of-mouth PR team. Incentivize participation by thanking people on the air when they reach out or review. 

And, this ideal listener wants positive representation. If you don’t already have women on your True Crime show, bring them on board immediately. Get expert consultants, who happen to be women, to explain a court case or investigation. Bring in lady guests, or when you need an extra voice, choose a female-identified voice artist. 

When you know what kind of people are most likely to listen to your True Crime show, and what motivates their podcast choices, you can tailor your content and PR strategies accordingly. 

A Real-World Example

Crime Junkie’s website is chock-full of relationship-building opportunities. In the “Extras” category, information about avoiding scams, a portal to suggest a case, and a free cross-stitch pattern are just the beginning of their relationship-building paths.

How to Research Your Ideal Listener and Apply That Information to Your Podcast

Not all information about the relationship between podcasts and their audiences is as clear-cut as that of the True Crime audience. Gathering statistics about your audience can involve researching outside the podcasting realm and then analyzing how podcast listeners engage with your show’s content. 

Instead of Researching Podcast Audiences, Research What Your Audience Wants

Let’s shift from True Crime to gardening, for a moment. Home and Garden is an undervalued podcast category. You may imagine the ideal listener as an elderly lady wearing large gloves and hats, trimming rose bushes. Instead of looking up, “Who listens to garden podcasts?” look up gardeners. These are the people you want to reach. Look up industries that depend on the same information in your podcast. 

Who Else is Interested in Your Audience, and Can They Help?

Companies that manufacture and sell garden products conduct extensive research, as do universities and publications with an interest in the environment. Gardening Statistics in 2024 includes many specific findings about gardeners that defy the Miss Marple stereotype. The number of millennial and Gen Z gardeners has increased significantly in the past five years. The primary reason for the increase in gardening among these groups was related to mental health.

How Can You Put Your Podcast In Front of Your Ideal Audience?

Now that you know many new gardeners are millennials and Gen Z, look up information about podcasting for these demographics. A lot of research exists about millennial and Gen Z podcast listeners, and don’t underestimate Gen Alpha. 

What Does Your Ideal Audience Want From Your Topic?

Since you know these gardeners are also interested in mental health, plan your topics accordingly. Interview a psychologist who specializes in horticultural therapy, or a graduate student who studies the effects of agrichemicals on wellness. Your audience can listen while they pull weeds, and you may be able to secure a sponsorship with a local garden center. 

No matter what your podcast’s topic or niche is, pursue the common interest (your podcast’s topic), gather data on how people consume it, and apply that to your podcast to strengthen your relationship with your ideal listener. 

Once You Know Who to Invite, How Do You Make Your Podcast Inviting?

Here’s where you need to give your show a handle for your ideal audience to grab. Make sure they can find your show easily, provide a show that caters to their interests, and use empathy.

Include the Audience In The Description and Introduction

This could seem obvious, but for some podcasters, this is new information. You may want to include the target audience for your show in the episode description and the introduction. For example, a golf podcast for Christians could have a name like “What Would Jesus Putt?” or ask in the podcast description, “Do you love golf, but have to make sure you can get a tee time after 1 pm on Sundays so you don’t miss church?”

You don’t have to follow SEO tactics dogmatically, but clarity helps.

What Would Your Audience Buy?

Your audience avatar’s education and income level help you plan monetization schemes. The podcast merchandise you sell can validate how your audience avatar views itself. A show for beer drinkers may be more interested in drinkware than t-shirts, but knowing your podcast avatar can tell you whether to sell crystal stout snifters or crocheted can cozies. 

How Does Your Audience Play?

When I first started podcasting, my friends who showed the most enthusiasm for my podcast were people who read a lot of graphic novels and played tabletop roleplaying games. I printed stickers with the podcast logo on them and dropped them off at comic book and game shops to give away to customers. I can’t track that PR campaign’s effectiveness, but it didn’t hurt, either. 

How Does Your Audience Work?

Put yourself in their shoes while planning your podcast format and structure. Busy real estate agents may prefer shorter episodes or segmented shows that they can pick up and put down between client meetings. Long-haul truckers might enjoy longer episodes.

Bring Your Podcast Avatar With You.

Take time to write down:  

• who your podcast is for, 
• what you know about that audience, and 
• how your podcast can meet your audience on their terms. 

Stick this piece of paper on your podcast workstation, and keep it visible while you record. When you have your ideal listener in mind while working on your podcast, you’re more likely to work in a way that strengthens your relationship with that audience. 

Podcast Avatar Sounds Alien, But Shouldn’t Be.

When I research information, I often second-guess my citations, which slows me down. One day, I decided that one of my ideal listeners is Gladys, a woman who cares so much about research accuracy that she will fight me to prove any argument I make. Now, when I second-guess myself, I think of Gladys (who looks an awful lot like my aunt Janet), and I thank her for her dedication. 

Count Chuckles of Chortleton doesn’t mind how tight my citations are. He listens to my podcast to fall asleep.

Ultimately, your audience avatar or ideal listener loves your podcast’s topic as much as you do. It may seem that you don’t have to define your ideal audience because they’re someone who’s just like you. But no two people are alike.

The more information you have about who your audience avatar is, the easier it is to reach, reward, and encourage them to share your show. The compassion you carry for your audience will show through in your podcast. 

Need some help fleshing out your podcast avatar? Try the Alitu Showplanner. It’s free to use, needs no login, and generates assets including a trailer script, episode ideas, and unique angles for your show.

Podcast events are perfect for learning and networking. As the industry grows, podcast events can range from a day of webinars to a multi-day conference taking over huge convention centers and hotels.

Whether you think of yourself as an introvert, an extrovert, a hobbyist doing it for love, or an entrepreneur building a brand, there’s always something you can learn with an open mind. On top of that, nothing beats getting together in person with folks who share your passion and enthusiasm for podcasting.

As event coordinators update their events, we’ll update this page. Pack your headphones; here’s The Podcast Host’s Guide to Podcast Events in 2026.

Run a podcasting event and don’t see it mentioned here? Please give us a shout so we can include it.

January 2026 Podcast Events

PodFest Expo 12th Anniversary

• Podfest Expo 2026
• Date: Jan 15-18, 2026
• Cost: $99-$899
• Location: Renaissance Orlando, Orlando, Florida, USA

The world’s longest-running annual in-person podcasting event returns for an unprecedented 12th consecutive year. 

February 2026 Podcast Events

On Air Fest

• On Air Fest
• Date: Feb 23-26, 2026
• Cost: $224-$599 (Early Bird pricing)
• Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA

Join us for three days, four nights, and six locations, presenting 80+ live performances, panels, podcasts, exhibitions, and multi-sensory experiences. Plus, interactive workshops, tech demos, and breakout sessions will help you level up your skills. Connect with thousands of creators and creative professionals working in audio, video, and new media, all coming together to explore some of our most urgent questions today.

The Podcast Learning Festival

• The Podcast Learning Festival
• Date: 26 February, 2026
• Cost: £99.00-£159.00
• Location: Central London, UK (TBA)

The Podcast Learning Festival is the first time that podcast production and workplace learning are brought together. It aims to challenge traditional workplace learning models by exploring the intersection of learning, sound, and performance. This is the perfect opportunity for learning, HR, and people professionals to engage with industry experts and thought leaders in the podcast and workplace learning space.

PodCamp Toronto

• PodCamp Toronto
• Date: Feb 27- March 1, 2026
• Cost: Free to attend sessions, panels, product demos, and more. $60 for attendance, access to networking events and the Industry Lounge, or $100 for all the aforementioned, plus “Exclusive Swag.”
• Location: George Brown College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Designed to help digital leaders and creators tackle the biggest challenges in media, tech, and digital storytelling. Join us for insights, fresh perspectives, and connections that help shape the future of Canadian digital media—whether you’re an industry leader or an independent creator.

March 2026 Podcasting Events

Radiodays Europe

• Radiodays Europe 2026
• Date: March 22nd-24th, 2026
• Cost: 359 EUR + VAT – 594 EUR + VAT
• Location: Riga, Latvia

Radiodays Europe is the event in the Radio, Podcast, and Audio World, bringing together over 1,500 visitors from 65 countries over three days. The event is organized into sessions, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, interactive sessions, summits, workshops, and networking events.

Podcasthon

• Podcasthon
• Date: March 14th-20th, 2026
• Cost: Free to participate
• Location: Online

Podcasthon is an online nonprofit event that will unite over 1300 hosts worldwide to raise awareness for as many charities as possible. It is supported by many respected voices in the industry, as well as organizations such as Podnews, Acast, and Ausha. 

Podcast Movement at SXSW

• Podcast Movement at SXSW 2026
• Dates: March 12th-18th, 2026
• Cost: This event is free, but you must register.
• Location: Skybox on 6th Street, Austin, TX, USA

Podcast Movement joins South by Southwest, which “dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW® is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture.”

May 2026 Podcasting Events

Soundwave Summit

• Soundwave Summit
• Date: Sat 9th May 2026
• Cost: $95-$159
• Location: Toronto Harbourfront Centre, Canada

Soundwave Summit is a Canadian podcasting conference built for independent creators, audio storytellers, and brands who want real strategy, meaningful connections, and practical insight. What sets it apart is its focus on the art, business, and future of audio storytelling in one accessible, community-driven event. Now in its third year, the summit brings together respected voices from across podcasting and media for a one-day experience in Toronto that feels focused, useful, and rooted in real creative growth.

Podcast Expo

• Podcast Expo
• Date: Sat 9th – Sun 10th May 2026
• Cost: Free (general entry) / ¥7,920–¥15,000 for P7 Podcast Summit conference (approx. £40–£75)
• Location: HOME/WORK VILLAGE, Ikejiri, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

Podcast Expo 2026 is Japan’s largest podcast festival, taking place over two days on 9–10 May 2026 at HOME/WORK VILLAGE in Ikejiri, Tokyo. The event combines the P7 Podcast Summit – a paid conference featuring 24 sessions across both days with 40+ speakers, with the free-to-attend Podcast Weekend, a market-style showcase featuring over 130 podcast creator booths.

The Podcast Show

• The Podcast Show 2026
• Date: 21-22 May, 2026
• Cost: £115-£350
• Location: Business Design Centre, Islington, London, England, UK

The Podcast Show is a unique global gathering of the broad and diverse podcasting community. By day, the show welcomes industry pros, independent creators, and business leaders to masterclasses, workshops, and global brands. By night, The Podcast Show is proud to present a week-long lineup of live podcasts, bringing some of your favorite voices and shows to life in theatres across London.

June 2026 Podcasting Events

Audio Storytelling at the Tribeca Festival

• Tribeca Audio Storytelling
• Date: June 3rd-14th, 2026
• Cost: $250-$1400
• Location: New York City, NY, USA

What started as a film festival has grown into a massive exploration of storytelling media. The Audio Storytelling wing of The Tribeca Festival celebrates podcasts that push the limits of what audio storytelling can be and stories that would otherwise go untold.

September 2026 Podcast Events

Podcast Movement 2026

• Podcast Movement
• Date: TBA, September 2026
• Cost: TBA; discounts may be available for those who sign up for their mailing list. 
• Location: New York City, NY, USA

Podcast Movement is the premier global event for all things podcasting, bringing together podcasters, industry professionals, and service providers & manufacturers.  Welcome to the ultimate destination for forming lasting connections, gaining valuable insights, discovering groundbreaking innovations, and fostering partnerships that will elevate your business and podcasting efforts. 

October 2026 Podcast Events

PodSummit 2026

• PodSummit
• Date: 16-17 October 2026
• Cost: TBC
• Location: Calgary, Canada

PodSummit was built to unite Canada’s podcast community through podcast-first live experiences that feel like a true hub – a place where voices are amplified, ideas ignite, connections take root, and the community doesn’t just gather; it grows.

Afros & Audio

• Afros & Audio
• Date: TBA
• Cost: TBA
• Location: USA

Calling all indie podcast creatives and audio professionals! Join us for the Afros & Audio Podcast Festival – a gathering where diversity, innovation, and the indie podcasting spirit come together. Gain authentic insights, connect and collaborate, celebrate black excellence in podcasting, and grow with valuable resources. As one attendee shared, “This podcast conference was everything—the speakers were genuine, the information applicable, and each conversation an opportunity to network and grow.”

Podcast Events Beyond Fall of 2026

New podcast events are constantly planned and announced, so this list will always be a work in progress.

We’ll update this page as promoters inform us that they’ve added or changed events. If you’re promoting a future podcast event, contact us directly so we can include it here. We’d love to amplify your meetup!

Podcast consistency advice helps if your podcast has a team and a well-funded support system. It doesn’t help podcasters who have a sick child or disruptive neighbors. 

The “consistency is key” framing stealthily drives churn. What folks seem to forget is that all of the longest-running podcasts have changed over time. Sustaining your podcast requires flexibility. Let me show you some ways to maintain a podcasting practice that holds steady when real life intervenes, based on my lived experience and that of other podcasters. 

Life Doesn’t Stop for Podcasts’ Content Calendars. 

Podcast advice often assumes that creators have stable health, predictable schedules, uninterrupted attention, and a never-ending supply of executive function. 

Meanwhile, real life includes illness, caregiving, and financial stress. Disruptive news cycles and collective trauma can abruptly shove focus and motivation to the sidelines.

Sometimes, your productivity just collapses.

I’ve experienced weekends where I’d blocked out podcasting time, only to have to rush a sick parent to the emergency room late at night. I’ve had severe weather kick out the electricity and destroy a file on which I’d forgotten to click “save.” You assuredly know what it’s like to have real life kick your plans to the curb. 

Why Stopping Your Podcast Doesn’t Mean Quitting

Katie wrote about Sounds Profitable’s Creator Survey, how 1 in 3 Podcast Creators Have Quit, the biggest obstacles they face, and strategies to work around them.

The word “quit” is emotionally loaded; it implies failure. But I’ve also quit jobs with hostile work environments or redundant workflow. Quitting was the first step toward the work I love. And, I got to keep the skills and goodwill that I gained.

If you stop podcasting for any length of time, the skills and rapport you’ve built with your audience remain valuable, as does your back catalog. If you return to it later, you’re not regressing. You’re using those assets to try something new. 

Think of it as a pause, not a full stop; sustainability is about rhythm, not a streak.

Design a Podcast Rhythm You Can Return To

We’ve all heard “it’s a marathon, not a sprint,” but nobody can run forever. And, like falling while running, if you lose momentum, it’s hard to regain it. But planning your podcast schedule to include breaks simplifies getting back on track. Breaks also help you refuel physically and adjust your perspective.

Your audience may enjoy experiencing your podcast regularly, but they take breaks too. Never think of yourself as lazy for planning breaks: you’re recharging.  Podcast consistency advice is no good if you’re burnt out.

Podcasting in seasons is my favorite way to go. I think of a season as eight to ten episodes. My husband’s podcast releases in groups of three or four. Seasons allow you to plan your episode ideas in advance and take advantage of batch processing.

And, you can plan breaks into your podcasting schedule.

During those breaks, cross-promote your show by exchanging episodes with other podcasters in your niche. These feed swaps introduce your podcast to new audiences while giving your audience something different to enjoy while you’re having a break.  

Most of the shows in the Fable & Folly podcast network swap feeds during breaks. They lead their episode titles with “A Show We Love,” so the audience knows this is a deliberate choice, aligned with their interests. 

When you plan your podcast’s schedule intentionally, your show leads the audience’s attention instead of chasing it. Most importantly, you avoid burnout. 

Planning your podcast to survive unpleasant surprises isn’t just about publishing frequency, though. It’s about building a podcast with enough margin to adapt when conditions shift.

Producing a Disruption-Proof Podcast

In practical terms, margin comes from how you design your format, build buffers, and communicate with your audience.

Format Considerations that Scale

When life gets unpredictable, your podcast format determines how much margin you have. Podcasts with co-host banter are popular, but solo podcasting means you don’t have to worry about scheduling recording sessions or time zones. I’ve learned the hard way how easily miscommunications about time zones can derail a recording.

The solo format could be more work, but it provides more flexibility. You get to choose episode ideas without compromising, communicate with your audience, and keep any revenue. Whether your podcast promotes a Fortune 500 business or you’re one person who likes to tell a good story, solo podcasting lets you be the companion to your audience’s daily routine. 

Recording Style

The way you record affects overall stability, too. Studio rental can be costly and include scheduling hurdles, and home recording can make it hard to find quiet time to record. When you record outdoors, though, the ambience provides context and additional interest for the audience. 

Your audience might be listening while walking or commuting: why not bring them along on your walk?  While walking my dog one morning, I tapped “play latest episode” on my podcast app, and 6 Reasons to Record Your Next Podcast Episode on a Walk greeted me. I’ve never gone for a walk with Matthew in real life, but now I feel like I have. 

Ever notice how many Instagrammers record in their car? If you have a vehicle and a safe place to park it, your car makes a great podcast studio. I’d stuff my coat or a cushion on the windshield to dampen reverb, but you can try it and learn what sounds best to you. 

No matter how your podcast grows, the best recording method is the one that helps you share your ideas clearly and comfortably. 

Communicate Pauses Without Oversharing

If something came up and you were going to miss an appointment, you’d call to let the other party know. Treat your audience with the same respect. When you plan to take a break, let the audience know in advance. If you can’t, mention it when you record next.

Tell the audience that you appreciate their patience and that you had to take care of something. You don’t have to apologize, and you don’t owe them an explanation. Clear communication with your audience outweighs podcast consistency advice.

When taking a planned break, let the audience know, and tell them if you have episodes planned to fill the space while you’re away. When you return, promote your fresh start.

Remember back in TV’s heyday, when television networks would promote their fall season lineup at the end of the summer? You can generate that kind of excitement for your podcast. 

Put Your Back Catalog to Work 

Speaking of planned breaks, another way to fill the time while you’re away is to re-purpose your back catalog. Podcasts from public radio networks re-publish episodes from their back catalog during the December and summer holidays so their staff can spend time with their families. You can do the same. 

Editing and publishing a montage episode can work wonders. Once you’ve found some common themes in your season’s dialogue, you can: 

• Ask your audience to contribute their opinions on a topic
• Revisit your previously published material 
• Keep a file of outtakes or dialogue you had to cut for time 

Edit it together by theme, and add an introduction, so the audience knows what they’re getting into. It’s like making a greatest hits album, complete with remixes. 

Also, don’t sleep on publishing episodes during holidays. Travelers need podcasts to accompany them while waiting in airports or on road trips. At times of year with heavy travel, if you publish accessible material, you may gain a whole new audience. 

Consistency Isn’t Bad Advice, But It’s Incomplete. 

Consistency is one part of a solid podcasting strategy. Quality, engagement, and preparation matter just as much.

My favorite meditation podcast publishes occasionally. When she does, I feel like I’ve found a $20 bill in my coat pocket. I will always download and block out time to listen.

If you can publish on a consistent basis, you can become a habit for your audience. But typical podcast consistency advice doesn’t fit all podcasters. If you can’t publish on a consistent basis, preparation, communication, and creativity make your podcast a treat for your audience to look forward to and savor. 

Design for Living, And Your Audience Will Fit Your Podcast Into Their Lives

Sustainable podcasting is flexible enough to allow for gaps. It doesn’t have to be consistent, provided your publishing cadence is predictable. 

When you set up your podcasting practice so that you can walk away from your podcast and return to it, you can refuel. The episodes you create when your mind and body are rested will always be better than the work you create under pressure. Your audience won’t mind the pause when you keep them informed. 

You’re not a machine. Your audience didn’t seek out your show because they expect you to vend content on a constant conveyor belt. People seek out podcasts because they want a human connection. When you set up your podcasting process for adaptability, audiences will give you the grace to continue sharing ideas long-term. 

Podcasting shouldn’t feel like a burden. When your workflow leaves room for rest and return, it’s easier to keep showing up as yourself. Alitu handles the behind-the-scenes audio work, like cleanup and levelling, so you can spend your time and attention where it matters most: on your ideas and your audience.

OpusClip is an AI-powered clipping platform that scans your podcast episode, chooses the clips it considers most likely to garner attention, and edits them into clips ready for the social media of your choice. It’s not magic, but it’s fast. Can OpusClip save you time and promote your podcast on social media? Let’s find out. 

Our link to OpusClip is an affiliate link, so we may earn a small commission if you buy. It never affects what you pay, and it never affects our reviews.

How Does OpusClip Work? 

Once you’ve signed up, you can either: 

• enter the URL of a video from the platform of your choice, or
• upload a video file (.mp4 or .mov, but not wav or mp3) 

and then click “Get Clips in 1 Click.” 

Depending on the episode length, OpusClip will generate 12-24 video clips, formatted and captioned for social media, highlighting the parts of your episode that are most likely to grab attention. You can post them directly to your social media accounts from your OpusClip dashboard or download them to your computer.

OpusClip is remarkably cagey about how the software works. According to their site, “The upgraded AI Curation works much closer to the workflow of a REAL human editor: It first understands the entire video, segments it into chapters, and then selects the most interesting or informative parts to create clips with viral potential.” 

Or, as they also say, “There’s a ton of really complicated AI stuff going under the hood that might make your head spin…Ultimately, we’re only serving up the dopest results straight to you with no fuss.” 

Thank goodness. I wouldn’t want anything less than the dopest.

Let’s find out how fast OpusClip finds and extracts clips.  

How Many Clips Can OpusClip Generate, and How Fast? 

Podcasters are busy. If you already spend a lot of time recording and editing, you might not be able to carve out more time to edit posts for social media. Plus, decisions regarding your topic, ideas, and audience engagement can be tiring. Fortunately, OpusClip can work with little to no supervision while you make that cup of tea or take the dog for a walk. 

Again, quantity and speed depend on the file you submit. For my experiment, I used a 59-minute episode of Podcraft. I entered the YouTube URL and clicked “Get clips in 1 click.” You can also upload a video file, though it doesn’t accept MP3 or WAV files. The user interface said processing the clips would take 11 minutes. However, in 8 minutes, the software had finished generating 24 clips. 

Boiling a cup of water takes me roughly five minutes, and typically I steep my tea for four. So, yes, OpusClip can generate many video clips from one episode in the time it takes to make a cup of tea. 24 separate clips could yield four fresh social media posts a week for six weeks. That’s a lot of posts for eight minutes of processing. 

However, like tea, there’s no accounting for taste. You don’t know whether the clips are appropriate for promoting your podcast until you’ve watched them. Some may need adjustment, while others might not be helpful at all. 

OpusClip’s editing interface is intuitive and clear. You’ll see it’s similar to Descript and Headliner.  Even if you haven’t used either of those platforms, the dashboard’s user interface will make sense quickly. A link to OpusClip’s Help guide is in the toolbar, and videos explaining best practices are linked at the bottom of the screen. 

Let’s look at OpusClip’s criteria for, as they said, “serving up the dopest results.” 

How Does OpusClip Select The “Right” Clips? 

OpusClip uses a four-aspect ranking system to score each clip on a scale of 1 to 100. These aspects are: 

• Hook (Does the moment revolve around a short, well-defined argument or question?)
• Flow (Is the discussion coherent? Does it flow logically?)
• Value (Does this moment answer a question or solve a problem?) 
• Trend (Is this moment aligned with topics that are trending on social media?) 

If your podcast episode’s dialogue is clearly defined (or tends toward hot takes), you can predict what OpusClip will generate. I tested OpusClips on more discursive podcast episodes and found that it identified moments in the discussion that were provocative but had little to do with the episode’s main topic. 

Let’s say Colin entered an episode about automating your podcast editing into OpusClip. Pretend that midway through the episode, he said, “I think Taylor Swift has great hair, but few adults can wear bangs without looking childish,” apropos of nothing. OpusClip would capture that moment, because it would earn high scores for Hook, Flow, Value, and Trend. Using this clip to promote a podcast episode about automated podcast editing, however, would be a bait-and-switch. The Swifties would ride at dawn.

Don’t assume that, left unsupervised, OpusClip can spin straw into gold. You’ll thank yourself later if you check every clip for quality and clarity before posting it. Maybe the captions substitute “knight” for “night.” Maybe the automatic filler word removal mangles someone’s name, ruining your discussion of Umberto Eco’s novels. Make sure the generated output matches how you want to represent yourself and your podcast. 

We know OpusClip is fast and focused. But is it free? 

OpusClip’s Pricing and Features

Yes, OpusClip starts with a free tier, allowing you to test basic operations before committing financially. All OpusClip subscriptions include credits, each equal to a minute of episode time. If you pay annually, OpusClip offers a 50% discount. The price tiers are: 

Free
Cost: $0
Includes 60 credits per month, 1080p rendering, auto reframe, and AI captions with emoji and keyword highlights. You can create one brand template. Clips are watermarked, you cannot use the built-in editing tools, and you must export within three days.

A simple way to test the platform.

Starter
Cost: $15 per month
Includes everything in Free, plus 150 credits per month, AI clipping with a virality score, animated captions in more than twenty languages, auto posting to major short form platforms, full editing features, filler word and silence removal, and no watermark.

This tier fits most creators.

Pro
Cost: $29 per month
Includes everything in Starter, plus 300 credits per month, a team workspace for two people, two brand templates, six social account connections, AI-generated stock footage, multiple aspect ratios, a social scheduler, export options for Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, Intercom support, custom caption fonts, and speech enhancement.

Best for teams or creators who want advanced tools and scheduling.

Caveat emptor: I tested this with the Pro tier to assess features that are still in beta, such as the stock video footage. If Starter or Free is better for your needs, go for it. The following strategies will help you get the most bang for your buck, no matter which price point you choose. 

How to Get The Most Out of OpusClip

Like most “set it and forget it” tools, OpusClip requires a greater initial time investment, which lessens over time. It’s worth taking time to try these steps on Day One, so the following days flow more smoothly.  

Set up a brand template first. It’ll save you effort in the long run. 

The toolbar along the left side of your Dashboard screen contains all available options; hover over the icons to see what each one corresponds to. It’s tempting to try generating videos right away, but you’ll like the results better if you click “Brand Template” first. 

Templates allow you to set conditions, such as the layout, color, and style of your captions, as well as automatic removal of filler words. Explore these options and make a template you like before uploading anything, so you’ll get results that match your intentions. 

Connect your social media accounts in advance. Click the chain-link icon to open the Social Account Connections menu. The first time, the window will be blank. Click “+ Add Account” and follow the prompts. Once your social media accounts are connected, you can share your clips right away without downloading or re-uploading them. You’ll need this to schedule social media posts in advance. 

Note the start and end times of the part of the episode that matters to you most. This way, OpusClip doesn’t have to search the whole episode, and you don’t have to waste credits on your intro & outro or any baked-in ad reads.

Listen to your clips and edit wherever necessary. Last year, I tested OpusClip with a podcast episode that used the phrase “abducted by aliens from another planet” in a side joke. OpusClip identified this moment and assigned it a high rating, interpreting the episode as about human trafficking rather than about how to write a five-act drama. I’m sure the software has improved since then.

If you find that OpusClip highlights the funny asides instead of the point you intended to make, try adjusting the start and end times of the part you want OpusClip to scan. 

Be careful with filler words. OpusClips’ automatic filler word removal is efficient, but leaves audible edits. The software cuts right before and after each “uh” or “um.” If your episode’s audio has background sound, these edits may be more noticeable. You’ll have to decide on a case-by-case basis which is more distracting: keeping the filler words or editing them out. 

Make sure your call to action is crystal clear. In the Pro plan, users can add Intro or Outro cards, which are image files (with or without text). You can upload your own images to the Asset Library and use them for your CTA. A message as simple as “Look for [title of show] wherever you get your podcasts” provides context and helps your audience connect. 

Who is OpusClip Best For? 

Nearly any podcaster can benefit from using video clips to promote their podcast. The Pew Research Center surveyed over 5,000 adults in the U.S. about their social media use, finding that:  

• 37% of respondents use TikTok, 
• 50% of respondents use Instagram, 
• 71% of respondents use Facebook (which includes Instagram Reels in its feed) 
• 84% of respondents use YouTube. 

Unless your podcast is meant for people who hate video, short video clips can garner interest from anyone who cares about your topic but hasn’t found your podcast yet. 

Audio-only podcasters aren’t left out, either. Whether you record video with your episodes or simply audio, video with clear captions, quality audio, and an eye-catching logo (or OpusClip’s B-Roll footage) can entice people to download your podcast. 

OpusClip’s AI features are best for podcasters who are strapped for time in post-production and who use a script (of any kind) to guide the episode’s discussion. As noted earlier, OpusClip’s AI favors lucid, logically expressed arguments aligned with current trends. Podcasters who get to the point and follow their topic’s current events may find their results with OpusClip are more predictable. The more discussion rambles, the more likely you are to end up with video clips about Taylor Swift’s hair. 

Ultimately, if you need an impartial third party to select and edit promotional clips for your podcast and schedule social media posts, OpusClip can do that, saving you time and reducing decision fatigue. 

Spilling the Tea on What OpusClip Can Do for Your Podcast

OpusClip isn’t sorcery. It can’t turn any material into viral social media posts. Tastes vary, and one person’s trending topic is another person’s passé concept. What OpusClip can do, however, is select and edit a stack of social media video clips in the time it takes to boil water, relieving you of choice overload and saving you time.

Treat each clip like a first draft, and with an attractive brand template, an inviting call to action, and a few modifications to the clips that frame your ideas best, OpusClip can help you put your podcast in front of new audiences and help your show grow. 

Social media is only one part of a podcast’s promotion. If you want to go deeper, The Podcraft Academy has clear, tested strategies you can use right away, along with feedback and accountability to keep you moving. It is a place to build your skills, get practical guidance, and grow your show with confidence.

With that in mind, let us look at the pros and cons of going live, the gear you need, and the benefits it can bring.

62% of podcasters never record live, so broadcasting your podcast could be a good USP. Data from our Podcaster Gear, Software, & Setups survey.

Recording a Live Podcast: Pros and Cons

Before we explore the gear and workflows, it helps to look at the main advantages and drawbacks of going live. Some of these may matter to you more than others, but together they give a clear picture of what to expect.

Benefits of Podcasting Live

Audience engagement. Producing a live podcast episode allows the audience to chat directly with you. Conversation can make them feel valued, empowering them to recommend your show to their friends and actively support your podcast. 

Feedback for future episodes. When you podcast live, the audience actively participates in conversations about your show’s topic. Their questions, opinions, and information can potentially improve your show’s content. Whether the audience responses lead you to try something new that day, or in the future, you’ll explore your podcast’s topic in a way that has greater value for your audience. 

That “showtime!” feeling. Loads of people are afraid of public speaking. But, taking the spotlight (or sharing it with a co-host) in front of a live audience can put some starch in your spine. You may find you articulate your words more clearly or gain enthusiasm, even simply because this experience is new and different. 

Daniel Baden, of A Patient Story, told us, “I feel that with live recordings you get a more natural, human feel.”

Challenges of Podcasting Live

Attendance. It’s a challenge to get people to attend a virtual meetup. Before 2020, using Zoom made me feel like an admiral on an episode of Star Trek. Now, all webinars make me tired. Attendance is a gamble, particularly when your podcast has launched recently and you’re still finding your audience.  

Time constraints. When you plan to podcast live regularly, your schedule becomes less flexible. Typically, your work is self-paced. However, podcasting live on a recurring time and date creates stricter deadlines. 

Extra tasks. Podcasting live can add extra steps to your podcast workflow. You might have to learn how to use different software for the event itself. Additionally, you should promote the event not only in your podcast episodes, but also in all other marketing channels for your show. You can incentivize attendance at your live podcast with a prize drawing or a giveaway. Delivering that prize, though, may add to your task list. 

Katie Paterson asked podcasters for their opinions about producing a live podcast. One said, “I think live streaming is something for particular show types and audiences. For most shows, I struggle to think what ‘live’ brings to the table.” Another podcaster said, “Since it’s interview-based, I think it could bring a different vibe. However, I’m not sure about the equipment required, and what it involves going ‘live’ without the safety net of editing!” (Don’t worry about that last one, we’ll explain.)

As you think about these pros and cons, some may stimulate your creativity, and others may bring you down. Think about these variables when determining what you’re willing and able to do. In the meantime, let’s look at the fixed elements of producing your podcast live. 

Publishing Live Recordings as Podcast Episodes

After you podcast live, you can repurpose the content for future episodes. Don’t publish the recording as-is, though. Your live session will inevitably be filled with small talk, repetition, “Is this thing on?”, and so on. Edit out all the extraneous chat. Your diehard fans can experience the interactive live moment and remember it fondly. Then, let your casual listeners have the streamlined version. 

Whatever you typically use to record and edit your podcast, you may need to try something different to do a live podcast. Here are some of the equipment and software tools to consider. 

Equipment for Live Podcasting

Many podcasters want an analog, tactile solution to connect their hosts and guests. That’s where dedicated podcast recorders, such as Zoom’s Podtrak P4 and The Rodecaster Pro II, really shine. 

The Podtrak P4 allows you to connect up to 4 XLR mics, and you can include guests via computer or smartphone. 

The Rodecaster Pro II combines a digital mixer, audio interface, MIDI controller, and standalone recording in one device. Onboard processing can enhance your audio quality in real-time. 

If you want to do a podcast live, and audio quality is your top priority, either device can help you keep all aspects of sound engineering under your control. 

7 Software Platforms For Your Live Podcast

Data from our Podcaster Gear, Software, & Setups survey.

These platforms are some of the most widely used for live podcasting. The best choice for you will depend on where your listeners spend time and which tools match your style.

The right platform can make your live show smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your audience. The wrong one can slow you down. Knowing what each option offers will help you choose the setup that supports the way you want to host.

1. Podbean Live Stream

Our review of Podbean Live focuses on the platform’s utility as a remote recording system. Not only does this review provide details on how to conduct a live podcast with Podbean, but it also explores monetization. 

Podbean has been a dependable podcasting platform for over a decade. Their longevity speaks to their durability and willingness to listen to their customers. You can set up a live stream for free, so trying it is worth your while. 

2. Riverside Live Streaming Software 

Riverside functions best as a recording tool. Our full review of Riverside shows how it works. The live streaming feature is an added option (as opposed to the primary purpose, such as with YouTube). You can host a live podcast with up to eight guests and have your audience listen along or participate by calling in. Plus, you can stream your live podcast directly to Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, LinkedIn, and many other social media platforms.

3. YouTube Live Streaming

Ultimately, what makes YouTube Live Streaming stand out is its broad reach and easy access. The Pew Research Center reported that 85% of adult survey respondents and 90% of teens use YouTube.  Additionally, there’s a very low learning curve for creating a live podcast on YouTube or for watching a live podcast stream. 

It appears that YouTube’s algorithm prefers active live streams over pre-recorded videos. So, if you record your podcast live, YouTube may prioritize your live stream in search results over pre-recorded videos for the same topic. 

4. Twitch 

Twitch began as a home for gamers, but it has grown into a broad live streaming platform that many podcasters now use. It attracts millions of daily viewers, and anyone can watch without creating an account. Creators can earn money through ads, paid subscriptions, and viewer donations.

Amber Devereux of Tin Can Audio uses Twitch for creative co-working and podcast promotion. “I went with Twitch because it was a site specifically designed for streaming, rather than something which had the functionality tacked on.”

Devereux clarified that Twitch provides flexibility and customization for the stream’s look and tone. In Tin Can Audio’s case, Twitch displays the chat in a transparent overlay of the shared screen, reducing clutter from multiple frames. Plus, Twitch has spam filtering and moderation tools that are especially useful for solo streamers.

Twitch may not offer the same video quality as some dedicated recording platforms, and it is not focused on podcasting alone, but it is a stable, flexible place to host live sessions and interact with an engaged community.

5. Facebook Live 

If you already have a Facebook account or page that: 

• Is at least 60 days old
• Has at least 100 followers

…then you can use Facebook Live. You can also podcast live using Facebook in a Group. However, it must be approved by a group administrator. The group’s privacy settings determine who can see your live podcast. 

Users can also schedule Live Events in Advance. Users start as if they plan to go live immediately, except instead of selecting “Create Live Video Event,” select “Create Event.” This creates two Facebook posts: the announcement and the (future) live video post. At the scheduled time and date, Facebook displays the Live post in your profile, group, or page. 

If your podcast already has a Facebook page or group, and your audience uses Facebook, this could be a great option to do a live podcast. 

6. StreamYard 

This cloud-based streaming platform has a minimalist interface and prides itself on ease of use. Streamyard lets you stream live to multiple platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

I’ve used Streamyard as a guest and found the user interface simple, but the audio was compressed and tinny. However, Streamyard records separate audio and video files on each user’s device. So, even if your live podcast event sacrifices audio quality for connection, the recordings you repurpose later won’t. 

Unlike YouTube or Facebook, you won’t find casual browsers surfing into your live podcast because an algorithm recommended it. And, unlike Twitch, Streamyard audiences won’t find links to others’ streams competing for their attention. The TrustPilot reviews for StreamYard, however, highlight the difficulty of cancelling subscriptions, so tread carefully with their free trial. 

7. Restream 

This streaming platform is the choice of companies as diverse as LinkedIn and American Idol. Like Streamyard, Restream’s multi-platform option makes it a versatile solution. Restream can link your live podcast with over 30 social media or entertainment streaming platforms. And, Restream’s chat feature allows you to read and respond to audience messages all in one window, no matter where the messages originate. 

Should You Do a Live Podcast?

Going live brings energy and unpredictability, and it works best when you are confident with your tools. Having someone manage the chat or using software that handles it for you can help you stay focused on hosting.

If you want to try it, start small. Run a test session for a few supportive listeners and treat it as a chance to learn how live interaction feels. Their feedback will help you refine the format before you share it more widely.

Live podcasting can help you build confidence, connect with your audience in real time, and develop new presenting skills. It can also open doors to collaboration. If you want more ideas on how to grow with other creators, see our guide to cross promotion, and visit The Podcraft Academy for deeper training and support. We’d love to work with you in there!

This theory applies to more than just journeys: the Peak-End Theory can help you structure your podcast calls to action so that your audience remembers them. 

Many podcasters don’t know what to do with a CTA, so they imitate the ubiquitous litany of “don’t forget to like and subscribe.” But when you construct a podcast call to action intentionally, situated in the right place in your episodes, they’ll make a lasting impression on your audience.

First, let’s start with the basics.

What is a Podcast Call to Action (CTA)?

Exactly what it says on the tin. A call to action is when you ask your audience to do something. For example:

• share the podcast episode with a friend,
• review the show on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser
• leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube
• Follow a link in the show notes to visit the podcast’s website, crowdfunding page, or social media content
• send you a message or answer a question
• And so much more!

If it feels like your audience isn’t getting in touch or your growth is stagnant, your podcast’s CTA is one area where you can make a change. 

Types of Podcast CTA

Over time, your podcast will need to do different things. Some of your podcast’s goals don’t change, and some do. As a result, you’ll need to have different kinds of podcast calls to action and treat them differently.

Primary Podcast CTA

These are the constants that drive your podcast’s goals. If your podcast were a car, this would be its fuel. These CTAs are straightforward and easily repeated. You want your audience to:

• share your show with a friend
• return for the next episode
• check out your podcast website for more information
• contact you with questions, ideas, or feedback
• review your show on their listening app of choice
• follow or subscribe on their listening app of choice

Primary podcast CTAs are practical actions that prompt audience engagement and growth on any podcast-listening app. Ultimately, you want them to return for more and bring a friend.

Primary podcast CTAs are a constant throughout your podcasting career.  Guy Raz probably says them out loud in his sleep. Seriously, treat these CTAs like water droplets on stone. Over time, they make a big difference. 

Secondary Podcast CTA

As time passes, your podcast goals will evolve. You may want your audience to take a survey, raise money for a charity, or buy some merch. Those goals are finite, and they’ll vary.

The secondary podcast CTA doesn’t benefit from long-term repetition like the primary one. You may only repeat this for three or four episodes. So, you have to dazzle with this one a bit more.

Script the bullet points of your secondary podcast CTA. If you want, you can record it as a separate audio file. Then, insert it in the editing stage, or if your media hosting service allows for dynamic content insertion, you can use it there. Of course, you can read it as you record your episode. Make sure your CTA mentions deadlines or any other relevant dates. If someone shows up to a live event you mentioned in an episode five years ago, that’s not good PR. 

Your secondary podcast CTA needs more repetition in the short term than the primary CTA. Mention your secondary CTA:

• Briefly in the intro
• With more detail at the mid-point or peak
• Briefly in the outro (perhaps with a callback to something memorable in the CTA you used at the peak). 

Bonus Podcast CTA

If there’s something extra, such as bonus content only available via a crowdfunding campaign, this is usually something you share after you’ve given the audience a lot of value. Your most loyal fans will take extra steps to obtain it, such as visiting a separate website via a link in your show notes or paying a fee.

How to Craft an Effective Podcast Call To Action

This isn’t a recipe, but these principles will make it easy to create an effective podcast call to action that your audience can act on quickly.

1. Keep Your Podcast CTA Short.

You’ve already redirected their attention away from the content they came for. Don’t be an obstacle to your episode’s ideas; Instead, craft your CTA to complement the rest of the episode briefly. 

2. Create a Sense of Urgency.

Deadlines and limits provide focus. Don’t just say, “We’re giving away stickers to anyone who takes our survey,” say, “The first ten people to take our survey get a free sticker.” This makes the audience more likely to respond quickly.

3. Describe the Benefits Right Away.

Make the benefit clear immediately, so they don’t even have to ask, “What’s in it for me?” Instead of saying, “Buy our t-shirts and support the show,” start with “I can’t believe how soft and comfortable the new t-shirts in our merch store are! You can find out for yourself by clicking the link in the show notes…”

4. Clarity and Simplicity Are Your Friends.

If you make the request too complex, the audience won’t do it. 

Practice by writing, as briefly as possible, a sentence or two that includes: 

• the benefit to the audience, 
• what you want them to do,
• How to do it, and
• Why they should follow your call to action.

For example: “You can enter to win a $50 gift card when you take our five-question survey. Just click the link in the show notes, answer a few questions, and you can shape the future of this podcast.” 

What if your podcast call to action isn’t quite that simple? Read on, my friend. 

5. Put Additional Information or Resources in the Show Notes.

You can also link the show notes to an external blog post. Particularly if your CTA is a multi-step process, such as a giveaway, contest, or survey, pointing to a blog post saves space in your show notes and time in your episode. Plus, you can use a short link with tracking data to measure the impact of your podcast CTA. Shortlinks can be created using a tool like PrettyLinks, making them much easier and more memorable to read out on air, too!

6. Ask Questions to Engage Listeners.

They’ll instinctively fill in the blank, which makes them invest more fully in your podcast call to action. 

Which of the following statements matters to you more?

• “Here’s your chance to shape the future of this podcast,” or
• “Do you want to decide what happens in the next episode?”

Did you notice I asked you a question right at the beginning of that list? You’re welcome.

Where to Position Your Calls to Action

Again, peak-end theory helps you choose where to place your call to action. Think about CTA positioning in the same way marketers approach ad placement. Typically, you have:

• Pre-Roll: Before the main topic
• Mid-Roll: During the main topic
• Post-Roll: After the main topic

Including a CTA at the beginning of the episode ensures everyone will hear it, but this means you’re asking for something without first offering any value. This might deter new listeners checking out your show for the first time, or they may skip your intro. When you put it after the intro, the audience has more to care about before you ask for a favor. 

If you put it at the very end, then there’s minimal interruption to the episode, and your most engaged listeners will hear it. But the majority may have stopped listening by then. Some podcasters include a short, humorous moment at the very end to encourage people to listen all the way through the credits and a final CTA. 

Putting it in the middle of the episode, during the main topic, is a way to ensure everyone hears it at a time when they are most engaged. However, you’ll need some nuance to weave it in and make it a relevant part of the topic, rather than an interruption. 

Once, I heard a podcast host mention he’d written a book years before and how the audience could buy it, in mid-interview. He mentioned the thinnest possible thread of relevance to connect the guest’s ideas with his call to action. I hit stop and unsubscribed immediately. Don’t be that podcaster.

Sharpen Your Podcast CTAs

Think of your podcast call to action as an invitation, and use the same creativity you’d put into the rest of your episode. Give the audience what’s good about the call right away. Keep it simple so they can take action with minimal effort. When you position your calls to action at the beginning, peak, and end of your episode, you strike a balance between giving value and asking for support. 

Treat your CTAs like you’re giving something of yourself. This way, your audience will be more likely to explore your content instead of being distracted and jumping to something else. Pick one CTA tip I’ve mentioned, and try it in your next episode. Then, reflect on the difference it makes.

Now that you feel more confident and assured about your CTAs, how about giving your podcast intro script a once-over? These two factors can be powerful when combined and can go a long way toward keeping listeners engaged, driving action, and staying tuned.

Or, if you’d like us to review your Calls to Action and give clear, honest feedback, the Four Minute Feedback tool in The Podcraft Academy is made for that.

The first Christmas my husband and I spent together, he got me a bike helmet and a portable USB hard drive. That’s how I knew he loved me for my mind. The next year, he got me a USB mic because he wanted to support my voice.

Giving a gift that helps your loved one with their work not only shows how much you care but also benefits the audience for their podcast. Hence, this gift guide for podcasters helps you make the world a better place.

Before we dive in, a heads-up that some of the links in our podcast gift guide are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission. It will not cost you anything extra, and it helps us keep creating free resources for podcasters.

Books as Podcast Gifts

Podcasters spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen, and there’s no doubt that screen fatigue is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining.

Books are terrific gifts for podcasters. They can learn more about their craft, spark inspiration, and escape the screen. Here are some books we’ve either written or read that should satisfy any bibliophilic podcaster.

Finally Start Your Podcast

Some folks have trouble getting started and need a step-by-step guide. Not only does Finally Start Your Podcast have all the essential information, but it also encourages a podcaster’s work as their show grows. Beautifully designed in full colour, this is an accessible guide where even the least “techy” of people will be ready to hit record in no time.

Buy Finally Start Your Podcast

The Audience is Listening

Tom Webster takes a “tough love” approach when he reminds us that nobody deserves an audience. The good news, though? We can earn one. Tom is a fantastic writer who engages the reader immediately with his lively and relatable tone. Above all, though, he brings a much-needed reminder to content creators everywhere: It isn’t about grabbing attention, but sustaining it!

Buy The Audience is Listening on Amazon

Podcast Growth

In our recent Indie Podcasters Report, 72% of respondents reported that their biggest challenge was growing an audience and discoverability. Getting the word out about a show can be challenging, to say the least. Podcast Growth is loaded with strategies and tasks to help any podcaster grow their audience.

Buy Podcast Growth on Amazon

Profit From Your Podcast

Nobody knows podcasting better than Dave Jackson. He’s put together Profit From Your Podcast, which is something of a podcast monetization bible. If the podcaster in your life is already up and running with their show, this could be the ideal gift. They might even take you out to dinner with their newfound earnings…

Buy Profit From Your Podcast on Amazon

The Podcast Host Planner Journal

Studies show that writing by hand on paper engages more brain activity and improves memory. The Podcast Host Planner is a journal filled with worksheets for podcasters to complete, allowing them to refer back to their answers later while crafting their podcast. Over time, this helps sustain a podcast and make it more enjoyable.

Buy The Podcast Host Planner on Amazon

Instapaper Subscription

If the podcaster in your life enjoys reading articles online but would love to cut down on their screen time, consider a year’s subscription to Instapaper. For less than $30, this handy little app lets you send content to your Kindle so you can read it away from the phone or laptop. Pair Instapaper with Feedly for the ultimate distraction-free experience.

Get Instapaper

More Books as Gifts for Podcasters

Our Best Podcasting Books roundup is a treasure trove of tomes by podcasting experts that go into greater detail about aspects of podcasting, such as technology, gear, fiction, and drama. Knowledge is a gift that never expires, and your podcaster will have a healthy supply.

Gear as Gifts for Podcasters

We update our equipment guides every year and test and review new podcasting tools frequently. Some of our favorite podcasting equipment has stood the test of time for quality and price. If you’re looking for a gift for podcasters that will help them for years, these devices will do that and more.

Samson Q2U Microphone

Not only is the Samson Q2U one of the most popular mics in podcasting, but it’s also our favourite mic. The Q2U offers excellent value for money and plugs in as either USB or XLR. This dynamic mic picks up vocals without bringing background sound along for the ride. For under $100, this is a perfect gift for a podcaster.

Buy the Samson Q2U on Amazon

RØDE Wireless Go, Now in Fabulous Colors!

We love the RØDE Wireless Go mics for many reasons (not only because Lindsay doesn’t get to use the Ø character often enough). Small wireless mics are de rigeur among the Instagram and video podcaster crowd, so RØDE now manufactures them in eye-popping colors. A few months ago, models in black or white were backordered, but tangerine or lime? No problem! This is a gift for podcasters that can make the most of brand colors and visibility.

Buy the RODE Wireless Go (Gen 3) at Amazon

PS – if you’re looking to save money and buy a smartphone-first wireless lav kit, check out the Rode Wireless Micro and BOYA Mini.

Focusrite Vocaster USB Interface for Podcasters

Matthew has used the Focusrite Vocaster as his main USB audio interface for a couple of years, replacing his well-worn Scarlett 2i2. It comes in two versions: a single-input model for solo creators and the Vocaster 2 with two XLR ports. The design is clean and minimalist, and the built-in presets make it easy to get a polished sound quickly. For podcasters, it remains one of the best value interfaces available today.

Buy the Focusrite Vocaster on Amazon

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones

Bose QuietComfort 35 II noise-cancelling headphones are life-changers and sanity savers. Bose is one of the best at eliminating outside noise from the listening experience. And these pillowy over-ear headphones are luxurious to wear. Bluetooth connects these directly to a smartphone. As gifts for podcasters go, this one is top-shelf.

Buy the Bose QuietComfort Headphones on Amazon

Headphone Upgrades

When a podcaster finds a favorite pair of headphones, they tend to stick with the same pair for years. Over time, though, the surface of the ear pads will crack, chip, or flake off. The wearer’s body chemistry causes this, and there’s no way around it. Fortunately, you can revive a favorite pair of headphones with a re-padding kit. 

WickedCushions makes replacement ear pads in a wide variety of colors and patterns for almost every brand of headphones. Plus, they make cooling gel ear pads for marathon recording and editing sessions. 

For a more personal touch, search on Etsy for “handmade headphone ear pad covers.” Treat those ears to luxury with these handmade mulberry silk ear cushion covers, or these crocheted ear pad covers. Their favorite headphones will last longer and feel more fun.

Pro tip: Before you order, get the make and model of their favorite headphones, or measure the ear pads. If the seller knows the size of the ear pads, they can help you find the right gift for your podcaster more effectively. 

If your podcaster is married to a much-loved set of headphones, you can give them the option to turn them into a professional-sounding headset mic with the Antlion ModMic kits. These are brilliant for podcasters with limited space, or who often find themselves recording in different locations and need to travel light.

Buy the Antlion ModMic 2 USB or Antlion Modmic Uni 2 on Amazon

More Gear as Gifts for Podcasters

Our roundup of The Best Podcast Microphones for All Abilities and Budgets is the result of years of testing. It has everything from a gold-tone dynamic mic worthy of Elvis to a $45 USB workhorse.

And, our guide to The Best Podcast Equipment & Setup for Beginners & Pros Alike is a tried-and-true guide to everything a podcaster needs and nothing they don’t.

Clothing & Merch Podcast Gifts

Podcast merchandise, such as t-shirts, mugs, and stickers, are gifts for podcasters that do double duty. Not only do you give a gift, but you also help advertise their favorite pastime.

T-Shirts for Podcasters & Podcast Lovers

Our Teepublic store has a range of t-shirts designed for podcasters. From “Audio Changes Everything” to “I Like Big Mics, And I Cannot Lie”, these are great conversation starters for the podcaster in your life, enabling them to spread the word about their show freely and easily.

Merch for Podcasters

Speaking of TeePublic, you can also create tailored merch for your podcaster on their platform. They offer print-on-demand merchandise made by independent artists. If you have basic graphic design skills, you can design and print merchandise for your favorite podcaster with their show’s cover art.

Or, see which of their favorite shows are already selling their wares on there. Stickers are an inexpensive way to support multiple podcasts simultaneously. Plus, when podcasters cover their gear cases, water bottles, and notebooks with them, they’re less likely to get lost or stolen.

You’ll also find gifts like mugs, clocks, wall art, cushions, kettles… pretty much any item you can think of will be available with a podcast logo on it.

Education, Software, & Course-Based Gifts for Podcasters

Nothing endures like the gift of knowledge. Podcasting courses provide a structured approach to launching or improving a show. Most are self-paced, so the podcaster isn’t under pressure.

Consider one of these if you’re looking for a gift for podcasters that can last a lifetime.

Launch Mastery Course

In Launch Mastery, we walk you through the process of starting a podcast, from the seed of an idea all the way through to publishing those first few episodes.

Check out Launch Mastery

Growth Mastery Course

Does their podcast frustrate them? Do you wish there was something you could do to help? The Growth Mastery course can help them improve their show with promotion tactics.

Check out Growth Essentials

The Podcraft Academy

You can give the podcaster in your life full access to both of the above courses, and much more, by signing them up for The Podcraft Academy. Inside, they’ll find feedback, accountability, and practical tools that keep them supported, motivated, and moving steadily toward their goals.

Check out The Podcraft Academy

More Podcasting Courses

Our collection of the best podcasting courses shows you paths to greatness in any aspect of podcasting.

Alitu: The Podcast Maker

Alitu is an all-in-one app that helps anyone record, edit, and publish a podcast without the tech headaches. It’s perfect for beginners, busy creators, or anyone who wants studio-quality sound with minimal effort. A prepaid year of Alitu makes a thoughtful gift that removes the stress of editing and production. Its text-based editing lets users fix mistakes by simply editing words, and its automatic noise reduction tools make every episode sound clean and polished.

Check out Alitu

RSS.com Gift Cards for Podcasters

If someone you know is about to launch a podcast, covering their hosting costs is one of the most useful gifts you can give. RSS.com makes it easy to start and grow a show, and they even offer gift cards for prepaid subscriptions that last from three months up to a full year.

Check out RSS.com’s gift cards for podcasters

The Gift of Podcast Promotion & Growth

I’ve already mentioned the Podcast Growth book and the Growth Mastery course. If you want to help the podcaster in your life build the big audience you know they desire, here are some other potential gifts:

• Hire an artist to animate their podcast. A cartoon video of an excerpt from their podcast is a great promotion tactic.
• Run an Overcast ad campaign for their show. It’s one of the most direct ways to get podcast aficionados to check out their episodes.
• Advertise their show on Podnews. There, it’ll be seen by a who’s who of industry folks, including people from NPR, Spotify, and the BBC. Not to mention about 33,000 other podcast enthusiasts!
• There are loads of other places to advertise podcasts, too. You’re only limited by your budget (or love for a certain podcaster).

Gifts for The Podcast Lover’s Kids

Is it possible to get kids interested in audio while limiting their screen time and encouraging independence? Absolutely. Here are two brilliant options.

Yoto Player

The Yoto is a durable screen-free audio player with a massive ad-free library of stories and music. Big buttons or dials on the player help kids use it all by themselves.

Yoto audio comes on cards, so kids choose what, when, and how they want to listen. Or, you can create and add your own audio creations to blank cards. It’s all the fun audio provides without the clutter of the Internet. See our Yoto Player review to get the full lowdown.

Buy the Yoto Player on Amazon

Seedpace Interactive Player

Seedpace is a new entry in the world of kids’ audio players. It is built to stand out rather than imitate. Its playful design looks like a small robot face that moves and changes expression, which gives it a personality that feels alive and curious.

Instead of using cards, Seedpace relies on small, durable discs called Crafts. Place one on the player and the story or lesson begins instantly. The device focuses on interactivity, offering educational audio dramas with built-in quizzes and personalised stories that adapt to your child’s learning goals.

For a deeper look, read our complete Seedpace Interactive Player review.

Buy the Seedpace Interactive Player on Amazon

A Final Gift Idea for Podcast Lovers

Know someone who’s obsessed with a certain show? Why not set up a call with their favorite podcaster? Many podcasts have a Patreon or other crowdfunding pages, and a personal chat can be a benefit for donors. If you want a favorite podcaster to deliver a pre-recorded greeting or message of encouragement, lots of podcasters are on Cameo, too.

When You Give a Podcaster a Gift, You Invest In Their Audience

This past Valentine’s Day, my husband got me a BusyBox smart sign for my office. Either this is a punchline to a weird joke, or he respects my boundaries. He said it’s so I’ll have more focus to work on my podcasts, and I think anyone who listens to them would be glad.

When you give someone a gift that supports their interests, they know you care about them, you want to see them succeed, and you enjoy what they create. Validation and emotional support are the best gifts you can give them. 

And, if you’re a podcaster in need of some assistance, check out The Podcraft Academy. You’ll build the skills to make a podcast that people want to listen to, while investing in yourself and your growth.

Here’s a map to the traps that many podcasters tend to fall into. You’ll learn how to avoid these common podcasting mistakes – plus what to do instead to improve your podcast. 

1. Recording Before You’re Ready to Be Heard

When you first start podcasting, it’s easy to get excited and jump in too quickly.

I’ve heard people say they want to make a podcast because they “enjoy talking”. Some people will spend a lot of money on podcasting gear before they’ve thought about why they want to make a podcast. Others will hit record and talk for twenty minutes before they know who they’re talking to. 

Before you jump in two feet first, try to plan out the why, what, and who of your show. When you know your podcast’s purpose and what its unique benefit is for the audience, the audience knows what to expect. When your show satisfies the audience’s expectations, they’re more likely to come back for more and share your show with friends. Excitement is hard to sustain, and podcasting without a plan to support your effort is tiring. 

Proverbial wisdom tells us that “when you fail to prepare, you’re preparing to fail”. However, with a bit of self-awareness and forward thinking, you can create a podcast that motivates your audience to come back for more. You’ll see how that works in the next few sections.

2. Not Listening to Your Own Podcast 

If you don’t regularly listen to recent episodes of your own podcast, you won’t know what your audience experiences when listening to your show. 

Sure, you will ‘hear’ the show during the editing phase, but you won’t hear the conversation, which is different than just mouth sounds or editing mishaps.   

I’d recommend setting a standing reminder on your calendar to download an episode from the previous month of your podcast and listen to it whilst out on a walk or on your commute. 

You’ll be amazed at the things you notice when you get this “fresh ears” perspective on your show. This can be anything from annoying crutch words you need to quash to the fact that you’re never really listening to a guest’s answer and always jump ahead to the next question without picking up on an opportunity for a good follow-up angle.

3. Expecting Perfection, Quickly

Another common podcasting mistake is expecting your podcast to be perfect from the start. Perfectionism can prevent you from ever hitting publish and moving on to the next episode.

Before you start recording your episodes, take the time to familiarize yourself with the software. Let yourself play with recording and editing. Experiment with your mic technique. Make an episode zero. Play is what helps us enjoy learning how to do something new, and is an important part of the creation process.

Once you’ve gained confidence, level up and start recording the audio you want to publish. Then, you won’t be dismayed if something happens, like a power outage or a mean review. You’ll shift gears and try something different, or keep pushing through.

Your podcast doesn’t have to be perfect. What’s “pretty good” to you could be “just right” to your audience.

4. Not Having A Specific Topic

It’s amazing how many podcasts launch without a clear topic. When your show name suggests it could be about absolutely anything, it makes it a lot harder to convince anyone to listen or to come back for more.

Katie asked podcasters what the biggest threat to podcasting is, and many mentioned “raw, unedited, rambling conversation,” or a lack of “passion for a topic to motivate you to do the work.”

But, when your show has a clear purpose, and when each episode has a clear hook or thesis, that gives the audience something to hold onto.  Katie also asked podcasters about the biggest opportunity in podcasting, and Jeremy Enns of Podcast Marketing Academy said, “more indie creators need to be thinking… about the show level, the concept, the premise.”

No matter how spontaneous a podcast episode sounds, the pros have a script. That “script” could be anything from a list of bullet points to a 10,000-word screed. When you plan out episode topics and talking points ahead of time, you can sound great even when you don’t feel inspired.

Nailing down a podcast topic is something you’d ideally do in the planning stages, but if you’ve launched and your “what’s it about?” still seems a little fluffy, it’s never too late to pivot and find your niche.

5. Not Knowing Your Audience

Many podcasters, especially when they’re first starting, don’t know who their ideal audience is. They want as many people as possible to listen, so they say their podcast is for “everyone.” But this approach can dilute your content and make it for “no one”.

When you make your podcast for a specific audience, they’re more likely to keep listening and share it with their friends. They know “this podcast is for people like me.” Knowing your audience’s demographics, values, and opinions can also help you build a meaningful relationship with them.

It’s one thing to make a podcast about pro ice hockey, and another to make a podcast like Ladies Talkin’ Leafs. Not only do the hosts enjoy discussing the Toronto Maple Leafs, but their show also challenges the stigma and “gives a voice to the growing number of female hockey fans.” 

You can get to know your listeners better by running an audience survey or asking questions they can answer with a voice memo. Pay attention to what they tell you, and how they say it.

Take the extra time and make the effort to get to know who’s listening and why. Then, tailor your content accordingly.

6. Poor Mic Technique

Take time to practice good mic technique. Record yourself at different distances and with different settings until you find your Goldilocks zone (not too far, not too close, but just right). I’ve seen many podcasters get so close to the mic that it looks like they’re about to announce their engagement. When the mic is that close to your mouth, it sounds like a threatening phone call. 

Know your microphone’s polar pattern. I talked into the wrong side of a Blue Yeti for a year until I figured it out. Mouth clicks and noises, too, are a repellent rookie mistake. 

At the opposite extreme, I’ve seen ads for microphones featuring photos of people sitting in rooms with high ceilings and hard surfaces. If you can’t take reverb seriously, the audience can’t take your podcast seriously. 

The saying “practice makes perfect” is overused; better to remember that practice prevents sounding awful.

7. Aggressive Sales Tactics

No matter how frugal you are, podcasting still requires electricity. Expenses have to be paid, and monetization allows podcasters to keep podcasting.

But a common mistake in podcasting is allowing monetization to have too much control over your podcast. 

A study by Ad Results Media examined how many ads are optimal, or make listeners stop paying attention. Two is the maximum number of ads in a row that most listeners will tolerate, the study reported. It also found that ads that don’t match the audience or the content are irritating. 

Host-read ads outperform dynamic ads because they build on trust. But some podcast hosts slip sales talk into conversation, whether it’s appropriate or not. Exploiting the trust your audience invests is a big turnoff. 

Allowing a monetization scheme to take too big a portion of your episodes is a common mistake in podcasting. When your monetization scheme prevents your audience from getting value from your show, it undermines trust and distracts the audience from your podcast’s message.

In contrast, when your monetization matches what your audience needs and wants, both you and your audience benefit.

8. Long-Winded, Rambling Intros 

When podcast hosts start the show talking about what they did last weekend or the latest episode of a favorite TV show, this puts an obstacle between me and what I came to hear.

Some podcast hosts believe this humanizes them and makes them more approachable. But it’s a common podcasting mistake to have too long a warm-up before getting into the topic at hand. In short, please get to the point. 

Katie compared the intros of the top 20 podcasts, and her findings favor brevity and clarity. If you must have an opening chitchat, use chapter markers in your show notes. That way, I know I can skip the deep dive into a 2015 episode of Downton Abbey.

9. Vague Episode Titles and Descriptions 

Often, when I read descriptions of newly-launched podcasts, I find myself like Brad Pitt in the climax of the movie Seven. I feel like I’m standing alone in a desert, screaming, “What’s in the box?”

Poetically vague episode titles and descriptions are common podcasting mistakes.  Another is to tell me who made the podcast and how successful they are, rather than focusing on the content of the episode.

When your title and episode description tell listeners what to expect in the episode, not only will the right audience for your podcast press play, but they can also share your podcast with their friends more easily.

Tell me what the episode is going to cover, who’s talking, why, and what the big questions are. These steps give me just enough specificity to pique my interest.

We All Make Mistakes. This Is How We Learn.

Whenever you try something new, it’s impossible to get it right on the first try. Hopefully, this guide can help you learn from others’ common podcasting mistakes so you can avoid making them yourself.

Even the best podcasters slip on the ice once in a while. What matters is that they get up and keep walking, watching for the safe places to step. 

On the odd occasion when you don’t quite get something right, see it as an opportunity for learning and growth. You’ll always come through stronger and wiser on the other side. 

Want to launch a podcast your audience will actually care about? The Podcraft Academy gives you the tools, lessons, and guidance to do it right from day one. Mistakes will happen, but we help you avoid the ones that waste money, time, and motivation.

Think of it as an appetizer sampler platter: It’s a condensed, snack-sized, flavorful version of your work that leaves listeners wanting more. 

You could turn to the latest AI tool, say, “generate my press kit material,” and call it a day. That’s fine; we have a guide to AI podcasting tools to help you evaluate which is best for your purposes.

But when you know how to construct a podcast media kit of your own from scratch, you’ll better understand why and how a good media kit works.

True, it’s added work. But whether your podcast is an income stream or a fun hobby, a media kit is worth your time and energy.

A good podcast media kit does all of the following:

• Helps listeners find and share your podcast
• Enables you to build relationships with sponsors
• Gives journalists key information for articles about your podcast
• Shows your podcast’s unique value proposition
• Persuades guests to participate in your show
• Condenses and sums up your podcast for future pitches

Bookmark this guide. I’ll cover what goes into a media kit, how to make one, and how to use it to engage audiences, sponsors, and guests. 

But first, let’s get some terminology out of the way.

What’s the Difference Between a Media Kit, a Press Kit, and a Press Release?

Media kits are like press kits, for those of us old enough to remember printing presses (hello!). But unlike press kits, which consisted of text and printed photos, media kits are more technologically sophisticated and dynamic.

Free templates in Canva or other design software make a visually stunning podcast media kit that goes far beyond what’s possible in a Word document. But we’ll get to the how-to shortly.

So, What’s a Podcast Press Release?

A press release is one part of your podcast media kit. It typically announces something newsworthy, such as the launch of a new podcast, a milestone reached, or an award.

Press releases can be effective at attracting media attention and may be the first place people learn about your show. They normally announce time-sensitive news, meaning they’re a temporary tool, whereas a media kit is a long-term tool you can use year-round.

How to Plan Your Podcast Media Kit Like a Story

So, how do you create one of these bad boys? First, draft out your thoughts. Ask yourself questions like a journalist:  take a moment to write down the What, Who, Where, Why, When, and How of your podcast. 

Jot down some short answers in your podcast planner or notebook.

What is your podcast?

This is your podcast description. One meaningful descriptive sentence is perfect.

Who is involved in your podcast?

The ‘who’ of your podcast covers two things: hosts and audience.

So yes, this means writing a short bio about you or your business, but it also means writing a short bio about your ideal listener. It may sound strange, but you need to explain who your show is intended for. For example, “Podcraft listeners are early-stage and aspiring podcasters looking to launch a show optimised to grow and monetize”.

Knowing who’s involved and who your podcast is for is, to paraphrase Rick in Casablanca, “the beginning of a beautiful relationship.”

Where is this podcast from?

Did the show grow out of a team-building workshop? Is it uniquely Minnesotan? Does it occur in an unusual environment (such as Hostile Worlds’ starship Tardigrade)? Is it recorded in an unusual place, like your home, a particular recording studio, or a van? Tell your media kit readers.

Why do you produce this podcast?

What do you want your podcast to accomplish? Do you want to teach your audience about something or share a lesser-known perspective on a subject? For example, “Hostile Worlds is designed to teach the audience about the universe in an entertaining and accessible way.” 

When is this podcast’s information relevant?

What dates are relevant in your media kit? For example, is your podcast celebrating an anniversary? If you haven’t launched yet, what’s your launch date? Do you release new episodes on the first and third weeks of the month? Do you have an important milestone, like an upcoming live podcast? Is there a date that’s important in the larger world that your podcast will promote, such as Election Day or the start of fly-fishing season?

How can people listen to your podcast and support you?

How can people listen, get in touch with you, and engage with the show? Include your podcast website URL, social media handles, email address, and RSS feed. Link to your website’s “Listen now” page: here’s an example of the “Listen now” page for Podcraft.

Our free Podcast Planner tool will help you a lot, here. It only takes a few minutes to fill out, and it’ll provide you with numerous suggestions, ideas, and inspiration for creating your podcast media kit.

How to Make Your Podcast Media Kit

Great! Now that you have drafted all these thoughts into condensed statements, let’s move on to making the building blocks of the press kit itself. 

Your media kit should include:

• A fact sheet (as a PDF, with a web page version).
• A Google Drive or Dropbox folder 
• Copies of your podcast’s art and relevant images, optimized for web and print.

Your Podcast Fact Sheet

This is where the magic happens, and you’ve already got your notes to inform this part.

No matter what kind of podcast you have, here are the building blocks of your fact sheet:

• About (your podcast’s description)
• Who’s involved
• Target audience (who is this show for)
• Contact information (you’d be surprised how many people forget this)
• How to listen

You can also add some of these, if you have them:

• Awards and accomplishments
• Measures of engagement, like how many followers you have on which social media platforms, how many downloads, or what countries your podcast has been played in
• Reviews or positive social media messages about your content
• A special episode that you recommend people listen to first.

Type the answers to these bullet points into a Word doc. Then, copy and paste the text you typed in your Word doc into the relevant spaces of your fact sheet template. It’s important to type your answers out in Word first because design software can’t pick up on spelling errors.

Adjust the colors to fit your brand and add the images you want to include.

When the sections are consistent and everything looks neat and legible, save the document as a PDF and put it in your podcast media kit folder (more on that in the next section). 

Essentially, you summarize your show and what it goes well with, then gather the images. Once you put it all together, all you’ve spent is time and patience. 

Your Podcast Media Kit Folder

Some journalists prefer to work offline and would rather have the information about your show in a format they can save to their desktop or print out and read.

Create a folder with a public link, such as a Google Drive or Dropbox zip folder. Set the permissions to view-only and test the link with a friend to make sure it’s accessible.

Bookmark this link or copy and paste it into a note on your desktop – you’ll be using it often!

You’ll also want to create a web page version of your media kit, which you can update quickly and send to interested parties. You can make this on your podcast website or use a platform like Notion.

This version of your media kit helps your SEO because search engines will index the information on the page. 

Your Podcast Art

A journalist might publish an article about your podcast in print media. If they do, they’ll want a high-resolution image to make their article stand out.

Images with a resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch) or higher are suitable for print media. Images that load quickly on screen are typically 72 dpi and may appear unclear in print. So add both a 72 dpi and 300 dpi copy of your podcast cover art or logo. 

Save your podcast art as a .png or .jpeg to your folder, with a clear name(e.g., “podcast-title-media-kit-print-july2024′), so the recipient can find it easily. Put these in your podcast media kit folder. 

Visual Media for Audio Podcasters

Podcasters need to be conscious of the visual elements of their brand. Just like when you’re adding sound effects or music to your podcast, you want to be able to find and use your visual elements quickly too.

As you build your media kit, make an image folder, adding in images you want to use. You’ll also want to type up a note with the following information: 

• Your brand colors and their hex codes, for consistency
• Your brand fonts.

Put this folder on your desktop, along with your logo and podcast art files. Name it “[your podcast title] visual assets.” You can pull from this folder as you work on your fact sheet.

Here’s a deeper dive into creating artwork and logos for your podcast, too!

Should My Podcast Media Kit Have Links? 

Yes. It doesn’t matter if the recipient’s going to print the podcast media kit or not – they can still click on the links to get more information. Always link to your podcast website’s “listen now” page in your media kit, as well as to your podcast’s social media profiles. Just be sure to type out URLs and handles rather than hyperlinking them so they’re clear to anyone reading it away from the screen.

Additional Content

Over time, you’ll gather new assets to add to the folder. When publications write about your podcast, you’ll want that text in your press kit.  Transcripts, press releases, photos, and updates can also be included in your podcasting press kit.

Hubspot has some really cool free business templates to help you populate your folder with things like advertising proposals, event proposal outlines, and mind maps.

Make sure these items have clear dates and file names so that journalists can use the most up-to-date information.

Podcast Media Kit Templates: Know Your Audience & Niche

When I first started exploring media kits in Canva, the variety and panache of the layouts were staggering. But don’t just pick whatever template seems the boldest or attention-grabbing – be sure your template suits the answers to the questions you initially asked.

You want a template that accurately conveys the mood of your podcast. Consider your podcast niche and audience when selecting one. For example, if accessibility is important to your niche, Canva offers dyslexia-friendly fonts.

You also want to think about content. If your media kit focuses on reviews and descriptions, you may want a template with more text boxes. A template with more image spaces would fit a podcast that needs images (such as a fashion or woodworking podcast). 

What To Do With Your Podcast Media Kit

Once you’re happy with your podcast media kit, upload the folder to Google Drive or Dropbox. Make sure it’s publicly accessible but view-only. You can then link to it from other places, like on your website or in your show notes.

Typically, podcast websites have an “About” page, since most users don’t think a media kit applies to them. But the “About” page can repeat all the information from your fact sheet.

Link to your media kit when promoting your podcast to potential audiences, such as newsletter editors, journalists, sponsors, and other relevant contacts. You can even put the link in your email signature to save time.

When you invite guests to your podcast, share the media kit with them. A fact sheet describing past guests goes a long way toward securing that one fantastic star for your show.

Your podcast media kit shows them what to expect, how to prepare, and what your show can do for them.

Keep it short and positive, and they’ll be more likely to show up on time, prepared, and confident. 

Podcast Media Kit Examples

Here are some examples of podcast media kits that have caught my eye over the years.

Girl in Space’s press kit page uses bright colors and a Q&A layout to enlighten new audiences about this sci-fi mystery audio drama. Creator Sarah Rhea Werner includes a link to a Dropbox folder near the top of the page.

Civics 101 de-mystifies how the American government works, and its press kit’s clarity reflects its commitment to transparency. The high-contrast color scheme and straightforward language make the podcast accessible and simple to write about and promote. 

Click on the “About” tab for the Spirits podcast, and you’ll find a comprehensive and detailed podcast media kit, which even includes fan art. 

Make Sharing Your Show Easier

Whilst you spend time building your audience actively, a great podcast media kit helps you build your audience passively.

A media kit makes it easy for your fans, search engines, and writers to better understand and share your show.

Legacy media’s traditional press kit structure made it easy for anyone to write about and share the latest TV show, theatre project, or ice cream brand. When you plan the fact sheet’s content, package the information and images in an accessible way, and share it, it’s like packing a snack for your future audiences.

When they understand your show, they’ll come back for a full meal and bring their friends.

A podcast media kit is just one great way to help your show grow. In The Podcraft Academy, you’ll find many more, from our Growth Mastery course to feedback and accountability tools. We’d love to work with you in there!