Can you actually make money from podcasting? In this episode, I answer one of the most common questions new podcasters ask...how do you make money from a podcast? The truth is, most podcasts don’t make a dime but that doesn't mean it's not possible for your show. You just need the right strategy, the right audience and the right expectations. To help you get to that point, I break down what actually works, what to avoid, and why ads aren’t the only (or best) way to monetise your show. What you’l...
Jun 29, 2025•19 min•Ep. 130
Recording with guests in other cities or countries? You’re not alone. Remote recording is a BIG part of podcasting, and while Zoom is the default for many, it’s not built for great audio. So what should you use instead? In this episode, I walk through the best remote recording options and how to make sure your podcast sounds as professional as possible, even if your guest is on the other side of the world. What you’ll learn: Why Zoom isn’t ideal for podcast audio The benefits of remote recording...
Jun 22, 2025•8 min•Ep. 129
Using music in your podcast can make your show sound polished and professional but it can also get you into serious legal trouble if you don’t know the rules. In this episode, I answer a listener question about using music in podcasts, and cover when to use it, how to use it well, and how to avoid getting your episodes pulled down by platforms like Spotify. What You’ll Learn When and where music works best in a podcast Why music should never cover up weak content How to use intro/outro music to ...
Jun 15, 2025•17 min•Ep. 128
One of the most common questions I get asked is “What’s the ideal length for a podcast?” And the answer is…there’s no perfect length. In this episode, I explain what you need to consider when deciding how long your episodes should be, including your audience’s attention span and lifestyle, the quality of your content as well as your own time and energy. Whether you’re doing solo episodes, interviews, or highly produced content, the key is finding a length you can stick to consistently, without b...
Jun 08, 2025•8 min•Ep. 127
It’s easy to assume podcasting is a low-cost content format, and it can be. But if you’re in this for the long haul, there are a few hidden costs that might catch you off guard. In this episode, I walk through some of the sneaky expenses new podcasters often overlook, including tech upgrades, marketing tools, podcast hosting, and the biggest cost of all - your time. What you’ll learn: The real cost of starting a podcast Why free tools sometimes cost you more The one resource new podcasters forge...
Jun 01, 2025•9 min•Ep. 126
If you're trying to decide whether to release your podcast week-by-week or in seasons, this episode is for you. I answer a listener question about the pros and cons of podcast seasons and share why batching and taking breaks can actually help your show survive long term, even if it means slower growth. This is especially helpful if podcasting isn’t your full-time job and you’re trying to keep your show going alongside the juggle of everything else. 💡 What you’ll learn: The pros and cons of rele...
May 25, 2025•9 min•Ep. 125
Some podcasts blow up while others never get off the ground. So what’s the difference? In this episode, I’m answering a listener question about what makes a podcast successful. Is it promotion? A unique idea? Celebrity status? Or is it just about sticking at it? Spoiler alert: It’s not about going viral. But there are consistent things successful podcasters do and they’re things you can do too. 💡What you’ll learn: What big shows have in common (that you might not see) The eight things successfu...
May 18, 2025•15 min•Ep. 124
If you’re tossing up between a lapel mic (also called a lav mic) and a more traditional podcast mic, this episode breaks down the pros and cons of both. While lapel mics are great for video, they often sacrifice the sound quality you need in a podcast. I explain why podcast audio needs to be more intimate, and why your mic setup can make or break your connection with your audience. 💡 What You’ll Learn: The difference between lapel mics and traditional podcast mics Why audio intimacy matters in ...
May 11, 2025•5 min•Ep. 123
In this episode, I answer a listener question about whether you need to get your podcast guests to sign a release form when they appear on your show. While consent forms are common in the television industry, podcasting is still a bit of a legal grey area. So, what’s best practice? I explain how consent is usually implied, when you might need a signed form, and the simple steps you can take to protect yourself without adding extra admin to your workflow. 🎧 What You’ll Learn: Whether guest relea...
May 04, 2025•5 min•Ep. 122
This week I’m answering a question about podcast analytics... how do downloads work, what actually counts as a play, and how much of your audience data is real? Spoiler: It’s more complicated than it should be. 💡In this episode I cover… What podcast downloads really mean Whether you can tell how many people really listened to your podcast What counts as a “stream” (and why it doesn’t exist) How to get better data using Apple & Spotify dashboards Why audience growth matters more than round n...
Apr 27, 2025•9 min•Ep. 121
In this episode, I’m answering a listener question about podcast networks...what they do, when they’re useful, and how to know if partnering with one makes sense for your show. If you’ve ever thought “a network will help me grow my audience,” this one’s for you, because the truth might surprise you. 💡 What You’ll Learn: Why podcast networks aren’t a silver bullet for growth The minimum audience you’ll need for networks to consider you The difference between sponsorship and programmatic revenue ...
Apr 20, 2025•11 min•Ep. 120
In this episode, I answer a listener question about every podcasters obsession... audience growth. From consistency and content quality to SEO, guest strategy, and engaging your listeners I explain what actually works (and what doesn't). Spoiler alert: If you're looking for a silver bullet or a shortcut to massive downloads, there isn't one (sorry!) 💡 What You’ll Learn: Why podcast growth is slow How consistency impacts podcasting success The importance of high-quality audio How to use SEO and ...
Apr 13, 2025•21 min•Ep. 119
Not all podcast ideas are created equal, especially when you’re just starting out. In this episode, I answer a listener question about what makes a podcast idea bad and share the one mistake many new podcasters make when choosing a concept for their show. If you want people to press play on your podcast, your idea needs to be more than just “talking to interesting people.” What you'll learn: Why vague podcast ideas don’t work (especially if no one knows you) The common pitch that sounds good… bu...
Apr 06, 2025•5 min•Ep. 118
In this episode, I answer a listener question about protecting your show name (which we can all get VERY attached to) and explain why it’s not as simple as registering a business name or grabbing a URL. I'll explain how to avoid naming conflicts, when (if ever) you should trademark your podcast and why it pays to see what's out there before you get to attached to the name you've got. What you'll learn: Why podcast names can't be reserved The risks of choosing a name that exists When trademarking...
Mar 30, 2025•8 min•Ep. 117
This might seem like a simple thing to cover but it wasn't always easy! And making sure everyone can access your podcast from every link you send out is essential if you want to grow your show. So in this episodes I share a few of the options you have for a universal link to your podcast that will work for everyone. This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Wangal people, of the Eora Nation. I pay my respects to Elders past and present. EPISODE CREDITS: Host: Rachel Corbett Editing Assistanc...
Mar 23, 2025•9 min•Ep. 116
Today I'm answering a question from Katrina... Q: Is it easy to fix audio after you've recorded it? Unfortunately, not always! And sometimes, even when you can fix it, it comes at the expense of your voice because if you're removing sound from the background you're also removing sound from your voice. That can make you sound more robotic and less warm and like a real person. And in a podcast, that's not what you want. This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Wangal people, of the Eora Natio...
Mar 16, 2025•6 min•Ep. 115
Today I'm answering a question from Ottilie... Q: Is it better to start with an audio only format or dive straight in to you Tube? Pros' and cons?? Video has become a point of OBSESSION in podcasting and everyone is starting to feel like if they're not filming full length episodes of their podcasts and putting them on YouTube their show will never be a success. But that's absolutely not the case. Full length video episodes work brilliantly for some shows and are an absolute waste of resources fo...
Mar 09, 2025•14 min•Ep. 114
Today I'm answering a question from Allan... Q: Is it necessary to have a social media page whilst podcasting? If you're anything like me, you'll try to do anything you can to avoid social media. But unfortunately, if you're build an audience for your podcast from scratch you're probably going to need it. This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Wangal people, of the Eora Nation. I pay my respects to Elders past and present. EPISODE CREDITS: Host: Rachel Corbett Editing Assistance: Josh New...
Mar 02, 2025•7 min•Ep. 113
Today I'm answering this question from Donna... Q: In the beginning if weekly too hard to commit to, can you start once a fortnight? Isn't it better to have a crack and then increase it to weekly over time? If releasing your show fortnightly or monthly is going to mean the difference between your show getting out there or never seeing the light of day then you can definitely work on a frequency that suits you. The main thing you MUST do, whatever frequency you choose, is be consistent. This podc...
Feb 23, 2025•5 min•Ep. 112
Today's question is from Angie... Q: Is it ok to edit an interview down? The short answer? Absolutely. In fact, there's nothing that should be going out to your audience without editing. Cutting down an interview isn't about manipulating what your guest is saying, or not respecting the time they gave you. It's about ensuring the content that makes it's way to your audience is the absolute best it can be. This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Wangal people, of the Eora Nation. I pay my re...
Feb 16, 2025•6 min•Ep. 111
In today's episode I'm answering this question from Amy: "I really want to start my podcast this year, but I've heard you talk a lot about the fact that a lot of podcasts don't make it. How do I make sure mine does?" This question is all about the concept of podfade, where a podcast fades into oblivion after around about seven to ten episodes (sometimes less). This happens for a bunch of reasons including people being disappointed their audience isn't bigger, not having enough ideas to keep the ...
Feb 10, 2025•14 min•Ep. 110
If you've put "Start my own podcast" on your to do list AGAIN this year, in this episode I share the top five things you need to do to get your podcast started so you can finally cross it off! A lot of people jump into podcasting and give up after only a few episodes because they don't understand what they're getting into or what it takes to create a successful show. So I hope these tips help you understand what it takes to start a podcast and keep it going over the long term. This podcast was r...
Feb 02, 2025•15 min•Ep. 109
Wondering what all the fuss is about when it comes to YouTube Podcasts? Not sure if you're going to need a complicated video set up to submit your show? Rachel Corbett takes you through what YouTube Podcasts is all about and why you should think about it as a new distribution platform for your podcast. Got a podcasting question you want answered? Let me know via this Google Form. Want more information about how YouTube Podcasting works? Check out YouTube's support pages . About me… My name is Ra...
Dec 17, 2023•17 min•Ep. 108
Podcasting is a great way to get your message out into the world but it’s also a lot of hard work. For every show that’s listened to by millions of people, there are hundreds with an audience consisting of the host and his or her mum. So before you buy the latest gear, don the headphones, and start sprinting towards your dreams of podcasting glory, I share some questions you should ask yourself to work out whether you should start a podcast. Check out the full episode show notes: https://rachelc...
Nov 08, 2020•10 min•Season 1Ep. 107
Launching a podcast is hard at the best of times but what if you’ve got no social media following or email list to share your show with? If you’re starting from scratch that doesn’t mean your show can’t be a success. In this episode I share how to launch a podcast with no following so you can bring new listeners to your show and make it a success. Check out the full episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/blog/podcast-launch-no-following/ About me… My name is Rachel Corbett and I've wor...
Nov 01, 2020•9 min•Season 1Ep. 106
The Apple Podcasts charts are one of the ways people find new shows. So how do they work and how do you get your podcast in there? In this episode I explain what goes on behind the scenes of the podcast charts, what stats influence them the most and why you don’t need a huge amount of listeners to get featured. Check out the full episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/blog/podcast-charts/ About me… My name is Rachel Corbett and I've worked professionally for almost two decades in radio...
Oct 25, 2020•4 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Not sure what all the numbers are in the back end of your podcast host? Podcast stats are really important but they’re not a perfect science. In this episode I explain what some of the most common podcast statistics mean, which ones you can rely on and the best way to use them to measure the success of your show. Check out the full episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/podcast-stats/ About me… My name is Rachel Corbett and I've worked professionally for almost two decades in radio and...
Oct 18, 2020•9 min•Season 1Ep. 104
Releasing a podcast episode is already a pretty involved process so I’m sure you’re not looking for more things to add on your to do list. But if the only content you’re creating is the actual episode you’re missing a huge opportunity. If you’re going to put that much time and effort into releasing an episode you want to squeeze as much content out of that time as possible. So, in this episode I share how you can turn one podcast episode into multiple pieces of content which can not only help yo...
Oct 11, 2020•14 min•Season 1Ep. 103
If you want to launch a successful podcast there are a lot of things you need to think about both before you get started and once your show is live. Making your podcast a success takes a lot of hard work and consistency in both creating content and promoting it. So how can you make sure you give yourself the best chance of nailing it? In this episode I take you through some really practical ways to improve your chances of podcast success so you don’t become one of the millions of shows that podf...
Oct 04, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 102
Wondering what steps are involved in starting up a podcast? There’s a lot to do before you’ve pressed publish on your first episode so in this episode I step you through everything from coming up with an idea all the way through to getting your show into podcast directories like Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. At the end of this episode you’ll know everything you need to do to launch your own podcast. Check out the full episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/how-to-start-a...
Sep 27, 2020•12 min•Season 1Ep. 101
