PodCraft by Alitu: Honing the Craft of Podcasting

<p>Our indiepod legends have given us many insights, tips, and words of advice this season. They're speaking from positions of authority and experience, but they didn't get there overnight. On the final episode of <strong><a href="https://www.thepodcasthost.com/podcraft-podcast/essential-lessons-from-top-indie-podcasters-podcraft-season-20/" target="_blank">Season 20</a></strong>, we'll dig into what they wish they'd known before they started and ask about some mistakes they see new podcasters make.</p><h4><strong>Podcraft is brought to you by <a href="https://alitu.com/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=podcraft&amp;utm_campaign=shownotes" target="_blank">Alitu</a> and <a href="https://www.thepodcasthost.com/podcraft-podcast/" target="_blank">The Podcast Host</a></strong></h4>

<p><span>On last week's episode of </span><em>Podcraft</em><span>, we agreed that sponsorship was broadly overrated for the average indie creator.</span></p><p><span>But... that doesn't mean it </span><em>isn't</em><span> the right fit for </span><em>you</em><span>.</span></p><p><span>Maybe you podcast within a specialist hobby, professional field, or enthusiast community. </span></p><p><span>In many niches, sponsorship fits naturally because you're talking about certain tools, products, or services anyway.</span></p><p><span>Getting paid for those endorsements can help support your work without any disruption to your content. It's only a matter of reaching out and asking.</span></p><p><span>But that's the tricky part. Does the person you speak to understand the power of audio? And do they want to make a split-second decision based on comparing your download numbers to the social media metrics of your average "influencer"?</span></p><p><span>On this quick episode of </span><em>Podcraft</em><span>, I run through what I learned after creating a 2026-proof media kit for my own hobby podcast. If you're even </span><em>considering </em><span>sponsorship, I think you'll get a lot from it...</span></p><p><strong>Podcraft is brought to you by <a href="https://alitu.com/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=podcraft&amp;utm_campaign=shownotes" target="_blank">Alitu</a> and <a href="https://www.thepodcasthost.com/podcraft-podcast/" target="_blank">The Podcast Host</a></strong></p>

<p>Which podcasting best practices are actually worth your time, and which ones are overhyped?</p><p>In this episode, we take a deliberately opinionated look at common podcasting advice, tools, and assumptions, and decide whether each one holds up in practice.</p><ul><li>Good mic technique - underrated or overrated?</li><li>Written podcast descriptions - underrated or overrated?</li><li>Podcast show notes - underrated or overrated?</li><li>High bitrates and lossless audio - underrated or overrated?</li><li>Short video clips for social - underrated or overrated?</li><li>Researching guests and planning out interviews - underrated or overrated?</li><li>"Celebrity" guests - underrated or overrated?</li><li>Podcast sponsorship - underrated or overrated?</li><li>Intro music - underrated or overrated?</li><li>Hiring a podcast editor - underrated or overrated?</li></ul><p></p><p>We also tackle a thoughtful listener question on how to relaunch a podcast with existing episodes. The answer outlines a practical two-week sprint focused on SEO, guest sharing, collaborations, email lists, and early momentum, without relying on social media.</p><p><strong>Mentioned</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://beamly.com/" target="_blank">Beamley</a></li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/OAdPkrJs_rc" target="_blank">Rephonic Graph</a></li><li><a href="https://alitu.com/creator/content-creation/how-to-title-podcasts-youtube-videos/" target="_blank">How to Title Your Episodes</a></li><li><a href="https://www.thepodcasthost.com/promotion/podcast-promotion/" target="_blank">SCALE: Podcast Growth Framework</a></li><li><a href="https://www.thepodcasthost.com/planning/how-to-write-a-great-podcast-description/" target="_blank">How to Write a Great Podcast Description</a></li><li><a href="https://www.thepodcasthost.com/editing-production/hire-a-podcast-producer/" target="_blank">Hire a Podcast Producer</a></li><li><a href="https://alitu.com/creator/content-creation/kit-vs-beehiiv-best-email-platform/" target="_blank">Kit vs Beehiiv for Email Newsletters</a></li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Podcraft is brought to you by <a href="https://alitu.com/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=podcraft&amp;utm_campaign=shownotes" target="_blank">Alitu</a> and <a href="https://www.thepodcasthost.com/podcraft-podcast/" target="_blank">The Podcast Host</a></strong></p>

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

<p>Do you still need all the “must-do” podcasting advice that gets recycled every year, or has some of it quietly expired?</p><p>In this episode, we revisit a long list of podcasting essentials and ask one question of each: Does this still matter in 2026? We look at what still earns its place, what has changed, and what you can stop worrying about entirely.</p><p>The focus is on practical decisions, not trends. When consistency helps and when it gets in the way, why some advice was never essential to begin with, and how much effort makes sense depending on whether your show is a hobby, a growth project, or a business.</p><p>The thread throughout is simple. Understand why you are doing something, not just whether you have been told you should.</p><p><strong>Do you still need...</strong></p><ul><li>A podcast website?</li><li>A podcast trailer?</li><li>Apple Podcasts reviews?</li><li>A microphone?</li><li>A consistent format or length?</li><li>To launch with three episodes?</li><li>An email list?</li><li>To add metadata to your files?</li><li>Interview guests?</li><li>An RSS feed?</li><li>To listen back to your episodes?</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Also mentioned</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://thepodcasthost.com/voicemail" target="_blank">Get in touch</a></li><li><a href="https://thepodcasthost.com/podpage" target="_blank">Podpage</a></li><li><a href="https://www.thepodcasthost.com/promotion/creating-a-promo-trailer/" target="_blank">Podcast trailer guide</a></li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/OAdPkrJs_rc" target="_blank">Using Rephonic to find collaborators </a></li><li><a href="https://www.thepodcasthost.com/equipment/samson-q2u-podcasting-review/" target="_blank">The Samson Q2U mic</a></li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Podcraft is brought to you by <a href="https://alitu.com/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=podcraft&amp;utm_campaign=shownotes" target="_blank">Alitu</a> and <a href="https://www.thepodcasthost.com/podcraft-podcast/" target="_blank">The Podcast Host</a></strong></p>