What’s Underrated, What’s Overrated in Podcasting (And Why)

What’s Underrated, What’s Overrated in Podcasting (And Why)

Author: Alitu via The Podcast Host February 2, 2026 Duration: 48:34

Which podcasting best practices are actually worth your time, and which ones are overhyped?

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.

  • Good mic technique - underrated or overrated?
  • Written podcast descriptions - underrated or overrated?
  • Podcast show notes - underrated or overrated?
  • High bitrates and lossless audio - underrated or overrated?
  • Short video clips for social - underrated or overrated?
  • Researching guests and planning out interviews - underrated or overrated?
  • "Celebrity" guests - underrated or overrated?
  • Podcast sponsorship - underrated or overrated?
  • Intro music - underrated or overrated?
  • Hiring a podcast editor - underrated or overrated?

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.

Mentioned

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host


If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the technical side of starting a show or wondered how to turn your passion into a sustainable project, PodCraft by Alitu: Honing the Craft of Podcasting is made for you. Hosts Colin and Matthew, with their three decades of shared experience, act as practical guides through the entire process. They move beyond theory, offering actionable advice you can use immediately. You'll hear detailed discussions on specific skills, from something as fundamental as selecting your first microphone to more advanced strategies like leveraging live events for community growth. The conversation also tackles the business and marketing realities, exploring how to effectively expand your audience and create revenue from your work. What sets this podcast apart is its balance of deep-dive tutorials on single topics and illuminating interviews with creators who share their own real-world successes and lessons learned. It’s a resource that recognises podcasting as both a creative outlet and a serious venture, providing the grounded, no-fluff guidance needed to refine your sound and build something that lasts. Tune in weekly for a dose of clarity and direction for your own audio journey.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

PodCraft by Alitu: Honing the Craft of Podcasting
Podcast Episodes
Our Episode Titles Are Better Than Yours - Here’s Why [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:07
A great podcast episode title isn’t just catchy—it grabs attention, boosts discoverability, and sets clear expectations for your audience. On this episode, we break down best practices, including ideal character length a…
Podcast Launch Hype Is a Distraction—Focus on This Instead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:14
It’s understandable why so much misleading advice exists around “the podcast launch”. After all, we’re used to the launch life cycles of products, films, albums, and books.After a few days or weeks, it becomes pretty cle…
Why You Don't Need to Spend More Than $50 on Podcast Gear! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:49
There are more mics, interfaces, mixers, and digital recorders than there are stars in the sky. In this episode, we delve into the cost of podcast equipment in 2025 and give options, examples, and recommendations for eve…
Why We Quit Our Podcasts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:54
If you've launched a lot of podcasts, you're likely also someone who's quit a lot of them - and that isn't a bad thing. Some shows and topics have natural life cycles, and whether we lose enthusiasm or just feel we've sa…
How Much Could I Earn From Podcast Sponsorship as an Indie Creator? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:31
We'll often say that podcast sponsorship isn't the only way to monetize a podcast, and for many creators, it likely isn't "the best". But all forms of podcast sponsorship aren't equal, and it's entirely possible that it…
16 Podcasting Myths Dispelled (+ Remote Recording Tools Tested!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:07
A bit of a dual-purpose episode this week. We're going to run through (and dispel) 16 common podcasting myths and test out eight different call recording platforms in the process.We recorded segments with Squadcast, Rive…
Everything You Need to Know About Making a Podcast Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:21
An effective podcast trailer can help you win over potential new listeners, giving them a flavour of your show. They can easily be played on other podcasts, which can also help you grow your audience. So... how do you ma…
Why Your CTAs Flop (& How to Fix Them!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:30
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 Podchaservisit the podcast’s website, crowdfunding page, or social…