This is me, Niall Mackay, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. This industry is becoming more and more crowded. I understand every podcaster wants their podcasts to stand out.
This time, I talked to Mark Hunter, Scotland’s first-ever podcaster. I loved this conversation because Mark did something rare. He made me rethink a few things I thought I already knew about podcasting. And he reminded me why standing out is more important than ever, especially now that podcasts feel like they are everywhere.
Nobody complains that Netflix has too many choices. Yet somehow people say it about podcasts all the time. So in this post, I wanted to go deeper into what Mark and I talked about and share the simple things that really help you stand out today.
Podcasting Is Big Now, But That Should Not Scare You
People often say there are too many podcasts. I hear it all the time. But I never hear anyone say there are too many Netflix shows or too many YouTube videos. Podcasting gets blamed unfairly.
Today, there are hundreds of thousands of new episodes coming out every week, but that should not stop you. What matters is being intentional. Standing out is directly tied to your ability to grow, get discovered, and eventually make money from your show.
Mark told me that when he started in 2005, the entire podcasting world was tiny. You could stand out almost by accident. But today, you need to understand how to position yourself. That starts with knowing what makes you different.
What Podcasting Looked Like When Mark Started
Hearing Mark describe the early days felt like a trip to another world. There were no smartphones, no podcast apps, no easy hosting tools and no video podcasts at all. His first microphone plugged into the back of a PC tower. That was cutting-edge at the time.
But even though the tech has changed, the heart of podcasting has not. It was a grassroots medium back then, and it still is. Anyone who has something to share can sit down, press record and put their voice out into the world.
That is what makes podcasting special.
Why Video Became Impossible to Ignore
For years, I was an audio purist. I believed podcasts were meant to be listened to, not watched. And when people posted videos and called them podcasts, I used to get annoyed. I let that go a long time ago.
The truth now is simple. Your audio podcast is the product. Your video is the marketing.
Video clips are how people discover you. Some of the biggest opportunities I have had came from clips, not full episodes. One of our early studio clients found us because he saw a TikTok clip I filmed in Saigon. A recent sponsor found us through TikTok too.
This is why you need some video presence if you want to stand out. You do not need to publish full video episodes, but clips matter. They are how people find you today.
How To Record A Video Podcast – 4 Steps For Success
Start With the Most Important Thing: Your Audio
Even though video matters for discoverability, audio still comes first. A podcast that sounds bad will never stand out. Brands will not want to work with it, and listeners will simply skip it.
This is one of the places where small changes make a huge difference. Many podcasters buy a good mic but never learn how to use it. I work with clients who struggle for weeks, only to find their mic has been sitting too far away.
Here are the basics that instantly help your sound stand out:
- Use a dynamic microphone
- Keep it close to your mouth
- Reduce echo in the room
That alone puts you ahead of many podcasters. You do not need expensive gear. You just need to understand how to use what you already have.
Good Video Helps You Reach More People
Once your audio is solid, good video helps your clips take off. When we moved into our studio and used proper lighting and cameras, everything changed. The videos looked sharper and had depth. They felt more professional. And the numbers immediately went up.
Mark said something simple that stuck with me. Great video comes down to two things: the lens and the light. Even if you are only using a ring light, placing it at the right angle can elevate your entire look.
I could see the difference myself. Before the studio, everything looked flat. After the studio, the quality suddenly matched the message. And that is what helps you stand out.
Solo Episodes Help You Stand Out Even More
Mark also shared something that I have been thinking about a lot. If everyone in your space is doing long interview podcasts, maybe you should do the opposite sometimes. Not always, but enough to be different.
Solo episodes help your listeners hear your voice and understand your expertise. They build trust in a way interviews cannot. I recorded a solo episode about how a TikTok clip led to a sponsor, and the response was great. It reminded me that people connect to personalities, not just conversations.
If you want your podcast to stand out, think about adding simple solo episodes that focus on lessons, stories or things you have learned.
You Can Monetise Even Without Sponsors
A lot of podcasters want sponsors. That is understandable. But Mark reminded me that most podcasters will not earn a living from sponsorship alone. The more reliable way to monetise is to use your podcast as a tool to support your business.
Your podcast helps you:
- Get discovered
- Build trust
- Show your expertise
Every month, I get messages from people who saw one of our clips. That leads them to the podcast, then to our website, and often into a discovery call. Without the podcast and the clips, that would not happen.
Even if you do not have a business yet, your podcast can still help you monetise. You can sell digital products, coaching, consulting or create a membership. Podcasts help you build trust, which makes everything else easier.
Final Thoughts
Talking to Mark reminded me that standing out is not about being perfect or having the fanciest setup. It is about doing the basics well and showing up consistently.
If you want to stand out:
- Make your audio sound great
- Improve your lighting and framing
- Share clips often
- Add solo episodes to show your expertise
Start simple and improve as you go. And if you want help making your podcast sound and look better, book a call with me at Seven Million Bikes. I am always happy to share what I have learned after hundreds of podcasts, thousands of episodes, and millions of downloads.
If you enjoyed this, share it with someone who wants to make a better podcast.
