How to make a podcast in South Africa – Details, episodes & analysis

From Johannesburg to London to Montreal—and now to the world. How did a chance meeting at The Podcast Show lead to South African podcasters using their shows for good?

In this episode, Paulo Dias talks to Jérémie Mani, co-founder of Podcasthon.org, about the third edition of the initiative—the first to feature South Africa and other English-speaking countries.

Find out more about Podcasthon and Jérémie below:

Jump to:
Jeremy's Background (00:01:24)
Journey into Podcasting (00:02:04)
Podcasthon Overview (00:03:44)
Charity Episode Mechanics (00:04:41)
Challenges Faced in Previous Editions (00:06:06)
Community Power in Podcasting (00:10:48)
Promoting Charities Through Podcasting (00:15:49)
Final Thoughts on Podcasting's Impact (00:20:48)
Future Plans for Podcasthon (00:22:46) Podcasthon homepage · Podcasthon on LinkedIn · Podcasthon on Insa · Jérémie's LinkedIn · The South African Podcasters Guild

Welcome to Season 2 of How to Make a Podcast in South Africa.
In this season we're talking to members of the South African Podcasters Guild about how THEY make a podcast in South Africa.
We uncover the stories and the host behind the podcasts, learn how they create their unique magic, and how they're growing their shows.

In episode 1 we're talking to Russel Wasserfall, who produces the award-winning show "A Table In the Corner". Russel covers the everything related to food in South Africa, interviewing top chefs, farmers, butchers, food critics, baristas, brewers, and more.

His show has grown from strength to strength, attracting a growing audience of industry professionals and devoted foodies. A Table in the Corner is a true success story in South African Podcasting, and Russel's has beaten a track through the wilderness that other podcasters could very well follow.

If you'd like to listen to A Table in the Corner, clicky the linky.
And if you'd like to hear more about Russel specifically, you'll find a special, autobiographical episode in which I took over his show and interviewed him for the benefit of his listeners. A Table in the Corner · The South African Podcasters Guild

This is part 1 of the epic saga that was my conversation with Francois Retief, COO of iono.fm, South Africa's largest digital audio hosting service, which includes 2500+ South African Podcasts.
Francois has unparalleled access to specific, South-African-relevant data and analytics and he was kind enough to unpack all those numbers with us.

This two-part series is about making podcasting profitable through selling advertising, and part 1 is largely focused on some foundational knowledge everyone needs to understand. What's does the South African podcasting landscape look like, how do you even sell ads, and who figures out how much money you're going to get out of those ads?

Here's exactly what we cover in part 1:
3:25 My epic beard.
5:26. How do brands buy ads on podcasts?
6:05 What brands are advertising on podcasts?
8:03 Can we separate SA shows from international shows?
9:54 Where IS South African podcasting right now?
12:45 Are recorded radio shows a podcast?
18:30 What's the addressable market in South Africa for podcasts?
19:27 Are there any South African podcasts making it internationally?
21:07 Where are all the podcasts for kids?
22:23 Roadblocks to podcast growth
25:18 SAPG's Plans for a top charts
27:21 Do you see any gaps in the market for specific genres
29:15 Who loves podcasts in SA?
30:50 What is the average income of podcasters who have monetised?
36:33 How Advertising Works
36:38 What is CPM?
41:44 How valuable is a pre, mid, and post-roll?
44:10 Dynamic Ad Insertion
47:21 Different ads for different audiences
47:59 Average CPM for podcasts
48:26 What is an average radio CPM
50:22.386 How to increase your earning with value, audience, and frequency
51:53.271 What's the average audience size for a South African podcast?
57:42.590 What's a good audience size for my podcast?
1:03:00.517 Okay how many listens do I need to make R10 000?
1:08:00.323 How many listeners do I need to monetise my show?

Look out for part 2, coming soon.
And, of course, a huge thanks to our guest, Francois, as well as:

Rebekah van Zyl - Audio Recording
Jason Hans - videographer Iono.fm · The South African Podcasters Guild

In this episode, I was very lucky to get in the same room with seasoned branded content creator Spike Ballantine. Spike shares his treasure trove of insights into the world of branded podcasting - an essential listen for anyone looking to break into this domain of podcasting that more easily brings in an income than trying to monetise your own show.

NOTE: Just listen to the energy in the room in this episode and you'll hear the difference between a remote recording and an in-person one.

**In this episode:**
- What branded podcasts are and what they can achieve.
- Going beyond the simple interview.
- Creating a pitch, going after clients.
- How on-location recordings add flavour to the content.
- Understanding the audience
- Spike's perspective on the current growth of podcasting in SA, and how long it will take to fully mature.
- How to think BIG and then make a plan to get as close to that dream as possible.
- What it takes to be a show runner. DBO Media - Spike's company · The South African Podcasters Guild

In this episode of How to Make a Podcast in South Africa, we have the pleasure of chatting with Gavin Kennedy, a seasoned podcast producer with an impressive track record.
Gavin has 11 studios at his recording facility. He's been involved in the production of hundreds of shows and thousands of episodes.
Who better to hear from if your dream is to go BIG in podcasting.

00:00 Podcasting industry still early; serving diverse clientele.
03:40 Affordable studios support beginners; space allocation crucial.
08:07 Focus on essential details, grasp client goals. Avoid distraction and understand business.
10:44 "Chaos Monkeys" book explores website design revelations.
14:57 Podcast answers FAQs to build trust with clients.
19:30 Content sponsored by legal firm for brand association.
21:33 Podcasts help gain deep expertise on topics by providing in-depth knowledge through research and content consumption.
25:01 Grateful for podcasting wisdom and experience. Thank you! The South African Podcasters Guild

In this, the first episode of How to Make a Podcast in South Africa, we talk about the thinking you do before you make the show. What are you trying to achieve? Who is your target audience? Do you want to monetise your show? Is this podcast a job for you or a hobby?

I could think of no one better to ask these questions than Gavin Kennedy, owner of Solid Gold Podcasts and Audiobooks.
Gavin has been involved in the production of over 350 podcasts and audiobooks, and operates a collection of 11 recording studios in Randburg.

Some timestamps for you!
00:00 Gavin is an expert podcast producer.
05:53 Video production for promotion of audio content.
07:30 Helping people articulate goals and find clarity.
11:34 Structured conversations lead to intentional and insightful content.
16:15 Discovering priorities through value-based decision-making process.
20:00 Leaving job to start media business.
20:42 Audience is product, advertiser is customer.
26:26 Creating audience loyalty through genuine podcasting engagement.
28:13 Competing in media space for audience loyalty.
31:28 Profiting from audience through courses and merchandise.
35:31 Podcasts help nonprofits engage and retain donors.
39:12 Part one ends, part two coming soon.

If you've got any further questions for Gavin, jump into the General Chat of the SAPG Whatsapp Community and start asking!

Look out for part 2 of this episode soon. Solid Gold Podcasts and Audiobooks · The South African Podcasters Guild

In this episode we have a conversation with Gavin Kennedy from Solid Gold Podcasts and Audio Books. We wrap up the first South African Podcast Awards, talk about what makes a podcast awards-worthy, get Gavin's feedback on his judging experience, and more.

We also talk about the challenges and opportunities around expanding our categories, giving creators feedback on their shows, and the dangers of awards-chasing.
The conversation wraps up with thoughts on the future of podcast awards and how to better support podcasters in South Africa. I hope you like it.

00:00 Introduction and Host Banter
00:49 Solid Gold's Award Wins
02:27 Podcast Quality Essentials
04:03 Judging the Awards
07:13 Challenges in Podcast Hosting
14:44 Engagement and Innovation in Podcasts
17:43 Awards-Worthy Podcasts
19:21 Evaluating Podcast Hosting and Creativity
20:01 Challenges in Defining and Categorizing Podcasts
22:01 The Role and Impact of Awards
23:14 Feedback and Judging Criteria
24:41 Reflections on the Awards and Future Plans
26:37 Addressing Category Specifics and Challenges
29:10 Sustaining and Growing the Podcast Community
34:21 Concluding Thoughts and Future Engagement Full list of SAPA winners · The South African Podcasters Guild

TikTok, once solely the realm of dance videos and lip syncs, now offers so much more.

To explore how podcasters can leverage this platform, we were joined by Morne Ebersohn, a TikTok strategist who helps brands and creators navigate the medium.

Could he hold the key to blowing up your podcast through, well, probably lip syncs and dance videos?

Listen to find out

Time Stamps:

Understanding TikTok (00:01:11)
TikTok's Growth and Audience (00:02:35)
Content Consumption on TikTok vs. Other Platforms
Customizing Your TikTok Feed (00:03:49)
What Makes Good TikTok Content? (00:04:36)
Algorithm and Content Discovery (00:05:40)
TikTok as a Discovery Platform (00:06:18)
Using Hashtags Effectively (00:07:45)
Video Content and Podcast Promotion (00:08:19)
Balancing TikTok with Other Platforms (00:09:41)
Creating Engaging TikTok Content (00:10:35)
Live Streaming on TikTok (00:12:41)
Pre-Promotion Strategies (00:13:45)
Storytelling through TikTok (00:15:28)
Primary Medium Focus (00:16:12)
TikTok Functionalities: Duets and Stitches (00:17:03)
Practical Use of Duets and Stitches (00:19:04)
Using Stitching for Content Creation (00:19:52)
The Importance of TikTok Trends (00:20:42)
Pressure of Going Viral (00:22:13)
Defining Your Brand on TikTok (00:23:30)
Monetising TikTok Content (00:25:22)
Brand Integration in Content (00:30:27)
Promoting Podcasts on TikTok (00:30:45)
Consistency in Posting (00:33:05)
The Commitment to TikTok (00:35:20)

Get in touch with Morne on https://morneebersohn.com/

________________________________________________ The South African Podcasters Guild

How important is interview technique, and how can you improve it?

In this episode, I speak to expert interviewer Wayne Turner, who has decades of experience in radio and podcasting.

With over 8,000 interviews under his belt, Wayne shares invaluable insights on the importance of improving interview skills, the need for continuous education, and the significance of active listening.

He covers practical tips on pre-interview preparations, building rapport with guests, and handling common challenges during interviews.
Wayne also offers advice on scripting and improvisation to ensure engaging and high-quality content. The South African Podcasters Guild

In this episode we test a few popular mics that are popular with podcasters, from cellphones up to R10 000 mics and talk about what to look for in a mic, why the most common mics you can buy are the WRONG mics, and why you should just start with any mic you have, even if it's just in your phone.

LISTEN WITH HEADPHONES ON IF YOU CAN.

Huge thanks to Tuerk/Turnkey Music for sending us a couple of mics to test, and also giving South African Podcasters Guild members a discount on a few different packages.

This is part 1 of our new series "How to START a podcast in South Africa", brought to you by the South African Podcasters Guild.

If you're a South African Podcaster, join the Guild at www.sapg.co.za and/or register your podcast on the SA podlist to enter the South African Podcast Awards. Registration is free and once you're on the podlist, you'll be considered for the awards.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:28 Importance of Good Sound Quality
00:59 We want to help you improve your sound
01:11 Mid-Range and High-End Equipment
02:09 Dynamic mics, cardioid patters, and test mics
05:46 Universal Audio SD1, Rode Podmic, Shure SM58
11:36 Buy dynamic, not condenser, Shure SM7dB
17:01 Cellphone mics
20:51 Hiring a studio for recordings
21:45 XLR vs USB
24:55 Laptop mics suck
26:07 Using Lav Mics and Other Options
29:56 Conclusion and Final Tips
30:45 Let's swap mics and compare Register your show on the Podlist to enter the South African Podcast Awards · Turnkey Music · The South African Podcasters Guild