About this episode
What can indie podcasters learn from building a podcast software company from the ground up?In this episode of PodBiz, Norma Jean Belenky speaks with Mark Asquith, co-founder and Managing Director of Captivate, about building a service-first software company, Captivate’s acquisition by Global, and how the independent creator economy continues to evolve. Mark shares why putting people and experience first has been his guiding principle- and how that mindset benefits both software companies and podcasters alike.As he puts it:“Give people the best experience every time they interact with you or your brand, no matter the outlet.”Here are some insightful moments from the episode:How podcasting’s revenue streams have diversified since 2014Why the top 1% of shows will always attract the biggest ad spend—and how indie creators can still winHow Captivate built a loyal audience through service, not just softwareLessons from Captivate’s acquisition by Global and what changed afterwardWhy putting experience first is the best growth strategyWhat the rise of mainstream podcast awareness means for indie creatorsMark Asquith is the co-founder and Managing Director of Captivate, a UK-based podcast hosting, analytics, and monetization platform acquired by Global in 2021. Known as “That British Podcast Guy,” Mark is one of the United Kingdom’s original podcasting experts and is recognized worldwide as an insightful, thought-provoking, and actionable podcast industry keynote speaker. A creator, startup founder, and advocate for independent podcasters for over a decade, Mark has built his career on a service-first approach, focusing on brand experience, community, and creator support.Connect with Mark on LinkedInLearn more at Captivate.fmEpisode Chapters00:29 – Where’s the Money? | How podcast monetization has evolved03:51 – New Revenue Streams | Live events, subscriptions, fan engagement04:59 – How Mark Got Started | From pop culture podcasting to software founder08:10 – People First | Why service and experience drive success12:21 – Captivate’s Differentiator | More than a software company14:07 – Starting Over? | Why he wouldn’t change a thing15:33 – The Global Acquisition | How it happened and what stayed the same19:17 – The Ripple Effect | How mainstream deals helped indie podcastersSome Additional PodBiz Buzz...“Treat everyone with the same level
