How (& Why) The Architecture Business Club Podcast Is Changing | 108

Do you ever step away from your work and reflect on how

well it's really working for you?

When you do, it's a chance to improve how you do things and

perhaps improve your results too.

I. Do try to do this from time to time with all aspects of my work.

And I've recently been reflecting on how this podcast could make a

bigger impact with more people.

So in this episode, I'll be sharing some changes we're making at the

Architecture Business Club podcast.

I'll cover what's changing, why we are changing the format of the show, and

when the changes are happening, and stick around to the end where I share

an idea that I'd like your feedback on.

Welcome to Architecture Business Club, the show that helps you build

a better business in architecture so you can enjoy more freedom,

flexibility, and fulfillment.

I'm your host, John Clayton, and if you're joining us for the first time, don't

forget to hit the follow or subscribe button so you never miss another episode.

Hey everyone.

Thanks for joining me today.

Um, as I mentioned in the introduction, I just want to run through a few

changes that we're making with the show.

So the first thing I wanted to share is that future episodes

will be released in both.

Audio and video formats.

I'm really excited about this.

So previously we've done like audio only episodes and then we've recorded

the video, shared a few video clips, but um, we're making this

change and there's gonna be audio.

And video episodes moving forward.

So why are we doing this?

Well, simply because by publishing on YouTube, we can reach a wider

audience, help more people, and create a bigger impact than what will be

possible with just an audio based show.

Don't worry though, the audio version, it's not going anywhere.

You will still be able to tune in and listen to the show wherever you normally

listen to podcasts, but there will be a few changes to the format of the show.

So one of the changes is we'll be tightening up the conversations to.

Stick to the core topic, which means that we'll be trimming out a little bit more

of the, I suppose we call it the banter, the, the opening banter with guests.

And previously we'd, uh, I normally would ask like a non-top question at the end

of the interviews, a travel question.

That's also not going to be included in the main episodes.

Um, the reason for this is because, well, I'll be honest, YouTube audiences,

typically, they just want to get straight to the content that they came for.

Typically they're gonna be tuning in for the core topic that we're

covering, not the kind of getting to know you banter that we

sometimes have with the guests, and.

This was actually one of the show's original promises that we would cut out

the fluff and get straight to the point.

So episodes could be kept as short as possible to really just respect your time.

Um, this was one of my previous frustrations with many other

interview based shows where.

Often the interviews were really long and rambling, and they'd go quite far

off topic, or they just wouldn't have a clear topic in the first place.

Made it really hard for me to decide as a listener whether or not I wanted

to listen to the episode because there wasn't a clear outcome that

I was gonna get from listening.

So in a way, this switch from audio first to a video first production approach

is helping us deliver on that promise.

So does that mean no more travel questions at the end of the show?

Um, yeah, it does not in the main episode at least.

Um, so sorry to, to disappoint the, um, travel junkies out

there that might be tuning in.

I do think there is still a place for non-top chats with guest speakers.

It certainly helps the guest speakers to relax.

Certainly when we, we chat about sort of interest outside of work so they can

deliver a better performance, um, when they could do come to talk about their

main topic, which means that it's a better listening or viewing experience for you.

It also helps to humanize things, build rapport, and to be honest, I

just find it really interesting to hear other people's stories and to hear

about what they enjoy outside of work.

So I think.

We may still publish this type of content as bonus material, so perhaps

like behind the scenes content, which I guess would end up on a playlist, within

our YouTube channel, but it won't be typically included in the main episodes.

On that point regarding the, the, I mean, I suppose an obvious question

being, well, why can't we, why can't we just do a version that's just audio,

that's got all that stuff still in, and then another version that's video.

Because like most small businesses, we don't have endless resources

to just double up the work and create two completely different

versions of each episode.

As much as you know that, that may be amazing to do, that might

be something for the future.

But at the moment, we're not in the position to be able to do that.

So what we've done instead is adapted our production process.

So we can publish a version that does work and still sounds great.

Looks good on both audio and video.

So are there gonna be any other in episode changes?

Well, we'll be taking a slightly lighter touch with the editing.

So what you may not realize is that in a typical audio only episode, there

are often lots of little micro cuts.

Which if you're a good editor, these are not normally

noticeable for you, the listener.

These cuts are harder to hide when you publish a video episode.

Some cuts can be hidden on video.

We've seen changes zooms or maybe a change of camera, but not all of them.

So what that means is that you might notice a few more ums and

ahs or pauses in episodes, but.

Nothing distracting.

Sound quality is still going to be a top priority.

We'll still be cutting out any coughing fits, fumbled words,

background noises, wherever possible.

And we've already been testing this and feel that we found a good balance that

will work for both audio and video.

And I'm actually really excited about showing the video episodes with you and.

Quick spoiler.

We've actually used this editing approach in our previously released episode, so

if you've already listened to episode 1 0 7 featuring my conversation with

Natalie Dome about podcast guesting, and if you didn't notice much difference.

Great.

I mean, that's the idea.

We've already used this editing approach.

Uh, all of those edits that I've described, we've already used

those on that particular episode.

So what else is changing?

We are going to be having a change in the release schedule.

So typically we've been releasing one brand new episode every single

week for over two years now.

New episodes will be released fortnightly instead of weekly.

Um, and that's gonna be not immediate, but coming soon

they'll be released fortnightly.

The reasons for this is because despite spending quite some time tinkering around

with our post-production process, so we don't double up our work, releasing video

and audio versions of each episode will inevitably entail a bit more work and.

Again, to be honest, right now we don't have the resources available to

maintain a weekly production schedule and, you know, still maintain the

quality levels that we're aspiring for.

You know, whilst making that switch over to video.

I, I wouldn't want to compromise on the quality of the show or get completely

stressed to the eyeballs trying to maintain a weekly publishing schedule,

which can be pretty punishing whilst.

Trying to make this switch over to a video first approach.

So I've taken the decision that we will scale things back a little bit

and switch to a fortnightly release schedule, at least for the time being.

And this is something that I'm happy to revisit in the future once we get

settled into a rhythm releasing audio and video versions of each episode.

So what about the mix of episodes that you can expect?

So today we've primarily been an interview based show that is not changing.

Our main focus will be on high quality interviews with With great.

Subject matter experts, so expect more of that.

Um, you can expect an interview-based episode every fortnight.

I've previously made and released solo episodes to accompany

those interview-based episodes.

Typically, these have been released around one episode per month, so that

works out around about one solo episode.

For every free interview episodes.

those solo episodes were often a mix of stories and lessons from my own

experiences of running a micro sized architecture practice for over a decade

Now, solo episodes will not be part of the regular episode cycle moving

forward, although we may still release the occasional solo episode as a bonus

episode, or if it's in connection with a special event or promotion.

And again, I just wanna give you a little further explanation about the reasoning

for this, because since launching the show, uh, around two years ago, my

area of expertise has shifted away from practicing architecture, towards

making podcasts and creating content.

And podcasting has been life changing for me.

And that is something that I want to lean more into.

And whilst I believe there's still a place for that type of content here

amongst other business and marketing related content, you have not tuned

in to this particular podcast to hear me talk exclusively about

making podcasts and content creation.

You tuned in so that you could learn how to build a better architecture business.

So my intention is to stick to what you promised here.

So episodes about business and marketing for architecture firms

that help teach you the stuff you aren't taught in architecture school.

With this in mind, I'm currently exploring the idea of launching a separate show.

That is specifically about podcasting and content creation

in the not too distant future.

So at the moment, this is very much just at the idea stage, but that is

something that I've got in mind and it's another project that I. I feel

that it's important for me to explore.

Is there anything else?

Is there anything else that I've missed?

So the other thing is, um, just regarding ads and sponsorship, we

are actively looking for a sponsor.

For this show now, I'm not interested in littering these episodes with an ever

changing roster of, of ads and a relevant material that isn't helpful for you.

So.

Please don't worry.

It doesn't mean that each episode is going to be filled with

annoying and irrelevant ads.

We are looking to forge a long-term partnership with one brand that is

closely aligned to the mission of the show, to help you build a better business

in architecture and to give you more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment.

So rest assured that.

Any sponsor will be a good fit and will offer you something of value.

Producing a podcast is a lot of work though.

So securing a sponsor will help secure the long-term future of this show, and it will

allow me and our brilliant guest to keep showing up for you on a regular basis.

And it's also a great opportunity for brands too.

By sponsoring this show, you will be able to get your brand in front of an engaged

audience of architecture firm owners.

And raise your brand awareness across multiple channels where

we are actively sharing content from the show every single week.

And that opportunity that is not just going to extend to new episodes,

we will be dynamically inserting sponsor slots into our entire.

Back catalog of episodes because people are still listening to all of those too.

So it's a really great opportunity for any brands that wanna get in

front of an audience of architects.

So if you're listening to this and you know of any brands that you think

would be a good fit for this show, uh, you can email me at John, that's

JON, at architecture business club.com so I can reach out to them for a

chat about how sponsoring the show could fit into their business plans.

So when are all these little changes happening?

We will be switching to a fortnightly release schedule and publishing

a video version on our YouTube channel from January 20, 26 onwards.

We've already started producing the video episodes, so I might

even be able to drop some of those.

Onto the YouTube channel before the end of the year, and I'll also put a link in

the show notes to our YouTube channel.

So if you're not already subscribed, you can go ahead and subscribe over there.

So if you do want to watch some of these uh, episodes instead

of just listing, you're able to do that on the YouTube channel.

Okay.

I also said I would share an idea with you that I'd like some feedback on.

So here it is.

I'm exploring whether or not it's feasible to re-release a video version

of all, or at least some of the previously released audio episodes.

Now, most of these episodes, in fact, I'm pretty sure 95% of those episodes are.

Evergreen content that is as relevant today as the day that it was recorded.

So it does seem quite a shame to me to not publish those video

recordings where we have them.

I would love to hear from you if that is something that would be valuable for you.

If so, just drop me an email at John, that's JON, at architecture business

club.com if you would like us to release video versions of past episodes or if

you've got any other suggestions for the show or if you prefer, you can send in a

voice note via the link in the show notes.

And I do listen to every single message that you send him.

Okay, so just to kind of sum everything up, um, I'll just give you a quick

rundown of those changes again.

So there will be full video and audio episodes, tighter edited episodes,

so better suited for YouTube.

With a bit less fluff.

We will be taking a lighter touch with the editing, so you might hear a few more

ums and ahs, but nothing distracting.

New episodes will be fortnightly instead of weekly from January, 2026.

Episodes will still be interview based, the solo episodes will just be

occasional bonus episodes rather than part of our main release schedule.

And once we secure a suitable sponsor, there may be a few

short ads within the episodes.

So that's it.

That's it.

There was quite a lot that I needed to run through there.

Um, I just thought it was really important to share everything with you,

um, just to keep you informed of the changes that we're looking to make.

I wanna thank you for your.

Continued support of the show and I really do hope that you'll be

sticking around for future episodes as we've got some incredible guests

lined up to support you in growing your architecture based business.

Until next time, bye for now.