“If I’d turned this on, even if I was interested in the topic, I would’ve turned it off immediately.” – Niall Mackay

That’s what I said during this podcast audit, and I meant it. It wasn’t about the content, Arin’s show, Rock and Metal Faith, has a passionate host, a unique niche, and great energy. But the audio quality was so rough that it distracted from everything else.

This episode is a perfect example of why good content isn’t enough if the sound quality turns people away. Arin’s doing so many things right, he’s found a clear niche, he’s consistent, and he’s genuinely having fun, but like most podcasters, he’s also hit some technical and creative hurdles along the way.

This episode is full of practical tips, real examples, and honest conversations that will help you make your own podcast sound and look better.

5 Key Talking Points

Niche Smart – How Arin carved out a unique space in the Christian metal community by blending faith, rock, and SEO strategy.

The Mic Matters – What went wrong with his microphone setup and how to avoid the same mistakes.

Editing Smarter – How Riverside’s transcript editing tools can save hours in post-production.

Artwork & Branding – Why consistency and small design tweaks can make your show look instantly more professional.

AI Show Notes Done Right – How to use AI tools without sounding robotic, and why a great hook line makes all the difference.

Chapters & Timestamps

• 02:00 – Meet Arin Hickman: How he started Rock and Metal Faith and found his podcasting niche.
• 06:00 – Tech Talk: His mic setup, computer upgrade, and the pros and cons of using Riverside.
• 13:00 – SEO, Titles & Artwork: How Arin improved discoverability and what I’d tweak in his design.
• 23:00 – Show Notes, Consistency & Audio Quality: My honest feedback on AI-written notes and audio issues.

35:00 – Final Thoughts & Advice: Tips for engagement, intros/outros, and improving listener experience.

Send us a text

Email me (niall@sevenmillionbikes.com) or contact me on Seven Million Bikes Podcasts Facebook or Instagram to book your free Podcast Audit!

Thanks to James Mastroianni from The Wrong Side Of Hollywood for the endorsement!

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