Saspod, a Glasgow-based podcast company, is on a mission to connect podcast creators and production technology by offering integrated hosting and production services, functions that are typically separated in the industry. Founded in May 2019 by Bogdan Bratis, Saspod offers podcast production, hosting, and development services to creators and businesses worldwide that require professional-quality content but lack the necessary technical expertise.

“We create podcasts that work, not just simple podcasts,” says Bogdan. “We’re not a one-size-fits-all agency. We’re honest with clients and give each a personalized experience.” This consultative approach is central to how Saspod operates, challenging clients to ensure their podcasts are created with purpose.

Launched initially as Saw and Sine, Saspod’s breakthrough came during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I caught the wave during COVID,” Bogdan recalls. “Suddenly, clients wanted to record podcasts online and needed a solution to turn them into professional, listenable shows or video podcasts.”

Bogdan’s own journey to podcast entrepreneurship began in music. A finalist on “X Factor Romania” in 2013, he enjoyed fame in his home country before relocating to the UK in 2015. “Going from someone recognized for doing something great to feeling like nobody notices was quite depressing,” he recalls.

While pursuing a degree in Popular Music Production at Solent University in Southampton, where he graduated with first-class honors, Bogdan experienced a shift in perspective. “During university, I realized music is also a business. I started thinking more like a businessman than a musician.”

This business-minded approach led him to explore audio opportunities beyond the music industry. “I looked for ways to use audio to serve markets, and that’s when I discovered podcasting as a great medium,” Bogdan says.

Creating Value Through Podcast Development

Saspod distinguishes itself by aligning projects with client goals rather than executing requests blindly. “We don’t want people to start a podcast just for the sake of it. We make sure they do it for the right reasons and that the podcast delivers results,” Bogdan says.

He likens podcasting to a commercial enterprise. “Starting without a strategy is risky. Podcasting is almost like a business within a business.”

Saspod’s full-service model combines production expertise with technological development. “We’re one of the few agencies with hosting built into our infrastructure,” Bogdan says, allowing clients to manage production and distribution in a single ecosystem.

The Affiliate Program: A New Revenue Stream for Creators

Recognizing the challenges creators face in monetizing content, Bogdan developed Saspod’s affiliate program. Launched in July, it addresses a key barrier: attracting sponsors without a large audience. “To get a sponsor, you often need at least 1,000 downloads per episode. Many creators don’t reach that, even if the show is great,” he explains.

The program provides an alternative revenue stream. “We launched it to give clients and collaborators a way to earn by promoting us,” Bogdan says. Participants earn a 15% recurring commission on any clients they refer who sign up for Saspod’s services.

“This is valuable because the revenue doesn’t stop. Some clients pay $4,000 a month for services, so 15% from just one client is significant,” Bogdan says.

The process for joining is simple: interested creators, studios, and marketing professionals can apply online, receive a tracking link, and start earning.

The State of Podcasting: Growth and Challenges

Despite podcasting’s origins in the early 2000s, Bogdan sees the industry as still in its early growth stages. “Podcasting really became popular in the last five or six years,” he notes.

According to Bogdan, however, technology remains underdeveloped. “We still rely on the classic RSS [Really Simple Syndication] feeds. Podcasting 2.0 could improve monetization through RSS,” he explains.

Podcast abandonment, also known as “pod fade,” is a common phenomenon. “Many shows don’t go past their seventh or tenth episode. Producing a podcast is a demanding process; it requires research, post-production, marketing, and content repurposing. It’s not a one-person job,” Bogdan says.

Industry Concerns and Future Plans

Bogdan expresses concern about two major trends: centralization and the use of AI-generated content. Regarding centralization, he worries that major technology companies are attempting to monopolize podcasting. “Big players are trying to fence in podcasting, controlling the industry,” he observes.

On AI content, he adds, “The genuineness of podcasting fades with AI. At the end of the day, podcasting is a human-to-human connection. If you use AI, that connection is gone.”

Looking forward, Bogdan has set a measured growth target of 100 participants for the affiliate program in its first year. Beyond this, Saspod is developing podcast marketing services. “We want to help clients not just produce shows, but promote them to reach bigger audiences,” he concludes.

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