What do you do if your podcast is making these common mistakes?

Audio is such an important topic when it comes to audio podcasting. You can improve the audio quality by buying a new mic, but there are other options. You can make other investments that may work better than simply replacing your mic. Where to focus your resources for improved audio heavily depends on "how" you record your show. If you have a remote show, upgrade it from Zoom recordings and use something like Riverside.fm. If you do an in-person show, you can upgrade from doing it in a living room to using a professional podcast studio. You can also think of ways to improve your guest's audio quality, like making sure they use headphones and an external mic. This will drastically improve the overall audio quality of the show.

Improving audio quality can be made mainly by 4 ways (1, 2, 3 or the 4 of them): 1) Choosing a space with better acoustics for recording. 2) Get a better microphone or a more indicated for your space one. 3) Learn how to speak to your microphone and in the space you are. 4) Develop your editing skills more and more. If you are buying a new microphone, choose one that works for you. There are lots of very good mics that are more for music, of studio recording, or outdoor... ...and maybe you need one for voice, with gain regulation, or dynamic...

It is important to assess what is poor about the audio as this will allow you to improve it. Identifying whether it’s your equipment, technique or environment will lead you to many different solutions.

Lo más importante es identificar los errores. Mientras no seas consciente de ellos no podras hacer nada. Sé proactiv@ para mejorar la calidad de tu contenido y la experiencia de tu audiencia. Identificar los errores específicos es el primer paso, ya sea la calidad del audio, la falta de coherencia en el tema o problemas de promoción. Una vez que tengas claros los problemas, puedes trabajar en soluciones prácticas. Por ejemplo, invertir en equipo de grabación de calidad, planificar tus episodios con antelación y dedicar tiempo a promocionar tu contenido en las redes sociales pueden marcar la diferencia. Recuerda que todos cometemos errores, pero lo importante es aprender de ellos y seguir mejorando.

Poor audio is a result of either not using good equipment, or recording at the wrong place, or not processing the audio well. Tech is good enough these days. You can record a podcast using your phone. Poor quality only shows that you're not being caring enough about your show.

Unfocused content is a sign that you're not sure why you are podcasting. If you haven't figured out your purpose, you'll keep wandering and experimenting with different content and formats that won't add any value to the audience. Figure stuff out, know the audience, know the problem you're solving for them, and then fine tune further.

Before creating content, you can think about your target audience and ask yourself - What's the one thing that I want my listeners to take away from this podcast? And, how its going to help them? if you can answer this and then create your content, you will never have "Unfocused Content" for sure. You can also take the help of some tools like answerthepublic and others that can give you some ideas on what people are searching around your focus areas.

Have a persona for your listener and ask yourself anytime you are creating content, "Would X like this?" Often podcasters do things that they like but don't align with the listener. You are doing a show for them, not for you. Keep that in mind.

Set yourself up for success by outlining seasons and even series within seasons so that you don't burn out. That way, you can regroup and reset at the end of a season. Make changes based on data and listenership. AND create a new promotion plan for each installment.

Batch and program. Of course, you have to set a frequency you can fulfill. Try recording several episodes in one day, and edit them in another Block of time. Maybe edition is slow... don't worry, program the episodes as you finish edition of each one. You'll get advantage to the schedule and more and more each week. When you feel inspired try to record a lot, but don't publish immediately, program them and keep recording.

If you are in podcasting, you CANNOT afford to be inconsistent. Period. Think of it like your favorite TV show - if it randomly aired on different days each week, you'd probably miss episodes and eventually lose interest, right? Well, the same goes for podcasts.

Being constant with your releases is important. It gives a timetable to your listeners ensuring that they have some content from you daily, weekly or monthly

Consistent content is a key to achieve long term success. Quality content when delivered consistently can do wonders for any creator. Best way to achieve this is producing in batches and planning & executing in advance. Always have a minum buffer of 8-10 episodes.

Get feedback from professionals in your space. Have mentors you trust. Listener feedback is important, but remember that only the vocal 3% leave reviews and comments. While their feedback is essential, don't use it as the only feedback on your show.

Hosts who think they know best tend to alienate their listeners by ignoring their needs. There is a reason top shows have social accounts and YouTube channels - the comment sections and DMs are gold mines for listener information. This kind of feedback can help you create the type of content that listeners love and are willing to share with their circle and what kind of content or guests they don't like.

Being open to feedback is essential. Knowing how to find themes and who to listen to- is the only way feedback can actually be impactful. You need to know there is room for improvement, and that your audience is why you are doing this. Establishing ways for communication is important- and knowing what to do with that information is key. Have a clear understanding of what you are trying to accomplish and what's important, take in that information and find themes to see what resonates and what can be improved. It's valuable to be part of a community and have experts, coaches, or colleagues you respect that can help you filter feedback and apply it.

Feedback is invaluable for improving the quality of your content and addressing any issues or concerns that your audience may have. Make it a priority to actively seek out feedback from your listeners through surveys, social media polls, and direct messages. Listen attentively to their suggestions, criticisms, and compliments, and take them into consideration when planning future episodes. Be proactive in addressing feedback and making necessary changes based on listener input. If multiple listeners express the same concern or request, don't dismiss it – take it as a sign that action is needed. By demonstrating that you value and appreciate listener feedback, you'll create a podcast that truly resonates with your audience.

Yes, it is difficult to set a balance between edited enough and too edited. Time matters and you need to be productive. If your edition style is slow because you need it so, then space more the days between publishings. Resources are limited and you choose if you change to a lighter edition or to a less frequency podcast. There's nothing wring with that.

Consider Editing as seasoning in cooking. So never overdo it. If you take out every "um" or pause, the podcast might sound robotic to your listeners and might loose the Human touch of podcast. Rather, you should focus on editing what might distract them like - long pauses, some sudden sounds etc. Don't stress too much about perfection – just aim for a clean, engaging listen!

I don't completely agree with this. People don't care, they don't even notice this. It's the creator who has this perception. Anyway, keep the content real, authentic, and be yourself when recording. That's what people like. Don't invest so much of your time on this till you receive consistent feedback on overediting.

Overcomplicated editing often detracts from podcast quality. While it's crucial to refine content, excessive editing can waste time. Prioritize key improvements like audio quality and pacing. Streamline your workflow by using efficient tools and standardized processes. This ensures high-quality content without unnecessary complexity, saving time and maintaining consistency across episodes. Remember, simplicity is key. Focus on enhancing listener experience rather than minor details. By striking a balance between thorough editing and efficiency, you can produce polished episodes while maximizing productivity.

I never start a podcast (and I've launched over 400 shows) without a promotional plan. There is no "build it and they will come" in podcasting.

Think of it like this: You've got this amazing show with great content, but if nobody knows about it, it's like throwing a party and not sending out invitations! That what will happen to your podcast if you don't promote. And if YOU don't promote your wonderful podcast and just think - it will grow organically, that's another injustice to your podcast. So, go all out and promote. And remember, promoting your podcast isn't a one-time thing. Keep at it consistently, and watch your listener base grow like crazy!

Neglecting promotion is a common podcast mistake that can limit your audience reach. Ensure your podcast gets noticed by leveraging various promotion channels. Utilize social media platforms, engage with relevant communities, and collaborate with influencers in your niche. Additionally, consider guest appearances on other podcasts and reaching out to media outlets. Effective promotion is essential for attracting new listeners and growing your audience base.

When addressing common podcast mistakes, it's crucial to consider other factors for success. Pay attention to audience feedback and adapt accordingly. Continuously refine your content, engage with your community, and seek opportunities for growth. Moreover, prioritize self-care to prevent burnout and maintain consistency. By addressing these additional considerations, you can enhance your podcast's effectiveness and longevity.