What Makes a Good Podcast?
5 Mistakes Most Shows Still Make
Podcasting has exploded in popularity during the last 20 years, and there are now literally millions of shows to choose from.
Yet an April 2022 survey from amplifi.media found that only 32% of shows have made 10 or more episodes. Of those, only 8% put out a new episode that week. Even many of the podcasts that regularly produce fresh content struggle to gain more than a handful of listeners.
If you’re in this position you might wonder what you’re doing wrong - our team in Manchester are regularly asked about the most effective ways to grow a podcast audience.
The reality is that there are 5 mistakes that podcasters regularly make when they’re producing episodes which can affect their ability to get their content out there and attract regular listeners. However, the good news is that all these mistakes are easy to fix. We’ve put together this blog to show you these common errors, with some suggestions on how to put them right.
5 major podcasting mistakes to avoid
1. Poor Audio Quality
Echoey or distorted sound is one of the fastest ways to lose listeners. Episodes can also be spoiled due to audio sounding like it is ‘underwater’ due to poor editing, or volume that is too low or high. With podcasts increasingly moving to video, poor quality images can also put listeners and viewers off.
Investing in decent equipment and ensuring you record in a quiet place can make a huge difference to the sound of your show. If you’re editing your show yourself, adjusting the gain can ensure that background sounds are minimised when you record.
Our Manchester studio is fully soundproof, and our studio manager is always available to offer technical support and editing help.
2. Lack of targeting
When you start a podcast, think carefully about who your audience is. If you try to please everyone, you will probably end up pleasing no-one. Do some research about who listens to the kind of show you are thinking about running, and don’t be afraid to make it ‘niche’ if you are truly passionate about a topic, as there is something out there for everyone.
3. Ineffective promotion
Promoting a podcast can be daunting and it is often hard to know where to start. Many podcasters do not invest enough time in marketing their podcast, but without this, it is hard for potential listeners to find out it exists.
One basic tip is to ensure that your podcast is available on major platforms such as Apple, Spotify and others. If you are signed up to a podcast platform such as Acast or Podbean, they will show you how to do this when you validate your show. However, it is also important to maintain a presence on social media platforms.
Many podcasters also have their own dedicated website and an email newsletter where their followers can subscribe and get personalised content.
4. Lack of consistency
Many shows lose listeners because they put content out sporadically. If you take a long break it can be hard to regain listeners again. Try to schedule your episodes so that they come out on the same day and at the same time (early in the morning is often good, so that people can listen on their way to work). Many listeners look forward to seeing a new episode on the same day each week or month.
However, if you end up pushing yourself to do your show too frequently you can end up burning yourself out. If you struggle to maintain a regular schedule, it may be easier to record several episodes in a block and then schedule them in advance. There is also nothing wrong with making your episodes bi-weekly or monthly, or having seasons, so long as you are consistent.
5. Not giving yourself grace
Everyone makes mistakes during podcasting, and even the most successful shows have ‘dud’ episodes or episodes that could have been edited better. If you put too much pressure on yourself to succeed it can often end up being counterproductive. Remember that most shows start small and that it takes a long time to establish an audience.
Although download numbers can be useful in tracking your progress, they are often unreliable and should not become a source of anxiety. As podcasting has become increasingly popular, there are growing numbers of support and discussion groups both in person and online for you to get help and connect with others.
Need a hand with your podcast?
If you need help with audio and video, editing or promotion, Ancoats Podcast Studio has got you covered. Prices start from £100 per hourly session. You’ll get access to 3 Sony A7III cameras which provide crystal-clear visuals, and 4 RØDE PodMics, designed specifically for podcasters. These mics have a built-in pop filter to minimise sound disturbances, and the entire studio is acoustically treated to eliminate background noise.
You’ll get technical support and editing advice from our expert studio manager, and at the end of your session we’ll make sure we get your files to you with a Google Drive link.
If you’d like to make a booking or just want further information, contact us today at hello@ancoatspodcaststudio.co.uk.
