Podcasts are becoming popular. And the count of podcast audiences and creators is growing. But first-time podcasters make seven common mistakes. Major mistakes involve not having a purpose, ignoring scriptwriting, and uploading without editing.
There were more than 450 million podcast listeners in 2023, and the number is expected to cross 600 million by the next three years. With such growing popularity of podcasts, it is natural to find interest in creating your own. So, here are the 7 common mistakes made when creating a podcast for the first time.
1. Skipping the Planning Phase
Mistake: You may end up jumping directly into the recording stage. But you need to have a clear goal and a concept first. Many podcasters come up with vague ideas without defining their target audience, category, or even episode style.
Why it matters: Without a proper direction, you might end up becoming an inconsistent podcast maker. It will become difficult for you to attract and retain audiences. Your listeners will lack an understanding of what to expect from you.
What to do: Define the purpose of your podcasting first. Understand the target audience and think of a unique perspective you can offer. Decide on elements like style and duration of episodes.
2. Using Poor Equipment
Mistake: It has become quite common to see podcasters relying on the built-in microphone of their laptop or phone. This is a convenient way to record, but those microphones are not made for professional-sounding, studio-grade audio.
Why it matters: Subscribers place priority on good audio and video quality, as their experience also depends on it. Muffled, distorted, or echoey sounds make it difficult for listeners to tune in or concentrate, even if the content is engaging. Similarly, grainy video is an immediate turn-off. The audiovisual quality of your podcasts is also a first impression you will make on new listeners.
What to do: Invest in an external microphone. Get a USB microphone if you are a beginner. Consider XLR microphones paired with an audio interface device and headphones for advanced podcasters.
3. Not Scripting or Outlining Episodes
Mistake: Unscripted episodes appear liberating. But it also causes missed points and lengthy content. Your audience will also feel distracted and unengaged by a disorganised flow. You will appear as a directionless podcast maker.
Why it matters: It is natural to go off-topic without a plan or script. You might also start repeating yourself or forget to highlight key points. You may forget to share major information altogether. Your episodes would also start feeling unengaging, lengthy, and outright unprofessional.
What to do: You should at least write bullet-point outlines or a loose script for every episode. You don’t need to memorise every word. But plan a coherent roadmap of discussion points, transitions, and appeal calls.
4. Ignoring Editing and Post-Production
Mistake: Some podcasters may end up uploading raw or unedited recordings. But this is a sign of inexperience. Your podcast will appear unprofessional and low quality if you don’t perform at least the corrective edits.
Why it matters: Raw audio can contain verbal tics, long silences, awkward pauses, stutters, and background noises. The presence of these elements in podcasts can affect the experience of your listeners.
What to do: Use free or paid editing tools like Audacity or Descript. Do corrective edits like optimizing noise and trimming out mistakes. Also, perform enhancing edits like adding transitions and intro music.
5. No Branding or Visual Identity
Mistake: Many podcasters miss the opportunity to stand out by operating with a generic name or cover art. But a personalised cover poster is a chance to stand out and attract listeners with visual elements.
Why it matters: Your podcasts are likely to get lost among others if you don’t establish a unique brand identity. If you use generic podcast names and cover art, it will be difficult to get noticed. As a podcast maker, you should also have a logo and personalised fonts.
What to do: Develop a podcast name first. Make sure that the name is recognisable and closely represents your podcasts. Also, create a logo for your podcast, and ensure consistent branding efforts.
6. Failing to Promote the Podcast
Mistake: Many make the mistake of assuming that listeners will find your podcast automatically. But this is not what will happen after you hit publish. You need to actively promote your podcasts as well. Promotion is as foundational as creating a podcast.
Why it matters: Your content may be excellent. But it will only reach a limited number of audiences without active promotion. It is important that you inform your listeners on where to find your podcast.
What to do: Actively use social media platforms to promote your podcast. You can also send out an email newsletter. Collaboration with other content creators can also help you promote your own. You can try using behind-the-scenes reels and content teasers to generate excitement.
7. Not Checking Analytics or Listener Feedback
Mistake: Not taking analytics seriously, or not considering it at all, is where many first-time podcasters go wrong. Your hosting platform can generate valuable insights on your podcasts’ performance. If you neglect them, you will miss out on opportunities for improvement.
Why it matters: You won’t spot the shortcomings, success areas, and improvement opportunities without measuring current performance. You need to understand what’s working and what’s not, and make improvements accordingly.
What to do: Check the analytics dashboard of your hosting platform every day. Understand different metrics like retention rate and listener demographics. Also, check the direct feedback and comments of your audience.
Ready To Start Your Podcasting Journey?
Creating a podcast channel of your own is an exciting idea. But do not let it overwhelm you. Progress step-by-step. Start with a podcasting goal and a clear content roadmap. Use good recording equipment with noise-treating accessories.
Perform editing work. Don’t forget to highlight branding and promote your podcast. And keep looking for improvement opportunities with analytics dashboards on hosting platforms.
