Top 5 Ways to Thoroughly Mess Up Your Show
This week on the show, I was joined by Britany Felix, a seasoned podcast consultant and editor with an impressive track record. Britany has created over 400 episodes across four different shows and has produced more than 3,000 episodes for her clients. With her extensive experience and knowledge in the podcasting industry, Britany shared valuable insights on how to create a successful show and avoid common pitfalls that can hinder growth.
Britany emphasized the importance of focusing on three key elements when building a strong foundation for your podcast: the host, the audience, and the show's objective. She will dive into the most common mistakes podcasters make that can negatively impact their show's performance and offer practical podcast tips on how to overcome these challenges.
Let's explore the top 5 ways to thoroughly mess up your show. By understanding these common missteps, you'll be better equipped to create a high-quality podcast that attracts and retains listeners.
1. Take Forever to Get to the Content
One of the biggest mistakes podcasters make is taking too long to get to the meat of the episode. Britany explained that the episode title is a promise to your listener, and they expect you to deliver on that promise as quickly as possible. When you take forever to get to the point, you risk losing your audience's interest and trust.
To avoid this pitfall, it's crucial to respect your listeners' time and get to the point. While it's okay to have a brief introduction or a short personal anecdote, making sure it's relevant to the episode's theme and doesn't detract from the main content is essential. Your listeners tuned in for a specific reason, so make sure you deliver on that expectation.
By structuring your episodes in a way that prioritizes the main content, you'll keep your listeners engaged and eager to tune in for future episodes. This approach not only improves the overall listening experience but also helps establish your podcast as a reliable and valuable resource in your niche.
2. Neglect Audio Quality
While it may be tempting to overlook audio quality, especially if you're just starting out or podcasting as a hobby, Britany points out that it's a crucial aspect of creating a successful show. Poor audio recording and quality can be a major turnoff for listeners, making it difficult for them to engage with your content and potentially leading them to abandon your podcast altogether.
Investing in decent equipment, such as a good microphone, recording software, and a suitable recording space, is essential if you want to grow your podcast and attract a loyal following. While you don't need to break the bank or aim for NPR-level quality, putting in the effort to ensure a pleasant listening experience through quality podcast recording software shows respect for your audience and their time.
Neglecting audio quality can be disrespectful to your listeners, as they deserve a show that is easy and enjoyable to listen to. By prioritizing audio quality, you demonstrate your commitment to creating a professional and polished podcast that stands out in an oversaturated market.
3. Fail to Optimize for Search Engines
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a powerful tool that can help your podcast get discovered by new listeners who are searching for content that you are creating. Many podcasters overlook the importance of SEO and miss out on valuable opportunities to grow their audience.
Creating a website for your podcast and publishing individual show notes for each episode is a great way to get started. These show notes should include relevant keywords and a brief summary of the episode's content, making it easier for search engines to index your podcast and display it in search results.
By optimizing your podcast for search engines, you'll be able to attract listeners who may not have found your show through social media or other promotional channels. This organic growth can be a game-changer for your podcast, helping you build a more interested and supportive audience over time.
4. Ignore the Importance of Episode Titles
Your episode titles are the first impression potential listeners see when browsing for a new podcast, and they play a crucial role in determining whether someone will click on your show or keep scrolling. Clickbait is unprofessional and leads listeners to miss trusting you and your show because you do not deliver because of an unfulfilled hook.
Instead, focus on crafting compelling and accurate titles that clearly convey the main topic or theme of each episode. Use descriptive language and include relevant keywords to make your titles more searchable and enticing to potential listeners.
By putting thought and effort into your episode titles, you'll be able to attract the right audience for your content and set clear expectations for what listeners can expect from each episode. This approach not only helps you build a solid following but also establishes your podcast as one that will live up to the implied expectations and is worthy of audience engagement.
5. Neglect Promotion and Marketing
Creating great content is only half the battle when it comes to growing your podcast. Without effective promotion and marketing, even the most well-produced shows can struggle to find an audience.
One common mistake podcasters make is focusing on one podcasting platform when sharing their show. While some are more popular than others, it's essential to make your podcast accessible across a variety of apps and devices. Using a service like pod.link can help you create a single, universal link that directs listeners to your show on their preferred platform.
Britany recommended using language that is inclusive and easy to understand when promoting your podcast. Instead of simply telling people to "subscribe," consider using phrases like "subscribe or follow for free" to clarify that your show is free and available to anyone who wants to listen. By making your podcast easy to find and understand, you'll be able to attract a wider audience and build a strong community around your content.
Create A Solid Foundation
Creating a successful podcast requires a combination of good content, proficiency, and effective marketing. By avoiding these common mistakes and focusing on the key elements of a strong foundation, you'll be well on your way to building a show that resonates with your target audience from the ground up.
Some ways to get started now:
- Get to the main content quickly and deliver on your episode titles
- Prioritize audio quality and respect your listeners' time
- Optimize your show for search engines to attract new listeners
- Create compelling episode titles
- Promote your podcast effectively across multiple platforms
By utilizing these strategies and refining your approach, you'll be able to create a podcast that stands out and provides real value to your listeners. Start making the small improvements that can lead to big successes down the road!
Key Takeaways:
1. Get to the main content and theme of your podcast episode quickly - don't spend too long on introductory small talk.
2. Promote your podcast properly using words like "follow" rather than just saying "subscribe," and provide links that work across platforms.
3. Do a podcast audit regularly to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your format, audio quality, interview skills, etc.
4. Have good audio quality and production value to show respect for your listeners.
5. Create a website and write high-quality show notes for each episode to improve SEO.
6. Build a strong foundation first focused on the host, audience, and objectives before launching.
7. Take consistent action on the right high-payoff activities based on feedback from experts.
8. Stay focused on your genius zone rather than getting distracted trying to master too many new media formats.
If you're looking for a great all-in-one podcasting platform with 35 integrated modules, you can get a free trial at PodUp.com.
Thanks for joining us for this episode. I wish you success as you begin the journey to grow your podcast.
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