Biggest Podcasting Mistakes: How to Avoid Common Pitfalls

Tired of feeling like your podcast is a Hollywood blockbuster that somehow flopped at the box office?

We’ve all been there, trying to figure out why our voice isn’t the next big hit.

• The real scoop on why your first 90 seconds are make or break.
• One CTA to rule them all: The power of simplicity.
• How to trim the fat and keep your content meaty.
• The golden touch for creating content your listeners will love.

Stick around, and you might just find the secret sauce to catapult your podcast from a few hundred listens to a few thousand raving fans.

The Golden Rule of First Impressions

Imagine walking into a party and getting hooked on the first conversation you eavesdrop on – that’s your podcast’s first 90 seconds for a new listener. You promise them an adventure on Mars, you better start strapping on that jetpack pronto! It’s like telling a toddler you’ve got candy but then making them sit through a 2-hour documentary on sugar cane farming first. Not cool.

Here’s the skinny: Listeners are a finicky bunch. With thousands of options a thumb press away, your window to grab their attention is shorter than a goldfish’s memory span. If you don’t dive into the “meat” of your episode quickly enough, they’ll be hitting the “next” button faster than you can say “Wait, there’s more!” So, trim the fluff, cut to the chase, and make those first seconds count. After all, first impressions in podcasting are like opening lines in a book – make it good or they won’t stick around for chapter two.

Revamp your intro to each episode to last no longer than 90 seconds. Then, immediately get to the content that was promised. No offense, but they don’t care how your week is going or what you did earlier on recording day. Save that for your socials or perhaps your newsletter. Podcast listeners clicked because the title of the episode was enticing and they want what was promised.

Within the first 2-3 minutes of the podcast episode, listeners should be hearing you unpacking your first key point. Work in your personality, lifestyle, chit-chat, banter, etc. throughout the episode, as it applies to the topic. If it doesn’t apply, don’t mention it. This might sound harsh, but if you’re podcasting for business, your episodes’ purpose is to turn listeners into clients… not besties.

Mastering the Art of a Single Call to Action

Imagine attending a buffet only to find out you can only choose one dish. That’s right, only one! This is the kind of focus you need when deciding on your Call to Action (CTA). It might sound like a cruel joke to only ask your listeners to do ONE thing throughout each episode but trust me, it’s for the best. Let’s clear the table of clutter – no more asking listeners to subscribe, leave a review, follow on social media, AND sign up for your newsletter all in one breath.

Here’s the secret sauce: pick a SINGLE CTA that not only benefits the listener but also nudges them closer to your business goals. Whether it’s snapping up your latest e-course or downloading a handy guide, make it irresistibly simple for them to take the next step. And remember, one episode, one CTA. Your audience will thank you for not having to remember a laundry list of to-dos, and you’ll actually see better results. Why? Because when faced with too many options, most people choose none. So, pick your CTA wisely!

I strongly suggest strategically mapping out your CTA based on the seasonality of your business, your upcoming launches or events, and in alignment with your ultimate goal for the listener. This doesn’t mean you can never change the call to action, quite the contrary! It means you should establish a focused action you’ll ask for each month or quarter before hopping to a different request. Remember, even your biggest fans have to hear the same call to action 7+times before they’ll actually do what you’re asking them.

Cutting the Chit-chat

Okay, here’s the tea – that beginning banter about your morning cup of joe might be delightful to you, but your listeners? Not so much. We get it; everyone wants to feel like they’re tuning in to catch up with old friends. But there’s a fine line between a warm welcome and a long-winded intro that has your audience snoozing or, worse, skipping. It’s time to trim the fat and get to the point quicker than a pencil sharpener.

Keep your intro brief, dive into your content like it’s the neighborhood pool on the first day of summer, and save the random chatter for the middle or end of the episode IF and only IF it applies to the topic. Your audience clicked play for a reason, and spoiler alert: it wasn’t to hear about the traffic jam you sat in.

Crafting Relevant Content

Let’s talk turkey. Or tofu, if that’s your jam. The crux of a successful podcast isn’t just filling the airtime; it’s about crafting content so relevant and engaging that your listeners feel like you’re reading their minds. That’s right, folks, mind-reading content right here. But how do you conjure up this mystical, magical content? Ask yourself, “Does this bring value to my audience? Am I answering a question, solving a problem, or simply making their day a bit brighter?”

If your content isn’t hitting one of these notes, you might as well be broadcasting to an audience of tumbleweeds. Keep it relevant, engaging, and actionable. They’ll not only thank you for it, but they’ll also come back for more because you’re scratching an itch they didn’t even know they had. Magic!

The top two mistakes that make Listeners skip your show

After reviewing yet another podcast (not one of my productions YET!) after the host expressing frustration that their numbers aren’t growing, the culprit is clear. I’ve seen it over and over and it’s time this was broadcast to the masses so ALL podcasts can be made better!

1. Get to it QUICKLY. Your intro of the show and the episode topic should last no longer than 90 seconds. By minute two, you best be delving ( I just had to 😜)into whatever the title promised!
2. Maintain a SINGLE call to action throughout the episode. If you run a commercial, it should be the same CTA as in the outro. Nobody wants to be told 5 things to do… or 3… or 2. Just one please!

There ya go. The biggest missteps you can take on your podcasting journey, laid out with all the love and honesty I could muster. Let’s make a pact to ditch the endless intro banter, streamline our call-to-actions to just one (yep, you heard it, uno!), and ensure our content is as tantalizing as a gourmet meal that’s just out of the oven.

These are not just tips; they’re the golden tickets to elevating your podcast from ‘just another show’ to ‘the show that no one wants to miss’. Embrace these changes, and watch as your podcast blossoms into the audio masterpiece we know it can be. To infinity and beyond, dear podcasters!

FAQ

• How long should my podcast be? Focus on content value, not length. If you can dazzle and inform in 15 minutes, why stretch it to 45? Keep it tight and right!
• Can I vary my CTAs across episodes? Absolutely, as long as you stick to one clear CTA per episode. Keep it fresh, but keep it simple.
• Is it okay to have episodes just for chit-chat? If it’s what your audience loves, yes. But always ensure it’s clear from the title what they’re signing up for. Transparency is key!

Biggest Podcasting Mistakes FAQs

What counts as ‘getting into the meat’ of the podcast early?

Getting into the “meat” of the podcast means diving into the core topic or main content within the first 90 seconds. It refers to delivering on the episode’s promise immediately, ensuring listeners are engaged from the start without having to sift through lengthy introductions or unrelated chatter.

Why is focusing on one call to action (CTA) important?

Focusing on one call to action is crucial because it simplifies the listener’s decision-making process, making them more likely to follow through. A single, clear CTA ensures the message is not diluted by multiple requests, thereby enhancing the potential for engagement, whether it’s subscribing, joining a mailing list, or purchasing a product.

How can I tell if my content is relevant enough?

Content relevance can be gauged by its alignment with your audience’s interests, needs, and problems. Analyzing listener feedback, comments, and engagement metrics, as well as staying updated with trends within your topic area, are effective ways to ensure your podcast content stays relevant and compelling to your target audience.

Is it ever okay to deviate from these rules?

While these guidelines serve to help you avoid common pitfalls and enhance your podcast’s appeal, flexibility and creativity are also important. It’s okay to deviate from these rules if it serves your unique audience’s interests or if it creatively contributes to your podcast’s value and uniqueness. Ultimately, understanding your audience and continuously experimenting plays a big role in podcasting success.