Podcasting is a great way to share your thoughts and ideas. However, not all podcasts are created equal. Some podcasts are poorly produced, uninteresting, or just plain wrong. If you want to avoid these podcasts, read on for our tips! If you’re thinking about starting your podcast, here are some of the mistakes to avoid: bad hosting, copyright violations, self-deprecating comments, sloppy editing, bad audio.
Bad Hosting
Podcasting is a great way to share your thoughts and ideas. But if you’re trying to save some pennies on a hosting service, you’re going to have a bad time. Here’s why: Slow streaming means people will stop the episode before even listening to it and if they get to it, you may have bad audio quality as it buffers. You might be able to get away with it if you’re starting, but as soon as you begin to grow an audience, they will expect better service. Second, a bad hosting can be unreliable. Changes to the platform or service could mean your show could suddenly disappear from people’s feeds without any warning. So if you’re serious about podcasting, you need to find a reliable podcast hosting service that will give you the best chance of success. .
Copyright Violations
There are a lot of bad podcasts out there. Most of them use bits of copyright-protected movies or songs, which is a huge no-no. Copyright infringement is a serious issue, and it can lead to big problems. One of them is your podcast episodes being taken down. Not only could you get in trouble with the law, but you could also end up having to pay damages. So, if you’re thinking about using copyrighted material in your podcast, think again. It’s just not worth the risk.
Related: Can You Read Books on Your Podcast? (Avoid Copyright Issues)
Self-Deprecating Comments
It’s a common mistake for new podcasters to badmouth their show on the air. Comments like “Nobody is listening to us” or “Our show sucks” only serve to drive your audience away. It’s the equivalent of a restaurant having a sign that says, “Nobody likes to eat here” or “Our food sucks.” Nobody wants to listen to a bad podcast, and if you’re badmouthing your show, it sends the message that you don’t think it’s worth listening to. So, if you want people to keep listening, avoid saying negative things about your show. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of what you’re doing and why people should continue tuning in.
No Editing
I mean cutting and removing no interesting parts of the conversation by editing. But instead, they upload the entire raw show, expecting the audience to accept it. Avoid this serious mistake: it’s so harmful I’ve dedicated a whole article to it. The gist of the matter is that you’re hiding the good parts by choosing not to edit away the incorrect details. If you want people to keep listening to your podcast, make sure you’re only putting out the best content. Edit ruthlessly, remove anything that’s boring or doesn’t add to the conversation and always be on the lookout for ways to improve your show. Your listeners will thank you for it.
Bad Sound
Any bad podcast will have at least one following: bad sound levels or noises. For example, the bad podcast might have two people talking at two different volumes, and it’s frustrating to try and listen to. In addition, the stronger host might laugh or talk loudly, making it even harder to hear the other person. Another sign of a bad podcast is noises. This can be anything from background noise because of recording in a noisy spot, to a low quality recording because of not using a good online interview tool.
Uninteresting Topic or Delivery
But even fixing all the above, the number one reason podcast’s are bad is because they cover a topic that’s just not interesting to the general population or their audience doesn’t find interesting enough. Another possible issue is that the topic is something people want to hear about but the way the podcast is conducted makes it boring. So take the time to research the topic you’d want to cover before jumping in and if there are other podcasts killing it in your space, then maybe it’s time to spice it up a bit to get that attention. Check out our ideas on games you can play on a podcast for example.
Summary
Podcasting can be a great way to share your message with the world, but avoiding common mistakes is essential, make sure you pick the a good podcast hosting, you avoid copyright violations and self-deprecating comments, edit your podcast and make sure you record in a sound-proofed environment. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your podcast is of the highest quality and provides value for your listeners.
Related: What Can You Not Say on a Podcast?
