Frank Hamilton visits us again to discuss the 5 mistakes that we need to avoid when launching a podcast.

The modern era is characterized by technological advancement and the emergence of new methods of information delivery. Podcasts have become an increasingly popular tool to do that. Moreover, many people consider it one of the easiest ways to become a social media sensation. Is it really that simple to become a podcaster? What challenges may one face on the way to fame and success?

Podcasts appear to be released by everyone these days, from schoolchildren to celebrities. From the outside, everything appears to be quite simple: you take an iPhone, discuss a new series with a friend or sites where they can buy dissertation, upload the file to Apple Podcasts, and the next day you wake up a famous podcaster. 

What should you keep in mind when creating your branded show? What are the most common mistakes people make when starting in the industry?

How Does Podcast Work?

A podcast is determined as an original audio or video recording aimed at entertaining and educating listeners. You can start recording a podcast without spending a lot of money on audio equipment.

Podcasts allow you to listen to free, high-quality content from around the world. They provide an excellent opportunity for podcast publishers to reach a large audience. Because of this peculiarity, they are frequently used for advertising various goods and services, generating a consistent customer flow and income for both podcasters and orderers.

What Are 3 Reasons Podcasts Are So Popular?

A good podcast maintains the listener’s attention from the very beginning up to the end, whereas a bad podcast makes a listener switch to a more interesting channel. The production doesn't need to be flawless, but one aim to make it professional. Why are podcasts so popular? – You may wonder.

Here are the top three reasons that make podcasts popular:

• Multi-task-friendly. The main thing is that now people spend more time at home due to the lockdown restrictions. As a result, they focus on doing home chores. Some of them listen to music, while others listen to the entertaining content of the podcasts. While performing their work or home duties, people get to know many things, from “How to write my research paper” up to “How to become an entrepreneur with a small budget.”
• Easy access. If you have a smartphone, tablet or computer, you can access a podcast in a matter of a few minutes by launching a built-in podcasting app. If your smart device does not have one, you can easily obtain it from a store.
• A huge diversity of content. Gone are those days when people had access to the limited choice of audio content. Thanks to technology, the modern era provides a great diversity of podcasts for all tastes and ages. It can please the most demanding listener with its live broadcasts.

How Do I Start A Podcast For Free?

According to Jason Snell, the founder of the podcast The Incomparable, you can use the gadgets that are already available in the majority of stores while taking your first steps. The following are the essential steps for starting a podcast without investing a lot of money:

• Choose a name for your podcast;
• Choose the most relevant topic in your field of study;
• Choose the co-host (optional);
• Determine show format (style, length);
• Create cover art;
• Get professional intro music;
• Choose audio recording equipment (microphone, headphones);
• Make an audio recording. If you plan to record an interview via Skype, you can use Pamela (for Windows) or Ecamm Call Recorder For Skype (for Mac). In this case, you will have two separate audio tracks that can be easily combined into one using one of the editing tools;
• Audio editing (you can use Alitu or GarageBand to do that);
• Listen to the result;
• Submission to Apple Podcasts (iTunes).

Once you start a podcast, your work is not done. There are a number of things you should be aware of.

What Should You Not Do When Starting A Podcast?

Many people make numerous mistakes when starting a podcast due to a lack of experience. Nonetheless, their experience is frequently useful for their followers because it provides insights into issues and aids in the prevention of future problems.

If you decide to enter the audio market, you should be aware of the top five common mistakes that even experienced podcasters make:

1. Delay the podcast launch

When planning your podcast, you will undoubtedly face the need to set a launch date. It is critical, and you should not postpone the launch unless there is a compelling reason to do so.

Otherwise, you risk becoming engulfed in doubts, fears, and nerves about launching your podcast, or, even worse, you risk never launching your podcast. Starting sooner rather than later is better anyway. You never know what your podcast will become in the future!

2. Avoid listening to other podcasts

The lack of “listening experience” is a common mistake made by those eager to launch their project. If you want to create a podcast with the help of a specialized team, start by immersing yourself in the world of audio content to learn how you should behave in a new sphere for yourself.

When it comes to creating their own shows, podcast studios frequently come to the aid of brands, as they have the expertise and a team to create a turnkey podcast: from idea, production, and production to launch, publication, and promotion. In this case, open communication and the ability to hear those with the necessary knowledge and expertise are critical on the part of the brand.

3. Not having a clear audio content plan

Podcast scheduling is the first step in launching a podcasting career. The planning stage should include all of your podcast’s specifics:

• The day and time;
• Guests invited (if there are any);
• The subject to be discussed;
• A rough scenario or brief notes on the topics you will be discussing.

If you do not have a plan for your podcast, its structure will be a bit messy and not very unappealing to listeners. Planning is an important part of getting rid of all your podcast-related thoughts.

So, take some time to plan your podcast and think about what might be of interest to your audience, as well as what kind of content might work best on listeners. Even a small amount of time will help you turn your ideas into reality and gain a listenership that has the potential to grow.

4. Avoid investing in long-term content and prefer immediate gratification

Perhaps you have heard that podcasts are “evergreen” content, i.e., they last a long time. This format usually involves the engagement of a long list of listeners, the number of which is gained gradually.

To put it in other words, it can take up to six months to rock (at least a season of 10-12 episodes), after which you will be able to make any conclusions about its efficiency. It will be ideal if the topics you choose are both relevant and appealing to listeners.

Alternatively, you will need to hire a specialist who will monitor topics relevant to your field of knowledge. After launching your podcast and uploading audio content, it is essential that you spend time on marketing and promotion.

It can be discouraging for a new podcaster to create content that receives no listeners. In this case, you should ask yourself, “How can a listener find me among 48 million other podcasts?”

Inform them about the existence of your channel through social media, the podcast website, an email list, promotion or advertising tools, etc. Get ready to invest some money.

5. Forget collecting subscribers’ emails

Do you understand how having a subscriber’s email address can affect your follower count? Email marketing is one of the most popular methods of promotion. To entice your subscribers to listen to your podcast, use their email addresses to send notifications about the release of new audios, topics for discussion, updates, feedback, and so on.

How Do Podcasts Make Money?

Beginner podcasters always have the same question when they first start: “How much money can podcasters make?” They want to know if starting a podcast is worth the time and effort.

You might be surprised to learn that the majority of new podcasters make almost nothing. Why? The problem is that they spend money on equipment and hosting fees before earning a single dollar.

It takes time for listeners to determine whether or not you have value. As a result, it could be years before your podcast starts making money. Nonetheless, if you are ready to start a long-term project, consistently create amazing content, regularly release new episodes, and engage your audiences, you will eventually build a show that earns a fortune per episode.

Many people make a decent living by working on their podcasts for a few hours each day. How do they get their money?

• Affiliate sales;
• Direct support from fans;
• Sale of complementary products;
• Sponsorships (for advertising products and services).

Do not expect an avalanche of ratings and auditions all at once. Podcasts are not about making a quick buck off of the sale of products and services. You create content that is almost always relevant. Therefore, give it time to find its listener and buyer.