Today, we dive into the not so obvious topic for anyone who wants to start their podcasting journey:

What to avoid when starting a podcast in 2024.

Let's talk about those frequent mistakes that could lead not only to the poor success of your podcast, but might even make your project fail even before it even started.

Making a podcast can be life changing for your business, bringing in endless leads and skyrocketing your sales, but to reach that point, a podcast is work that needs perseverance and patience.

It's also important to recognize the substantial time and money you will need to get started before you see any ROI. Securing a spot in this ever-growing competitive field quickly is crucial and essential, given the time-sensitive nature of the communications industry.

But not all is lost; in this post, we'll disclose how to dodge those common mistakes even the freshest podcasters often commit.

What Mistakes Should You Try to Avoid for a Successful Podcast?

A lack of strategic planning and neglecting to follow a systematic strategy are the most frequent mistakes that may turn your podcast into a project that never gets the success it deserves.

And if there's one thing that the team and I don't like over here at PodcastAI, it's watching potential companies like yourself rush into podcasting without a plan on how to do things properly and what to avoid.

So if you're currently working on a strategy and building out the ultimate plan, be sure to read through the list below and add these to your "things to avoid" list.

I know the list above might seem long but if you want to take your podcast seriously, then let's start going through the topics above one by one, so that you can become the next podcast superhero!

Podcasting: Common Mistakes to Avoid 2024 &  Essential Tips for Beginners

Naming your podcast is a very cardinal matter; you want to attract the right audience yet, at the same time, be easily found by new listeners through keywords. A clear and catchy name may make the difference between a podcast lost in the thousands and one which will shortly gain remarkable success.

Here are some mistakes to avoid when naming your podcast:

Too long, too complicated, or too generic:

The name is either too long to remember, or simply too hard to remember; that will discourage the listeners, and therefore it is going to be much harder to share your podcast.

Go for something short, impactful, and easy to type. Also, a too generic name can make it hard to distinguish your podcast from others.The Entertaining World of Modern Cinema might be descriptive, but too long to remember. A shorter, more brandable version you could use might be Reel Insight.

Lack of relevance to the subject:

Using your personal name as the name of your podcast, like celebrities often do, only works well if you're already internet famous. Using your name and adding a keyword related to your topic, now that's a win win.

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But you can also keep it simple if need be by using the exact match keyword that describes the niche your in, for example our company is called PodcastAI, it would make sense that we name our podcast "PodcastAI".The main point is, If audiences can't immediately grasp what your podcast is about from the title, they might overlook it. Which means if a descriptive name isn't feasible, opt for a unique and memorable name that enables your listeners to recognize your podcast among others easily.

One last tip! Always check for availability:

Before naming your podcast, check that the name isn't taken or doesn't sound similar in a confusing manner with other popular podcasts, for example I wouldn't recommend that Seth Rogan the well known actor and comedian start a podcast called "The Seth Rogan Experience". Common sense tells me that wouldn't work. Additionally, one of the main goals of your podcast should be to generate leads, make sales or expand your viewership. With that in mind, always, and I can't say this enough, always verify that the appropriate domain is available.

But before you have your podcast domain name in the shopping cart and your credit card out ready to pay, make sure the names are additionally available on social media. This will avoid legal issues and confusion by verifying you're good to go, in advance.

2 - Undefined Target Audience

Not defining who your target audience is when starting a podcast is one of the gravest mistakes you will ever make for your project. Knowing your audience not only allows you to stay on topic with your content by making it more influential, but it also guides you toward the right tone, the most relevant topics, and the most effective marketing strategy.

The recognition of your audience also makes your content more influential in tune with the topic while also helping you to determine the right tone, topical topics, and the right marketing approach.

Where your target audience is concerned, the insights affect every side of the podcast, from the development and marketing side to the interaction with the listerners. Choosing the right target market requires a critical examination of demography potential to be interested in your established specialty.

Consider age, sex, interests, educational level, and geographical position

For instance, a podcast on advanced digital marketing strategies might attract professionals aged between 25 and 45 years old, who seek to stay updated on recent trends and develop their skills.

I'm not saying that if you're 60 that you can't have a podcast about marketing strategies, but be conscious of the fact that if you want to win your largest target audience segment over, then you're going to have to appeal to that audience. The ability to know the mind of your average listener will help you gain their attention and grow your subscription base.  

3 - Poor Understanding of SEO

Anyone aiming to succeed in the digital world of business or even privately must grasp the basics of SEO. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and extends beyond Google and Bing; it's the engine of almost every digital algorithm, helping users find answers to their questions. Here’s a crucial insight: Blogging comprehensively about your niche establishes your expertise and authority. Yet, transitioning those discussions to a podcast—where listeners hear directly from you—can significantly enhance your authority and market leadership. Many may already follow well-known figures in your industry, but leveraging your experience through a podcast could set you on a path to becoming an industry leader yourself.

Integrating SEO effectively into your podcast content and researching popular keywords in your field will distinguish you as an influencer and set you apart from the competition.

4 - Language Not Suited for the Target Audience

The type of language you use in your podcast plays a crucial role in how your audience perceives and connects with your content.

For instance, a podcast aimed at legal professionals should employ formal and technical vocabulary, while one designed for young pop culture enthusiasts might adopt a more relaxed and informal tone.

However, internet entrepreneurs often covering technical topics might still prefer a casual, yet informative tone. Beyond mere vocabulary, your choice of language will shape your identity within the podcasting world.

If your target audience is global, consider simplifying your vocabulary to ensure clarity for non-native English speakers.

Many viewers and listeners are drawn to distinctive tones, for example, Theo Von's laid-back and humorous Southern drawl adds a unique charm, making his podcasts particularly stand out.

Always strive to forge a memorable connection with your listeners.

5. Lack of Authenticity

If you're not passionate about your podcast topic, don't talk about it! The lack of authenticity in podcasting, aside from poor production, is a bigger issue than you might think. Many start podcasts based solely on the potential ROI, but they aren't well-versed or genuinely passionate. This, I often find, poses a major threat to the longevity of podcasts.

Inauthentic shows are easily detectable by those familiar with the subject, leading to listener disengagement when they sense that the content is forced. Which in turn leads to shorter engagement times and your podcast episode falling into the bottom of the recommended pile.

A good tip is to stay true to yourself always and be true to your message. Be transparent about your thoughts and opinions, and don't try to be something you're not. Be you!

6 - Lack of Coherence

When the topic that you are discussing is not coherent, and listeners have no clear picture, ideas, or a plan, then it becomes necessary to follow a more rigid format of having more proper structure. It is important to maintain high standards of the content you post and the rate at which you post in order to continue getting the attention of your followers.

Even some of the world's biggest podcasters air episodes that are packed with insightful research and engaging discussions, but the next episode you're left confused and disappointed. One episode is full of valuable information and intense discussions, while in another episode, people fail to make sense of what they are presented with and end up being let down. That's the kind of inconsistency that can make your listeners tune out fast.

Have a solid plan in place, cover the topic or interview completely, and make sure you stick to your podcast’s core theme and, more importantly, don't give up, deliver it consistently. It might seem like an empty desert in the beginning, but over time, you're guaranteed to gain traction and an audience that resonates with you.

For those of you who understand the importance of a podcast and are ready to jump all in by improving the efficiency and quality of your podcast. Post-production and distribution processes should be a priority. Without going off topic, I highly recommend exploring tools designed specifically for podcasters.

For instance, a tool we built in house called, PodcastAI, which offers several features right out the box that can help:

Post-production:

Automatically generates transcripts, chapters, key points, descriptions, titles, and episode artwork, helping you with your SEO efforts.

Promotion:

Creates video clips for the most engaging moments of your episodes, complete with copy for platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, helping you gain more viewership.

Website:

Generates a full website for your show using your chosen domain, enhancing your online presence. With this feature, your listeners and search engines have direct access to your chapters and transcript of the show.

Distribution:

Manages the dissemination of your podcasts to all the major platforms, including YouTube, ensuring your content reaches as many potential listeners and viewers without any manual effort whatsoever.

So remember, keeping your podcast consistent and coherent isn’t just about avoiding listener drop-offs. It’s about making your show a podcast worth listening to.

7 - Plagiary Content

A podcast that mirrors, formats, or content ideas to other podcasts will face greater issues trying to make its way through the already huge array of competition, that already exists in the podcasting world.

For this, it is crucial that you research the topics of each episode, use AI to make you an outline, but be sure to talk about topics that you are already fluent in. Don't rely on AI as it might be wrong, and often it pushes out what could almost be considered scraped content. Almost like a content spinner from the 2000's. Instead, Invite guests onto the show to tap into your competitors' audience that are already interested in the niche topics you're talking about. Experiment with different types of episodes to observe what works best for you and your target audience. Share personal stories or experiences that only you can offer.

Moreover, although tempting, be careful not to use, even with some modifications, content that belongs to other authors. Fact! Using someone else’s intellectual property can lead to legal complications as well as damage your reputation.

8. Poor Time Management

Poor time management in the pre-production, production, or post-production phase can have a  huge impact on the views of your podcast. The ever so popular PBD podcast from Patrick Bet David often reports on a subject 3 days later, making it old news especially for those people already active on X and other social media platforms.

So make sure before you start your podcast show that if you want to stand out, then you will have to be ready when news hits. Meet Kevin is a perfect example of this and often posts new shows multiple up to three times daily. Covering multiple topics from finance, real estate, and news.

For most business podcasters, time shouldn't be an issue, and it's advisable to work and record your podcast shows in advance. So what is needed to assure that you don't fall into the poor time management category?

9 - Incorrect Episode Length

Defining the optimal length of your podcast episodes is crucial, as it significantly impacts listener engagement and satisfaction. The appropriate duration varies depending on the podcast's format and the expectations of its target audience. For instance, daily news podcasts typically feature shorter, more concise episodes, while podcasts offering in-depth analysis might benefit from a longer format that allows for comprehensive coverage of topics.

Inappropriate episode lengths can lead to content that feels either rushed and superficial or tedious and drawn-out. Both extremes can deter listener interest and engagement. Furthermore, keeping episode lengths consistent helps in managing the production schedule effectively, ensuring you can produce episodes regularly without compromising quality.

Additionally, tailoring episode lengths to fit the norms and expectations of your distribution platforms can enhance your podcast’s visibility and help it stand out in a crowded market. For example, platforms that favor shorter, snappier content might not be the best fit for hour-long episodes unless the audience specifically seeks in-depth exploration.

In summary, carefully consider and plan your episode lengths to match audience expectations, maintain content quality, and align with platform preferences.

It is very important to define the actual length of podcast episodes since this factor may significantly influence listener engagement and satisfaction. It is expected that a podcast episode should meet the expectations of its target audience, which again depends on the type of podcast in question. You may have recognized that daily news podcasts tend to be more concise, while weekly, more in-depth formats are accepted or can be longer.

Such inappropriate duration's will make an episode tedious or superficially treated, hence compromising the quality of the content and risking going off-topic. Moreover, the length of episodes should also be manageable to sustain regular and continuous production, a key factor for building a loyal listener base. Finally, adapting lengths to the preferences of the distribution platform results in maximum visibility for your podcast and elevates it above the competition.

10 - Using Poor Tools

 Selecting the right tools is key to ensuring your content is optimally recorded, edited, and distributed. The first tool to consider is the microphone. Poor audio, background noise, echo, and a lack of vocal clarity can make it difficult for listeners to understand the content, potentially causing them to lose interest and stop tuning in.

As mentioned, another essential tool in the podcasting process is editing software. You need something that will help with noise reduction, auto equalization, and audio mixing. Audacity is free and has been around for decades; Adobe Audition is another great choice for a paid software. GarageBand can be found on your mac if you have an Apple computer and these are just a few examples of good editing options for tidying up and creating professional sound to produce.

11. Withholding the Author's Name

Missing the name of an author in a podcast could negatively impact the connection between the podcaster and his listeners. The author's name is not just a signature; it is a critical part of the podcast's identity that helps build trust and recognizability.  

When listeners know who is speaking, they can form a more personal and meaningful bond with the content.

This connection is essential for building loyalty and engagement, as audiences tend to follow creators whose personalities and viewpoints they know and appreciate more faithfully. In such a saturated market as podcasting, having a clear and recognizable personal brand may make a difference between the growth or decline of the broadcast.

Moreover, omitting the author's name is disadvantageous in terms of ranking and is not favorable for spreading your podcast.

12. Not Pre-recording Episodes in Advance

Without pre-recorded episodes ready for broadcast, podcasters risk finding themselves in trouble if unexpected events or personal commitments prevent regular recording sessions.

Failing to plan can lead to delays in releases, compromised podcast quality, and leading to negative reviews from the audience, which could result in losing their loyalty and the acclaim gained over time. Having a stockpile of ready episodes also gives podcasters the flexibility to manage their time and resources better..

13. Not Using the Right Platform

Choosing the right platform to host your podcast is a major determinant of your podcast's distribution and visibility. Using an unreliable hosting service or one with limited features can hinder your episodes from reaching a broader audience.

Podcast-specific hosting platforms offer not only reliability but also extensive distribution across various podcast aggregators. Additionally, they provide valuable insights by monitoring audience listening habits and engagement, offering detailed analyses to help you optimize your content and reach.

14. Poor Podcast Distribution

When distributing a podcast, you can choose between manual or automatic distribution,  each with its specific advantages and disadvantages. The choice largely depends on your needs, available resources, and the goals of your podcast.

Distribution occurs when you personally upload each episode to various podcast aggregators like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Youtube and others.

Manual distribution gives the publisher complete control over literally everything about a publication, from the timing of releases to crafting the description for each platform, and managing the RSS feed directly.

This allows for complete customization in every aspect of the publication for each platform and flexibility in choosing when and where episodes should be published.

This method of distribution requires a lot of time and attention if your podcast is to be across many platforms. Additionally, managing updates and changes can become complicated without a centralized system.

It is because of this reason that automatic distribution comes into place as part of hosting platforms: once uploaded onto the hosting platform, the episode will be forwarded to different aggregators according to settings that were pre-set.

This saves time and effort in uploading episodes on each platform, as everything will be managed in one place.

Therefore, tracking of publications and metrics is easier and more uniform, with an immediate spread of episodes.

On the other side, you would have fewer options to customize publications in each single platform, and if the hosting platform has technical issues, those would bleed onto your podcast availability.

Either choose the right hosting platform or use post-production software to ensure a fail-safe platform.

15. Breaking Routine

Breaking routine in podcast production is highly injurious and can shatter the loyalty of the audience.

Keeping up with a routine not only helps in gaining the trust of listeners, but it also helps in the development and maintenance of an effective work routine that ensures quality content is always produced.

Podcast listeners are creatures of habit and enjoy knowing that the next episode will emerge at a given time on a specific day of the week. That also means any marring of the schedule, or for that matter, an inconsistent schedule, can be confusing and frustrating and may eventually lead over time to a loss of interest.

By the same token, a well-structured routine helps podcasters manage their time more effectively. Having fixed deadlines for recording, editing, and publishing avoids overload work and many conditions that lead to delay, which could compromise the quality of the content, or even make you unable  to publish new episodes.

If there's absolutely no way of avoiding a disruption, it's better to inform the listeners in advance of any changes in the schedule, which will help them maintain trust and interest, provided it is no more than a one-time event..

16. Ignoring Feedback, Relationships, and Marketing Strategies

Two of the most important mistakes podcasters make include not listening to or taking the feedback of their users seriously, and not building a good relationship with their target audience.

By failing to pay attention to comments and opinions, podcasters deplete their own opportunities to learn how to make better content, therefore lessening the appeal and relevance of the podcast to its followers. Without interaction with the audience, engagement drops along with loyalty. Most notably, a lack of marketing and promoting it from the beginning hurts greatly in expanding its reach.

A newsletter will be the basic medium to keep them informed and grow more audiences and distribution of the podcast, but today, what interacts with an audience more are shorts, reels, and viral videos summing up your podcast even for listeners who are not acquainted with it.

You can also rely on artificial intelligence software that optimizes the most interesting excerpts from each episode, facilitating their spread on social media.

17. Over-Monetizing

Monetizing, when talking about podcasting, is necessary to cover the costs and continue the project.However, a common mistake many podcasters make is dedicating too much space to advertisements within their episodes.

According to an Ad Results Media analysis, most listeners barely tolerate up to two consecutive ads, whatever they are. If the ad isn't relevant to the audience or relevant to the theme of the podcast, it can be deemed irritating. For example, advertisement of meat-based products within a vegan cooking podcast would go against your objective of growth and success.

Ads that are narrated directly by the host are often much more effective than the pre-recorded ones. This is because such ads tend to win the trust of the listeners. But again, it has got to be in a limited amount. Forcibly inserting promotional talks - especially regarding products you do not know or use, or for companies that have a bad reputation - is harmful.

Giving too much clout to a monetization plan does more harm than good, taking away from the real core of the podcast and lowering the standards of the relationship between the listener and the podcast owner. It is highly necessary that monetization methods are inculcated in the episode without decreasing the quality of the content and with less force so as not to breach the integrity of the podcast and undermine public trust.