Your Podcast Consultant: Podcast Tips To Avoid Podcasting Mistakes

Imagine this: you’ve got a podcast that’s hotter than a summer sidewalk, and then—bam!—you decide to take a little 'me time' and vanish. That’s exactly what happened to our friend from a horror movie review channel. He thought he could whip up a slasher flick and come back to a fanfare. But spoiler alert: he forgot the most important thing—keeping his audience in the loop. Now, he’s got a loyal fanbase that’s gone MIA. Turns out, if you ghost your audience, they might just ghost you right back. Communication is KeyIf you’re not talking to your listeners, they’re not waiting for your return like a kid waits for Christmas. They’re out there finding new shows, and by the time you come back, they might not even remember your name! It’s like when your best friend suddenly stops texting you—it’s not cool, man. Keeping your audience informed about your journey is crucial. If he had shared the behind-the-scenes action of making that movie, his fans would have been eagerly waiting to see it, not just left in the dark wondering where he went. Avoiding Podcast BurnoutWe also tackle the reality of podcasting burnout. It’s real, folks. If you’re trying to squeeze your life into your podcast schedule, you’re just asking for trouble. The trick is to let your podcast fit into your life. With a sprinkle of planning and a dash of strategy, you can keep the content flowing and the audience engaged, avoiding the dreaded ‘abandonment’ label. So, if you’re feeling the weight of the world on your podcasting shoulders, take a breath, reevaluate, and remember: your fans are like friends—don’t leave them hanging!Takeaways:Stopping your podcast doesn't mean your audience will forget you; they might just move on.One of the biggest blunders in podcasting is simply abandoning your show for too long.If your podcast becomes part of someone's routine, they won't easily forget it.Planning ahead is key to avoiding burnout and keeping your podcast consistent and fresh.Taking breaks can lead to losing your audience to other shows, so keep them engaged.Your podcast should fit into your life, not the other way around, or you'll regret it.Links referenced in this episode:schoolofpodcasting.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Let’s get real for a minute. Nothing stings quite like getting left hanging by a podcast guest, right? Guest now shows are frustrating.I heard someone talk about his no-show problem, he tossed out this idea of a $500 cancellation fee. That's not gonna work, folks. Life is unpredictable—people get sick, kids break arms, and sometimes, they just don’t feel like it. Instead of turning into the Podcast Police, we suggested a friendly reminder email on the day of the interview. Make it personal. Because who wants to show up for a chat with someone who just sees them as a dollar sign? Pick Better GuestsThis episode also gets into the value of knowing your audience and picking the right guests. I mean, if you’re getting ghosted left and right, it’s time to take a long, hard look in the mirror. Maybe you’re not asking the right questions, or maybe your guests just don’t see the value in chatting with you. And hey, interviews are great for networking, but they can also lead to a mountain of editing. Is It Time to Go Solo?So, weigh your options. A solo show might save you time and make you the star of the show! Just remember, if someone doesn’t want to be on your podcast, they shouldn’t feel pressured to say yes—because being polite is not an excuse for wasting your time.Takeaways:Scheduling conflicts are inevitable; life happens, so prepare for guest no-shows.Sending a reminder email on the day of the interview can really help confirm attendance.Charging a cancellation fee might not be effective if the guest doesn't care about your show.Building a network is crucial; follow up with guests even after the interview is over.Solo shows can save time and often allow for more creative control than interviews.Guests rarely promote episodes, so don't rely on them to grow your audience.Links referenced in this episode:schoolofpodcasting.comTidycal (one time fee scheduling tool)This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

I saw on Reddit where someone was potentially making the classic blunder of podcasting: mixing unrelated shows into one feed. You know, like if you went to a restaurant for a burger but ended up with sushi on the same plate. I point out that our buddy Joey has a bi-weekly podcast that covers both video games and TV shows. With a measly two downloads per episode, Joey's mixing it up like a bad cocktail. The main takeaway? Split those shows! Seriously, if someone clicks on a gaming episode expecting a deep dive into Mario Kart, they don’t want to suddenly hear about the latest Netflix binge. We’re all about giving the audience choices here, folks. Keep it simple, keep it focused, and let them pick what they want to listen to. It’s like letting them pick their own adventure instead of forcing them to read the whole book. So, if you’re in this boat, don’t wait for a big audience to fix it. Tweak it now, while the stakes are low. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later when you’re not scrambling to split your shows down the line. And with the right media host, like Captivate or Transistor, you can have multiple shows without breaking the bank. Why wait until it’s a mess?Takeaways:Don't make the rookie mistake of merging unrelated podcast topics into one show, just don't.Split your podcast episodes into separate feeds to give listeners their power of choice, ya know?Tuning your podcast like a guitar should happen when you have fewer listeners, not a packed house.Using the right media host can save you from the headache of splitting up your shows later on.Links Mentioned:School of PodcastingCaptivateTransistorThis content may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I trust and believe will provide value to you. Thank you for your support!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Hey, it’s Dave Jackson. In this episode, I’m talking directly to those of you who want to start a podcast but feel paralyzed by fear, perfectionism, or that nagging voice telling you you’re not good enough. I share my personal tips for getting your content out of your head and into the world—without letting things like criticism or imperfect editing stop you.I start by reflecting on a post I saw on Reddit, where someone struggled with overthinking, fear of criticism, and worrying about making mistakes. This resonated with me because I've definitely felt the same way. I break down how I personally organize my thoughts: writing a blog post, reading it several times to get the overall message, and then distilling it into bullet points I riff on while recording—just like I’m talking to a friend across the desk.Do People Care About Ums?I address the big question: do people actually care if you ramble, or if your audio isn’t perfect? The truth is, people only care if you waste their time. An “um” here or there isn’t the problem—what matters is not losing their attention or making the show all about you with no lesson or value.It Doesn't Have to Be PerfectI also highlight the importance of starting small and being okay with imperfection. Your first episode won’t be as good as your tenth, and that’s totally normal. Focus on your audience and what they need to hear, rather than dwelling on your own fears. When your need to serve outweighs your fear of looking silly, you'll finally press record and publish.I Have A ColdI even recorded this episode while I had a cold—proof that you don’t have to be perfect to provide value! If you need feedback, consider joining a listener party at the School of Podcasting, where you can get constructive, uplifting advice on your episode before going live.If you want help or someone to listen to your work, visit schoolofpodcasting.com and use the coupon code "listener" for a discount. Thanks for joining me, and remember: don’t let perfectionism keep you from creating a truly great podcast. I’d love to see what happens when we work together.My WorkFlowThis is what works for me.:Write a blog.This helps me figure out what I'm trying to say and how I want people to feel.Read Your blog Three times.This helps you get it into your brain. Not to memorize, but to "get the gist of it." Do not cheat. read the whole thing from top to bottom three times.Boil it down to bullet pointsThis is the map to attempt to keep you on trackPress Record and Talk To Your FriendMuch like a phone call, press record and talk to the invisible person on the other side of your desk and "riff" on your bullet points.EditAnything that went off the rails too much, edit out. That starts with knowing who you are talking to.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

I'm back from Podfest, and today, I want to talk about a strategy that gets way more attention than it needs: When to publish your podcast episodes.Recently, while browsing Reddit, I spotted a question about the best time to post — specifically, whether 5:00 pm is a good time. The person wanted to launch a podcast focused on creepy stories and thought evening uploads would create the right mood. However, most advice online suggested otherwise, which led them to ask if evening uploads are uncommon, and whether others have succeeded with that schedule.The Magic of time ShiftingHere’s what I’ve learned over the years: I personally follow at least 30 podcasts, but only two of them matter to me in terms of their schedule, and that’s because they’re news shows. For those, I want the latest information right away. For everything else, it doesn’t matter when the episode drops. Thanks to apps like Pocket Casts, new episodes go to the top of my list, and I listen whenever I want.That’s one of the biggest perks of podcasting—it’s all about convenience for the listener. Most people aren’t refreshing their phone, waiting for your episode to appear. So you don’t need to obsess over the perfect release time, unless you have a news show or something that’s truly time-sensitive.Going the Extra MileIf you want to do a little extra homework, you could check out podcasts similar to yours. See when they publish, create a spreadsheet to spot days with less competition, and pick a time that works for you. But ultimately, the most important factor is finding a schedule that fits your life and allows you to be consistent.For example, I have one show I catch on Fridays just because that aligns with my grocery shopping routine—but that’s rare for most podcasts I listen to. Unless it’s a news-based format, when you publish has far less impact than you might think.So my advice: Don’t get hung up on the specifics. Pick a time that works for you, stick to it, and focus on delivering great content. Consistency in both schedule and quality matters far more than the exact day or hour you hit publish.Get Your Podcast Questions AnsweredIf you have more questions about podcasting, come join me at schoolofpodcasting.com. We’ve got step-by-step tutorials, an amazing community, and hours of consulting to help you succeed. I’m Dave Jackson, and I’m here to help you on your podcasting journey!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy