Podcast Do’s and Don’ts
When I became a parent, there was no shortage of advice from anyone who had a kid at any point in their lives. From the most common, “sleep when the baby sleeps,” to the less common (but way more useful), “take the baby with you the first 2 months of their lives because all they do is sleep,” I was bombarded with a seemingly endless list of all the things I should and should not be doing as a freshly minted dad.
And while podcasting isn’t the same thing as being a parent, there is that same firehose of advice from everyone from people who started a podcast this week to people who’ve been doing it for 10+ years. This advice comes from a good place, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
Want to cut to the quick? Click: Do’s | Don’ts
Why This List is Different
When I started podcasting, I documented my journey. I wrote down the questions I had, and the answers I got. I made note of the hard parts, and the advice I didn’t get that I should have.
As a podcast coach, I check in with my students and clients. I ask them what they are struggling with. And I ask them what their revelations are, as they happen.
This list is the culmination of all of that — my 10+ years experience, and the new problems facing podcasters in 2023.
Podcasting Can Be Hard
As you start your podcast, you’ll be faced with tons of decisions to make, like format, if you should have video, what kind of gear to buy, and more. These lists should make it easier, without overwhelming.
Here are some dos and don’ts to help make your journey a little smoother.
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Podcast Do’s:
- Determine the purpose of your show (why are you starting it?)
- Research your topics and guests
- Send it to more than just Apple Podcasts
- Send it to YouTube, even if it’s audio only.
- Record a few episodes before officially committing to see if you like it
- Make the audio quality as good as you reasonably can
- Encourage engagement with your audience (ask for feedback, reviews, etc)
- Have a website to share episodes
- Start building your list as soon as possible. I recommend ConvertKit.
- Grab the social media profiles
- Consider Mini Podcasting
- Have fun
Podcast Don’ts:
- Sweat the Audio Quality too much (it should be listenable, but you don’t need to sound like NPR)
- Feel like you need video (but consider it when it makes sense)
- Be afraid of experimenting.
- Stagnate. Change up the format from time to time!
- Assume it will make you rich
- Assume you will get thousands (or even hundreds) of downloads in the first week
- Make your intro music too long (DO get to the good stuff)
- Make it an hour long pitch (DO add value for your listeners so they trust you)
- Get discouraged. Podcasting is a bit of a grind so make sure to have fun.
A Few More Resources
Just in-case you need a little bit more:
- Start a Podcast for less than $100
- 3 Ways to Make Money With Your Podcast — and How to Plan Ahead
- 5 Episode Ideas to Record Your Podcast FAST
And hey…if you want some pointed feedback, I have some, get in touch. I offer 1-on-1 coaching.
And Happy Podcasting!
