No matter where you are in your podcasting journey, it's possible to make one of these podcasting mistakes at any point—whether you're just starting your podcast or you've been podcasting for years and these can apply to your next episode.
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Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes That New Podcasters Make
No matter where you are in your podcasting journey, it is possible to make one of these mistakes—whether you are launching your first podcast or recording your next episode. Even if you have been podcasting for 10, 15, or 20 years, you can still fall into these traps.
Especially if you are looking to start your first podcast, you want to start it right. Here are five common mistakes to avoid.
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1. Striving for “Perfect”
The curse of perfection plays out in a few ways. First, we try to have the perfect-sounding audio, the perfect presentation, and the perfect edit. We try to edit ourselves to absolute perfection, removing any breath or pause that is a microsecond too long. Sometimes, we strive so hard for perfection that the result sounds artificial.
I am not saying you should leave in every mistake in the name of “authenticity.” You should still try to edit out mistakes and present something that sounds great, but it doesn't have to be absolutely perfect.
We also strive for perfection in the tools we choose—the perfect microphone, camera, lighting, website theme, or hosting provider. I fell into this trap recently myself, even after nearly 15 years of podcasting.
For 15 years, I used a Canon T4i digital SLR. result It worked great for photos and recorded video, but it was terrible for streaming or connecting to a computer. I tried everything—installing Magic Lantern firmware, buying HDMI capture devices—but it never worked quite right. I realized I needed to upgrade.
One of the cameras I had been eyeing, the Sony ZV-E10 Mark II, went on a rare one-day sale. It was the best price it had ever been, so I snagged the deal.
But even with the camera literally in my hand, I was still second-guessing my choice. I kept asking myself, “Is this really the perfect camera?” I found myself comparing it to the Sony a6700, which has features my new camera lacks, like in-body image stabilization. That represented a different level of “perfect” to me.
Here is what it came down to: The a6700 would have cost me 60% more. Would I get 60% more benefit from it? No. In fact, I rarely take my camera off the tripod, so I might never need in-body image stabilization.
The camera I bought takes beautiful video, especially paired with the Sigma 16mm f/1.6 lens that I also got for a great deal. It isn't “perfect” by the highest standards, but it is very good.
You might feel this way about your microphone. I often see people asking if they should buy a $70 Samson Q2U or a Shure MV7 for twice the price. If you only have $70, the decision is easy: get what you can afford. Your audience might not even know the difference.
Whether it is hardware, AI tools, or noise removal software, stop striving for perfection. Strive for excellence, not perfection.
2. Doing Too Much
When I started my fan podcast for the TV show Once Upon a Time, I tried to do too much. I had grandiose plans: I wanted to interview every cast member, podcast weekly during the hiatus, do live video, and more.
You might be feeling that pressure right now. There is an obsession in the space that says you must do video. You hear that you have to be on YouTube with high production value, multiple cameras, and a perfect set.
No, you don't. You do not have to do everything people say you should do.
If live streaming is too much for you, don't do it. You can always add it later as you grow. If you feel overwhelmed by all the new things “experts” say you need, I give you permission to not do them.
Right now, even though I have a brand new camera that looks great, I haven't published the videos I’ve been recording for the last few months. Why? Because it feels like too much. Between being a full-time single dad, homeschooling my son, and running a business, I cannot afford the time or energy to edit video, nor can I afford to pay someone else to do it.
Don’t fall into the trap of trying to do too much. Simplify things. You don't need an interview, a monologue, a dialogue, and a Q&A all in one episode. Split them up.
3. Starting Without a Plan
Whether you are starting your first podcast or just your next episode, have a plan. Unless you are extremely experienced in the art of improvisation and public speaking, do not just sit down at the microphone and try to “wing it.”
As the old saying goes, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Without a plan, your podcast might not be an utter failure, but it won't be as successful as it could be.
Your plan doesn't have to be complicated. It just needs to address where you want to go. Whom do you want to serve? What is the takeaway for the audience? Even if your goal is entertainment, have a plan for how you will entertain them.
Every episode I have done for years has had a plan. Even if I only have a few minutes before recording, I spend those minutes creating a basic outline.
4. Obsessing Over the “Launch”
This is the flip side of planning—taking it too far. You might think, “I need a huge splash on launch day. I need this many episodes, a trailer, and massive hype.”
It is fun to have a big launch and build anticipation, but do not obsess over it. The size of your launch does not guarantee long-term success.
Think of it like a wedding. The size and fanciness of a wedding in no way guarantees the success of the marriage. I sometimes hypothesize that the more grandiose the wedding, the more problems the couple might have, because they focused more on the “show” than the relationship.
I have seen this happen with podcasters too many times to count. They make a huge deal about their launch, and today, they aren't podcasting anymore. They fizzled out. The size of your launch isn't going to determine your longevity.
5. Not Launching at All
Many people obsess over the launch so much that they never actually launch. Or, they launch one episode and then fizzle out.
If you look at the data from sites like Podcast Industry Insights, it is staggering how many podcasts launch with one episode and never release another. This is often the case with free platforms where people are just “testing” things out.
The biggest hurdle for podcasters is episode one—both getting to it and getting past it.
Don't leave your message locked in your mind. Get it out there. Don't obsess over a perfect launch; just launch. You can improve as you go. You can even start on a free hosting plan (like Buzzsprout) just to see if you can survive past episode one. You aren't married to your first attempt; you can always scrap it and start over later.
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This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship. I may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.
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