Podcasting has become an increasingly popular medium for sharing ideas, stories and expertise. With the rise of podcasts, many individuals are venturing into hosting their own shows. While starting a podcast may seem relatively straightforward, being a successful podcast host requires some careful planning and attention to detail – you can’t just expect to wing it and deliver content that is insightful and engaging for your audience. As someone who runs my own podcast, Vital Gaps, focusing on women’s health, I’ve learnt about the challenges you can face as a podcast host, and how best to prepare and produce an episode that resonates with your listeners. Here are some of the common mistakes to avoid to ensure your podcast stands out.
Don’t try and be the expert.
One of the most common mistakes made by podcast hosts is trying to position themselves as an expert on the topic they are discussing. While it is essential to have a good grasp of your podcast’s subject matter (more on this in a moment), you aren’t meant to be the expert here – that is the point of your guest! Podcasting is about facilitating meaningful discussions and bringing valuable insights to your audience, often through expert guests, and as the host you should avoid talking too much. Your voice should not be dominating the discussion. Instead of pretending to know it all, be a curious and engaged host who asks insightful questions and encourages your guests to share their expertise. Authenticity and humility will go a long way in building trust with your audience.
But do some background research.
The above said, you do need to have some level of understanding on the subject that you are discussing, to ensure the quality and relevance of your content. Adequate background research is crucial in order to have useful and thought provoking discussions, and to be able to ask the right questions of your expert. Whether you are discussing a specific topic, interviewing a guest, or presenting a story, you must be well-prepared. This means understanding the subject matter, having a good background knowledge of your guests, and any relevant current events or trends. Thorough research will not only help you ask better questions, but also provide a more engaging and informative experience for your listeners.
You are not the listener.
It is easy to get caught up in your own passion and interests when creating a podcast. While it is essential to be excited about your content, you must remember that your audience’s preferences and needs should be at the forefront. One of the biggest mistakes podcast hosts make is creating content that appeals only to themselves, and assuming it is what the audience wants to hear. To avoid this, you need to place yourself in the shoes of the listener – engage with your audience through social media, listener feedback, and potentially surveys, and listen to what they want to hear with a well planned programme of episodes. Understand their expectations and interests, and tailor your content accordingly. Your podcast should serve as a valuable resource and entertainment for your listeners, not just an outlet for your personal interests.
Don’t ignore distribution.
Creating excellent podcast content is only one part of the equation for a successful podcast.. Promotion is a critical aspect that often gets overlooked. You can have the most informative and engaging content, but it won’t matter if no one knows about it. Develop a comprehensive promotional strategy that includes social media, email marketing, and perhaps collaboration with influencers and other podcasters in your niche. Think about what you can use within your content for promotion – what is newsworthy or was there a particularly hard-hitting point that might get potential listeners’ attention. Consistent and well-planned promotion is essential to growing your podcast’s reach and audience.
Don’t forget to work on the storyline with your guest.
Interviewing guests is a wonderful way to add depth and expertise to your podcast. However, many hosts make the mistake of merely asking questions without considering the overall flow and storyline of an episode. To create memorable content with valuable insights, work on the storyline with your guest. This involves discussing the key points you want to cover, potential anecdotes, and how to structure the conversation. By collaborating with your guest, and having a loose script or plan, you cana ensure that your podcast episode is not just a collection of random questions, but a cohesive narrative that captures an audience’s attention.
