I love podcasting. I love almost everything about it. There are so many different types of shows, approaches hosts and creatives can take and so many topics that can be explored. As I go into what I think is my 12th year of podcasting, I wanted to share some mistakes that hosts are making with their shows. These are critiques coming from a listener’s perspective because I listen to at least 5 podcast episodes a week. I listen to shows when I’m walking around town, exercising, on public transit or cleaning the house. It’s my hope that this feedback helps hosts better engage their listeners and get the results that they’re working towards. Whether you’re trying to get more listens, convert to sales, email opt-ins or business opportunities-listen up. By the way, this episode is specifically geared towards more informational talking head or co-hosted shows. If you’re producing audio fiction-this episode might not be a good fit for you.
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Are You Making This Mistake
There are so many moving parts connected to designing, producing and growing a podcast. As a podcaster ideally you’re releasing an episode on a semi-regular cadence, you’re working towards a unifying vision that your work ties into and you know who your ideal audience is. So, why does it feel like all of your effort isn’t paying off? You’re not seeing the downloads you’re hoping for, no one is telling you that they were referred to you buy the podcast and your podcast doesn’t seen to be yielding the results that you’d hoped for. You may be making some subtle mistakes that are roadblocking your long-term results and vision for the project.
Where Are Your Show Notes?
Right before I worked on this episode I walked to my favorite neighborhood podcast. I was listening to a creator podcast and this creator made the same call to action that drives me crazy. “Go to the show notes and you’ll find” Ma’am, where the hell are your show notes? I’m serious. Why do so many people assume that listeners of their shows know where their show notes are. I literally host my show notes on a website. I think this call to action forgets a couple of really important things.
- Many people are listening to your show via an app-Where are the show notes via an app?
- Instead maybe say something like “Go to the episode description in the app that you’re using to listen to the podcast to connect with the details about xyz”
Sit down and think about what you’re communicating to your audience and does it make sense?
Cross Posting Video to Audio Content
(Badly)
One of the worst listening experiences for an audio podcast audience is poorly edited video content repurposed to audio.
Here are some things to consider.
- What language were you using in your video? Phrases such as: Look at the following, I shared the image here, etc. Make no sense in an audio context.
- The audio experience vs. a visual experience are completely different. There’s a HUGE content creator podcast that I listen to semi-regularly and there was a period where they had an ad that made no freaking sense because it was a video ad. I’m sure they lost money and conversions with that ad in the audio only format.
- If you have ads in your show-record them both for the video experience and then record the same ad with the audio experience in mind. If you’re not clear on this have podcasting friends critique your edits.
Sharing Too Many Ads
(Poorly)
The only person that I’ve heard do this REALLY well is Jenna Kutcher of The Goal Digger Podcast. I’m hardly surprised that she’s making great affiliate income because she’s always sharing an affiliate in her episodes. In fact, I’ve definitely heard her share at least 4-5 calls to action and ads in most of her episodes. This is a serious skill and I’m sure in the beginning she sucked badly at doing this.
Not Understanding How Podcasting Works
(For building a brand)
This one is so interesting because so many creators decide to launch a podcast and then they get discouraged 6 months into hosting their new show because it’s not doing what they thought it would do. Your expectations aren’t matching the medium.
- Podcasting is a SLOW content medium-Think of it in the same way as you would experience sitting with a family member, friend or new person at a coffee shop over a cup of coffee or tea and you’re getting to know them. Then you schedule another coffee hangout with them the following week. Over time you’ve deepened your connection. If you’re looking for fast results, podcasting won’t work for you.
- Not understanding that the more time your show is live and content that you share-the more likely the outcome you’re working towards will happen. Yes, I’ve said the same thing in different ways.
- Forgetting that listeners may find your content in different ways and marketing your show to make that happen.
- Share pins on Pinterest
- Get backlinked by other content creators
- Talk about previous episodes in current podcast episodes
- Share your show as a guest on other podcasts
- Share easy hyperlinks
- Post show episodes on Threads and if you have the option connect your podcast to your Threads profile. Go to the edit tab of your Threads profile to see if you have access to that feature.
- Branded apparel
Podcasting provides creators the opportunity to deepen your connection with your audience.
Forgetting to Share How to Contact You
- Email address
- Websites
- Social media
Are You Asking For What You Want
What’s Your Content Design
Maybe the better question to ask is “Do you have a content plan?” Or, are you just vibing it out? Either is fine, but if you’re trying to sell anything vibes need to be a tiny percentage of your content. Here are some content design ideas.
- 31 Day Podcasting Challenge-This episode happens to be a part of my second time doing this challenge. The first time I did this was in May of 2025. When I decided to do this challenge wasn’t an accident, I chose the timing on purpose. I wanted to kick off the year with a ton of evergreen content that I could market to over and over again throughout the year. There’s no way that your listeners are going to listen to every episode each day. Instead, they’re likely going to binge content when they have time-sometimes that’s even a year later.
- An Editorial Calendar-I’m not randomly recording episodes. There’s a common through line that connects my content to what I’m trying to grow within my brand eco-system.
- Examples of this could be:
- Sharing storytelling vs. sales episodes during most of the summer because my audience isn’t in action mode. Instead, they’re often in vacation mode.
- Content that warms up my audience before a “live” launch
- Testimonial episodes-I’ve totally dropped the ball when it comes to sharing testimonial episodes. These episodes are incredibly powerful and a great way to have other people speak on your behalf.
- Examples of this could be:
A better way to think about your podcasting content is to ask yourself “How can my podcast content work on my behalf when I’m not around?” It’s an additional employee similar in the way that a lot of people think about AI and how AI can help creators be more productive. What is the role of your podcast in your brand eco-system?
The Creator Income Collective
At the end of 2025 I quietly launched my new membership “The Creator Income Collective” the goal? Help creators make more money by being in community and learning how to better grow and monetize their lists. Members of The Creator Income Collective also gain access to the following resource: SUBSCRIBED-a growing list of creator newsletter or email lists that you can reach out to collaborate with if they say “yes” and your communities and projects align. Head to creatorsgettingpaid.com/membership to become a part of the community today. It’s purposely priced at $9 a month because I want this to be the easiest “Yes” you’ve said to a professional development tool for your online brand this year. Looking forward to meeting you!
