Podcasting 101: Why Podcasts Fail and How to Avoid it

With over two million podcasts out there, it is easy for your content to get lost in the sea of active podcasts. There is a 50 percent chance that your podcast is going to podfade. With more than half a million podcasts churned out yearly, only 20 percent survives, the question of why podcasts fail deserves answers. Let’s say you have studied our 15 Step Guide on How to Start a Podcast and be an excellent podcaster, crafted stimulating content, and delivered your podcast in a way that leaves your audience wanting more. Yet, you do not seem to be making the right impact. Then ask yourself why podcasts end? What are you doing wrong? How do you avoid the trap of becoming another statistic? There are many reasons why podcasts fail, and that’s the focus of this piece.

Why Podcasts Fail: Lack of Consistency

Most podcasters quit after the first three episodes. Starting a podcast and not sticking to a schedule is how most podcasts fail. You probably expect to succeed after you have published your first few episodes. However, you published an episode on Monday this week, posted another on Tuesday the following week, and then waited a whole month before you dropped a new episode. It shows a lack of commitment and consistency.

Stay Focused and Committed

Whether it is a daily, weekly, or monthly episode, you cannot have loyal fans without a working schedule. If you promise to update bi-weekly, then you must deliver. Podcasting requires a lot of work. Before you record, edit and publish, other things in your life might get in the way. Get a co-host or an assistant if you cannot do it alone. Use automation software. More importantly, tell your audience about any change in your schedule.

Lack of Authenticity

About four million podcasts are released monthly, listened to by 116 million people. Do you think they have never heard what you are going to say before? Think again. If you drone on and put your audience to sleep, or you imitate what others have produced without any originality, you are going to lose listeners fast.

Be Original

What differentiates you from the other podcasters is how you deliver your content. If the absence of originality is how podcasts end, create a well-produced show that is unique, effortless, and relevant. The timbre of your voice and the way you sound will determine whether you are enjoying your show or it is only superficial. Work with what you are passionate about. Listen to great podcasts in your niche and learn what sets the podcasters apart.

Why Podcasts Fail: Mediocre Marketing

Your podcast passed the soundcheck, the content is quite creative, and you consistently publish a new episode, say weekly. You have been a podcaster for six months now, but you have only five listeners with two feedbacks. Lack of adequate promotion is how podcasts fail. No matter how great your show is, if you do not market it to your audience, they will not discover you.

Learn How To Promote Your Podcast

Make a video and audio version of each podcast episode—post video teasers on social media. Employ tools like audiogram and YouTube to create awareness. Use word of mouth. Note that these solutions will only work for you if you know your audience. You do not need every listener in the world, just those who share your interest. Also, mediocre shows that do not create value will not sustain the momentum even if people temporarily listen to them. What is the purpose of your show? Is it to inform, entertain, educate or enlighten?

Why Podcasts Fail: Poor communication with Your Audience

You want to know how podcasts end, then ignore your audience. If you don’t know the type of people that should be listening to your podcast, it will be hard to grow as a podcaster. Initially, it might be hard to find your footings when you launch your first few episodes. The problem might be with the topic of your podcast, your reaction to your current audience, or you do not know who your target listeners are. Lack of feedback to the audience is how podcasts fail.

Master The Art of Communicating With Your Audience.

Your audience should be left, right, and center of your show. Carve a niche for yourself. Use a process of trial and error to find the majority of your audience base. Give feedback to every review, especially if you have only a small number of listeners. Create shows with your audience in mind. Make it worth their while. Please encourage them to like, share, and comment on your podcast.

Popular Podcast Statistics

Popular Podcast Statistics reveal that the number of podcast listeners continues to grow each year, with over 80 million Americans tuning in to podcasts in 2021. On average, a podcast listener listened to a podcast in the last week. According to edison research, there are over 3 million podcasts available, with apple podcasts being the top platform for podcast downloads. In 2022, the podcast market is expected to grow further, with more podcast hosts and listeners entering the industry.

One of the crucial podcast statistics you need to know is the number of downloads for each podcast episode. This data is essential for podcast advertising and can help podcast hosts track the success of their shows. Over 50 percent of podcast listeners have indicated that they have purchased a product after hearing about it on a podcast ad. With the rise of video podcasts, it is becoming increasingly important to make your podcast stand out in a crowded market.

Wrap Up

Podcasting should be fun to both the podcaster, audience and even advertisers if done right. Yet, there is a high chance that your podcast will podfade like many others unless you apply the practical solutions highlighted in this post, then you are positioned to thrive in the industry.