Top 10 Reasons Podcasts Fail

(and how to avoid a similar fate.)

@carterharkins

Podcast FACTS:

• Hundreds of new podcasts start every week*• Vast majority will not make it to their fifth

episode.*• #1 reason cited by ex-podcasters: TIME.• #2 reason: NO GROWTH IN AUDIENCE SIZE• #3 reason: COMPLEXITY

(*source: Podcast Pickle)

Top 10 Podcast Killers

1. Poor top-level show concept.2. Impatience with rate of growth.3. Inconsistency of releases.4. Too slick or marketingishy.5. Failure to seek audience involvement.6. Too many technical roadblocks.7. Poor quality recording.8. Overt sales agenda.9. Corporate Culture Of Control.10. Lack of primary channel marketing.

5 Common Podcasting Misconceptions

1. Podcasting is EASY.

2. Podcasting is Social Media.

3. Podcasting will save my business.

4. Podcasting is viral marketing.

5. Podcasts are only for Apple iPods

3 Reality Checks That Can Save a Failing Podcast

1. You must allocate resources to a podcast effort. (Time, Knowledge, Money)

2. You must remove all technical roadblocks between your podcast and your listeners.

3. The real ROI of podcasting is building a valuable feedback channel for your brand.

Ending Snobbish Podcast Elitism!

• How do I get your stupid content? (RSS snobbery)

• Where is your freaking contact form? (intentional feedback channel neglect)

• Quit wasting my time! (content-in-a-vacuum)

Content Strategies: Thinking Beyond “Pure” Podcasting

• The Determinate Series

• One-Offs

• On-Page audio/visual content

• The Testimonial or FAQs Channel

• Leveraging multimedia content across multiple projects