5 quick podcast fixes that make listeners happy (not cranky)

If your podcast isn’t landing the way you hoped… it might be the experience.

As a listener, here are 5 quick fixes that will immediately make me a happy camper instead of a cranky hiker:

Please… clearly explain what your show is about and who it’s for.

I do not need your long, drawn-out bio. And I definitely don’t need a list of your titles like this is your LinkedIn headline.

Also, those super vague, “clever” descriptions that tell me nothing?
No thank you! That doesn't help me figure out whether I should listen or not.

There’s a balance here.

Don’t make them so long that I feel like I’m reading a full-on blog post. But also don’t make them so short or vague that I have no clue what I’m about to hear.

And PLEASE… do not start with ads, promos, or random links.

If you do that, I'm not going to tap “read more" to see the rest of the show notes...
I’m immediately leaving.

No one wants to be half-way through washing the dishes, hands all wet, enjoying an episode… and suddenly an ad blasts their eardrum off.

Now I’m scrambling at the kitchen sink with soapy wet hands, trying to quickly dry them off so I don't ruin my earbuds that I'm now trying to yank out of my head.

Also... super quiet shifts? They're still annoying for the listener.

Please just balance your audio.

Give me something... even one sentence is fine.

But please tell me what I'm about to hear.

Yes, ideally I read your show notes... but if I didn't, this is where you tell me what's on the agenda.

Don’t just announce it. Don’t just hype it.

Tell me why I should even care.

No offense.... but... you aren't so important that I’m dropping everything the second you post a new episode.

Sell me on why this one is worth my time.

Oh and when I say sell me, it doesn't mean I want to see some cheesy, billboard-style post that just screams,
"Here's a new podcast episode. It's amazing. I'm amazing. Listen to it."

That's not gonna work. Plus that's so 2018!

Listeners don't just want good content. They also want an easy experience. Stop making them work so hard to enjoy your show!