What are the unwritten rules of podcasting? In today’s episode, I’m addressing the commonly misheld beliefs that I hear about podcasting and why there are actually no rules for having a successful podcast.
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The Unwritten Rule: There Are No Rules
So many people out there make us think that their way is the only way, and I don’t want to be that person. If I’ve ever taught you something and you thought, “Oh, well, Haylee says this is the way she does it, so that’s the only way to do it,” that’s not accurate. There are numerous ways to do things in podcasting. I want you to embrace trying new things all the time.
I really don’t think there is a right way to do anything in podcasting. There are better ways, preferred ways, and ways I teach because I’m familiar with them, but no one way is the only way. Embrace the freedom to explore and find what works best for you.
Some Common Misconceptions About Podcasting
Let’s debunk some of these rules that people put out there about podcasting, but honestly they’re just one way. Let this be your excuse to try new things in your podcast. So, let’s dive in!
1. There Are a Specific Number of Episodes that Go into a Season
This one is so funny to me. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the number of episodes in a season. I’ve had clients with five episodes in a season, ten, thirty, even a whole year as a season. If you want seasons in your podcast, determine how many episodes work for you. And remember, you don’t need seasons to take breaks. Strategize by running extra episodes or replays during your breaks to keep your audience engaged.
2. You Have to Have an Intro and Outro
You don’t have to have a traditional intro and outro. While I encourage you to create one at the beginning to establish your podcast, you can do live intros while recording or even skip the intro and outro. Consider using the time at the end of your podcast to run ads instead of an outro, as listeners often skip them.
3. Less Than 100 Downloads Per Episode Is Bad
This is not true. So many podcasters think they need a huge audience immediately. If you’re getting 10, 15, or 20 downloads an episode, that’s great. You’re reaching people. Focus on your podcast’s goal and audience. Remember, even reaching a small, dedicated audience can be impactful and rewarding.
4. Releasing on One Day of the Week Is Better Than Others
There’s no proven benefit to releasing on one specific day of the week. It’s more important to be consistent and market well to your audience rather than focusing on the release day. Most of my clients release between Monday and Friday, but success isn’t determined by the day of release.
The unwritten rule in podcasting, in my opinion, is that there are no rules. If you love this content and want more myth-debunking posts, let me know.
Time-stamps:
There is one right way to do podcasting (2:43)
There are a specific number of episodes per season (3:12)
You need an intro and outro (6:05)
Less than 100 downloads is bad (9:02)
One day of the week is a better release date than the others (14:28)
Mentioned in This Episode:
Buzzsprout Stats: buzzsprout.com/stats
Blog: How Many Downloads is Good for a Podcast
Episode 67: Understanding Your Podcast Numbers
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