Learn from My Mistakes: Podcasting Startup Missteps to avoid
Starting a podcast? Learn the 5 key mistakes I made when I first launched. From obscure titles and no personal branding to skipping transcripts and inconsistent posting, plus how to avoid them and grow your show faster.
When I first launched my podcast, I was laser-focused on finding amazing guests, recording and releasing episodes. What I wasn’t focused on was everything else that goes into building a show : positioning, discoverability, audience growth, branding, consistency.
Here are five mistakes I made early on (and statistics that show why they matter). If you’re launching or relaunching your show, learn from mine so you can skip the growing pains.
1. I chose an obscure title
I loved the name I picked, We Recover Loudly. It felt clever and unique, and it really aligned with the core message of my episodes being about sharing stories of recovery from addiction … but no one could actually find it.
Why this matters: Search and discoverability are critical to podcast growth. A 2024 survey found that 27% of listeners struggle to discover new podcasts, often because titles and keywords aren’t clear. (The Podcast Host, 2024)
What I learnt: Use a title that’s simple, searchable, and descriptive. Include keywords your audience might use (like “marketing tips” or “restaurant stories”) rather than clever wordplay that no one will ever type into a search bar. This is not the time to be clever if you want your podcast to be found organically!
If you already have a creative or obscure title that you love, consider adding a subtitle to make it clearer and more searchable. For example, instead of Table 9, try Table 9: Honest Conversations from Inside the Restaurant Industry. A descriptive subtitle gives listeners (and search engines) instant context and helps your show appear in relevant searches. Just make sure it includes real keywords your ideal listener would actually type. We Recover Loudy eventually became … We Recover Loudly – Personal Recovery and Mental Health Stories
2. I hid behind my branding
My cover art had no photo of me, and my social media showed none of my personality. I assumed content alone would do the work but people connect with people, not logos.
Why this matters: Podcasts with a visible, personal host tend to retain more listeners and build community faster. Video podcasts, for instance, have 28% higher retention rates because viewers feel they “know” the host. (Zebracat, 2024)
What I learned: Put your face on your cover art! Show up on your socials. Share behind-the-scenes moments. The more authentic and visible you are, the more people will stick around.
3. I skipped transcripts (big mistake for SEO & accessibility)
I didn’t upload transcripts of my episodes. I thought, “people will listen — that’s enough.” It wasn’t.
Why this matters: Google can’t listen to your audio; it relies on text to understand your content. Transcripts make your podcast searchable, improve accessibility for all listeners, and help you repurpose episodes into blog posts or quotes. (Waveroom, 2024)
What I learned: Always publish transcripts and episode chapters (or at least detailed show notes) on your episode uploads / website. It’s a small step that boosts SEO and gives your content a much longer life.
4. I had no social media strategy
I posted randomly, whenever I remembered and I never used the great video clips I’d recorded. I used what I like to call the ‘machine gun’ method of social media! Throwing everything at it, hoping something works and then not understanding why one reel would explode and others would not. The key to this was in fact my lack of consistency, my videos not sharing engaging ‘small bite/hooks’ as well not using captions for accessibility.
Why this matters: Consistent social media posting increases engagement up to 5× compared to irregular posting. (Storykit, 2024) Plus, younger audiences (especially Gen Z) are 1.5× more likely to discover new podcasts through social media than through apps. (Analyzify, 2024). You can post clips now on Spotify, YouTube as well as your own social media. Do not forget to tag anyone you interview as well, agreeing to them collabing on posts before you even record!
What I learned: Plan your social posts. Batch-create clips and reels from your episodes. Even one quality post a week builds brand familiarity and keeps your audience engaged between episodes. Use platforms like Opus Clips to help you find the gold; though be aware that AI does not always get humour and can miss great moments. I like to mark time codes when I edit of juicy snippets that I can go back too later for social clips.
5. I wasn’t consistent — and I tried to do it all myself
When I lost my sponsor and editor, I suddenly had to handle everything myself, from recording to editing to promotion, while I had a full-time job. Unsurprisingly, I couldn’t keep up, and my audience stopped hearing from me. I would post every other week, on different days, at different times.
Why this matters: Consistency builds audience trust and algorithm favourability. While there’s no perfect stat for “missed weeks,” platforms reward regularity. The average successful podcast publishes at least once every two weeks. The global podcast audience is now 584 million (and still growing 6.8% year-on-year), meaning there’s space to grow but only if you stay visible. (Backlinko, 2025)
What I learned: Be realistic with your schedule. Outsource what you can - editing, admin, even guest booking - so you can focus on creating great content and staying consistent.
Final Thought
Starting a podcast is exciting, but success takes more than hitting “record.” These five lessons taught me the importance of clarity, visibility, and consistency all supported by a smart strategy.
🎙️ Want help growing your own podcast?
Whether you need support with coaching, strategy, editing, or promotion, I can help you build a show that grows with confidence and clarity.
Book a free 20-minute discovery call to chat about your podcast goals and see how we can make your next season your best one yet.
