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Baird Media Blog Article Your Podcast is Boring

Your Podcast is Boring

There are millions of podcast episodes out there, and every day new ones are created by aspiring podcasters hoping to reach an audience. Today, I bring you some bad news.

Podcasting is a burgeoning arm of the entertainment industry.

Sadly, too many of them fail to engage, entertain, or even hold the listener’s attention beyond the first few minutes.

As someone who has done extensive research into podcasting, I’ve pinpointed why your podcast might be putting people to sleep.

Here’s a rundown of the main reasons.

Interview Style with No Production Value

Most podcasters rely heavily on the interview format.

Unfortunately, podcasts have become synonymous with interviews.

Want to start a podcast?

Get a guest, ask a few questions, slap some music at the beginning, and voila!

You have a podcast.

Editing?

Not necessary!

Publish it with mistakes and all—who cares?

Editing it down to the most interesting bits?

Why?

That sounds like way too much effort!

As someone who has made interview podcasts, I can tell you they are super easy to produce.

While they are a way to get into podcasting, most people get stuck in this format, to their detriment.

Yes, an interview podcast can be informative, but you often have to sit through 40 minutes to an hour of waffle before reaching the point.

In a world overwhelmed by content, who has the time to sift through hours of interviews to find the interesting bits?

Example:

SmartLesswith Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett

  • Description: The hosts interview a surprise guest each episode, engaging in humorous and insightful conversations.
  •  
  • Production Highlights:
    • Professional audio recording setup.
    • Smooth editing that maintains the flow of conversation while removing any unnecessary pauses or tangents.
    • Consistent audio quality and sound levels across episodes.

My biggest qualm with interview-style podcasts is the lack of care in editing.

The result?

Unbearably dull content.

Monotonous voices, poor audio quality, and awkward pauses are just the beginning.

Too many ums, ahs, and mistakes in the middle.

Not summing up and tying the whole thing together is the end.

For crying out loud, listen to your interview!

At the bare minimum, edit out the part where you said, “Don’t worry, I’ll edit this out later.”

Cut the boring bits.

Just because you recorded it doesn’t mean it’s interesting or relevant.

Actionable Tips:

– Use music to break the interview into sections.

– Add sound effects to enhance the audio experience.

– Improve sound quality by investing in a good microphone and using audio enhancement tools like Adobe Podcast Enhance.

No Thought to Overall Story Arc

Most inexperienced podcasters do not think past the current episode they are recording.

They spare no thought for the overall message they are trying to convey, the themes that need exploring, or the story they want their podcast series to tell.

While each episode might be interesting in isolation, where is the overarching narrative?

Without a story arc, there’s no reason for listeners to come back week after week.

Podcasting, like all media, is about telling stories.

Take a series on Netflix, for example.

I am currently watching American Horror Story.

The series tells various horror stories, each set in a different location—haunted house, insane asylum, coven of witches, and so on.

Each season is a self-contained story broken into episodes.

By the end of the season, you have the full picture.

Example:

Serialby Sarah Koenig is a prime example of a podcast with a compelling story arc that keeps listeners coming back for more.

  • Description: “Serial” is a groundbreaking investigative journalism podcast hosted by Sarah Koenig. Each season explores a single story in-depth, often involving a criminal case or a significant social issue, presented through a series of episodes.
  •  
  • Production Highlights:
    • Professional audio recording setup: The podcast features high-quality audio recordings, ensuring clarity and consistency throughout the episodes.
    • Meticulous editing: The episodes are expertly edited to maintain a compelling narrative flow, incorporating interviews, sound bites, and relevant audio clips that enhance the storytelling.
    • Narrative structure: Each season is structured like a serialized novel, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, keeping listeners hooked from episode to episode.
    • Sound design: Thoughtful use of music and sound effects creates an immersive listening experience, adding emotional depth and tension to the narrative.
    • In-depth research and reporting: Extensive investigative work and thorough research underpin the storytelling, providing listeners with a detailed and nuanced understanding of the cases and issues discussed.

 

Actionable Tips:

– Decide on the story you want to tell and how many episodes it will take.

– Break the story into episodes with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

– Find the right characters (interviewees) to help demonstrate your story.

Lack of Entertainment Value

Speaking of entertainment value, I hate to break it to you, but information alone doesn’t cut it.

A podcast needs to be entertaining to keep people engaged.

If it feels like a lecture, listeners will stop listening.

Seek to entertain your listener.

Nobody wants to listen to a boring interview just because you recorded it.

Your download numbers probably already tell you that.

To keep listeners engaged and coming back, strike a balance between entertainment and information.

Example:

The Moth

  • Description: “The Moth” is a storytelling podcast where real people share their true, personal stories live on stage without scripts, notes, props, or accompaniment. Each episode features a collection of stories, ranging from humorous to heart-wrenching, showcasing the breadth of human experience.
  • Production Highlights:
    • Professional audio recording setup: The podcast uses high-quality recording equipment to capture the live storytelling events, ensuring clear and engaging audio.
    • Seamless editing: Expert editing weaves together the different stories in each episode, maintaining a smooth and cohesive listening experience while preserving the authenticity and spontaneity of the live performances.
    • Personal and relatable content: The podcast masterfully blends deeply personal stories with high entertainment value, making each episode compelling and emotionally resonant.
    • Sound design: Minimalistic sound design focuses on the storyteller’s voice, occasionally complemented by light music, which enhances the impact of the stories without overshadowing them.
    • Curated storytelling: Each episode is carefully curated to include a variety of stories that offer different perspectives and emotions, ensuring a rich and diverse listening experience that keeps audiences coming back for more.

 

Actionable Tips:

– Incorporate humor or personal anecdotes to add interest.

– Focus on storytelling rather than just presenting information.

– Ensure your podcast blends its message with high entertainment value.

Uninspired Hosts

Regrettably, very few who host interview podcasts make any effort to learn interview skills.

Most podcast hosts lack enthusiasm and charisma, making even the most interesting topics unbearable.

If the host sounds bored, why should the listener be interested?

A good podcast host is passionate about their topic and comes across as engaging.

They improve their diction and articulation and speak not at the microphone but through it to their listener.

Example

How I Built This” with Guy Raz

  • Description: Hosted by Guy Raz, “How I Built This” features in-depth interviews with founders and entrepreneurs from a wide range of industries. The podcast delves into the stories behind the people who created some of the world’s best-known companies, exploring their journeys, challenges, and triumphs.
  •  
  • Production Highlights:
    • Energetic and curious host: Guy Raz brings energy, curiosity, and excellent interview skills to each episode, creating engaging and insightful conversations.
    • Professional audio recording setup: High-quality recording equipment ensures clear and crisp audio, making the listening experience enjoyable and professional.
    • Smooth editing: Episodes are expertly edited to maintain a cohesive and engaging narrative, removing unnecessary pauses and tangents while highlighting key moments in the founders’ stories.
    • Narrative structure: Each episode follows a well-structured format, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, providing a comprehensive look at the entrepreneurial journey.
    • Incorporation of music and sound design: Thoughtful use of music and light sound effects enhances the storytelling, adding emotional depth and context to the interviews.
    • Inspiring and educational content: The podcast not only entertains but also educates listeners about entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights and lessons from successful business leaders.

 

Actionable Tips:

– Improve your speaking skills with vocal training or Toastmasters.

– Practice proper breathing and vocal warm-ups before recording.

– Consider standing while recording to maintain higher energy levels.

Repetitive Content

Covering the same topics as everyone else without a unique perspective or new information makes a podcast redundant.

If listeners can find the same content elsewhere, they will.

If it’s presented in a more entertaining style, they’ll go where the laughs are.

You haven’t planned anything and are just winging it, hoping for the best.

You haven’t made an effort to find a unique angle or deeply niche into your topic.

Trying to reach everyone will result in reaching no one.

Look at the most popular podcasts—they are original and have unique takes on popular topics.

Example:

Freakonomics Radio” with Stephen Dubner explores common topics from unique and unexpected angles, making even well-trodden subjects fresh and interesting.

  • Description: Hosted by Stephen Dubner, “Freakonomics Radio” explores a wide range of topics from unique and unexpected angles, making even well-trodden subjects fresh and interesting. The podcast delves into the hidden side of everything, using economic principles to uncover surprising insights and new perspectives.
  •  
  • Production Highlights:
    • Engaging host: Stephen Dubner brings curiosity and enthusiasm to each episode, guiding listeners through complex topics with clarity and wit.
    • Professional audio recording setup: The podcast features high-quality audio recordings, ensuring a clear and professional listening experience.
    • Expert editing: Episodes are meticulously edited to create a smooth and engaging narrative, seamlessly integrating interviews, data analysis, and storytelling elements.
    • Innovative content structure: The podcast presents common topics in unique and unexpected ways, using a combination of expert interviews, anecdotes, and data to keep the content fresh and interesting.
    • Sound design: Thoughtful use of music and sound effects enhances the storytelling, adding depth and context to the discussions without overwhelming the content.
    • Informative and entertaining: The podcast strikes a perfect balance between education and entertainment, providing listeners with thought-provoking insights and practical takeaways that challenge conventional wisdom.

 

Actionable Tips:

– Dig deeper into your niche to find an angle no one else covers.

– Be specific with your content to attract a dedicated audience.

– Avoid generic topics; find a unique perspective to stand out.

Poor Audience Engagement

There’s nothing more off-putting than a podcast starting with, “Hello everybody!”

Who is this group you’re addressing?

You’re not in a hall with 500 people.

You’re speaking to one person, likely through headphones.

Speaking to a group when it’s actually an audience of one is a major turn-off.

Listeners will feel the message doesn’t apply to them but to the “audience” you’re addressing.

Engaging with your audience as individuals creates a personal connection, fostering community and making listeners feel valued.

Example:

Call Your Girlfriend” with Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman

  • Description: Hosted by best friends Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, “Call Your Girlfriend” creates an intimate and engaging listening experience that feels like a one-on-one conversation with each listener. The hosts cover a wide range of topics, including politics, pop culture, and personal stories, fostering a strong connection with their audience.
  •  
  • Production Highlights:
    • Engaging hosts: Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman bring warmth, humor, and authenticity to their discussions, making listeners feel like they are part of a personal conversation.
    • Professional audio recording setup: High-quality recording equipment ensures clear and consistent audio, enhancing the overall listening experience.
    • Natural editing: The podcast is expertly edited to maintain a conversational flow, removing any unnecessary pauses while preserving the spontaneity and authenticity of the dialogue.
    • Audience interaction: The hosts actively engage with their audience, encouraging listener participation through feedback, questions, and social media interactions, which strengthens the bond between the hosts and their listeners.
    • Relatable content: The hosts discuss a variety of topics in a relatable and accessible manner, making the audience feel seen and heard through honest and thoughtful conversations.
    • Community building: “Call Your Girlfriend” fosters a sense of community among its listeners, creating a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and connected.

 

Actionable Tips:

– Speak to your audience as individuals, not as a crowd.

– Incorporate Q&A segments, shout-outs, and interactive social media.

– Build a community around your content to foster loyalty.

Let’s Stop Being Boring

There are many reasons why your podcast is boring.

The issues I’ve highlighted might be just the tip of the iceberg.

Instead of mindlessly producing episode after episode, take time to evaluate your content honestly.

Review the what and how of your work, and get honest feedback from outsiders.

Use this to replan, rethink, and find more entertaining ways to present your content.

If you don’t trust anyone enough to be brutally honest, give us a shout at Baird Media.

We will gladly do an in-depth overview, identifying what’s wrong with your podcast and offering advice, ideas, and solutions to make it better, more entertaining, and more engaging.

We understand the intricacies of creating compelling, high-quality podcasts.

Our Podmaster programs, books, and consultation services are designed to elevate your podcast from boring to brilliant.

If you’re ready to transform your podcast and captivate your audience, contact us today.

Let’s make podcasting exciting and entertaining!

Are you ready to embrace the power of podcasting?

When you are ready to start your own podcast, join the Baird Media Mentorship program, and let Ethan and Hendrik give you all the help and support to start your own podcast.

You can also read Hendrik’s book, “Become a Podmaster: Everything You Need to Know to Master the Art of Podcasting” to help you understand what you are letting yourself in for.

Baird Media’s “Become A Podmaster” podcast offers valuable insights, tips, and inspiration from experienced podcasters.

Whether you’re a hobbyist seeking artistic expression or an entrepreneur looking to amplify your business, this podcast has something for you.

Join the adventure and unlock the secrets of podcasting success!

 

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