7 Mistakes You're Making with Podcast Engagement (And Why Downloads Don't Matter Anymore)
Hey there, podcast creators! 👋
Let's get real for a second. You've been grinding on your podcast for months (maybe even years), but something's not clicking. Your download numbers might look decent, but where's the actual engagement? Where are the comments, the DMs, the bookings, the real connections?
If you're nodding your head right now, you're not alone. I've worked with hundreds of podcasters who were making the same critical mistakes that were silently killing their engagement. The good news? Every single one of these is fixable.
Ready to transform your podcast from background noise into a magnet for your ideal audience? Let's dive in!
Mistake #1: You're Rambling Before Getting to the Good Stuff
Picture this: Your listener hits play, excited to hear what you have to say. But instead of diving into your promise, you spend the first five minutes talking about your weekend, your coffee, and that funny thing your dog did yesterday.
Guess what happens next? They hit skip. Or worse, they unsubscribe.
Here's the truth: You have 15 seconds to hook your listener. Not 15 minutes. Not even 2 minutes. Fifteen. Seconds.
The Fix:
Start with a powerful hook or question
State exactly what they'll learn in this episode
Get to your content within the first minute
Save the personal chatter for after you've delivered value
Your listeners chose YOU because they believe you can solve their problem. Honor that trust by respecting their time from the very first word.
Mistake #2: You're Speaking in Code (AKA Using Jargon Without Explanation)
I get it, you're the expert! You know your field inside and out. But when you throw around industry terms like confetti without explaining them, you're accidentally excluding people who need your help most.
Remember: Not everyone in your audience is at your level of expertise. In fact, your biggest opportunity lies with those who are just getting started.
The Fix:
Explain technical terms the first time you use them
Ask yourself: "Would my mom understand this?"
Use analogies and real-world examples
Create a glossary of terms for your show notes
When you make your content accessible, you expand your impact. And isn't that what we're all here for?
Mistake #3: Your Audio Quality is Driving People Away
I'm going to be brutally honest here: Poor audio quality is the fastest way to lose credibility. It doesn't matter how brilliant your content is if your listeners are straining to hear you over background noise or constantly adjusting their volume.
Here's what's happening: Your listener is trying to focus on your amazing insights, but they're distracted by:
Inconsistent volume levels
Echo and background noise
Long, awkward pauses
The dreaded "ums" and "ahs" every three seconds
The Fix:
Invest in a decent microphone (you don't need to break the bank!)
Record in a quiet space with soft furnishings
Edit out long pauses and excessive filler words
Keep your audio levels consistent throughout
Use tools like Audacity (free) or Descript to clean up your audio
Pro tip: Listen to your episodes before publishing them. If YOU wouldn't want to listen to it, why would anyone else?
Mistake #4: You're Talking AT Your Audience Instead of TO Them
This one hits close to home because I used to do it too. You know that feeling when you're listening to someone and it feels like they're reading from a script instead of having a conversation with you? Yeah, that's what this sounds like.
The problem: You're in broadcast mode instead of conversation mode.
The Fix:
Use "you" when addressing your listeners
Ask rhetorical questions throughout your episode
Share personal stories and vulnerabilities
Imagine you're talking to ONE specific person
Acknowledge your listeners' struggles and experiences
When you make that shift from broadcaster to friend, everything changes. Your audience starts to feel seen, heard, and understood. That's where the magic happens.
Mistake #5: You're Not Telling People What to Do Next
You just delivered an incredible episode. Your listener is fired up, inspired, and ready to take action. But then... nothing. You say "thanks for listening," and the episode ends.
What just happened? You wasted a golden opportunity.
Every episode should end with ONE clear call to action. Not five different options (that just creates decision paralysis), but ONE specific next step.
The Fix:
Choose ONE primary goal for each episode
Make your call to action simple and specific
Repeat it at least twice during the episode
Make it easy for listeners to take action
Track what's working and adjust accordingly
Examples of clear CTAs:
"Head to [website] and download the free template I mentioned"
"Send me a DM on Instagram with your biggest takeaway"
"Leave a review and tell me which tip you're implementing first"
Mistake #6: You're Publishing Whenever You Feel Like It
Consistency isn't just about showing up, it's about building trust. When your audience never knows when to expect your next episode, they stop expecting it altogether.
Think about it: Would you stay committed to a TV show that aired at random times without any schedule? Probably not.
The Fix:
Choose a realistic publishing schedule and stick to it
Batch record episodes to stay ahead
Use scheduling tools to automate publishing
Tease your next episode at the end of each show
Communicate any schedule changes to your audience
Pro tip: It's better to publish consistently every other week than to publish sporadically twice a week.
Mistake #7: Your Podcast Isn't Connected to Your Business Goals
Here's a question that might sting a little: What's the point of your podcast?
If your answer is "to share my knowledge" or "to build my audience," you're missing the bigger picture. Your podcast should be a strategic tool that drives specific business outcomes.
The Fix:
Define what success looks like for your podcast
Align your content with your business objectives
Create clear pathways from listener to client/customer
Track metrics that actually matter (more on this in a sec)
Design your podcast funnel intentionally
Remember: Your podcast should work FOR your business, not just be a nice-to-have addition.
The Big Truth: Downloads Don't Actually Matter
Okay, this might blow your mind, but downloads are basically a vanity metric.
I know, I know. You've been obsessing over those numbers, comparing yourself to other podcasters, feeling discouraged when your downloads plateau. But here's what nobody talks about:
Downloads don't equal engagement. Downloads don't equal business results. Downloads don't even guarantee that someone actually LISTENED to your episode.
A download just means someone's podcast app automatically grabbed your episode. It doesn't tell you:
If they actually listened
How much they listened to
If they took any action
If they'll become a client or customer
What Actually Matters:
Completion rates: How many people listen to your entire episode?
Engagement: Are people commenting, sharing, or responding to your CTAs?
Conversions: How many listeners are joining your email list, booking calls, or buying from you?
Retention: Are people coming back for more episodes?
These metrics tell you if your content is actually resonating and if your podcast is serving your business goals.
Ready to Transform Your Podcast Strategy?
Listen, I get it. This might feel overwhelming, but here's the beautiful truth: You don't have to fix everything at once. Pick ONE mistake that resonated most with you and focus on that first.
Maybe it's cleaning up your audio quality. Maybe it's creating a consistent publishing schedule. Maybe it's finally adding clear calls to action to your episodes.
Start there. Master that one thing, then move to the next.
Your audience is out there waiting for exactly what you have to offer. They need your unique perspective, your expertise, and your story. Don't let these fixable mistakes keep you from reaching them.
What's your next move? I'd love to hear which mistake you're tackling first. Drop me a line and let's make your podcast the engaging, conversion-driving machine it's meant to be!