5 Podcast Mistakes You're Probably Making (That Are Killing Your Growth)

Let's cut straight to the chase, you started your podcast with dreams of Joe Rogan-level success, but six months in, your download numbers look more like a failing restaurant's Yelp rating. Don't worry, you're not alone. After consulting with over 100 podcasters and turning several shows from ghost towns into growth machines, I've identified the same fatal flaws over and over again.

Here are five podcast mistakes you're probably making right now (and how to actually fix them):

1. Your Audio Quality Screams "Amateur Hour"

I don't care how revolutionary your content is, if you sound like you're broadcasting from inside a tin can during a hurricane, listeners are hitting that back button faster than you can say "testing, 1-2-3."

Remember when Serial burst onto the scene and revolutionized podcasting? Their pristine audio quality wasn't an accident, it was a non-negotiable professional standard that allowed their storytelling to shine.

The Fix: Invest in a decent microphone, record in a treated space (even if that means draping blankets over your bookshelf), and learn basic audio editing to remove those distracting "ums," awkward silences, and background noises. Your listeners' ears will thank you.

2. You're Rambling Without a Roadmap

"So, um, today I thought we might talk about, like, some marketing stuff, or maybe something else if that comes up..."

Sound familiar? The Lex Fridman Podcast doesn't wing it, and neither should you. Even conversational podcasts need structure.

The Fix: Create a simple episode template with clear segments. Develop an outline before each episode with bullet points, not scripts (unless you can read without sounding like you're reading). Promise specific value in your intro, deliver it in your content, and summarize key takeaways at the end. Your audience craves structure, even if they don't realize it.

3. You're Releasing Episodes Inconsistently

Nothing kills audience growth like the "surprise" release schedule. Your listeners aren't sitting around waiting for your next episode to drop randomly, they're developing habits around consistent creators.

Look at how The Daily from The New York Times publishes like clockwork, same time, every weekday. Their reliability built an empire.

The Fix: Choose a realistic schedule you can actually maintain (weekly is ideal, but biweekly is better than "whenever inspiration strikes"). Create a content calendar with themes and topics plotted at least eight weeks ahead. Build a 3-episode buffer for emergencies. Most importantly, communicate your schedule clearly to listeners and stick to it religiously.

4. You're Not Promoting Beyond Publishing

If your podcast promotion strategy is "upload to Apple Podcasts and pray," you might as well be recording voice memos for your personal archives.

Smart podcasters like Alex Cooper didn't grow "Call Her Daddy" to millions of listeners by being shy. She repurposes content across platforms, collaborates strategically, and makes every episode a multi-platform event.

The Fix: Create a promotion checklist for each episode: pull 5-7 short clips for social media, design quote graphics from key moments, write a companion blog post, engage in relevant communities without spamming, and collaborate with complementary creators. Remember: publishing is just the beginning of your job, not the end.

5. You're Not Giving Listeners Clear Next Steps

Each episode ends with a vague "thanks for listening" before you fade to music. Meanwhile, successful podcasters are using strategic calls-to-action that build their business with every episode.

"How I Built This" with Guy Raz masterfully guides listeners to their newsletter, live events, and other episodes at precisely the right moments.

The Fix: End every episode with a specific, actionable request, rotate between subscribing, leaving a review, following on social media, joining your email list, or checking out a resource. Make it singular (one request per episode) and compelling (explain the benefit to them). Track which CTAs perform best and double down on winners.

The brutal truth is that great content alone isn't enough in today's podcast ecosystem, where over 2.5 million shows are competing for the same ears. Technical excellence, strategic planning, and consistent promotion separate the growing shows from the stagnant ones.

Fix these 5 fundamental mistakes, and you won't just improve your podcast, you'll transform it into a growing asset that attracts listeners even when you're not actively hustling for them.

For a limited time, I’m offering a free "Podcast Audit" to the first 25 podcasters who complete these two steps:

1. Share this article on Twitter/X or Instagram with the hashtag #MitsuFixMyPodcast and include a link to your podcast

2. Click the “Book Your Free Audit” button below to schedule a 20-minute session, where I’ll personally review 2 of your recent episodes and give you actionable feedback on content structure, audio quality, listener engagement, and growth opportunities

If you’re serious about improving your show, this audit will give you clear next steps to help you sound more professional, connect with your audience, and grow faster.

Spots are limited, and they’re going quickly—secure yours today.

Book My Free Podcast Audit