Podcasting is an incredible way to share your voice, build a brand, and connect with your audience. But before you dive in, there are critical things that most people won’t tell you. In this guide, we’ll walk through five must-know insights about starting a podcast and how to overcome these challenges to build a successful show.
1. Podcast Analytics Are Tricky
Unlike platforms like YouTube, where detailed analytics give you insight into audience retention, click-through rates, and watch time, podcast analytics are not so detailed
You typically only get:
How to Work Around This
- Focus on Growth Trends – While episode downloads may fluctuate, aim for an upward trend over time.
- Identify High-Performing Episodes – Double down on topics that generate more engagement.
- Use Afripods and/or Jamit, trust us, you’ll thank us later.
2. Just Because You Start a Podcast Doesn’t Mean You’ll Get Listeners
Many new podcasters believe that simply launching a show will bring in listeners. That’s not how it works anymore. With over a million active podcasts, competition is fierce.
How to Get Listeners From Day One
- Make Your Launch an Event – Leverage social media, email lists, and communities to create buzz.
- Be a Guest on Other Podcasts – This is one of the fastest ways to get in front of engaged audiences.
- Consistency Wins – Listeners won’t stick around if your show is unpredictable. Publish on a set schedule.
3. Staying Consistent is Harder Than You Think
Most new podcasters experience Podfade—they start strong but struggle to keep up after 10-15 episodes. Life gets in the way, motivation dips, and the workload piles up.
How to Stay Consistent
- Plan Ahead – Map out at least 10 episode ideas before launching.
- Batch Record Episodes – Set aside a day to record multiple episodes in advance.
- Outsource Editing – If possible, hire an editor to free up time for marketing and content creation.
4. Social Media Alone Won’t Grow Your Podcast
Many podcasters assume that posting on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook will drive huge listener growth. Reality check: It won’t.
Why? Social media platforms mainly show your content to people who already follow you. This does nothing for discoverability.
What to Do Instead
- Be a Guest on Other Podcasts – Tap into existing podcast audiences.
- Speak at Events & Webinars – Whether virtual or in-person, share your podcast with new groups.
- Get Featured in Niche Communities – Join Facebook Groups, Subreddits, and LinkedIn discussions.
- Optimize for Search – Use SEO-friendly titles that align with how people search for podcasts.
5. Getting Podcast Reviews is Difficult
Reviews build credibility and boost rankings, but getting listeners to leave one? It’s like pulling teeth.
How to Get More Podcast Reviews
- Ask in Two Steps:
- Post on social media: “Who listened to the latest episode? What did you learn?”
- DM each person who responds and personally ask them to leave a review.
- Send Personalized Video Requests – A short video request feels more authentic and gets a higher response rate.
- Use Podkite.com – This tool helps collect and display all your international reviews in one place.
If you follow these strategies, you’ll not only launch a successful podcast but keep it growing long-term.
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What surprised you the most? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
