{"id":1840,"date":"2021-09-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-22T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/uncategorised\/nobody-listens-5-hang-hangups\/"},"modified":"2022-04-27T08:53:59","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T07:53:59","slug":"nobody-listens-5-hang-hangups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/mindset\/nobody-listens-5-hang-hangups\/","title":{"rendered":"What if Nobody Listens to My Podcast?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every aspiring and early-stage podcaster has had this creeping question lurk in the back of their minds at least once – “what if nobody listens?”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"alien
In space, nobody can hear you scream – or, your podcast, for that matter! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Sound of Silence – My Narrative Experiment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been a bit self-conscious about using audio and video platforms. But I decided to give podcasting a bash. The results were, frankly, embarrassing. I\u2019d narrated some personal stories I\u2019d written, created a prototype, and let my trusted friends decide if it worked as a concept. I feared it didn\u2019t. My friends concurred. The reality?  Nobody would listen to my podcast show in that format. It just wouldn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg>\"authors<\/div>

Hang Up Your Hangups: What if Nobody Listens to My Podcast?<\/p><\/div>

This is Chapter 5 of our Podcaster Hangups series where we break down the frequently heard complaint “What if nobody listens to my podcast?”. Find the series intro here<\/a>! <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fear is rational<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019d just thrown together a recording to test the theory. I know that a lot of time goes into planning, writing and producing a podcast. It\u2019s a big investment of your most precious resource – time. It\u2019s natural then, that you might question that investment if nobody listens. What if, when you launch your podcast nobody listens? Could your fragile ego handle it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if People Did <\/em>Listen?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I can guarantee you this;\u00a0you\u2019ll have zero listeners if you don\u2019t publish your podcast<\/a>. We\u2019re great at thinking negatively. We\u2019re wonderful at talking ourselves out of things. Don\u2019t let podcasting be the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider this; \u2018what if people did listen?\u2019 What difference could you make to your listeners? What new connections and friendships could you form? Who could you help and inspire?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through your podcast, you have the power to reach a new audience across the world. Be excited by that. Produce a great show and market it correctly and you will have listeners.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why Wouldn\u2019t People Listen?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To give yourself the best chance of having a podcast that people listen to, let\u2019s look at some of the reasons you might find it hard to reach your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Show Is Too Niche<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Picking a niche is great, just don\u2019t make it TOO niche. It\u2019s all well and good \u2018owning\u2019 a specific topic, but if not enough people are interested, you\u2019ll be facing an uphill battle to find listeners. A road racing podcast for passionate cyclists<\/a> would work, but a podcast dedicated to puncture repair kits would struggle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Show Is Too Broad<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, if your show is too general, you\u2019ll also struggle to find an audience. A general racing site that includes cycling, Formula 1 and horse racing, would understandably struggle to maintain a listener’s attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more help here, check out Podcast Topics: How to Create a Show That\u2019s Unique & Original<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poor Sound Quality<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even if you do strike the sweet spot and find a decent-sized audience, nothing will drive them away quicker than atrocious audio production. If you make it hard for people to enjoy your carefully crafted content, you\u2019ll find it almost impossible to find loyal listeners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, it isn’t difficult or <\/em>expensive to create great sounding audio…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"record<\/a><\/div>
<\/span>

Related Article<\/p><\/div>

How to Record a Podcast (It’s Easier Than You Think!)<\/span><\/a><\/p>

Learn how to record a podcast, from quick, easy methods, to high quality, pro approaches. Planning, gear, and software are all here.<\/span>\u00a0Find out more \u00bb<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Poor Delivery<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even if the sound quality is great, you could still find yourself without listeners because of how you deliver your show. If you\u2019re annoyingly obnoxious or deadly dull, you\u2019re going to do a wonderful job of driving people away. Here\u2019s an idea; be yourself. Be prepared, be organised – but don\u2019t try too hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional tips for better delivery: Do some vocal warm-ups<\/a>, practice good mic technique<\/a>, and for goodness sake, plan out your episodes<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being Brave<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Accept the fact that nobody might listen. Embrace it. Be brave and do it regardless of your fears. Because here\u2019s the thing – even if nobody listens you\u2019ll get a lot out of the experience. For a start, you\u2019ll learn what DOESN\u2019T work. But you\u2019ll also have gained valuable public speaking experience. And, you can use the show as a way to grow your personal network. Use it as a way to find your voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. Don\u2019t let the fear of failure or your natural negativity hold you back. Go on, put yourself out there. Banish the negative thoughts and find your ideal audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is an audience out there for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Task<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m a great believer in reverse engineering. So here\u2019s what I want you to do. Think about a time you abandoned a podcast episode before it finished. What was it that made you stop? Take a note and add it to your \u2018what not to do\u2019 list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next time you\u2019re searching for a new podcast, ask what it is that makes you skip scroll past a potential show. In other words, what stops you even trying a new podcast?<\/a> Again, take a note and make sure you don\u2019t fall into the same trap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn from others\u2019 mistakes and create a podcast that’s worth listening to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next Step Resources: What if Nobody Listens to My Podcast?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finally, it’s time to give you some follow-up resources and hard data to help you make sure that people DO listen to your podcast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n