Currently, I live alone. However, when I start HBO Max or Hulu a screen pops up that asks me who is listening with only one choice - Me. 

I know that it's only one click. However, can't they tell that there isn't an option here? It's me or someone else? It's not. There is only one answer: me. It's annoying.

Do you have that one annoying friend? Do you hang out with them all the time (if at all)? Probably not because they are annoying. 

A Bad Use of a Podcast

You beg people to come and listen to your podcast. You do a great job of getting us excited about the topic. I go to the show description (some people call this the "show notes") and there is no link. What? Huh?

Then I hear you say that to find the link I'm looking for, I have to go to your newsletter, social media, etc. 

Wait. I'm right here. You said to come here and listen to your podcast. It's working, and now you want me to go someplace else?

But Wait It Gets Worse

So I go to the link you mention, and as I just discovered your show, it's not at the top of the screen anymore. You published this episode six weeks ago, and now I have to search. 

This is like inviting someone into your home, having them ask, "Where is your bathroom?" and saying, "It's in here somewhere." 

You don't do that. I am your guest. You say, "Go down the hallway and it's the first door on the left, and the light switch is on the right-hand side." 

Podcasters assume that people listen on the release date (and they do). However, as you get more episodes a larger percentage of your download for the current month are from your older episodes. Over 60% of the School of Podcasting's monthly downloads come from episodes NOT released in that month. 

Give The Listener a Smooth Experience

Don't tell your podcast audience to "Find me in the app" as many podcast apps have a horrible search mechanism that doesn't work. 

Have them subscribe on your site where you've made it easy.

If you want to grow your email list, offer something of value while you're giving value about the current subject. This way if I don't need your lead magnet, I still get value. 

Need Some Help With Your Podcast?

Let me take my 17 years of podcasting experience and help you avoid the common podcasting pitfalls and get you going in the right direction. Let's schedule a strategy session today at www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule

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