In this episode, I tackled a common issue solo podcasters face: what do you do when you need to reference a stat, date, or chart on the fly while recording while on a LIVE STREAM?

I discussed some typical options: pausing to Google it (which can break your momentum), guessing (and risk sounding uninformed), or flagging it for post-production fixes (which adds editing time).

But I pointed out a missed option: coming prepared! If you do your research ahead of time, you can minimize disruptions when recording. However, I know that's not always possible—especially when recording live.

For example, on my weekly live show, Ask the Podcast Coach, I answer spontaneous questions from the chat room, so I can't always be ready with every fact.

When recording solo and I have a slip-up, I simply pause a few seconds to create a clear space in the audio. That pause makes it easy to spot and edit later. It’s a technique I use on all my solo recordings.

For my live show, Ask the Podcast Coach (askthepodcastcoach.com/live), I prepare as much as possible, but also rely on interacting with the chat. If I need to look something up, I'll edit the audio version but leave the video as-is since YouTube doesn't allow file replacement.

I also mentioned that preparation helps explain visuals for audio listeners, guiding them through what’s happening on screen. More planning always means less editing afterwards; if you wing it, expect more cleanup.

Running a live show is a juggling act—managing the sound, levels, chat room, and next questions. Thankfully, I have a co-host to help. If you're on your own, consider whether going live is the best option given your current workflow.

Finally, I shared some advice: practice any new tech or process before going live. Don't try something for the first time in front of an audience!

Websites mentioned:

1. Ask the Podcast Coach
2. School of Podcasting

If you want help not “wetting your pants” on your first try, check out the School of Podcasting where you get access to me for consulting, a supportive community, and step-by-step courses.

Thanks for listening—I'm here to help podcasters succeed!

In this episode, I reveal the reality that starting a podcast—just like starting something challenging, like football—comes with a few bruises. I share how, no matter what you do, you can’t please everyone, and that's perfectly okay.

I recount my own experience growing up, relating how being comfortable with myself, regardless of whether people liked me, set me up to handle audience feedback as a podcaster. I mention how, as a musician and fan, I observed that fans often love a band when they’re small and scrappy but sometimes move on once the band becomes more polished and successful. I explain that podcasting is much the same: as your show grows and improves, you might lose some early fans but connect with new ones too.

I tell the story of my friend, Jim Harold, who hosts the Paranormal Podcast. Despite working hard to improve his studio, add video, and upgrade his setup, some listeners complained it looked “too professional,” even though most of us strive to look and sound our best. I also mention the experiences of YouTubers Colin and Samir, who received harsh comments as their show became more successful.

I reassure you that it’s normal for people to not like changes—or even to just not like you and your show. The key is to remember your target audience; if constructive feedback comes from them and makes sense, it’s worth considering. Otherwise, it’s okay to ignore the noise.

I discuss how feedback—from the right people—offers a huge opportunity to improve. But at the same time, any change you make (adding a co-host, new music, more episodes) will always please some and upset others. Most importantly, you’ve got to enjoy making your podcast, because if you don’t, you’ll likely burn out and quit.

Thanks for joining me! If you’d like help with your podcasting journey, visit schoolofpodcasting.com/join and use coupon code LISTENR to save on your subscription.

Making your podcast better isn’t just about having the right gear; it’s about engaging your audience right from the start. Think about the great sitcoms we all know and love—Seinfeld, Friends, Cheers. They all had something to grab our attention immediately. It’s like when you tune in to see what hilarious thing Jerry is going to say or how Joey is going to mess up this time. The key takeaway? Hook your listeners before you hit them with the ads.

Sure, we all need to make a buck, but drowning your audience in pre-roll ads will probably send them clicking away faster than you can say 'next episode.' Instead, sprinkle in the ads after you've given them a reason to stay. This way, they’re invested enough to endure a few promos. After all, nobody tuned in to hear about a new brand of socks—they came for the laughs or the insights. So, start strong, keep it relevant, and remember: nobody's Joe Rogan, so don’t act like you can throw endless ads at your audience and keep them around. They’ll just take a hard pass and move on to something more entertaining.

On the flip side, let’s chat about ads. We all know they’re a necessary evil in the podcasting world, but there’s a fine line between making a living and making your audience feel like they’re watching a commercial marathon.

Take a look at the Hallmark Channel—32% of their airtime is ads when I watched one of their Christmas movies.. That’s not just a little excessive; that’s a full-on assault on our patience.

Aim for around 10% ad time in your episodes. If you’re doing an hour-long show, 6 to 10 minutes of ads sprinkled throughout isn’t too much to ask. But please, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t start your show with a three-minute ad block. You’ll have listeners fast-forwarding to the good stuff and wondering if they accidentally clicked on a commercial instead of a podcast.

Remember, the best way to monetize is to sell your own stuff or create premium content. It’s way easier to get one person to buy a coffee than to chase thousands of downloads.

So, to wrap it up, if you want to keep your podcast thriving and your audience engaged, think like a sitcom writer. Get them hooked, keep the ads reasonable, and leverage your unique content to build a loyal audience.

I’m Dave Jackson, your podcast consultant, and I’ve been helping podcasters find their voice for over 20 years. Join me at schoolofpodcasting.com to take your show from ‘meh’ to ‘wow’!

1. profitfromyourpodcast.com
2. schoolofpodcasting.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Want to Podcast But Not Sure Where To Start?

I've got you covered with a FREE Podcast Launch Checklist that walks you through the whole process IN THE RIGHT ORDER. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/checklist

Podcast Launch Checklist