Here is our list of podcast failures – the lessons we’ve learned in making a podcast. When starting World Herstory, we threw everything at the wall to see what would stick, and that was a terrible method. Between not knowing how to organize ourselves to trying multiple editing softwares, to cranking up the gain on the microphone for more volume… all of it. We’ve done all of the things you can possibly imagine, and we’re still learning. 

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Not Planning A Single Thing

When we started World Herstory, we figured it was easy to start a podcast because there are so many. We threw some launch dates into the void of social media and knew we’d eventually get around to recording and editing. 

LOL

Terrible idea. 

As a history podcast, there is a lot of research and scriptwriting involved. It’s essential to have our plan in place that is based on how long it takes to research each episode, write it, record it, and edit it. 

We use Airtable to organize our lives for World Herstory. FREE to use and they have some great FREE templates to help you organize your podcast, too. 

Not Recording Anything

We called ourselves a weekly podcast and launched with ZERO podcasts in the bank. There was no backlog of episodes. This was due to poor planning and was an instant podcast failure.

We launched in May 2023 with one episode, and the second episode was posted 8 months later. The reason it took so long was because there are full-time jobs that are going on behind the scenes here, worries about the TBS blog, newsletters, social media, content creation for collaborations. 

And NONE of that was taken into consideration because we thought running a podcast was easy. 

Record and edit episodes so you have a backlog to be consistent. Treat it the same way you’d start a blog or social media account. You want to have more content than just one post/episode and then you fall off the face of the Earth for 8 months. 

Not Connecting With Other Podcasters

The Podcasting community is so, so, so different. There’s no gatekeeping. Everyone knows what it takes, whether you’re interviewing someone for your style of show, or running something scripted like we do – the resources in other creators is endless. 

Just ask. Seriously. That’s it. 

Trouble with editing? Need a logo? Have absolutely no idea what an audio interface is?

We secured ourselves into a bunker of google searches to find some okay answers, when really we could have interacted with the podcasting community. 

Hit up Threads (via IG). It’s really off the charts with podcasters over there. 

Interviewing Ain’t Easy

Know your guest. Research them. Do they also have a podcast? What are they known for? Did you onboard them so you have their information for show notes? What are their pronouns? How do you pronounce their name? What do they want to plug on your show? Is your guest going to contribute to your listeners the way you think they will? Do you have questions at the ready? Are they good questions that provoke discussion or are they close-ended questions?

We’ve also learned… sometimes organic conversation happens and you don’t get the chance to ask all of the questions. AND THAT’S OKAY. 

Poll your listeners for what questions they would like answered from a particular expert or person. Include them. 

Be A Guest On Other Podcasts

Do a Podcast Tour to help promote yourself if that’s something you’d like to do. 

Also – guesting on other podcasts is an amazing experience. We all have multiple interests and skill sets. Sometimes it’s really cool to flex those muscles. 

We talk about history, traveling, photography, multimedia, etc. on other podcasts. Don’t niche yourself because you think you have to – we’re all well-rounded, complicated people. 

Plus – being a guest on a podcast is great fun!

You Don’t Need Fancy Equipment To Start

Ask our bank account…

While in the beginning, episodes were recorded with Tabitha wearing a blanket over her head to help mute background noise (AKA the furnace), we thought we needed a fancy microphone and crazy equipment to be a part of the podcasting community. 

FALSE. 

All you need is yourself and your phone. Totally does not require additional purchasing. 

While this list isn’t complete, and more than likely still growing, we wanted to share our failures with some lessons-learned. Hopefully this helps you on your podcasting journey.

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