Whether you’re someone who has been podcasting for years or you’re a newbie thinking of starting a podcast, you need to understand the common mistakes podcasters make so you can avoid them as best as possible. I’ve come up with a short list of podcasting mistakes I see on a regular basis, but I’m sure this list is incomplete. Please add to it by leaving a comment.

1. Turning your podcast into a long sales pitch—Do you honestly think anyone wants to subscribe to a podcast that’s nothing more than 15+ minute commercial for your company? Of course not. People listen to podcasts because they want to learn something or be entertained. Share your expertise with your listeners. Comment on news related to your industry, or offer tips your listeners can use. Just stop patting yourself on the back every 15 seconds.
2. Not publishing your show regularly—How can you expect anyone to get into your show if they don’t know if or when you’re going to publish another episode? You need to find a schedule for publishing your podcast and stick with it. This will help you keep your listeners engaged so you don’t lose them to disinterest.
3. Using cheap equipment—I’m not saying you need to go drop $1000 on audio equipment for your podcast, but chances are, the microphone that came with your computer isn’t going to cut it. Listeners shouldn’t have to strain to hear your podcast over all the background noise and unclear audio. Get a quality microphone, and always be sure to spend some time editing your podcast before you publish it.
4. Showing up unprepared—Want to have a terrible podcast that no one listens to? Just show up with no notes, press record, and start rambling away for 15 minutes or so. Professional podcasters are well-prepared for every show they do. They create an outline of topics they want to discuss, and if they are interviewing any guests, they perform extensive research and create solid questions to ask them. Preparation is essential for success in podcasting.
5. Ignoring promotion for your show—Contrary to what you might believe, just because you build it, doesn’t mean they will come. You have to actively promote your podcast if you want to create a base of loyal listeners. Follow these tips for getting more podcast subscribers.

Do you know of any more podcasting mistakes? Share them with us in the replies.

A growing number of businesses are using podcasting as a means to increase brand awareness, to connect with their target audience, and to grow their online presence. But to get the most out of podcasting, you need to make sure you’re doing all of the right things to give your audience a professional show every time. Here are some easy things you can do to improve your podcast.

• Get a decent microphone—Let me first say that I’m not an audio geek by any means. However, I will say that a cheap mic can make your entire podcast sound unprofessional and difficult to listen to. You want to find a microphone that cuts out a lot of background noise and eliminates static. In short, you want your listeners to be able to clearly hear you without getting distracted by other noises. Visit your local music shop or electronics store to find a good microphone for your podcasting needs.

• Add intro and outro music—Whenever you listen to a talk show on the radio, each segment always begins and ends with about 10 seconds of music. This is called bumper music, and it can add a professional, finished touch to your podcasts. You can easily find royalty free music online that you can use in your podcasts.

• Speak clearly—Recording a podcast isn’t as simple as plugging in a microphone and blabbing away. There’s something known as “proper microphone technique.” This includes everything from properly positioning the microphone to speaking clearly. Speak slowly, and make sure not to mumble. Enunciate every word properly, and always have water on hand so that you can stay hydrated. Always go back and listen to your podcasts before publishing them to make sure every word can be clearly heard.

• Eliminate the noise—You might not normally notice it, but there is always noise all around us. From the sound of the air conditioner to the humming of the refrigerator, these little noises that you might normally overlook can easily become annoying background tracks on your podcast. Record in the quietest place you can find. Place pillows or clothes around windows and doors to block out sound. If you live in the city, you can also try recording at night when traffic has died down some.

• Make your listeners a part of the show—The main difference between podcasts and radio shows is that podcasts are typically prerecorded while radio shows are live. As a result, many podcasters lose the interactive element of the show. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Your listeners can still have a key role in your show. Dedicate a portion of your show to answering listener’s emails. You could even setup a voicemail system that allows listeners to leave messages with questions and comments.

• Always be prepared—Preparation is a podcaster’s best friend. You don’t want to be recording your podcast on the fly. Everything should be planned out properly so that your content comes across smoothly and naturally. Just be sure not to script your show too much as you’ll end up sounding like a robot.
Which podcasting tips would you add to this list? Share your thoughts in the replies.

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I’m assuming most of you already know what podcasting is, but just in case one of you has been living under a rock, podcasting is essentially your own downloadable radio talk show. You can do everything from talking about the hottest industry news to interviewing experts in your field. You can promote your podcast through your blog, website, iTunes, and other places.

A number of businesses have jumped on the podcasting bandwagon, and those who do it well are reaping several benefits. Here are just a few of the biggest podcasting benefits.

1.    Increase your authority—Just like blogging or writing an e-book, podcasting is another way to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. The best way to build your authority is to give your unique insight on relevant industry topics without sounding like a constant advertisement for your services. By providing quality discussions to your listeners, your words will start to carry more weight, and over time, people will begin to trust you.

2.    Connect with a new audience—With the ability to place your podcast on iTunes and other websites, you have an excellent opportunity to reach an entirely new audience. Some of your listeners will be people who would have never found your blog or website. And once you have them listening to your podcast, you can direct them to your website, thus increasing your traffic in the process.

3.    Improve relationships with your target audience—For many, it’s easier to build a personal connection to a human voice than it is to an anonymous guy blogging. It just makes things more real, and it showcases the true you. Simply put, podcasting is another way to add a strong link in the chain connecting you and your target audience. You could also respond to questions submitted by your users to add an interactive element to your show, further strengthening the relationship.

4.    Build your brand—At the end of the day, podcasting is just another way to build your brand. Not only are you expanding your brand’s presence, but you’re also refining its image through the words you speak. You’re able to tell your story week after week. Just make sure the image you present in your podcast is consistent with the image you put forth in your blogging and social networking. Consistency is key when building a brand.

5.    Inexpensive promotion—Perhaps the best thing about podcasting is how inexpensive it is. With the right recording software on your computer, you can easily record, edit, and publish your own podcasts. And if your podcast becomes popular enough, you can actually make money by selling advertising spots.

Do you podcast? If so, how has it helped your business?