What do you do if your podcast episode flops and how can you turn it into a learning experience?

No podcast is truly a flop if you learned something. You learned what you don't want or what doesn't work. The real issue is checking to see if you are "3 Feet from Gold" - is it a flop because of your expectations or really a flop? Sometimes it is a technical problem that is causing failure and not a strategic one - what a shame if a little appraisal/audit could shift it to success! Get an expert (outside your current team/coach) to take a look at the show. What I love most about podcasting is how flexible it is - you can completely change every part of your show and pivot it to where it needs to be. Reach out for support!

Hay episodios que cuando los grabo pienso. "Wow, este episodio va a ser la bomba" y luego realmente no es para tanto. Otros, en cambio, parece que no han sido para tanto y eclosionan en cuanto número de escuchas. Siempre se agradece la crítica de personas que han escuchado un episodio y te dicen cuestiones al respecto a mejorar. No pensemos que porque tenemos un podcast en progreso con una trayectoria de muchos episodios somos infalibles y simplemente por dar al botón de "Record" el éxito está garantizado. Innovar y preguntarse siempre cómo podemos mejorar es fundamental.

Defining success can be a challenge in the world of podcasting as a lack of downloads or small reach does not necessarily equate to poor quality. If you genuinely believe that the episode is of a high standard, it may be as simple as reviewing how you could better attract listeners who will resonate with it. Conversely, if an episode goes 'viral' it does not necessarily make it better. There is more to measuring quality than just raw data.

If it's your first episode, trash it and start again. If it's not your first episode, move on and don't worry about it. Not every episode can be a hit. If you can learn something from it, more power to you. If not, again, don't worry about it; move on and make your next episode great.

Even great podcasters have episodes that miss the mark sometimes. Don't beat yourself up, but do treat it as a learning opportunity. Critically examine what didn't work - the topic, audio quality, energy levels? Identify potential issues so you can adjust and iterate. Every "flop" episode provides valuable data to help you continue improving and delighting your audience. Stay self-aware, and use those missteps as chances to course correct and come back stronger.

Once you've accepted the reality of a flop, the next step is to gather feedback. Reach out to your audience and ask for their honest thoughts. Whether it's through social media polls, email surveys, or direct messages, gathering feedback gives you valuable insights into what worked and what didn't. Additionally, don't forget to seek feedback from fellow podcasters or mentors in the industry. Their fresh perspectives and constructive criticism can provide invaluable guidance on how to improve future episodes. By embracing feedback with an open mind, you'll be better equipped to turn a flop into a learning experience and elevate your podcasting game.

Once you've gathered feedback, it's time to roll up your sleeves and dive into the data. Take a deep dive into your podcast analytics to uncover patterns and trends. Look at metrics like listener engagement, retention rates, and download numbers to pinpoint areas of improvement. Moreover, don't forget about qualitative data. Review listener comments, reviews, and social media interactions to gain deeper insights into audience preferences and sentiments. By analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of what resonates with your audience and what doesn't.

Faça uma review minuscioso de todo processo com objetivo em pescar possíveis equívocos que estejam compromentendo a performance de seu podcast. Desde a escolha do tema (na pré) até a divulgação (na pós), avalie se a entrega continua alinhada ao esperado pelo público-alvo.

Sometimes an episode just doesn't hit, but the content might still be useful if repackaged. If you had a guest who was a dud, the information they shared could be used in a solo episode where you credit the information to that guest. If you were doing a solo that flopped, you can try to repackage the information in a different style such as an AMA. And sometimes the reality is, the information was just not clicking with your audience. That is a great learning tool to help you understand your listeners more. Not every episode is going to be a top performer and that is okay!

Armed with feedback and data insights, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work on revising your content. Take a critical look at your episode structure, pacing, and delivery. Are there areas that need tightening up or segments that could use more depth? Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different approaches. Consider incorporating listener suggestions, addressing common pain points, or exploring new angles on familiar topics. By staying flexible and open-minded, you'll be able to craft content that better resonates with your audience and keeps them coming back for more.

Caso avalie todo processo de ponta a ponta e não encontre gaps que justifiquem os maus resultados, estude mais sobre o trabalho de divulgação para entender se o marketing está impactando as pessoas certas, se as redes sociais estão entregando o conteúdo, se é preciso ajustar o investimento em ADS e, mais do que tudo, se é necessário melhoras suas copys e designs.

With revised content in hand, it's time to kick your promotion efforts into high gear. Take a fresh look at your marketing strategy and explore new avenues for reaching your target audience. Consider leveraging social media platforms, email newsletters, or collaborations with other podcasters to expand your reach. Moreover, don't underestimate the power of storytelling in your promotional efforts. Craft compelling narratives around your episodes to pique curiosity and drive engagement. By refining your promotion strategy and infusing it with creative storytelling, you'll be able to capture the attention of new listeners and reignite the interest of existing ones, ultimately boosting the success of your podcast.

Podcasters who are willing to play the long game and consistently produce quality, over time you will reap the rewards. Rome was not built in a day as a the saying goes and quality podcasts take time to establish themselves in their niche. Gradually refine and be willing to stick it out!

Sometimes, a flop just happens. Get over it and move on. Some of my most popular episodes were ones I didn't think much of while doing them, and some that I thought would be great didn't get the recognition I thought they would. That's the great thing about podcasting: As you release more episodes, the flops will disappear among your other great episodes. And don't forget, if it truly is a flop, you can always delete it.