What makes a podcast great

As HubSpot's Senior Marketing Manager of Podcasts, as well as host of HubSpot's podcast Weird Work , I'm undeniably familiar with the trials and tribulations of creating a good episode, and a good series. Here, I'm going to share with you what I've learned about the anatomy of a perfect podcast episode, so you can create a successful, impactful podcast for your own brand. Many incredibly successful podcasters have mastered the art of unscripted and unedited interviews -- but far more people have tried and failed miserably.

While unedited podcasts can sound authentic and personal, they can also sound like long-winded freewheeling conversations that go nowhere. A good, unedited podcast minimizes dead air by seamlessly moving from one topic to another and keeping the conversation lively over an extended period of time. It's important to note -- if you're not going to edit your podcast episodes, the host needs to do an enormous amount of research on each guest or topic to ensure they aren't scrambling for what to say next.

During really successful unedited interviews, the host will often reference articles the guests have written, critical responses to guest views, or personal stories. The host has clearly done an enormous amount of research, which enables him to pull all the most interesting tidbits out of LaBeouf. However, here at HubSpot, we lean towards editing. Editing allows us to shape the conversations to be more impactful without significantly altering the content of the conversation.

Editing is being kind to your listener. You're practically a hero. The first few minutes of a podcast is the most important part of an episode.

It lets listeners know what the episode is going to be about, and piques their interest. There are many people who use the introduction to do absolutely nothing useful for the listener. Listing what episode number it is or doing general housekeeping only detracts from your goal of getting the listener interested in the rest of the episode. The episode starts out with a heart-wrenching story of how one woman's uncle got sick and refused to get treatment.

He ended up getting treatment, but ultimately received it a little too late. The episode is more broadly about healthcare for African Americans after the Civil War, and how it impacts healthcare today. Ultimately, your introduction doesn't need to have anything to do with your episode, as long as it hooks the listener. For example, one of my favorite podcasts, Heavyweight , starts each episode with its host Jonathan Goldstein calling his best friend Jackie and inevitably getting hung up on because of something he says.

It's a very light, fun way to open each episode and it's something I look forward to as a listener. When you're thinking about creating an episode, you want to be able to easily articulate what the episode is about. This sounds simple, but it's easier said than done. If you want to monetise your podcast, run live events or ask your listeners to participate in your content they need to be invested in your show.

If two people in front of a mic is the best way to deliver your content, great. Promoting your show is an essential part of getting your podcast in front of new eyes and ears and one of the common mistakes podcasters make is they only share their show on the day it launches. If your show is evergreen i. If your content is topical you can still post the day of release, the day after, a few days after that and maybe at the end of the week as well.

Sounding in control helps put your audience at ease which makes listening to your show a relaxing experience. Send me an email. Want to start your own podcast but need a little help? Listening to a new podcast is always a risk. With so much ability for content creators to target specific audiences, it can be hard to tell if a show is going to cover what you expect.

Delivering an explicit structure on your content can serve to help listeners know what to expect and keep them engaged with the ideas you want to cover. This is something that a good podcast creator embraces by opening up and speaking from a place that is authentic and vulnerable, the podcast host invites their audience to form a relationship with them.

They become characters in the drama of their shows, and this empathetic link between audience and host is crucial for maintaining engagement with a show. You should be able to cook something truly special. By executing on each of the elements of a good podcast, you can ensure your show is as impactful for you or your business as it was always meant to be.

Looking for help coming up with good ideas for your podcast? Check out our guide on podcasting Piper is a former content associate at G2. Their interests include podcasts, rock climbing, and understanding how people form systems of knowledge in the digital age.

The host is the glue that holds everything together. They determine what content is created, which guests make an appearance, and whether or not the audience becomes a strong, engaged community. Becoming a great podcast host takes some skills, practice, and a few key characteristics! To help your podcast thrive, you have to learn to create the conversation your audience desires, become an expert on the subject, and really seek out the best guests to interview on your show. Of course, each of our podcasts has a unique spin and requires any number of important podcast host traits to make it a success.

One of the best tips for a podcast host is to speak to your audience like they are in the room with you. This helps your listeners to feel like they are right there with you, listening to the interview for the very first time as it is happening.

Although this is not true, it definitely creates a much more life-like atmosphere and draws your listeners into the crucial and sometimes intimate conversations of your podcast. Most importantly, think of your listener as a third person listening in to your conversation, not a crowd of people listening to your conversation. This creates a one-on-one feel, inviting them into the conversation with you to go on the journey together!

Knowing your subject matter is critical when it comes to keeping your audience engaged and actually allowing them to walk away from the episode having learned what you set out to teach them. Being well-prepared and researched in your topic can help you stay focused and gives you a clear path of the conversation.

It is important to keep a narrow focus and make sure that you are not losing anyone along the way. True knowledge and expertise trump a simple opinion every time! Often times people get bored when there is too much information thrown their way. Instead, break the information up by adding in stories, personal anecdotes, or something for your audience to relate to and remember down the road. Your listeners are much more likely to remember a story than a bunch of facts strung together.

Keep in mind, you cannot assume that everyone learns the way that you do.