The Five Most Common Podcasting Mistakes We See Every Week…
…(And How To Fix Them)
I am Mark, co-founder of Podcast Studio Glasgow. After more than twenty years producing and presenting podcasts, I can say this with certainty: podcasting is not complicated, although doing it well relies on awareness.
Each week we see the same familiar mistakes, especially from new hosts. These mistakes are not dramatic and everyone makes them. The real difference between someone who settles into the craft and someone who stops after three episodes is simple. They understand why these habits appear and they correct them early.
Here are the five we see most often in the studio and how to approach them.
1. Recording Without a Plan
This is the one that appears most frequently.
When I talk about having a plan, I do not mean scripting every line. Reading from a page strips away your natural energy. What works far better is a loose structure.
Without direction, a conversation drifts. Your listener notices this very quickly, and once their attention slips, they will drift too.
Before you press record, write down three points:
the purpose of the episode
the question or tension that carries the listener forward
the takeaway you want them to keep
Three quick notes can guide an entire recording.
2. Rushing the Opening
Nearly every host does this at some point. You sit down, nerves appear, your energy spikes and suddenly you are speaking far faster than usual.
The first minute of any episode carries enormous weight. It sets the tone and signals confidence.
There are two effective ways to improve this.
Option A: Slow the pace
Take a breath, hold it briefly and release. Picture one person across from you in a quiet café and speak to that one listener. This grounds your voice and brings your pace into a natural rhythm.
Option B: Record the intro last
Start the conversation without pressure. Once the recording finishes, take a moment and then record your introduction. You will sound calmer and more assured because you already know the shape of the episode.
3. Confusing Volume With Presence
Many new podcasters believe that speaking loudly creates presence. In reality, presence comes from clarity, intention and pace.
In the studio, we prefer a quiet but purposeful delivery to a loud one with no direction. Presence grows with practice. It is not something you force.
Try slowing your pace slightly and pronouncing each word with more precision. This creates clarity without raising your voice.
4. Chasing Perfection At The Start
Podcasting develops over time. No one masters it in the first episode, including the experienced hosts you admire.
When you begin, you might compare yourself to presenters with hundreds of episodes, polished edits and years of training. That comparison is not helpful.
Treat your first few recordings as practice. Some clients record a test episode they never release. They listen back, notice what works and adjust gradually.
Your first ten episodes form your learning period. Focus on consistency. Turning up regularly is the closest thing to a shortcut in podcasting.
5. Forgetting To Enjoy It
This is the most human mistake.
A podcast is not an exam. You are not being scored. Your show should be:
a place to explore ideas
a chance to express yourself
a reason to speak with people you respect
a body of work you can look back on proudly
If you are not enjoying the process, listeners will feel that.
Settle into the conversation. Let yourself be curious. When the pressure lifts, the quality improves.
Final Thoughts
We see these habits every week at Podcast Studio Glasgow, and all of them are simple to correct.
Bring a light structure
Ease into your introduction
Focus on clarity rather than volume
Treat your early episodes as training
Enjoy the experience
Follow these principles and you will not only create a podcast. You will build a platform.
If you want support from the most experienced podcast production team in the UK, get in touch anytime. We are here to help you sound your best.
