The Horrors of Starting a Podcast

A Cautionary Tale for Aspiring Creators

Podcasting is often portrayed as an exciting frontier where creators can unleash their ideas, connect with like-minded individuals, and carve out a space in the ever-expanding digital landscape. But peel back the curtain, and the reality of starting a podcast is a labyrinth of challenges that can rattle even the most enthusiastic creators. Here’s a deep dive into the chaos, stress, and unexpected hurdles that await those bold enough to venture into the world of podcasting.

Welcome! I’m Brian Colburn, and you’ve opened the door to Digital Brew, the go-to newsletter for creators ready to elevate their craft.

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What’s Inside

1. The Myth of Easy Beginnings

2. Equipment and Tech Troubles

3. The Content Crisis

4. Audience Expectations and Feedback Nightmares

5. The Crushing Weight of Consistency

6. Marketing Mayhem

7. Financial Fiascos

8. The Emotional Toll

9. The Shadow of ‘Podfade’

10. The Bright Side: Turning Chaos into Opportunity

11. Platform News

    1. Facebook is transitioning to "views"

    2. Facebook is removing the option for users to allow public followers on personal profiles

    3. LinkedIn shared new insights to help users with video content

    4. Instagram announced the removal of the option for users to follow specific hashtags

    5. Instagram is rolling out a new feature to help users manage their followers more effectively by identifying and removing inactive profiles from their audience

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Now, on to the article

The Myth of Easy Beginnings

Let’s face it—starting a podcast seems simple. All you need is a microphone, a laptop, and a dash of creativity, right? Not quite. According to NPR’s Podcast Start Up Guide, while the barrier to entry is low, the learning curve is steep. From understanding audio recording basics to navigating the complexities of distribution, would-be podcasters often find themselves drowning in a sea of unfamiliar jargon: RSS feeds, DAWs (digital audio workstations), and bitrates. The initial excitement quickly morphs into frustration as they realize that quality matters more than they imagined.

Equipment and Tech Troubles