You're not alone with this. A lot of people repel their ideal listeners.
The goal is plugging the leak before it's too late.
Let’s be real.
You could be dropping absolute gold every episode.
But if your audio sounds like you’re recording in a motorway service station...
They’re dust, mate.
So let's help you figure out where you're falling short when it comes to growing your ideal audience.
1. Your mic is working against you
You bought a Blue Yeti.
Because some YouTuber told you to.
Problem is, unless you know how to use it properly, it’s a one-way ticket to sounding like you’re broadcasting from your bathroom.
Dynamic mics like the Samson Q2U or the Rode PodMic are a better investment.
2. Your editing (or lack of it) is killing engagement
Awkward pauses.
Weird background noises.
Jarring volume jumps.
Yeah, you might think it sounds ok.
That it's 'authentic'.
"Nobody's complained about my audio."
Mate, it's difficult enough to get people to say surface level nice things about you in the reviews. What makes you think they're gonna rush to offer you genuinely useful feedback on your audio?
If your listeners have to struggle to hear things clearly, they’ll bounce.
Editing isn’t about cutting out every breath.
It’s about keeping people hooked.
3. Compression & EQ: Secrets the audio engineers have hidden from you
Raw audio is like an unseasoned steak.
Technically fine.
But totes bland.
Compression balances your levels.
EQ removes that muddy mess.
A noise gate stops your mic from picking up your dog sneezing in the next room.
Professional podcast editors know how to use these. Do you?
4. Your background noise is screaming ‘amateur’
People do forgive a lot in indie podcasts.
But if your sound is drowning in echo, fridge hum, or your ceiling fan...
They’re not sticking around.
Fix your space.
Soft furnishings.
Foam panels.
Even a blanket over your desk can work wonders.
5. Your levels are all over the place
Even the pros get this one wrong. And it's frankly unforgivable from them. But you also need to be aware.
If:
Your intro is whisper-quiet.
Your guest is shouting.
Your outro blasts their ears off.
Listeners don’t want to keep adjusting their volume.
Keep it consistent.
Normalise your audio.
Check your loudness. (Aim for -16 LUFS.)
6. Cheap editing services are failing you
Thinking about outsourcing?
If you’re using Fiverr editors who crank out 15 shows a day...
Don’t expect miracles.
They’ll slap on a basic filter and chop out some umms (if they can be bothered) and call it a day.
A pro editor makes sure your podcast sounds like it belongs in the top 10% of all podcasts.
Not buried around scroll number 50.
Fix it or keep losing listeners
You and I both know there’s work to do.
You can keep guessing.
Or you can let a pro sort it for you.
That’s where Podknows Micro Podcast Editing comes in.
From just £50 per episode, your podcast will sound like it came straight out of a major production studio.
Want your podcast to sound like a pro?
Hit me up. Let’s fix it.