You want your content to continually improve. One way to do that is to critically but constructively evaluate what you’ve already done. Judge your progress against realistic metrics, not the superstar shows. Make sure your audience is responding to what you’re doing. Put in place mechanisms — feedback, surveys, etc. — to learn about how your show is perceived and what changes you might want to make.
Evaluation
Staying critical & learning as you go
Tips & Tricks
Podcasters can be very reactive when success isn’t immediate. The key is not to throw out ideas that you believe are good and have an audience out there. For example, if most of your audience is in the US and your podcast is about Swedish architecture, continue to work on your special niche and build an audience. It can take time but if you produce good content consistently, you can find those fans of Scandinavian design out there. Plan a release schedule, figure out how many episodes you’re going to create and publish before doing your first evaluation. Schedule evaluations at regular intervals and be sure to share your findings with your team.Burning Question
Can I use the analytics provided by my hosting platform in my evaluation? Yes. This is a great way to understand your reach through the number of downloads and to see the geographical distribution of your audience.Common Mistake
Being impatient. It can take time for an audience to discover you. Don’t get discouraged. Sometimes you need to focus on your original purpose and simply have faith that your audience will grow.Links
- Article: How to Evaluate Your Podcast’s Performance and Grow Your Listenership
- Article: Want a better podcast? Try starting with a self-audit
- Article: How to Audit Your Podcast
TIPS from OUR Network
- When evaluating, think about what you’re doing well first.
- Take an honest look at your show’s strengths and weaknesses, but be constructive about it.