One of the scariest things I did in my first year into launching my podcast was asking my listeners for feedback. What if they didn’t like what they heard?
The thing about feedback is…
that it can hurt to hear what people want to see improved after you have been pouring so much love and time in it.
20 episodes into my show back in 2017, I dared to ask for feedback and I got a lot of comments about my very questionable sound levels. People kindly let me know that they sucked.
You know that annoying phenomenon when the voice is super low and you turn it up, just to have the music jingle come in way too loud. Yep, thats pretty much the sound experience of Season 1 of my Podcast.
I knew the audio levels weren’t great despite the fact that I had spent hours manually adjusting them. But now, reading the feedback from my listeners, confirming that they not only picked up on it, but that they only rated the audio experience with “somewhat satisfied” I wanted to do better and sure enough with a bit of research I found a tool (https://auphonic.com/) that improved my sound levels instantly.
Ask for feedback – it is so helpful to get insights from your listeners. A quick google form will do and a shout out on your podcast
The thing about feedback is also…
that there are lots of things people will appreciate about your podcast, things that you weren’t even aware of yourself.
Something that started as an experiment, my quick fire round at the end of each episode became a constant feature after the positive feedback I received about it.
Currently I am experimenting with leaving in “Easter Eggs” in each episode, all the way in the end, after the episode already officially wrapped up. Only the most loyal listeners sticking with the episode all the way to the end will get to hear these take outs and fun looks behind the scenes.
Will they appreciate it that I left in a private message between my husband and me when he once interrupted my recording or that private voice note from a friend that she kindly allowed me to publish – i don’t know yet.
I will only find out when I ask them for feedback, what I will once I am wrapping up the season.
There are always things to improve on our podcast, and if we are brave enough to ask for feedback we will discover how.
Book your free 30-minute Podcasting Strategy Call with Regina
Tailored Feedback on your Podcast idea.
Book your 30-minutes 1:1 call here!
Missed my last tip? Here it is!
Is finding the courage to share your voice and story on your GOAL LIST this year?
About the Author: Viennese audio-enthusiast Regina Larko is passionate about the human voice at the intersection of creating impact and changing the world for the better. As a child she dreamt about becoming a teacher. As a teenager she wanted to become a radio host. After graduating from highschool, she wanted to become an actress. Sometimes she wonders how the heck she ended up studying China Studies, moving to China in 2009 – without a job but with her sweet (now) husband in tow. In Shanghai and Beijing she worked in civic education and after relocating to Hong Kong she started exploring new career paths. Lots of freelancing, questioning, doubting and child bearing followed. In 2017 she launched #impact – A Podcast about stuff that matters. The rest is history. Nowadays she has 3 kids, a podcast impact business and at least 2 big cups of coffee a day.
Regina is host of globally top 5% ranked #impact Podcast and mentors courageous Podcasters to give them the confidence, tools and resources they need to find Podcasting success.
