What are the most common podcast editing mistakes to avoid?

Natural speech has a meter. It’s governed by breathing, the individual’s pattern of speech, the emotional character of the speaker ( happy, angry, pensive etc). Like music speech has rhythm which must be left intact by editing. Otherwise you’ll change the personality of the speaker. If you do that, you’ve failed.

Authenticity is the goal – Audiences often prefer content that feels genuine, even if it includes minor imperfections. These imperfections can actually enhance relatability, as they reflect the natural flow of conversation. Preserving the podcast's human element, which is often the key to building a loyal listener base.

When editing your podcast episode, your natural inclination is to get rid of all filler words and to cut every single second of dead air. This makes sense, this is what has been drilled into our collective unconscious. But it may surprise you that this is not best practices. You will want to maintain a more "natural" tone in your show. Keep the longer pauses, the "uhh's" and short stints of ramblings. In my own podcast, we go for a "rougher" cut and have found great success.

Editing out umms and ahhs, common thought fillers, is crucial to avoid distracting listeners. However, excessive editing can make the podcast sound robotic or fast-paced, potentially removing important content. The room's sound characteristics, like echoes and resonance, are also crucial. Overediting can disrupt this natural ambiance, making edits noticeable if not done carefully.

A professional-grade microphone can significantly reduce ambient noise, capturing clearer voice audio. Recording in a sound-treated space can prevent echo and reverb, which are difficult to remove in post-production. Software choice is also key; opting for a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that podcasters commonly use, like Garage Band or Adobe Audition, can provide the necessary features for effective editing. Adhering to industry standards for audio formats (MP3 or AAC), bitrates (at least 128 kbps for MP3), and sample rates (44.1 kHz) ensures compatibility and quality across various listening platforms.

Inconsistent audio levels can significantly detract from the listener's experience, as they may constantly need to adjust their volume. Utilizing tools like level meters and compressors not only ensures a pleasant listening experience but also conveys professionalism. It's important to remember that achieving balanced levels is not just about avoiding technical issues; it's about respecting your audience's time and auditory comfort, which is crucial in building a loyal listener base in the creator economy.

A well-edited podcast should feel like a journey with a clear path, where each segment smoothly transitions to the next. Clarity in podcasting is not just about the audio quality, but also about the content's structure and delivery. This not only enhances listener engagement but also reinforces the podcast's brand and message. Strategic use of audio elements like music and silence can serve as auditory punctuation, giving listeners cues about the content's flow and emphasizing key points.

Not pressing record, double pressing record, and never recording. Before that check playback for feedback distorting the recording. Have a backup device recording in the event that power goes out or something crazy happens.