Stop Believing These Podcast Myths

Let’s Clear the Air: Top Podcasting Myths You Should Stop Believing Today

How many times have you been pitched by a podcast agency or software platform telling you that you need to start a podcast? It feels like every time I scroll online, I see the promise of podcasting presented as the missing piece of every business strategy.

You get on a call with a podcast agency, and they tell you everything you want to hear:

• “This will be a game changer for your business.”
• “You can definitely monetize after just a few months of consistently publishing episodes.”
• “All you have to do is click record, and we’ll handle the rest.”

And honestly, those things sound amazing. They’re exactly what most aspiring podcasters hope to hear.

But here’s the truth: podcasting isn’t magic. It’s powerful, yes, but only if you go in with realistic expectations and a clear plan.

Let’s talk about what you actually need to know.

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The Monetization Myth Everyone Believes

Everywhere you look, people are promising that if you just launch a podcast and publish consistently, the money will start flowing fast. Sponsorships, ad reads, maybe even a brand deal. And sure, it can happen for some shows. But for most, not in just a few months.

I’ve worked with many clients who come in with amazing ideas and a lot of passion. They’re confident they have valuable content to share, and they usually do. But here’s where expectations can go sideways. They think a much wider audience will care about their topic than actually will.

One client I worked with had a TV show media production business and came to me excited about starting a podcast. They wanted to cover entrepreneurship, TV shows, music, and spirituality or religion. All great topics, but way too different to live on the same show. The truth is, not everyone who loves hearing about TV shows is also interested in spirituality.

So we worked together to narrow it down and focus on a clear target audience. I also had them list the podcasts they personally love listening to and why, which helped them realize that they, too, gravitate toward shows with a clear focus and consistent theme.

Sponsorships and ad reads are just one piece of the puzzle and usually not the first piece. Most sponsors want to see at least 1,000–5,000 downloads per episode before they’ll even consider you. Consistency helps, yes, but publishing regularly isn’t a monetization strategy by itself.

Some podcasters make money by selling their own offers. Beehiiv’s author, for example, built digital products and mini-courses tied into their episodes and turned listeners into paying customers. Others follow the membership route. EcomCrew spent years creating valuable, consistent content for ecommerce founders, building trust and authority before ever asking for a dime. Once their foundation was strong, they launched EcomCrew Premium, a paid membership program that worked because their audience was ready.

The lesson is simple. If your goal is to monetize, think beyond ads from day one. Use your show as part of a bigger ecosystem of services, products, and partnerships so listeners have a natural next step when they connect with your message.

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Why Podcasting Takes More Than Just Hitting Record

I wish this were true, but it’s not.

Almost every client I’ve ever worked with has been in one of two camps. They already know they don’t have time and need help from day one, or they’ve tried to do it all themselves and are completely burned out.

One client came to me not because she couldn’t figure it out, she was perfectly capable, but because she couldn’t keep up. The show kept slipping to the bottom of her to-do list. Even after we started working together, I still had to wait on her for recordings and other content before I could do my part.

Here’s the blunt truth. Podcasting isn’t a crockpot. You can’t just set it and forget it. Yes, a producer like me can take editing, publishing, and repurposing off your plate. But I can’t record for you. You still have to show up consistently, have a content plan, and be disciplined enough to stick with it.

New podcasters are often surprised by all the steps that go into running a successful show. Planning and strategy are essential, because you need topics, formats, and guests that align with your goal. Recording logistics matter, because vacations and holidays can’t mean disappearing for weeks at a time. Editing and quality control are non-negotiable, because no one wants to sit through an uncomfortable listening experience. And promotion is critical, because publishing is just the first step. You have to actually get listeners to find the episode.

This one hits home for me personally. I have a few podcasts I’ve been listening to for over eight years. I expect their new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. When one isn’t released, I feel a little sad because it has become part of my routine.

But here’s the thing. I’m loyal because I’ve been with those shows for years. If I were a brand-new listener, I probably wouldn’t stick around through missed weeks. I’d just find another podcast that does show up consistently.

That’s why planning ahead matters so much. Life happens. Vacations, busy seasons, emergencies. That’s okay. But if you want to build an audience that trusts you, you have to keep showing up for them.

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Is Podcasting Really Right for You?

Imagine two podcasters.

Podcaster A launches a show with a ton of energy, puts out four episodes, then gets busy. Downloads are lower than they expected, and recording feels like a chore. They skip a week. Then two. The show quietly dies, and they chalk it up as a failed experiment.

Podcaster B also launches with excitement, but they know this is a long game. They plan ahead, record in batches, and keep showing up even when it feels like no one is listening. After six months, they start hearing from listeners. After a year, they have steady downloads, a loyal audience, and a show they’re proud of.

Both started in the same place. One quit too early, the other played the long game.

If you are open to doing the work to monetize, building your brand, creating offers, speaking at events, collaborating with partners, then podcasting can be an incredibly powerful engine for your business.

If you simply love the idea of podcasting as a hobby, a creative outlet, or a way to share your message without worrying about monetization, then podcasting can still be the perfect platform for you.

The key is knowing why you’re starting and what you expect to get out of it. If you’re looking for quick money or instant results, you may feel frustrated. But if you see podcasting as a long-term investment, whether in your business or in your personal growth, it can be one of the most rewarding projects you’ll ever do.

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How to Give Your Podcast the Best Chance to Succeed

The first step isn’t buying a mic or picking a podcast name. It’s getting crystal clear on why you’re starting a show in the first place.

Some topics will feel fun and exciting to record, but if they don’t move you toward your goal, they’re just filler.

If you want to eventually monetize, start by building an audience. This means focusing first on who your listeners are, what they care about, and what keeps them coming back.

I like the way EcomCrew did this. They spent years creating valuable, consistent content for ecommerce founders, building trust and authority before ever asking for a dime. Only after that foundation was strong did they launch EcomCrew Premium, their paid membership program. It worked because their audience was ready.

That’s the model I encourage clients to follow. Build a loyal audience first, then introduce monetization when the timing feels natural.

I’ve also seen podcasters try to sell too soon, pitching offers in their very first few episodes before listeners even know who they are or why they should care. It can turn off new listeners who were just getting interested. Think of it like a relationship. You wouldn’t propose marriage on the first date. You have to build trust and create value first.

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Playing the Long Game

Here’s the part no one likes to hear. Podcasting is rarely a quick win. It takes time to build an audience, to refine your message, and to start seeing results in your business.

Think of it like planting a tree. You don’t get shade the day you plant it. You water it, nurture it, and protect it while it grows. A year from now, it’s starting to provide cover. Five years from now, it’s something strong and established that you can rely on.

Podcasting works the same way. Every episode is a seed you’re planting that will grow over time, bringing in listeners, building trust, and opening doors you can’t even see yet.

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The Bottom Line

Podcasting can be a game-changer for your business, but not in the overnight, “just press record and watch the money roll in” way that some agencies will pitch you.

Approach it as a long-term brand-building tool. Use it to grow trust, deepen relationships, and position yourself as a leader in your space.

When you do that, monetization becomes a natural next step, not the only measure of success.