What Can You Not Say On A Podcast? Dos And Don’ts in Podcasting

Are you thinking about starting a podcast? If so, then you’re in luck. Podcasting has become one of the most popular forms of content consumption in recent years, with millions of people worldwide tuning in to their favorite shows each week.

But before you launch your own podcast, there are a few things you need to know. In this article, we’ll be discussing some of the dos and don’ts of Podcasting. By the end, you’ll better understand what it takes to produce a successful show. If you are starting a podcast and confused Why Do Podcasters Wear Headphones? we have also covered that!

In short, we’ll cover what can you not say on a podcast and what to consider so your podcast doesn’t get banned and loved by your audience.

Contents

What Can You Not Say On A Podcast?
- Dos And Don'ts Of Podcasting
- FAQs

What Can You Not Say On A Podcast?

While there are no hard and fast rules about what you can and can’t say on a podcast, there are specific topics that are best avoided. Here are a few examples:

Politics: Avoid discussing controversial political topics on your podcast. This will help to ensure that your show remains accessible to a broader audience.

Religion: Like politics, religion is another sensitive topic that is best avoided on podcasts.

Swearing: While there is no rule against using profanity on podcasts, it is generally considered to be in bad taste. If you use swearing, be sure to bleep it out or censor it somehow.

Hate speech: Any form of hate speech is strictly prohibited on podcasts. This includes racism, s*xism, homophobia, and other forms of bigotry.

In addition to avoiding controversial topics, you should also avoid using offensive language on your podcast. Remember, your show will be heard by people of all ages, so it’s essential to keep things family-friendly.

Finally, you should avoid discussing illegal activities on your podcast. This includes drug use, theft, and other illegal activities. Not only is it against the law to discuss these things on your podcast, but it could also get you into trouble with the authorities.

However, this is the basic idea of what can you not talk about on a podcast. There are even more important points to consider when starting your podcast so let’s move on to those with dos and don’ts.

Dos And Don’ts Of Podcasting

Above, you’ve seen some of the things you should avoid saying on your podcast. But what about the things you should do? Here are a few dos and don’ts of podcasting to keep in mind:

Do:

Choose a catchy name for your show: The name of your show will be the first thing people see, so choose something that will grab their attention.
Find A Niche: There are thousands of podcasts out there, so it’s important to find a niche for your show. This will help you stand out from the crowd and attract listeners who are interested in your specific topic.
Invest in good quality equipment: A podcast is only as good as its audio quality. Investing in good-quality equipment will help ensure that your show sounds professional.
Find interesting guests: A great way to make your show more enjoyable for listeners is to have interesting guests on each episode. This will give people something to look forward to and keep returning for more podcasts.
Edit your episodes: Take the time to edit your episodes before releasing them. This will help ensure that your show is free of any mistakes or technical issues.
Keep it less than 30 minutes: People have short attention spans, so it’s essential and better to keep your episodes under 30 minutes. This will help to ensure that people stay engaged with your show.
Be consistence: Try to release new episodes on a regular schedule. This will help to build up a following of loyal listeners who will keep coming back for more.
Publish on every platform: To reach the widest audience possible, be sure to publish your episodes on all major podcast platforms. You can also use a service like Libsyn to help you with this.
Have fun: Podcasting should be enjoyable for both you and your listeners. So make sure to have fun and enjoy the process.
Create Show Notes: Before you release each episode, be sure to create show notes. This will give people a brief overview of what they can expect to hear on your show.
Understand Copyright Law: Be sure to familiarize yourself with copyright law before using any music or sound effects on your show. This will help to avoid any legal issues in the future.
Be Nice To Your Listeners: Remember, your listeners are the reason you have a show in the first place. Thus, be courteous and respectful to them.
Encourage Feedback: Ask your listeners for feedback on your show and encourage them to leave reviews on different podcast platforms. This will help you to improve your show and make it even more enjoyable for people.
Research your topic first: Make sure you are well-informed about the topic you will discuss on your show. This will help to ensure that your show is interesting and informative.
Bring the podcast to its conclusion: After each episode, be sure to conclude your show in a way that leaves listeners wanting more. Never leave your listeners hanging without any closure.
Target the right keyword in the title with a good description: When creating a new episode, be sure to target the right keywords in your title and description. This will help people to find your show more efficiently and increase your chances of being featured in search results.
Use social media to promote your show: Use social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to promote your show. This will help to increase your reach and get more people to listen to your episodes.
Stay up to date with the latest news: To keep your show relevant, stay up to date with the latest news in your industry. This will help you to find new topics to discuss on your show and keep your listeners coming back for more.
Be Prepared: Before you start recording each episode, be sure to take some time to prepare. This will help ensure that your show flows smoothly and is free of technical issues.
End on a high note: Always try to end your episodes on a positive note. This will leave listeners with a good impression of your show and make them more likely to come back for more.

Don’t:

Plagiarize: Never plagiarize another person’s work. This is not only unethical, but it can also lead to legal trouble. Also, be sure to give credit where it is due if you use any quotes or information from other sources.
Use Profanity: Avoid using profanity on your show, as this can turn off potential listeners. If you use profanity, warn people in advance so they can decide whether or not they want to listen.
Disrespect Your Listeners: Never disrespect your listeners by talking down to them or making fun of them. This will only serve to alienate potential fans and damage your reputation.
Talk Over Your Guests: When you have guests on your show, be sure to allow them to speak. Don’t talk over them or dominate the conversation.
Be Boring: Nobody wants to listen to a boring podcast. So make sure to keep your episodes exciting and engaging.
Ramble: Don’t ramble on for too long without getting to the point. Your listeners will appreciate it if you get to the point quickly and efficiently.
Ignore Your Listeners: Never ignore your listeners when they reach out to you. Whether they have feedback, questions, or just want to say hi, be sure to respond in a timely and friendly manner.
Be Unprofessional: Always try to be as professional as possible on your show. Doing this will build trust with your listeners and make them more likely to return.
Telling Jokes: Jokes are acceptable in moderation but don’t make your entire show one big joke. This will only serve to alienate potential listeners.
Trying to Sell: Don’t try to sell your listeners on every episode. This will only make them tune out and never come back. Instead, focus on providing value and building a relationship with your audience, which is something they will appreciate and trust.
Recording in a noisy environment: Always try to find a quiet place to record your podcast. Background noise can distract listeners and make it difficult to hear what you’re saying.
Bad audio quality: Always ensure your audio quality is as good as it can be. This means having a clear and concise recording with minimal background noise.
Not editing your episodes: Always take the time to edit your episodes before you publish them. This will help to remove any mistakes or filler content that doesn’t add value to the show.
Ignoring Audience After Some growth: Just because you’ve started to grow your audience, don’t ignore them. Continue to engage with them and provide value if you want to keep them around. After some growth, people get busy, which is noticeable but, nevertheless, you should never forget about your initial listeners.
Not Providing value: Always ensure you’re providing value to your listeners in each episode. Whether you’re teaching or entertaining them something new, they should always come away from your show feeling like they’ve learned something or been entertained.
Not Being Consistent: One of the most important things you can do for your podcast is to be consistent. This means releasing new episodes regularly and not skipping weeks or months in between.
Neglecting visuals: Don’t neglect the visuals for your podcast. This includes the cover art, show notes, and any other images that you use. Be sure to put some time and effort into making these things look good, as they will be the first thing potential listeners see.
Failing to plan: Always make sure to plan out each episode before you start recording. This will help to ensure that the show flows smoothly and that you don’t run out of things to say.

FAQs

Can you say anything on a podcast?
No, there are certain things that you should avoid saying on a podcast in order to respect your listeners and maintain a professional image. These things include swearing words, offensive language, and anything that could be considered spam.
Can I legally Read a book on a podcast?
Yes, you can read a book on a podcast as long as you have the legal rights to do so. This means that you should only read books that are in the public domain or that you have permission from the copyright holder to use.
What if I accidentally say something bad on a podcast?
If you accidentally say something offensive or inappropriate on a podcast, the best thing you can do is to apologize and try to move on from the incident. This doesn’t mean you won’t get in trouble, but it will help mitigate the damage and show your listeners that you’re taking responsibility for your actions.
What makes a podcast bad?
There are a number of things that can make a podcast bad, such as poor audio quality, offensive content, and a lack of value. If you want to avoid these things, be sure to plan out your episodes, monitor your language, and focus on providing value to your listeners.
Should I use my real name on my podcast?
You can use your real name on your podcast if you want, but it’s not required. In fact, many podcasters choose to use pseudonyms or stage names to maintain their privacy. If you do use your real name, be aware that it could be associated with your podcast forever, so choose wisely.

Conclusion

This is just a small list of things you shouldn’t say on your podcast. Of course, many more things could potentially get you in hot water. Considering the potential consequences of your words and thinking before you speak is the best way to avoid saying something you shouldn’t.

Don’t let a slip of the tongue ruin your hard work and reputation. Be mindful of what you say on your podcast, and you’ll be just fine.

Do you have any thoughts on what can you not say on a podcast? Let us know in the comments below!