Episode IntroductionPodcasters lose downloads for three reasons: muddy audio, weak titles, and vanishing release schedules. This episode shows you how to fix all three—fast. We cover mic choice and mic distance, noise reduction in Audacity, basic compression/limiting so hosts and guests match levels, and trimming filler words. Then we rebuild your episode titles so they earn clicks in search (7-word discipline, power keywords, and when to include a guest name). Finally, we lock your cadence so subscribers know exactly when to expect you—no more Monday-this-week, Thursday-next-week chaos.Previous EpisodeCheck out One Secret To More Podcast Downloads (S4E14)—a quick hitter on titles that drive clicks and listens: Listen on Apple Podcasts. SummaryBruce breaks down three download-killing mistakes he hears in new shows. First, audio: stop recording on phones or cheap mics, get close—but not too close—to a quality mic (he uses a Samson), cut background noise with Audacity’s Noise Reduction, and apply a compressor/limiter so every voice sits at a consistent volume. He also calls out verbal tics—ums, long “ands,” “you know,” and the dreaded “right?”—and suggests editing or mindful rehearsal to reduce them.Second, titles: remember that an episode title is the first—and sometimes only—thing listeners see. Keep titles around seven words (~55 characters) to avoid search truncation, lead with the listener outcome, and reserve guest names for truly famous people who function as keywords themselves.Third, scheduling: train your audience. Pick two days (he’s aiming for Wednesday/Saturday) and publish relentlessly so subscribers build a habit. Fix these three and your downloads rise because you’ve removed the biggest frictions: bad sound, weak hooks, and inconsistency.Sample Transcript“The audio quality—that’s the biggest problem I hear with new podcasters. Don’t record on your phone. Invest in a good microphone, get close to it, and use Audacity’s Noise Reduction to kill the hiss. Then compress so everyone’s the same volume. Keep filler words down—ums, you knows, and the long ands. For titles, keep it to about seven words so Google doesn’t cut you off, and don’t put the guest’s name in there unless they’re famous. Finally, keep a consistent release schedule. You’re training your subscribers.”Related Podcast Episodes• The RIGHT Social Network For Your Podcast (S3 E17) • Does Your Podcast Have TOO Many Guests? (S3 E16) • How Podcasters Can Succeed By Following Hulu’s Strategy (S3 E15) Apple Podcasts• Fortune Cookie Readings for the 20 Most Active Podcasters on the WPN (S3 E18) • EP49 – How To Become An Influencer Through Your Podcast About Bruce ChamoffBruce is a podcaster, musician, entrepreneur, and public speaker. As founder of the World Podcast Network, he studies thousands of shows, amplifies what works, and turns lessons into repeatable playbooks for audience growth, monetization, and binge-worthy content.