I was part of a youth group podcast where we focused on making conversations fun and engaging, which really helped draw in listeners. We experimented with different formats, adding humor, interactive segments, and real stories, which made the podcast feel more personal and relatable. However, one major issue was that we didn’t properly plan our topics. Because of this, episodes often felt unpredictable, and while some listeners liked the spontaneity, many dropped off due to the lack of structure. From this, I learned that while engagement is key, having a clear plan and organized topics is just as important to keep an audience coming back. If I were to do it again, I’d balance creativity with better planning to keep both new and existing listeners interested.

My editing process is pretty structured, but I keep it flexible to stay focused and make sure everything turns out great.

Sort & Sync – First, I gather all the raw footage and audio, put everything into folders so I don’t lose track, and sync the audio with the video if they’re separate. Rough Cut – I go through the episode, cutting out long pauses, mistakes, and anything that drags. I try to keep the flow natural but engaging. Audio Cleanup – I remove background noise, balance the volume so no one sounds too loud or too quiet, and make sure everything is clear. Video Editing – I switch between camera angles (if needed), add text overlays or visuals to keep it interesting, and tweak lighting or colors if it looks off. Branding & Extras – I add the intro/outro, background music, captions, and anything else that gives the episode a polished look. Final Review & Export – I play it back to check for mistakes (because I always miss something the first time), then export it in the best quality. Upload & Promote – I write a solid title and description, use good tags for reach, and schedule posts on social media to make sure people see it.

I would focus on keeping the current audience engaged while also reaching new listeners through social media. Posting short and interesting clips from episodes on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts would help catch people's attention. I’d also interact with the audience through polls, Q&As, and behind-the-scenes content to make them feel involved. Working with guests, using the right hashtags, and running targeted ads would help the podcast reach more people and grow its audience.