What is the Most Important Part of Your Podcast? YOU!
Your first step in having a successful podcast is simply starting it. And although you might make an impact in the world with your early episodes, you’ll know more about podcasting, your topic and your audience with every podcast you produce. Your impact will grow as long as you continue to create content — you can only stop this trajectory if you quit. This ghosting of your audience has the trendy name: ‘podfading.’ Sure, podfading affects you, but more importantly it affects your listeners who are eagerly anticipating your next episode. You must fight podfading!
Perhaps the fear of podfading is keeping you from even starting your show. Podcasting is a commitment, we know, so while podfading is a valid concern, it shouldn’t stymie your ambitions. If it’s your greatest concern, there are a few decisions you can make that can strengthen your podcasting efforts.
Here are some pointers:
- Set aside ‘your’ space. The very act of getting your computer off the nightstand, getting your recording gear out of the box, hooking everything up and then testing all your connections before each episode takes away energy that could be spent on your relationship with your audience. Set aside a convenient, dedicated space to record your podcast and keep your equipment set up and at the ready between recordings.
Make it easy on yourself.
- Get MORE sleep. Some podcasters have been encouraged to burn the midnight oil and, heeding such recommendations, set their clock one hour earlier to increase productivity. However, to be a longtime podcaster you need to bring your best energy to the microphone. Sure, exercise and eating right is important in that regard, but a regular, generous sleep schedule supports your long-term productivity.
Success is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Follow existing podcasting protocol. Podcasters invest time, effort and, yes, stress into producing their shows. And it takes even more effort if you try to break existing podcasting rules. New podcasters may be best served by following such podcasting conventions as:
- Release an episode weekly.
- Make your episode length from 20 minutes to 1 hour.
- Host your podcast with a reputable hosting company (such as Blubrry) and put a little money into it.
- Edit your show.
- Release an episode weekly.
The old adage, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ applies to podcasting.
- New podcasters should release episodes consistently. This is true. However, things happen in life and sometimes we miss releasing an episode. What is important is, if you miss an episode, the only episode you should focus on is the next episode you’re going to release.
Focusing on the work ahead and not the missed opportunities will prevent podfading.
Keep these tips in mind as you start, or continue, your podcasting efforts.
If you are a longtime podcaster, please offer any encouragement or tips to new podcasters to keep them going.