Podcasting Slumps

The Podcast Life is a newsletter by Deanna Chapman that helps you create a great podcast.

Hello!

The end of March was a bit chaotic for me as I moved into a new apartment. However, that did lead me to the topic I want to briefly touch on today: podcasting slumps.

Now, this can mean a couple things. For me, it usually means that I missed a week or two of episodes. But it can also mean your download numbers are down. Today, we’re focusing on the former.

I’ve struggled to get back into the swing of things after my move, which means that instead of one week between episodes, I ended up having two weeks between my episode with Lauren Passell and my solo episode from last week.

I know I’ve touted being consistent before and I still strongly believe that’s what is best for the podcast. That doesn’t mean it’s always what is best for you though. Life happens! I didn’t even move that far and it still took up about 2 weeks of my life between packing, unpacking, and realizing what would or wouldn’t fit in my new space.

I’ve been trying out this whole thing where I don’t beat myself up about missing a week here or there anymore. And it’s kind of nice! However, what I did realize is that I’m burnt out. I’m literally writing this newsletter at 11:00PM the night before it’s supposed to go out because I just couldn’t come up with an idea for it. Until it hit me that I’m in a podcasting slump.

Last week’s episode was a last minute idea. This week’s newsletter was a last minute idea. I only have one guest episode recorded, which will be out next week and then I have no other guests lined up.

One could say I work best with a looming deadline, but the truth is, I just don’t know who I want to talk to next (open to suggestions).

Maybe I shouldn’t be admitting this as the person who is supposed to be helping other people make great podcasts. I believe the only way this podcast and newsletter will work though is if I’m transparent about these things. As it turns out, I am human and not just a podcast making/editing machine.

So what’s the solve for a podcasting slump? That’s going to vary from person to person, but here’s a list of what I usually try:

• Do something else like read a book, rewatch a favorite movie, etc.

• Go for a walk and don’t listen to a podcast or music

• Bounce ideas around with a friend and see what sticks

• Listen to a bunch of podcasts until I realize there’s something about one of them that I want to talk about

• Sleep (which is what I should be doing right now)

• Start working on the podcast and my silly brain suddenly remembers that I really like it (i.e. actually writing down ideas, edit an episode that hasn’t been edited, etc.)

Usually it’s a combination of some of the above because there are times where individually, they might not work. So be prepared to try a few different things.

I hope this helps at least one person reading this.

Next week on the podcast: Rachel Jacobs talks with me about being the editor and sound designer for The McElroy family!

If you enjoyed this newsletter and really want to level up your podcast, I interview the smartest people in the business. I’m always looking for the best ways to help you grow your podcast. So be sure to subscribe and share this with a friend! And if there’s something you’d like to see covered, reply to this email.