Is Your Podcast Sustainable?
Excerpt from: Podcasting at Work: 25 Questions to Ask Before Starting
Starting a podcast is easy - but keeping one going can be tough, especially if sustainability isn’t built into your plans from the start.
Podcasting has grown and thrived in recent years because of its simple subscription model. Find a podcast you like, subscribe, and you’ll be notified every time a new episode drops. This makes podcasting audiences loyal and helps build momentum over time, so it’s smart to plan a long-term series rather than a few one-offs.
Ideally, you’ll release your show weekly, bi-weekly or monthly over time to build momentum in the long run. And planning ahead to sustain that pace from the get-go is key.
Here are our tips for sustainable podcasting:
Chop it up: Podcasters often model their shows after talk radio - an hour-long show with multiple segments. But remember, podcasts don’t need to fill the broadcast schedules of radio. So consider turning a long 2 or 3 segment show into 2 or 3 short shows. This spreads your content over a longer release schedule and allows you to appear more frequently on listeners’ devices.
Keep it simple: The more complex your show, the more difficult it will be to make - and the harder it is to make, the less often you’re likely to do it. This is why so many podcasts are interviews or conversations - they’re among the simplest productions. If your story needs to be told in a more heavily-produced narrative or storytelling style, consider keeping those episodes short and interspersing them with simpler ones.
Test it out: Practice makes perfect - and it also gives you an idea of how much time and effort is involved. Consider making one or two pilot episodes to see what the process is like and if there are efficiencies to be found.
