I know what you’re thinking: You’re ready for a break from you podcast and can’t wait for the holidays to roll around so you can skip a few weeks.
I’m ready for a break too, but my podcast will still be working for me during those slower weeks. And I recommend that you do the same!
Consistency is one big reason for this, but there are others, including routine, visibility, and, yes, people are still listening.
Listen in this week as I share my biggest reasons why this podcast (and my clients’ podcasts!) won’t be taking a holiday hiatus this year. Will you?
Mentioned in This Episode Podcast
Transcript:
Welcome to episode 210 of the Content Experiment Podcast, a podcast for podcasters that supports the idea that content and marketing are ever-moving targets in any business, and it’s okay if you don’t feel like you’re doing it all right, all of the time.
Here we talk about podcasting and creating content for your audience that they want to hear in a way that’s sustainable for you, the business owner. Because I know that you have a lot on your plate. So I’ll give you the ideas and tools and tricks to publish your podcast consistently in a way that works for YOU.
I’m Abby Herman, former teacher and current podcast manager. When I went full time in my business in 2013, I struggled to find the help and support that I needed that also fit into my budget. That’s what this podcast and my membership, Podcast Ease, are all about. To help the business owner with a tight budget whose podcast is their primary marketing tool.
For more information about the membership and to find out how it can give you the accountability and support you need for a small $99 monthly investment, go to thecontentexperiment.com/ease.
As this episode goes live, it’s early December 2022. I have episodes planned through the end of the calendar year and I’m getting ready to hide a bit so I can start planning for…and recording…episodes that will release in January.
I mentioned in last week’s episode that I’m experiencing a lot of fatigue in my podcast, and in business in general. But I’m pushing through because the finish line (a two-week holiday break) is on the horizon.
But during that break from work, you won’t see a break in podcast episodes being released. And you won’t see a break from my clients’ podcasts either.
We’ve been working a bit of double duty processing episodes so that listeners don’t see an interruption during the holidays. And we’re already revving up so that when we return to work in January, my team and I aren’t scrambling to get those first episodes processed. Because by the time we shut down our computers on December 22, they’ll already be done and loaded.
You might argue that this is pointless, since we’re a B2B and we work with B2Bs. People are taking time off and no one is even paying attention.
I disagree. And today I’m going to share why I disagree, and why I think it’s incredibly important to continue publishing podcast episodes, even during the holidays…or any other time others might opt to take a break.
- Consistency – your listeners are expecting to hear from you
- I’ve heard people in the online space say to take care of yourself over consistency. I hear you. And I agree. However, it IS possible to do both with some strategy and planning. Listen to episode 209, where I talk about overcoming the fatigue in your podcast.
- Taking a break might throw you off your routine
- It’s easy to take a break from something and then never go back to it. I took a break from running in the fall of 2019 after breaking a toe and I really haven’t gotten back to it, other than running a few miles here and there in my Orangetheory classes. (Though I do plan to run a half marathon next May…if my old feet let me!)
- And look at the break I’ve taken from hosting guests on this podcast. My last guest episode was 20 episodes ago! And because I got out of the rhythm of recording guests, it’s been hard to get back to it. I have plans to start up again in the new year.
- Honestly, once the break happens, it’s SO hard to get back into it. You can take a break from the WORK of podcasting by planning and working ahead. And yes, you can still do that and take care of yourself.
- People really are listening – give them something to turn to when they’re trying to get away from family a bit
- The holidays for me will consist of a lot of down time for myself, spending time with my daughter, and traveling to see my guy in another state. I’ll also be doing some hiking, cleaning up some closets, and doing work around the house. I have the luxury of living alone, having an adult child, and not having to travel to visit family.
- But even if I did, and even if you do, there’s a lot of down time. And if there’s not, I would bet money that you don’t want to spend every waking moment with your loved ones. Just a guess.
- So you pop in the earbuds and listen to your favorite podcasts. I know this is what I do: on long drives, at the gym, on flights, on walks with my dogs. I listen to podcasts and audiobooks. So yes, people will still be listening.
- Episodes are evergreen; if someone doesn’t catch it the first time you can share again later
- So even if they’re not listening NOW, they will likely listen later!
- You’re more likely to be noticed in the podcast feeds because there are fewer episodes being published
- Not everyone will continue publishing episodes through the holidays, which means there won’t be as many episodes to choose from each day
- Wouldn’t it be nice if yours was one of the ones listeners could choose from?
As we head into the holiday season, it’s not too late to make sure that your podcast does not go on hiatus during the holiday season. And you don’t have to be stressed out when we get back from the holidays. (That always seems to happen, doesn’t it? We don’t think about work for a few weeks, then come back slammed with emails and to-do’s.)
If you need help planning out your process, let’s talk! I’m winding things up for the year but I do have a very limited number of VIP sessions where we can do that together. Go to thecontentexperiment.com/vip to book yours!
If this episode resonated with you, I’d be so grateful if you’d share your takeaways on social media. Take a screenshot of the episode and tag me at thecontentexperiment if you do! The more you share, the more we can get the podcast into the earbuds of more business owners, just like you, who need to hear the message that they are not alone.
