5 Tips to Avoid Podfade

Title  of post. How to avoid podfade.
How to avoid podfade

What is Podfade?

When you suddenly stop creating and producing podcast episodes, and never get back to it.
Yes, this is a real “thing” a lot of people become overwhelmed with the amount of work or time commitment that it takes to produce a podcast.

Many podcasters stop producing episodes after episode 6.

Today 5 Quick Tips to Help You Avoid Podfade.

  1. Plan. Have you planned your podcast to the last detail? Do you have a clear podcast “why”. Can you identify the person your podcast is supposed to reach? Who is your podcast for?
  2. Time. Don’t underestimate in the beginning how long it will take. No just recording straight into your app isn’t the answer. How long does it take to do each piece? I’ve built this business out of the part ppl find the most time consuming-podcast editing.
  3. Schedule it. What will you do when? When will you record? When will you edit, do your scheduling? When will you plan social media and promotion and execute it?
  4. Batch record. If at all possible this is a lifesaver. Have your episodes ready to go.
  5. Be patient with yourself. There’s a learning curve for everyone. I’m a better editor than I was last year. You will get better at recording, interviewing and creating content. You need to be patient and kind to yourself.

What’s holding you back from starting a podcast?
Pop your question below.

I’m going to be on a Podcast Panel!!

I am so excited and if you receive my newsletter you know why!

I’m going to be taking part in the Outlier Festival in January 2020!

Speaker badge for The Outlier Podcast Festival.
http://outlierpodfest.com/

The Outlier Podcast Festival is an opportunity for smaller independent podcasters to meet one another and also connect with bigger names in the industry. If you are on the fence about attending please read my last article about why you should attend “smaller” podcast conferences.

One of my goals for 2020 is to speak at more podcast conferences so that I can really encourage more women to start their podcasts. I want to know what’s holding you back and give you effective, actionable advice to move you forward. That’s one of the reasons I love smaller podcast conferences, everything is made is easier. The information is more accessible and people have more time.

If you want to know what’s going on and want to see updates use you can tag Outlier @Outlier_HQ on Twitter, @OutlierHQ on Instagram, and OutlierHQ on Facebook.

I would love to meet you in person, please come up and say hello if you are still on the fence about attending I have a discount code for you.

Use the discount code “Outlier” for 15% off your ticket.

Will I see you there?

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!!!

Thank you to every one of you that commented, sent an email or just read the blog. I hope you celebrate the way you want to tonight. If that means going to a party or staying in with the dog (my personal favourite).

I would love to hear what podcast goals you have set for 2020. Leave me a voice note let me know!

You can follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_podcast_maven/?hl=en

On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PodcastMaven/

Let’s Chat book an obligation free call here

5 Reasons You Should Go To A Small Podcast Conference

Last weekend I attended DC PodFest and it was excellent. This got me thinking about why I prefer smaller conferences and the benefits of attending especially for new or budding podcasters! Here are five reasons I hope will convince you to attend a smaller podcast conference.

A picture of Patricia Q Jenkins (aka The Podcast Maven) at DC Podfest

The people attending are your community and you should connect with them.

Spend a little time talking to people who are a little further than you in the medium and encouraging someone who isn’t as far as you yet. Larger conferences are great places for going to specific tracks and getting what you need. With a smaller conference like DC Podfest there was time to really chat with the strangers next to you.

Tip.

Introduce yourself to people and get a little more interaction than a rushed business card swap. 

Spend time with the experts. 

Smaller conferences still attract well-known podcast figures. Not to brag or anything but  I sat next to Dave Jackson in a workshop. 🙂

I was late to the conference (thank you dodgy food truck, and missed the morning session) but I made it to the afternoon. A smaller venue means more time to sit with the experts at their tables. It means chatting with the SEO expert after their presentation and getting some answers. For me, I struck gold!! I missed Timothy D Craggette’s session. When I had to take an introvert moment,  I found him downstairs and we got chatting. He took the time to run through his presentation for me. 1 on 1! Does it get any better than that?!! 

Expense 

Few people make money from their podcast or enough money that they can live on it. (#podcastgoals). Entrance fees and travel costs can add up. Have a look back at the podcast conferences that were held this year, are there any local ones? Get on their mailing list so that you can get early bird pricing for tickets.  If it’s still out of reach consider volunteering for the conference. You get to help out, connect and still attend.

People with your Issues. 

I remember the first time I went to DC Podfest, I didn’t even have an idea what my podcast was going to be about, I just wanted to be around people who loved podcasts as much as I did. Like I said above, you’ll meet people who are in the same position as you, who want to know what you know about SEO, can tell you about how to cut down the time you spend editing or whatever your pressing question is!  

If you ask you will find answers and every single one started where you are – like I said community. 

People to grow with. 

I am still in touch with some of the people I met at my first  DC Podfest, cards will be swapped, social media will be tagged and that first email will be exchanged. There’s a different vibe to the interaction when you are looking for support but also giving it. You will meet people that you grow in podcasting with. Sometimes it’s better to look at who is around you. 

Which podcast event has been your favourite this year? Which ones do you have your eye on for next year? Comment below and tell me if you prefer the larger or smaller conferences.

Your Podcast Needs A Newsletter

Your Podcast Needs a Newsletter

I think each podcast needs a newsletter.  Why?

You always want your audience to know what’s happening in your pod world and with your show. When people give you their email, you can be sure they want to hear from you and support you.

What really prompted this post was the “dark day” when I couldn’t post to my IG account (www.instagram.com/the_podcast_mavenand I was totally locked out from FB.

I could see other people’s posts on IG but I couldn’t log in to my account, it was annoying. I run an online business this is how people find out about me and what I do.

No matter how small your list it’s important to keep in contact with people who have asked for your content.

What To Put In Your Newsletter

This is the part I find tough as I don’t consider myself a content creator but of course tell them

  1. What’s coming up in your show.
  2. Can you link to content that they can only access if they are on your list?
  3. A training they might be interested in
  4. An opportunity to participate in your show
  5. They can have a question answered on your show
  6. Have the chance to get a shout-out
  7. A member-only competition for your subscribers

You can also include snapshots from your life if that’s appropriate when I post pictures of my dog she gets far more likes than I do!!!

Don’t just use as an opportunity to promo and run think of it as another thread of the conversation. One that you have real control over.

Before You Pick Your Microphone

5 Tips To Plan Your Podcast Properly

As a Podcast Coach l like to tell people to plan their podcast first before going out and buying the microphone you saw on Social Media.

That’s a gripe for another post!

For me, it is so frustrating to see a great podcast description and then see that the last episode was released in March 2017.

 Where should you start?

So here are a few tips when you are at the planning stage to get clarity on what you are really trying to achieve and an outline plan of action.  I had feedback on a Get Your Podcast Started Virtual Summit that I was a speaker in. What was said is that we all want to run with our shiny new idea, but two (2) months down the line after editing each episode for 2 hours. Having a guest that you thought was a great fit be a great dud and looking at the slow growth of your download numbers. You decide that you’ll not put out an episode this week, then next week you are busy with…..

Let’s put some structure around your great podcast idea.

Here are my 5 tips

  1. Podcasting is personal: Tell people who you are and what’s your story.
  2. What is your podcast about?
  3. What’s the end goal of your podcast? Do you want to connect with people who love the same horror films like adore? Do you want podcasting to be your full-time job? Are you doing this for personal development? Is it a project for you and your kids?
  4. What topics do you want to cover?
  5. What will keep you consistent?

If you need help creating a solid plan for your podcast I’d love to chat with you. Book an obligation Free Discovery call here.

If  you want to move forward and have committed 2019 to launching your podcast then ask me about Maven Podcast Coaching. I will take you from idea to launch.

P.S. My podcast is launching at the end of this month I would love it if you would rate and review. Follow the IG page @theenterprisingexpat to know when I launch.

Listening List

Headphones on a pink background
What are you listening to?

This is what’s playing in my earbuds this week. Let me know what you are listening to. Please when you are listening Rate and Review!!! This will help smaller podcasts be seen.

  1. Blackwood
  2. Affirmation Pod (there’s no better way to get a dose of positive uplifting energy for the day)
  3. Expat Happy Hour Sundae chats with a great mix of guests who are Expats and her solo shows always provide great tips.)
  4. Immunities
  5. Learn Spanish   This is quite old but I want to learn to speak Spanish).
  6. Tea and Tattle