34. What you need to know about podcast fatigue
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SUMMARY
Podcasting is experiencing a moment right now — listeners are listening to fewer episodes and producers are producing less content. Whether you call it podcast fatigue or burnout, you’re not the only one experiencing resistance.
ON THIS EPISODE, INDIA TALKS THROUGH THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF FATIGUE IMPACTING PODCASTS AND WHAT TO DO IF THIS MEDIUM HAS LOST ITS MAGIC FOR YOU.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Listeners are being more selective with their consumption, listening to fewer podcasts and episodes.
Audiences are paying more attention to the diversity — or lack thereof — on shows.
There is no podcast playbook. Make your own rules, one show at a time.
If you’re feeling resistant to record, half the amount of episodes you release and focus only on the highest value content.
QUOTED
INDIA JACKSON
“The excitement has faded, like a relationship you just ease yourself into and then suddenly the thrill is gone.”
“The juggle of work life and home life has left people with less time to listen and less time to record.”
“When you’re putting out fires, you’re not thinking about sitting down to record a podcast.”
“All that pivoting, all that evolution, all that changing things, all that transformation — it can be tiring.”
“Making your own rules makes it more likely you’ll stick to them.”
4 types of podcast fatigue
Podcast fatigue is real and it doesn’t just impact those who have a podcast. If you’re a podcast listener, you’re probably listening to fewer shows — only those that are well worth your time.
If you pitch yourself to shows you may be having a hard time laying out talking points or figuring out where to pitch.
The resistance is real. And so are the constraints causing it.
Emotional fatigue
People are stretched as a whole right now. Getting excited about anything has been challenging. So when you have to think about delivering an inspiring message that will elicit a yes from a host or a positive response from your audience, it requires a reserve most of us have depleted.
Energetic fatigue
Staying at home, supporting kids, cleaning up all the time — we’re flat out exhausted. For podcasters, this means less quiet time with the earbuds in. When the work-life juggle is different, so is our energetic capacity.
Support fatigue
We’ve all experienced a reduction in our support system. Whether it’s because they’re supporting others or putting out fires, our significant others, contractors, and coaches aren’t able to support us in the way they did pre-Covid.
2020 fatigue
Let’s be honest —everything associated with this year is exhausting. 2020 has opened our eyes to change, evolution, revolution, and pivoting. We’re more aware of white supremacy in the U.S. and many of us want to be part of the change. With some much information flowing in at all times, it’s hard to approach things with ease anymore.
Steps to address podcast fatigue
Take it one step at a time, one episode at a time. If you have your own podcast, reevaluate each guest pitching you rather than making a hard line around who you will and won’t accept.
Make your own rules. Finding a way to do things that is true for you means you’re more likely to stick to it. If you need to half the amount of episodes you’re recording, focus on better quality.
Amplify your visibility. Most of us spend the majority of our time getting the episode out rather than promoting it. Make sure when your episodes are released they’re used in all the ways they can be to maximize eyes (and ears) on your message.
Flaunt Your Fire believes in individuality and wants to help you show up and continue showing up. We’re all about creating a system that helps stretch your content as far as it can go. Book a call with us to see how we can make a bigger impact without increasing your workload.