What To Do When You’re Feeling Unmotivated To Keep Podcasting
It’s common to feel unmotivated or even stuck throughout your podcasting journey. While I truly believe that a podcast can be an incredible way to connect with your audience, amplify your message, and grow your brand, no one talks about the amount of work that it takes to sustain a noteworthy show.
If you’re like me, you run a one-woman show and everything relies on you. From finding the right guests to editing and marketing, you wear all the hats. Eventually, the burden begins to weigh on you. What you do next is critical to the success of your show.
If you enjoy podcasting, but find yourself in a rut, here are three things you can do right now to get back on track so you feel more energized next time you hop on the mic.
When You’re Unmotivated To Keep Podcasting
1. Take a Seasonal Break
Can you relate to this tweet? This was how I was feeling as I recorded my season finale right before going on a seasonal break. Although I love podcasting, I do get tired.
Since I started my podcast almost two years ago, I have taken three podcasting breaks – two in 2019 and so far, one in 2020. My breaks range from two to four months. During these breaks, I have a chance to rest, get ideas for new episodes, and source next season’s guests. Taking regular breaks helps me avoid burnout and I’m able to go out and create new experiences that fuel the show.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and burdened by your podcast, it may be time to take a seasonal break. Remember, you can’t pour into your audience from an empty cup.
Here are four ways to know you’re ready for a seasonal break:
- You procrastinate recording new episodes.
- You don’t get excited about interviewing new guests.
- You’re running out of episode topics.
- You don’t have time to properly promote past episodes.
Also, here are some benefits for taking a seasonal break:
- Gives you a break from constantly creating new content.
- Gets your audience excited about the upcoming season (missing you is a good thing).
- You’ll have more time to devote to improving your show.
Best Practices: Let your audience know that you’re taking a break and tell them when you plan on returning. Build trust by always sticking to your word. Release new episodes when you say you will.
Surround Yourself With Motivated Podcasters
As a solo host, podcasting can get lonely. This is why having a supportive community is important. One of the key differentiators between our free Facebook group and the WOC Podcasters Insiders membership is our monthly accountability calls. During these calls, members get to know each other, bounce ideas off each other, and learn. Having an accountability group means that you do not have to suffer alone. You have a community of people you can turn to who understand what you’re doing and are able to offer constructive criticism.
When you’re feeling unmotivated to keep podcasting, meeting regularly with a supportive group of podcasters who understand how you feel and want to see you succeed can make a big difference.
Reduce Your Frequency
Lastly, if you’re not ready to take a break from the podcast, consider reducing your show’s frequency.
If you release new episodes every week, move to biweekly.
If you release new episodes biweekly, move to monthly.
This gives you more time to create new content and promote past episodes, something that may be difficult to do for a number of reasons.
As long as you keep your audience updated with when (day and time), and how often they can expect to hear from you, they will adapt to your new schedule.
What has helped you stay motivated to continue podcasting?
Read Next: How To Promote Your Podcast on Social Media
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Danielle Desir Corbett is a podcast marketing coach, founder of WOC Podcasters, and host of The Thought Card, an award-winning, 4x grant-funded personal finance, and travel podcast empowering financially savvy travelers to travel more and build wealth. Go here to learn Danielle’s incredible story — how following her creative passion led to her becoming a six-figure creative entrepreneur. If you want to reach out to Danielle, contact: info (at) danielledesir (dot) com.
