The Dreaded Podfade: What Is It And How You Can Avoid It

So you’ve just started your podcast and are very excited about what the future holds. You pledge to produce as many episodes as possible and build momentum as you go along your podcasting journey.

But after nine episodes, you start to feel the difficulty and weight of the task. Life starts getting in the way, and your podcast numbers and ratings are still way too small and low. You’re thinking twice about whether podcasting is right for you. And before you know it, your podcast fizzles out.

You’ve just suffered from podfade — which happens when a podcaster slowly or suddenly stops recording new episodes and producing new content. It’s been a hot topic in the industry, with several podcasts not even making it past the first episode. Statistics by AmplifiMedia revealed that in 2018, 75% of 540,000 podcasts out at the time were not in production.    

Why Does Podfade Happen?

But why do podcast shows tend to fade? We take a look at some of the most common reasons. 

Numbers Are Just Not Growing

It can get very disappointing and frustrating when it seems like no one is listening to your podcast. It will require a significant amount of time, patience, promotion, and networking with your target audiences before the numbers improve. Plus, you’ll have to come up with great content to gain a loyal following. 

Not Enough Time, Money, and Resources

Some podcasters underestimate the amount of time and the magnitude of effort it takes to make great episodes. Before publishing, you’ll have to go through a rigorous content creation process to come up with great material and keep the show alive. Recording and editing come next, which will also require a lot of time and patience to put together a cohesive show. You’ll also have to deal with promoting your podcast to expand your reach and build your audience. 

Plus, you’ll have to make a considerable investment in equipment and software to achieve the best results possible. 

Little To No Planning and Goals

We cannot overemphasize that there’s a lot more to podcasting than just writing, recording, and publishing. Excitement will only take you so far if you don’t have a strong foundation and reason for doing it. You can’t just dive in without doing any of the groundwork. You’ll also have to set up a clear system and workflow for podcast production to consistently create relevant content. 

Lack of Desire, Enthusiasm, and Motivation

Podcasting can become very confusing, overwhelming, and exhausting because there will be situations when you’ll struggle to come up with fresh content and topics or find great guests to interview. When you lose interest and deep-rooted passion for your podcast, it slowly becomes a burden. The challenges of time and resources can make it harder to have the drive and motivation to carry on. 

How To Avoid Podfade?

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you are seeing signs of podfade. It can happen to anyone. And there are steps to stop podfading in its tracks and bounce back stronger. Here’s what you can do to combat podfade:

• Go Back To Your Why

When you feel burned out, remember why you started your podcasting journey. Having a deeper and stronger sense of purpose will help you find new inspiration and motivation to keep going. 

Focus on a topic that you’re really passionate about. It’s not necessarily something that you should be an expert about, but you need to be genuinely curious and enthusiastic to turn that idea into a podcast. Set realistic expectations. Learn as much as you can to keep the passion burning. 

• Have Clear Plans and Goals

What goals do you want to achieve with your podcast? Be firm about them and be strategic about accomplishing your goals. A little planning goes a long way towards sustaining a compelling podcast. 

How often are you releasing episodes? It’s crucial to have a workflow and find a publishing schedule that works for you. Be consistent and choose a time, day, and frequency for publishing that you can commit to. This way, your audience will know what to expect from your show. Have a template or outline that you can customize for each episode.

• Podcast For Your Listeners

The harsh reality is, it’s highly unlikely that your podcast will make money and gain loyal listeners quickly. You have to put in all the hard work to make that happen. The key is to not be obsessed with your competition and statistics. Instead, spend all your time and energy on making quality content. Sooner or later, your listeners will see the value that your podcast brings to the table. 

• Record Several Episodes Before Putting Out A New One

Try to record at least two to five episodes before you publish a new one. By preparing as many episodes as you can ahead of time, you’ll be able to give yourself more breathing room and have enough content to keep the show alive on days when you feel stressed out. It also gives you more time and opportunities to think about new concepts.

• Get Some Help

Don’t hesitate to reach out to podcasting experts if you feel like you’re starting to experience podfade. Consider outsourcing several aspects of producing your show — like post-production editing or outline creation — to ease the burden and enable you to prioritize creativity and content. Work with podcasting teams with the right technology, tools, and techniques to help you share your unique message and grow your audience.

Don’t panic if you feel like you’re starting to lose your groove in podcasting. Take the time you need to assess and recharge. Try these strategies to get your message out, adjust your workflow, and keep yourself from podcast burnout.