How to Avoid Podfading in 2007
After a longer than expected holiday break from blogging, I’m back in action with a couple posts to take us into 2007. This first one is on podfading (the phenomenon of fizzling out and ending your show, often abruptly or unexpectedly).
A question was raised on the Podcast Alley forums about how to avoid podfading. After reading my book, a podcaster was worried that a podcast I featured had since ended despite the fact that I thought they were doing things well. It was also pointed out that one of my own podcasts is currently on hiatus and in danger of podfading.
This raised two valid questions:
- If a podcast is doing things right, how can it suddenly fade away and end?
- If it can happen to them, how do I keep it from happening to me?
As we go into a new year, you may be evaluating your goals as a podcaster. In that case, the question of podfading is worth some thought. I’d like to offer a couple insights on how to avoid podfading (based on the response I posted to the Podcast Alley forum). To help avoid podfading, it’s important to evaluate three things:
- What do you want to get from your podcasting efforts (e.g. money, recognition, promotion, ego stroking, etc.)
- Can your podcast provide that?
- Is it worth the effort required in order to achieve that goal with your podcast?
Podcasting takes time. There’s a learning curve. Over time, burn out can set it as the novelty wears off. Defining your objectives early on will help you maintain motivation and avoid disappointment, greatly increasing your chances of staying the course.
Sadly, a couple of the podcastsI reference in my book decided the cost was no longer worth the benefit and they podfaded. It doesn’t mean they weren’t promoting well. It doesn’t mean their shows weren’t great. Dailysonic had a large audience and very forward-thinking features integrated into their audience experience.
As for my own show, GothamCast…
Of my three podcasts, this has always been my “for fun” podcast project. I do it when I feel like it because my purpose is mostly to have a creative outlet. That’s all I need from it. I haven’t posted to that feed for a few months. I realize this limits my audience numbers, but it doesn’t bother me given my goals for that podcast.
The reason for the hiatus is mostly a lack of time. The final blow was a “feature” (can also be read technical glitch) caused by iTunes. It cost me half my audience and has made it impossible to subscribe to my show through their directory right now. I admit. This was a ding to my motivation for that show.
I’m still trying to work things out with iTunes. I have a lot of content planned and recorded and hope to release more episodes eventually.
On the other hand, my other two podcasts directly relate to paying the bills and accomplishing my other business goals. It’s much easier for me to find the time and motivation for these podcasts. In those cases I have clear objectives of what I want from them and they both are producing results worth the time that they demand.
Still, the fact remains that life happens, goals change, hobbies come and go, and resources run out. Sometimes podfading will happen. It doesn’t necessarily mean something went wrong.
I have other insights on how to avoid podfading (and what to do if it does happens) that I will share later. But first I would like to know your thoughts. What have you done to avoid running out of steam and keep your show fresh for both you and your audience?
December 31st, 2006 02:14
Great thread Jason. I decided to tilt the odds in my favor by providing myself a little built-in breathing room. The iLifeZone podcast is consistently in the top 100 technology podcasts on the iTunes store, but we defy the usual advice and only publish three times a month instead of weekly. Having to only do 36 shows a year rather than 52 shows a year goes a long way towards avoiding the fade. I’m not suggesting this is the right decision for everyone else, but it’s working for me. Happy New Year!
December 31st, 2006 02:34
Jason,
This is an important subject which is why we covered it in the second half of Chapter two in Tricks of the Podcasting Masters. We interviewed different podfaders to find out why they podfaded. At the end of the day they are things you can do to delay podfading, but we will all podfade at some point in the future.
Think about how many popular TV shows from the 60’s, 70’s or 80’s that are still on the air today.
If your readers want to learn more about pushing out podfading - I recommend they Pick up one of the top 10 reference books for 2006 according to the editors from Amazon.com and that is “Tricks of the Podcasting Masters”.
Rob @ podCast411
December 31st, 2006 02:56
Jason –
I look at it like an old chemistry equation from high school: there’s point A where you start (intending to do your show), point B where you want to end up (show completed), and this hump in between that you have to overcome. Podfade happens because somewhere along the line, you don’t have the energy needed to get your cart up and over that hill any more — less time, other interests, other more important priorities.
Avoiding it becomes a matter, then, of either infusing more energy into the front end, or reducing the height of the hump. More energy might be from increased networking to increase your enthusiasm, riffing off a co-host, going to conferences, doing more readings on your topics, etc. Reducing the hump height might come from reducing your post production efforts, putting out fewer shows, or having a co-host do some of the workload.
Additionally, adopting a more professional approach can help - such that not doing the show becomes less of a viable option. Some would argue that not only can you continue being creative “putting in your time,” but that in the long run, this is the ONLY way to truly be consistently creative and deeply insightful.
Peter Beck, MD
http://www.MedSqod.com
http://www.PodcastingForMedicalProfessionals.com
December 31st, 2006 20:08
Scott,
Balancing the frequency with which you publish your show is a great way to conserve energy and motivation.
Rob,
You make an interesting comparison to TV shows. Likewise, how many shows take seasonal breaks. I wouldn’t encourage as long as a break as I have taken with GothamCast, but perhaps an occasional break is warranted, just let your audience know what’s up.
Peter,
I REALLY like your model for approaching the problem of podfading. The other insights I’d like to share on this subject in the future fit well within your 2-sided equation (increase energy and/or reduce the hump height). I’ll definitely reference your idea again in the future.
Jason
January 3rd, 2007 07:25
[...] Jason Van Orden has started a thread on Podfading, and as usual, he takes a very thoughtful and valuable approach to this issue. I chipped in with a comment that I thought might be helpful to PodcastingTricks.com readers. [...]
January 9th, 2007 21:33
[...] I’ve got a very insightful write-up about podfading that was discussed by Jason Van Orden. His thoughts about podfading made me realized that the longevity of a podcast show really depend on the podcaster’s purpose why he or she created that podcast. A show that was created for a purpose of just jumping on the bandwagon may likely to podfade especially if the podcast is lacking a concrete objective to sustain the show in the future. [...]
January 29th, 2007 03:22
[...] Special thanks to Jason Van Orden and Tee Morris for their great work on this topic. [...]
February 1st, 2007 23:47
[...] If you have an established podcast media property, selling your podcast is a possible solution to the podfading dilemma rather than letting things fizzle when you lose steam. [...]
May 6th, 2007 04:58
[...] Special thanks to Jason Van Orden and Tee Morris (check out his “Podcasting For Dummies” podcast, show #14) for their great work on this topic. Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
April 1st, 2008 08:39
[...] Happy April Fool’s Day. Unfortunately (or fortunately), we didn’t put together a joke podcast. Is it an indicator of the serious times of our sport? Or just a complete lack of creativity? Tough call. Regardless, we made it to Episode #11. No podfading at Runnerville Weekly! [...]