Sharpening Axes and Avoiding the Dreaded Podfade

A Life Worth Living | May 6, 2023

Every Saturday I share a story about my life in a way that you can hopefully relate to. I believe we are all here to share our journey, both the highs and the lows, as this is how we collectively raise the consciousness of the planet. If anything resonates with you, please share! πŸ™ (6 minute read)

So this is kinda awkward. On Friday, I logged into beehiiv, my email tool, to get ready to write my weekly letter and what do I discover to my chagrin: last week's email, sitting in DRAFT mode. Ugh. Major fail!

I have a small list of subscribers over on Substack (who prefer that platform) who actually did get the email. I just never scheduled it on beehiiv (this list). So technically, the weekly streak is not broken, but still a bummer.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I wouldn't have a business and many of the experiences and friendships of the past 9 years had I not started my podcast in 2014.

It hasn't always been easy, but it's one of those experiences that continues to mature and get better over time, like a fine wine 🍷

Nobody Deserves To Be Called a Podfader

As I was getting started on my podcasting journey I came across the term 'podfade'. I'm not sure who originally coined it, but it was meant to describe a situation where someone starts a podcast and, after realizing all the things that are needed to remain consistent, gets overwhelmed and stops after 7 episodes.

Bam! You're a podfader.

But don't worry, there's help for you.

(As I typed that out, I realized I sound like one of those big pharma ads)

Trouble maintaining podcast consistency?

Overwhelmed with all the things you didn't know prior to starting?

Running out of gas after 7 episodes?

You might be a podfader!

Now, I realize my readership represents a wide range of folks when it comes to the podcasting spectrum.

From those that don't even really understand what a podcast is, to those super OGs who've been in the game for a while, and everyone in between.

What You Need to Start a Podcast

For everyone's sake, let's have a quick refresher of all the things you'll need to consider prior to starting your own show.

This is SUPER high-level, I know. But I just wanted to give you an overview so you have an idea of what you're getting into.

This is not meant in any way to discourage. Quite the contrary, I want you to be inspired to start and/or keep going with your podcast.

The Importance of Planning

For the remainder of this letter, I'll focus on item #9, Episode Plan.

β€œGive me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

Abraham Lincoln

I had a session this week with one of my awesome clients Suzette and we were focusing on the plan for her upcoming show, A-Player Adventure (stay tuned).

One of the exercises I walk my client through is planning their first 12 episodes. The beauty of this exercise is that all you need is pen and paper.

How about I make it even more easy for you? Here's a link to a Google Sheet that already has the first 12 rows prepared, with a few examples. All you need is your imagination and inspiration!

While this exercise seems fairly straightforward, like all things, you'll get out of it what you put into it.

Why focus on episode titles you ask?

It's one of the few SEO-friendly fields. And with more podcasts being found through online searches, it makes a lot of sense to put some thought into these as they will help you think through what content you would need to prepare or what guest you could think of inviting to speak to that topic.

The titles should speak to a specific pain point or interest and make the reader very curious about wanting to click on it and, even better, begin listening to that episode.

Boom! Reader hooked.

This helpful article explains the concept in a bit more detail: Podcasts SEO: How To Make Your Podcast Rank

Since implementing this approach with our clients I've found that it helps to set them at ease about the road ahead. As you might imagine, any journey is that much more enjoyable when you have a map.

Raise your hand if you used to print out 11 pages of MapQuest directions prior to departing on long trips. πŸ‘‹

Where are you on your podcasting journey? There's no wrong answer. Reply and let me know!

πŸ™ with gratitude,

Harry

This Week's Recommendations

Past Podcast Junkies guest and friend Eric Trules recently launched his Santa Fe Substack. In Eric's own words, β€œMy new home, having finally escaped the LA desert after 40 years! Something like my fellow Tribesmen escaping Pharoah’s Egypt and wandering in the Sinai Desert for 40 years before discovering β€œThe Promised Land” - but without Moses, The Red Sea, or the Bedouins!" He's an excellent writer with an equally wild and impressive background, highly recommended!

Looking to grow your own newsletter? These folks pay you when the people you recommend subscribe.

What I Created This Week

🎧 Vertical Farming Podcast sponsored by Cultivatd

Daphne Preuss / CarbonBook - Helping Indoor Farmers Reduce Their Carbon Footprints & Fight Climate Change
Marcos Enriquez / ISIFarmer - ISIFarmer's Urban Farming Movement: Cultivating Health, Community, and Sustainability

If you have an interest in indoor farming (or know someone who does) don't forget to join or recommend Vertical Farming Community on LinkedIn

🎧 Podcast Junkies sponsored by Focusrite

Kate Cherichello - Creating Safe Spaces & Spreading the Good News

πŸ™‹β€β™€οΈ P.S. When You're Ready...

Here are a few of ways I can help…

✑️ Download a free copy of my Voice Expansion Blueprint. The most powerful way to transmit and elevate your voice is with a podcast. This plan will outline for you the pillars of success needed prior to the launch of your show!

πŸŽ₯ Watch my free video, 5 Key Pillars of a Profitable Podcast that every business owner needs to know prior to launching their show.

πŸŽ™οΈ Subscribe to Podcast Junkies + Vertical Farming Podcast to hear inspiring stories guaranteed to make you a better host.

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