05 Dec 🎄Podcasting Through the Holidays: What’s the Right Move for Your Show?
👋Hey there Podcaster!
With the holiday season around the corner, this newsletter has everything you need to keep your podcast thriving. I’ll break down the best ways to handle the holidays—whether you’re sticking to your schedule, taking a breather, or finding a happy medium. Plus, let’s talk about Spotify for Creators: the good, the bad, and how smaller podcasters can still make the most of it. Whether you’re planning your holiday strategy or looking to shake things up, I’ve got you covered!
🎙️ DMV Podcasters Meetup: Connect, Collaborate, Create!
📍 Rockville, MD
📅 12/11/2024 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎟️ Free Admission but register here on Eventbrite!
Join seasoned and aspiring podcasters, content creators, and enthusiasts for an evening of networking, expert advice, and collaboration. Enjoy giveaways from PodMatch and connect with industry pros like Charlie Birney, Junaid Ahmed, and me!
👉 Reserve Your Spot– I can’t wait to see you there!
🎄Podcasting Through the Holidays: What’s the Right Move for Your Show?
As the holiday season approaches, podcasters everywhere are grappling with an annual question: should you continue posting new episodes, or take a well-earned break?
The answer, as with many creative pursuits, depends on your goals, audience, and capacity. During a recent episode on the Podcasting Morning Chat, several perspectives emerged that might help you make the best decision for your show.
↖️The Case for Staying Consistent
For some podcasters, maintaining a consistent release schedule through the holidays is non-negotiable.
– Momentum Matters: If your audience relies on your podcast as part of their routine, keeping episodes flowing can prevent listeners from drifting away.
– Holiday Downtime: With vacations and fewer work obligations, audiences may actually have more time to listen. This can be a great opportunity to attract new listeners or engage your loyal audience even more deeply.
– Algorithms Favor Consistency: Regular posting can keep you in the good graces of podcast platforms, ensuring your show remains discoverable during the holiday rush.
↗️The Case for Taking a Break
On the flip side, the holiday season can be the perfect time to step away and recharge.
– Avoid Burnout: Podcasting requires creativity and energy. Taking a break can help you return in the new year with fresh ideas and enthusiasm.
– Family and Festivities: If you’ve been working hard all year, prioritizing personal time during the holidays can be a rewarding choice.
– Audience Behavior: Depending on your niche, your audience might also be less active during the holidays, making it a natural time to pause.
⬆️Finding the Middle Ground
If you’re hesitant to go completely silent but don’t want to carry the full weight of holiday production, there’s a compromise:
– Pre-Schedule Lighter Content: Create recap episodes, “best of” compilations, or short updates that require minimal effort but still keep your feed active.
– Holiday-Themed Episodes: Record festive or reflective content that resonates with the season. This can be lighter on prep and editing while still engaging your audience.
– Announce Your Plans: Whether you’re taking a break or reducing your episode load, let your listeners know ahead of time. Transparency builds trust and sets clear expectations.
🗺️Which Road Will You Take?
Ultimately, the decision to take a break or keep publishing comes down to your unique goals and capacity. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and every approach has its merits.
Whether you choose to stay consistent, step away, or land somewhere in the middle, the key is to make a decision that aligns with your values and sets you up for success in the new year.
So, podcasters—what’s your plan for the holidays? Are you going all-in, hitting pause, or meeting your audience halfway? Join the conversation!
🎙️Spotify for Creators: Is It Really for Everyone?
Spotify’s recent launch of Spotify for Creators has stirred mixed reactions in the podcasting community. While the platform introduces useful tools, its monetization model raises questions about inclusivity for smaller creators.
🚧The Barriers to Monetization
To qualify for Spotify’s monetization program, creators need:
⏰ 10,000 streamed hours
🧑🧑🧒🧒 2,000 unique users
🗓️ All within 30 days
For many smaller podcasters, these requirements are out of reach, favoring larger, established creators over those in niche markets or still growing their audience.
📺 A Push Toward Video
Spotify’s focus on video podcasts has left traditional audio-only podcasters feeling sidelined.
While video is an emerging trend, many creators have built loyal audiences through audio storytelling—a medium that thrives on its accessibility.
📈Opportunities for Growth
While the monetization model may not favor small creators, Spotify for Creators offers free tools that can help podcasts grow:
– Custom episode cover art
– Video clips
These features can enhance visibility and branding, even for those who don’t meet the monetization criteria.
✏️Tips for Smaller Creators
If Spotify’s monetization isn’t an option, consider these strategies:
💰 Direct Monetization: Sell exclusive content, memberships, or products.
🤝 Sponsorships: Partner with brands aligned with your niche.
🗣️ Platform Choice: Choose a hosting platform based on your goals, not just monetization opportunities.
Spotify’s updates may cater more to larger creators, but smaller podcasters can still leverage its tools to grow and explore alternative revenue streams. The key is to stay adaptable and focus on what works best for your unique audience.
➡️ What’s your take? Are these changes a step forward or a setback for small creators?
🎙️Podcasting Morning Chat Highlights🌅
Welcome to your essential morning brew of ideas and insights, the “Podcasting Morning Chat” is a daily show that’s by creators, for creators. A dynamic team of experienced podcasters, entrepreneurs, and producers hosts the PMC. Each episode peels back the curtain on the art of podcasting and content creation. The conversation is a mix of insights, stories, and strategies, tailor-made to keep your content fresh, your audience engaged, and your creative spark alive.
Recorded live every weekday at 7 AM EST on Clubhouse and available via podcast at 7 AM PST, our show has become a cornerstone for podcasters worldwide, offering a unique blend of expert advice, real-world success stories, and innovative ideas. Whether you’re here to enhance your content, expand your audience, or just soak in the collective wisdom of fellow content creators, the PMC is your source for inspiration, empowerment and connection in the podcasting world.
Catch up with the latest episodes and join our global community of creators to kick-start your day with creativity, strategy, and insight.
- December 2nd, 2024: Episode #200: Reflecting & Building Momentum From 2024
- December 3rd, 2024: Episode #201: Breaking the Rules of Podcasting and Doing It Your Way
- December 4th, 2024: Episode #202: Podcast News: YouTube Takes the Lead and Industry Highlights
- December 5th, 2024: Episode #203: How to Grow to 1.5 Million Followers: David Griffiths Shares His Proven Strategies
I’m so grateful to be connected with you and a part of your podcast journey.
All My Best,
👋Marc Ronick
This content was composed with assistance from OpenAI
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