No one really talks about how the constant churn of content can lead to creative burnout for podcast hosts. Before you get to that point (or if you’re already there), here are some helpful tips for recognizing when you need a mental break and how to get through the slump without losing your passion for content creation.
Have you ever eaten your favorite food over and over again until one day, you’re suddenly disgusted by it? Or perhaps you’ve tried fully investing yourself into a personal project like a home repair or a piece of artwork, only to leave it halfway finished because you got bored. This experience is akin to that of the podcaster who invests too much personal time, energy, and creativity into their podcast to the point of inevitable burnout. This is why many of the world’s most popular podcasters have teams working behind the scenes to coordinate with guests, research topics, write scripts, and edit podcast audio and video.
It’s hard to do this all on your own. It’s no wonder why many podcasts start off strong with a plethora of content, only to stop recording after only a year or so. Below are the classic signs of creative burnout most often experienced by podcasters:
- Decreased motivation and enthusiasm: What once sparked excitement at the beginning of your podcast journey now feels like a chore.
- Physical and mental exhaustion: Creators who do it all, meaning the content research, creation, editing, and uploading, are destined to stay up late in order to stay consistent. This can easily lead to physical and mental exhaustion if sleep and relaxation aren’t prioritized.
- Creative block: Any new ideas you come up with feel stale and the enthusiasm you once had for the art of podcasting starts to dwindle.
- Overall loss of interest in podcasting: The relentless pressure of deadlines and maintaining consistency can become overwhelming over time.
The classic signs of podcast burnout usually stem from ongoing pressure to meet audience expectations and to keep up with the ebbs and flows of industry trends. While creating and managing a podcast can be extremely rewarding, it’s important to recognize what factors can trigger podcaster burnout. Here are some of the most common contributors to burnout in the industry:
- High expectations: Whether self-imposed or perceived, the pressure of meeting high podcast expectations can be tremendous. Delivering high-quality content takes a lot of dedication and planning.
- Time constraints: We always say that consistency is key to podcasting success, and that remains true; however, if consistently posting at the same time or on the same day becomes too much to handle, it’s time to rethink your time constraints. Find a schedule that is not only consistent, but works with your life outside of podcasting.
- Repetition is boring: Humans are creatures of habit. We’re also novelty-seeking creatures. Two can be true at once. Tasks like editing, responding to emails, or creating promotional content are less than exciting. Even though these mundane tasks are repetitive and boring, it’s important to change things up where you can to keep yourself interested in the upkeep of your podcast behind the scenes.
- Audience engagement: While an important aspect of podcast growth, managing audience feedback, expectations, and criticism is emotionally taxing, even for the best of podcast creators.
- Financial pressures: If your podcast is monetized or sponsored in any way, the pressure to generate income and manage content that appeases partnerships can add a lot of stress for creators.
Understanding the factors above is crucial to developing strategies to prevent and manage podcast burnout effectively. Here are some of our best tips for being a proactive podcast creator so you can avoid burning out:
- Set realistic expectations and goals: Establish achievable milestones that are realistic with your podcast’s current growth rates. Give yourself room for flexibility to adapt to changes in circumstances along the way.
- Delegate tasks and outsource help where needed: If possible, try collaborating with others on tasks like editing, content creation, social media management, or guest outreach.
- Create a consistent schedule: Plan episodes in advance and give yourself enough time to research the topic so your content doesn’t sound rushed or uneducated. If you want to be the best podcast in your niche, you need to be the voice of authority on your topics, and this can be done through thorough research and planning where necessary.
- Diversify your content: Take a break from monologues and bring guests onto the show who add valuable information to your chosen topic. Having guests on your podcast is also a great way to grow your audience by promoting the collaboration on both your social media and that of the guest’s!
- Prioritize yourself: You’re probably sick of hearing about self-care these days, as are we, but there’s something to be said for the benefits of getting adequate sleep, keeping a consistent schedule, and practicing hobbies outside of podcasting.
- Set boundaries: Setting boundaries is crucial to preventing podcast burnout. It’s okay to set limits on the time and energy expended on podcasting so you can maintain a healthy balance with other aspects of life. While you’re at it, throw your audience a bone and communicate openly with listeners about any changes in schedule or format to manage their expectations.
You don’t have to podcast alone – let us take on the brunt of the work for you! At LPM, our podcast pros handle all aspects of podcast management including audio editing, promotional content, and guest coordination. If your show could benefit from any additional help, feel free to reach out. Happy podcasting!
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