How Can I Make Time to Podcast?
Putting Your Most Precious Commodity to Good Use.
This time of year reminds us just how short on time most of us are. We’re gaming out travel, accommodations, collaborative menus, and who gets which days on the custody schedule this year. But time management is a year-round challenge, so let’s zoom in on something we touched on in last week’s newsletter: designing a production process that feeds your energy and uses your time as efficiently as possible.
Lots of podcasting how-tos will tell you that The Way to build consistency is rigidity; schedule everything, don’t deviate, and eventually producing your show will become as routine as changing your underwear. This approach works very well for some people, particularly if they have complete control over their own schedules, without the interference of children, shift work, or inconvenient social connections. If that’s you, congratulations! If not, here are some other methods you might consider.
Batch recording: Podcast episodes are like potato chips. They both involve a lot of noise coming out of your mouth, and no one can tell you how many to have in a single sitting. In my experience, while it can be tough to schedule regular recording sessions, the prep time is often easier to fit in around other obligations. Do your research and make notes a bit at a time, then schedule recording when you have a few episodes ready to go.
Release in seasons: Aside from learning to tolerate the sound of your own voice, one of the most daunting aspects of podcasting is how open-ended it seems. When it’s just you, your Blue Yeti, and an empty calendar, the idea of churning out a new show every week ad infinitum can feel overwhelming. Planning to publish the show in seasons will give you a break and breathing space to plan, record, and edit before it’s time to start publishing again. Seasonal schedules are a more natural fit when the season follows a theme of some sort, whether it’s a single main story arc, or interviews on a related topic. But even for completely self-contained episodes, a break between chunks can take some of the pressure off.
Prioritize flexibility: Some people can only unleash their creativity by refusing to force it. If waiting patiently for inspiration is the way you work best, that’s okay. Whatever gets you behind the mic is the priority. At the same time, audiences have lots of choices when it comes to podcasts. Listeners will find you if your take is entertaining enough, but shows that publish frequently and/or regularly will have an edge on discoverability. I don’t recommend trying to force your creativity into a particular box, but if the flexibility of recording and releasing episodes is your highest priority, the audience-building process will require more time and/or promotional energy.
Build a buffer: Regardless of your release plan, recording ahead is a great way to build flexibility into your schedule. Having at least two recorded episodes waiting when you release one makes it easier to delay (or even skip) a recording session without putting you immediately under pressure to deliver. Even if you’re the kind of person who thrives on short deadlines, working ahead will help you more easily manage unexpected downtime for illness, burnout, or waiting in queue for Taylor Swift tickets. #BreakUpTicketmaster
Text-based editing: You probably don’t have the time or motivation to become an experienced audio editor. Fortunately, the basics of cutting out “ums” and smoothing out volume changes aren’t too difficult to pick up. These tasks are made even easier by using a tool like Descript. Descript generates an AI transcript, and then you can edit the sound by editing the text. It filters background noise and matches levels without much thought on your part. If you’ve worked with traditional editors like Audacity it can take some getting used to, but there’s a free trial to let you kick the tires. After that, you’ll pay per month based on how many minutes of audio you want to upload (The link above is an affiliate link, so I’ll make a modest commission if you sign up.) Descript has made my editing much more efficient, and I recommend it highly.
Hire an experienced editor: If you have the resources, an editor can dramatically improve your production experience. They’ll save you time, make you sound better, and help you develop your own personal recording process.
Further guidance: My client (and partner) Natalie Miller released an excellent episode about this topic on her podcast Mind Witchery. A Spell to Cultivate Consistency digs into why everyone’s path to productivity is different, how you can stop beating yourself up for chafing under rigid schedules, and ways to narrow down what works best for you.
If you want your podcast to sound as good as Mind Witchery, let’s talk about how to make that happen. Click here to book a call!