Practice makes perfect.
How determination & discipline are key traits for creating Podcasts.
Discipline isn’t just about rigour and rules; it's the backbone of success, especially in podcasting. It’s like learning an instrument- with routine practice over time you can become a master at it. The way you manage one aspect of your podcast reflects how you handle all aspects. It's a mirror of your work ethic, passion, determination and commitment to your listeners. Practice makes perfect, determination and discipline defend against pod-fading, (the fizzling out of a podcast) and every detail matters.
Think about the many tasks involved in podcast production. From onboarding guests to scheduling, researching, and editing – each step requires a meticulous and structured approach. Without discipline, it’s easy to fall into chaos, miss deadlines, deliver inconsistently, experience burnout, or even abandon the project altogether.
The Brave New Girls podcast is an example of how I structure my creativity in my life. I am neurodiverse, and my brain can be quite scattered at times. With a weekly structure, I map out what I need to do for each episode. I take planned breaks during Easter, August, and Christmas, and I find that the combination of discipline and breaks are equally crucial for helping me sustain the podcast for the longterm.
In podcasting, every detail counts. Scheduling must be precise. Research must be thorough. The interview itself needs your full presence, an ear finely tuned to the guest for the cadence of conversation. Post-interview, the meticulous work continues: editing, uploading with show notes and links, and creating transcripts and writing and sharing blogs, and social media content. Promoting the show and engaging with guests to boost sharing is crucial in amplifying your reach.
Without a disciplined approach, it’s too easy to let one—or many—of these critical tasks slip through the cracks. Consistency is your promise to your listeners. It builds trust and expectation. When listeners know they can depend on your podcast to deliver as promised, they tune in regularly, engage more, and share your content.
Do you want to start a purposeful podcast? Get in touch and we will help you.
Actionable Steps to Instil Discipline in Your Podcast Production:
Set Clear Objectives: Know what you want to achieve with each episode and overall podcast series. Goals guide your efforts and help maintain focus.
Create a Production Calendar: Plan your episodes, including all steps from guest onboarding to promotion. Visualize deadlines and stick to them.
Systematize Tasks: Develop a workflow for each stage of production. Use tools and apps to streamline processes like scheduling and editing.
Batch Tasks: Group similar tasks together. Do all your episode research at once, schedule multiple recording sessions in a block, and bulk-write show notes.
Delegate When Possible: If resources allow, delegate tasks like editing, transcription, or social media management to specialists.
Maintain Consistent Quality: Set quality standards for each episode. Consistency in quality assures your audience knows what to expect and increases listener loyalty.
Plan Breaks: As with Brave New Girls, schedule downtime. Breaks prevent burnout and keep your creative juices flowing.
Engage with Your Audience: Regularly interact with your listeners through social media and listener feedback. Engagement keeps your content relevant and audience-focused.
Monitor and Adapt: Regularly review your podcast’s performance. Adapt based on feedback and analytics to continually improve.
Stay Passionate and Curious: Keep your enthusiasm alive by exploring new topics, inviting diverse guests, and experimenting with different formats.
Discipline in podcasting is about more than keeping a tight schedule; it’s about respect for the craft, your guests, and your audience. It means showing up with the same commitment to excellence, whether you're recording the first or hundredth episode. By applying structure and maintaining a consistent approach, you ensure not only the longevity of your podcast but also its ability to captivate and grow an audience. Remember, how you do anything in podcasting is how you do everything—so make every detail count.
PS. Download your free podcast planning workbook- it gets you exactly where you need to be to start a podcast that reflects you, your expertise and your unique perspective.
PPS. Watch the masterclass - it’s a free intro to podcast guesting that will get you started on your brand storytelling journey. Dare to share, and your people will find you.
PPPS. Read my book Dare to Share- a step-by-step guide to podcast guesting
