Consistency seems to be one of the toughest things for podcasters, and the reason why is this: you don’t have a podcast schedule you can stick to.
Having a podcast schedule in place is what will help you stay on track, create consistent and valuable content you know your audience wants and needs, and will help you free up time to work on other areas of your podcast, business, or whatever else you choose!
And I know we could all use a bit of free time.
Creating a Podcast Schedule You Can Stick To
The first problem most people face when it comes to creating consistent content is they’re not realistic about what’s possible for their unique schedule and commitments.
In order to create a podcast schedule you can stick to, you have to understand what it is you actually have time to do.
Your Current Commitments
Sit down and spend 10 minutes writing out all the tasks, projects, and 1-time to-do’s you are currently responsible for business-wise.
Then, spend 10 minutes writing out all the tasks, projects, and 1-time to-do’s you are currently responsible for in your personal life.
As you write out everything you’re currently responsible for, consider items you’re jotting down that aren’t critical for your business right now. Perhaps there are items you can put on the backburner – to-do’s that aren’t helping you get one step closer to your goals right now.
Do the same with your personal commitments. What are you currently holding yourself responsible for that could be accomplished by someone else in your household? That isn’t necessary for you to be doing at all?
Determining How Your Podcast Fits
Now that you have a realistic and edited list of your current commitments (ones that are actually helping you get one step closer to accomplishing your goals in business and in life), you should have a much clearer picture of how your podcast fits.
Depending on the number of hours per week you can realistically set aside to work on your podcast, you can now begin to determine the frequency with which you can create and produce new content.
This is also a great time to consider the level of priority you want your podcast to have in your business.
Creating Your Podcast Schedule
Let’s say after evaluating your current commitments and determining how your podcast fits into your overall business, you realize that you have 3 hours per week to dedicate to producing your podcast.
With this information, you can now start to build out your podcast schedule.
Like your podcast frequency, your podcast schedule should also be consistent. For example, if you have 3 hours per week to dedicate to producing your podcast, you should choose the day(s) and time(s) each week those hours will be leveraged.
To start, you’ll want to list out every step of your podcast production process.
Then, choose the specific day(s) and time(s) each of those steps will be accomplished.
The day(s) and time(s) you choose should be the same every week.
Example Podcast Schedule
Let’s look at this in practice.
You have 3 hours per week to dedicate to producing your podcast, and you’ve identified Tuesday from 12pm – 3pm to be an open timeframe you’re able to schedule on your calendar.
Your podcast production requires the following steps:
- Research potential guests and reach out to invite them on the podcast
- Book guests for podcast
- Create interview outline
- Pre-interview checklist
- Hit record
- Post-interview checklist
- Edit episode
- Upload, tag, and schedule episode
Because batching production steps helps you work most efficiently, you decide that steps 1 – 3 can be done together. So the first Tuesday of each month you spend your 3 hours researching, booking, and creating interview outlines for your next 4 guests.
Steps 4 – 6 will naturally be accomplished together, and so the second Tuesday of each month you decide will be your interview days. You’ll schedule the 4 guests you’ve booked back-to-back and record these 4 interviews.
Steps 7 and 8 will be batched and accomplished together, and the third Tuesday of each month you’ll accomplish these final steps.
You’ve just batched an entire month’s worth of content – from start to finish – in 3 hours per day, over 3 days. This leaves your fourth Tuesday of the month open for you to schedule other tasks, to-do’s, or activities having to do with your podcast. Perhaps these hours can be dedicated to podcasting guesting and promoting your own podcast.
Every Podcast Schedule Looks Different
Every podcast schedule will be different depending on the amount of time you have to dedicate to it. If you’re producing a daily podcast, a topic-based podcast, or you’re producing a podcast with a co-host, each of your steps will look a bit different.
It’s important to test out your podcast schedule and tweak it until it works best for you and your situation.
Here’s an example of what your content schedule might look like for a topic-based podcast:
Why Consistency is Key and Staying Consistent
The benefits of creating a podcast schedule that works for you are many, and one of the most important is the consistency it creates in your publishing schedule.
Consistency in your publishing schedule means consistency for your audience.
And when you have a consistent publishing schedule, your audience can depend on you and your content. They can make it a part of their routine because they know exactly what to expect. This creates powerful momentum for you and the growth of your podcast.
Not to mention the consistency you’re creating for your production, which is going to make producing your podcast easier and easier with each new session.
Be Committed to Your Podcast Schedule
This is why it’s critical to choose the day(s) and time(s) each week you’ll work through your podcast schedule. And put it in your calendar. Block the time off. Be committed.
This is how you’ll stay consistent, produce more and better content, create a system around your production (making it easier and more enjoyable), and free up more time for other areas of your business – and life.
If you’re ready to start your podcasting journey ON FIRE, then Podcasters’ Paradise is the place to be!
We’e created an entire membership site with video tutorials, PDF downloads, template samples, podcast schedule examples (like the one outlined above), and access to a private Facebook Group with direct access to myself and John to ask any questions you have about your podcasting journey.
You can learn more about Podcasters’ Paradise at PodcastersParadise.com!
