Thoughts from other podcasters + Who Else is Digging Threads?!

Hello again!

I tried keeping it light and simple in this month’s newsletter.

That’s been my intention with every previous newsletter, but there always seems to be a lot to talk about by the time four-ish weeks go by and I can’t wait to gush to you!

But in case I actually manage to keep it short (spoiler: I didn't) and you’re looking for additional tips for creative independent podcasters, check out last month’s newsletter.

ICYMI, I’m so thankful to my friend Lynn "Elikqitie" Smargis from Write For You for her guest posts she wrote about turning your podcast into a book! If you haven’t checked them out (it’s in two parts), here are Part 1 and Part 2.

Before I get to this month’s podcasting tip, I have an exciting announcement …

I’ve been working on my next book for a while now and have gotten to a point in my research where I’m fairly certain I’m at a point where I can finally announce it!

I made a soft announcement over on Instagram and Threads (since I, like many others, was captivated by the new social media app this last week), and I plan on talking more about the process of my writing and how the book is shaping up in the coming months!

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A post shared by Emily Prokop (@emilypeckprokop)

Thank you, as always, for your support and I can’t wait to share more details about the book and its release with you soon 🙂

This Month’s Podcasting Tip

This month marks my 8-year podcasting anniversary!

I’m pretty sure I wanted to podcast back in the summer of 2015 because I was missing many of my favorite podcasts, which were taking breaks. It didn’t occur to me that not every podcaster takes a break for the summer, so instead of looking for new podcasts, I decided to start one instead.

Nowadays, podcasts are coming out in full force and, according to the small sample size I've been asking, many of you keep on keepin' on during the summer!

I did a very informal poll on my Instagram Stories last week and was surprised to see a good chunk of folks actually listen more during the summer! So if you're chugging away or launching your podcast soon, there's an audience ready and waiting for you!

I also asked podcast listeners and podcasters over on Threads to weigh in as well. Here’s what they said when asked if they listen more, less, or about the same during the summer:

"More. So much more." — @AshTues
"Personally listen about the same, minus some extra audiobook time with traveling. BUT, I work from home anyway and don’t have a commute so my podcasting time isn’t impacted at all by the summer months." — @TheRoguesLife from Pro Podcasting Services

When it comes to what podcasters are doing, it seems many of you aren't changing a thing for the summer.

From podcasters over on Threads:

"We’re currently on a break so we can recharge and plan new content!" — @hitsdontliepod from Hits Don't Lie podcast
"Personally, I’ve always said the summer is a good time for a strange tangent miniseries or to take a little downtime to think about your next big topic/series/etc." — @TheRoguesLife from Pro Podcasting Services

If it's especially hot where you are, here's an extra tip from your friendly podcast editor: AC and HVAC noises can be distracting to listeners and difficult to remove from recordings. Some podcasters find they need to record at night when it's cooler or they cool down their podcasting space before recording, so they can turn off the AC to avoid background noise.

How do you decide if you should take a break, slow down, or keep going?

If your podcast serves an audience who would be listening to podcasts in the summer, by all means, keep publishing as you normally would!

Some podcast genres even do better in the summer — like audio fiction for road trips with friends or movie podcasts that talk about the big summer blockbusters and big movie news. (Case in point: Congratulations to Epic Film Guys on their success with their episode covering Batman Forever: The Schumacher Cut! Seeing that episode propel you up the movie charts was so awesome!)

Suppose your podcast is covering an event that happens in the summer, like a convention in your niche or maybe you’re launching a summer program for your business. In that case, you may want to continue publishing as usual to build and continue the hype.

It can also be a good way to learn about and get more practice podcasting and continue the habit.

I know I’m guilty of abandoning or forgetting about habits, hobbies, and projects once I stop working on them for a bit. Even if it’s something I like!

It starts with, "Oh I'll do my daily walk later if it's too late." Then it's "I'll just skip my walk just one day and pick it up tomorrow." And the next day it's, "Oh, forgot again, oh well, tomorrow will be the day!" And then forgetting and/or feeling guilty for weeks on end.

Some people thrive on that sense of routine and commitment, and some may do better with a break to avoid burnout or to ge those creative juices flowing again! Just don't forget to make time and space to be just YOU and not You, The Podcaster 24/7.

Remember it's your podcast and you can decide if you want to take a break, do reruns or short episodes, or wrap up the "season" — if you're episodic, you can simply say you're taking time off!

Be sure to let your audience know and, if possible, give a heads up on when to expect your podcast to return.

You can offer some episodes to listen to in the meantime. And remember to put those links in your show notes for easy clicking.

Before you just grab any old episode and repost it as is, you may want to re-listen to the episode.

Does it need a new intro/outro? Record one if necessary and use the new intro to let your audience know it's a rerun and reasons they may want to listen or re-listen.
Check the show notes if you'll be reusing them — are all the links still working? Is the contact information up to date? Update as needed. You may also want to link to the original episode.
This can be an excuse to clean up the audio of an older episode and also see how much you've progressed as a podcaster/editor! Whenever I re-listen to episodes I've edited before, I get a chance to tweak the episode and make it sound even better.

Rerun episode ideas:

Episodes that have done really well and you've received great engagement and feedback from
Episodes that you thought were amazing but may not have gotten enough love or visibility
Episodes that would give a new listener a full understanding of the podcast, your business, who you are — these will bring newer listeners up to speed on what your podcast is about if they're hearing it for the first time, and it may also reintroduce your audience to you/your business if you only talk about that in your intro/outro, for example.

If you don't want to take a break but maybe want to lighten your workload for a season, consider changing your podcast release frequency.

Do you have an episode every week, but looking to lighten your load? Consider switching to releasing every other week or even once a month during your busy seasons. This keeps listeners engaged and may possibly work better for their schedule if they aren’t consuming as many podcasts.

Are you taking a break with your podcast this summer or sometime this year? What are your production plans for when you do? Please reply and let me know your thoughts and if you've found these tips helpful 🙂

Quick (but big!) takeaway from the Pew Research State of Podcasting

I'm still combing through the data from the Pew Research State of Podcasting webinar from June 21 — I love data so much, but it can be overwhelming when it comes to processing all of it!

But I think the information from this part of the presentation and slide, in particular, was my favorite ⤵️

This part — 68% discuss what they heard on a podcast with others at least sometimes, including 24% who do this often — excites me and here's why:

Podcasting — particularly indie podcasting — was built on grassroots marketing. Word of mouth, friends telling friends, indie podcasters swapping promos and introducing their audience to other podcasts and podcasters.

The phrase "I heard on a podcast …" is one reason people become familiar with podcasts and seek them out for themselves.

So, dear indie creator, this is your reminder to ask your audience to share your podcast with their friends who would benefit from and enjoy listening if you want to grow your audience.

Besides, it's free!

And, obviously, make sure you're creating content your audience will want to share 😉

Check Out the Latest Blog Posts + Appearances

E Podcast Productions — Podcasting Blog

Emily: Out Loud — ADHD/Creative Lifestyle Blog

Thanks again to Carolyn Cohen for having me on her podcast Wellness While Walking talking about my morning routine. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or listen directly on the website.

Until next time, Happy Podcasting!

♥ Emily Prokop

Like What I Do?

Enjoying this newsletter and my content? If you’ve found my tips and information helpful, you can support me and my work by buying me a cup of coffee over at BuyMeACoffee.com/emilyprokop 🙂 And look for a shout-out over on my Instagram Stories AND NOW THREADS!

Thanks for your suggestions last month about what you might be interested in, as far as subscriber content. I’ve decided to try adding an ADDITIONAL podcasting tip over there this month as a thank you to subscribers, and those who’ve bought me a coffee in the past!

I also talk a bit about my favorite coffee at the moment.

Thanks for your support! ☕

Work With Me On Your Podcast

One of the lessons I learned from the first time I wrote my book was it never takes as long as you think it does — it takes even longer. And even when you think you’re done, you’re going to open up to a random page one day to see the most glaring spelling mistake you can’t believe you actually made. (Deep breaths, deep breaths, that’s what second editions are for …)

All that to say, writing my book will most likely take up a big chunk of my time in the fall and winter, but I still have a few dates available in my summer calendar for those looking to work with me to plan, revamp, and grow your podcast.

Click here to see if a Strategy Session is right for you.

These 30- or 60-minute sessions are where you can pick my brain about all things podcasting, whether it’s planning your new podcast and making sure you start off on the right foot, asking about podcast equipment recommendations that won’t break the bank, or growing your show and taking it up a few notches.

Are you a longtime podcaster who feels stuck and thinking about getting professional podcast help? You may benefit from a podcast audit — a Strategy Session where I listen and research your podcast ahead of time and check your podcast for any “leaks,” so to speak, that may be keeping you from reaching that next level or breaking those download plateaus.
Sign up for a Strategy Session and under the question “What are you looking for?” on the intake form, let me know you’re interested in a podcast audit!

Work With Me

About Me

I’m Emily Prokop, a podcaster, editor and educator. I created & hosted the Webby-nominated podcast, The Story Behind, among a number of other podcasts I’ve been a part of. As the owner of E Podcast Productions, a podcast editing and consulting business, I’ve been helping podcasters plan, improve, and grow their shows for the last 5 years.

I’m also an introverted, neurodivergent married mom of 2. When I’m not wearing a pair of headphones to record or edit a podcast, you can find me singing in choir, wandering in the woods, roller skating around my living room, or trying out a new hobby or ADHD hyperfixation on Instagram and now Threads! Find out more over at EmilyProkop.com.

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