Podfade is the reason 92% of all podcasts fail
Want to know what separates successful podcasts from the millions of failed ones? It’s called ‘podfade‘. Some call it the “ten episode slump”.
But it’s the same thing.
I’m going to explain how you can avoid it.
What is ‘podfade’?
We’ve all been there. Every single one of us.
Podfade, or ‘the ten episode slump’ is that point in your podcasting journey where the initial excitement wears off.
You’ve put in the energy, released a handful of episodes, but the download numbers aren’t reflecting your inputs, and you’re questioning whether you’ve got what it takes.
So, the self-talk starts up with a vengeance and the thoughts of ‘easier wins’ start to overwhelm your mind.
Particularly if you’ve enjoyed dopamine hits in other formats.
“When I post on LinkedIn I get loads of likes and comments. But nobody talks about my podcast.”
This is your brain playing tricks on you, and knowing exactly what to ‘say’ to you to keep you in your comfort zone.
Why does podfade actually happen?
Several things contribute to this ‘slump’:
Unrealistic expectations:
We all dream of becoming the next big podcast sensation overnight, but the reality is, building an audience takes time and consistency. As someone who’s been doing this for more than two decades, I’ve seen every type of growth trajectory there is.
Some podcasts simply take longer than others to grow. And there isn’t always a definitive reason for it.
I know of one show a peer of mine consults on that’s been going for 5 years and still hasn’t managed to find its ideal audience.
On the other end of the spectrum, a brand new podcast I’ve been working with has grown to the same level after just a few months, that the creator’s other older podcast took a year to get to.
Comparisonitis:
It’s easy to get caught up in comparing your podcast to others that have been going for years.
Remember, everyone starts somewhere.
Even the podcasts that are investing heavily in marketing can struggle to get their ideal listeners engaged with what they’re doing to start with.
If you’re relying entirely on organic growth, it’s definitely going to take you far longer to get to where you want to.
Lack of feedback:
When you’re starting, feedback can be scarce, leaving you wondering if anyone’s even listening.
There are ways of encouraging feedback more quickly, such as running polls and surveys. But the truth is, until you’ve built your audience to a certain minimal level, you are going to be doing mostly trial and error.
The grind:
Podcasting is hard work! From planning and strategising, through recording and editing to promoting and marketing, it can be exhausting, especially when you’re juggling other commitments.
There’s a reason people like me exist.
We have the experience and have wounds from doing it, so we know how to get you over the pitfalls more quickly and comfortably.
We also know how to do all the things more efficiently, so we can achieve even better results in half the time it would take you.
How to beat podfade
Celebrate your wins:
Every episode you release is an achievement. Be humble around that, and take a moment to acknowledge how far you’ve come and be grateful for it.
You have no idea how much you’re envied by those who are too consumed by their own fear to even try!
Set realistic goals:
Instead of focusing on download numbers (a fairly useless vanity metric), set goals around consistency and improving your results.
Are you getting feedback?
One listener comment is worth a thousand downloads.
Embrace and encourage.
Connect with other podcasters:
Podcasting doesn’t have to be a solo journey.
Find a community where you can share your struggles and get support.
I’ll be offering this soon.
More on this in a future post.
Go all in with your niche:
What makes your podcast unique?
Focus on your passion and target audience.
If you’re shouting about what you’re doing, that energy will be contagious and you’ll quickly find your people.
Experiment and have fun:
Don’t be afraid to try new things and keep your content fresh.
Remember, every successful podcaster has been through the threat of podfade as they hit the ten episode slump.
It’s a rite of passage, a test of your commitment and passion.
So, if you’re feeling it, don’t give up.
Take a deep breath, remind yourself why you started, and keep going.
You’ve got this, boo!
Fancy a chat about your podcasting journey?
Connect with me on LinkedIn or drop me an email.
I’m always here to help.
Cheers, Neal
Want more hands on help? Pick my brain!