Do you’ve got any unfinished episodes? Possibly you already recorded them however simply have not gotten round to enhancing them. Or possibly you began writing the define, however you by no means completed. Then this problem is for you!
This 12 months—and I’m not saying right this moment, this week, and even this month—I problem you to complete these unfinished episodes!
Listed here are just a few ideas and techniques that can assist you clear that backlog.
“If it’s going to maintain, it’s going to preach”
This phrase normally applies to holding up towards scrutiny. However the first time I heard it was once I was at a night church service and the facility went out a number of minutes earlier than the preacher was about to start out. We had already sung a number of songs within the rising darkness and lack of sound amplification. However when it got here time for the sermon, the preacher realized the youngsters had been too stressed in the dead of night, the viewers would not be capable to hear the message with out the sound system (even when the youngsters had been completely quiet), and he can be extraordinarily distracted by the setting. So he dismissed the service early, saying of his sermon, “If it’s going to maintain, it’s going to preach” (and he admitted he heard that from another person).
His software of the saying was that if that individual sermon remained on his coronary heart after the scrutiny of time, that he would preach it once more.
I would like you to use this to your podcast. Have a look at these concepts which have been burning in your thoughts or sitting on an inventory for some time. If they’ve saved below the scrutiny of time, in case you are nonetheless thinking about these concepts, and if the script nonetheless excites you, then do it. Truly end and publish that episode.
I’ve so many drafts in my very own folders. Again in 2010, throughout my starting stage for The Audacity to Podcast, I made a handwritten listing of about 35 episode matters. Over 15 years and 400+ episodes later, there are literally gadgets on that authentic listing that I nonetheless have not carried out but. However I additionally revisit my listing and see drafts that I placed on maintain as a result of I needed to do extra analysis or speak to extra folks.
If an concept has “saved” for you, deal with that as an indication to lastly produce it.
Full the preproduction for draft episodes
An enormous step to clearing your listing is finishing the preproduction. If you’re like me, you might need episodes the place you’ve got began getting ready—possibly you might be studying a visitor’s e-book, writing a query listing, or refining some jokes.
No matter preproduction process has been sitting undone, take motion on it. This may very well be planning, researching, or scheduling.
I used to be impressed by this at Podfest 2026 just lately. Throughout an influencer meet-and-greet, they instructed us, “Do not go away this room with out an appointment with somebody. Do not simply say, ‘Let’s observe up.’” I met a gentleman who affords podcast enhancing providers, and I needed to speak to him about how my merchandise, PodChapters and Podgagement, may add worth to his shoppers.
As an alternative of a imprecise promise to speak later, we checked out our calendars and scheduled the decision proper there. As I’ve heard from SAS Academy, “BAMFAM”—E-book A Assembly From A Assembly.
Apply this to your podcast. If it is advisable interview somebody to complete a draft, do not simply attain out and say, “Can we discover a time?” Ship your reserving hyperlink or supply particular instances. Make it simple in your visitor. End the preproduction so you may transfer these drafts into the recording part.
End the enhancing, or publish with minimal enhancing
Upon getting recorded the episodes, it is advisable transfer them out of the draft part. You might need recordings sitting round due to a little bit impostor syndrome; possibly you are feeling the episode wasn’t excellent.
I’m not saying you need to publish unhealthy episodes, however you may body them in a different way. You probably have audio from 5 or ten years in the past, you may launch it as a “time capsule” episode. You may inform your viewers, “I discovered an outdated episode… my voice sounds totally different, I wasn’t as assured, however there’s nonetheless worth right here.”
I’m responsible of this. Greater than 10 years in the past, I recorded an interview with Chris Brogan. I nonetheless have not revealed it as a result of I merely did not wish to edit an interview. It’s an fascinating dialog, nevertheless it has simply sat there.
If you’re on this place, take into account publishing with minimal enhancing. You should use “bookend enhancing,” the place you file a brand new intro and outro to elucidate the context. You may even interrupt your outdated self—like Dave Jackson does—to interject with “Future Me” to replace recommendation or appropriate one thing that not works.
Discard what not “sparks pleasure”
One of the best ways to decide on what to maintain and what to throw away is to take every merchandise in a single’s hand and ask: “Does this spark pleasure?” If it does, maintain it. If not, eliminate it. This isn’t solely the only but in addition essentially the most correct yardstick by which to guage.
—Marie Kondō, The Life-Altering Magic of Tidying Up
Have a look at your unfinished listing—matters, visitor concepts, film critiques, or product exams. Ask your self:
- Does this episode nonetheless spark pleasure?
- Am I nonetheless on this matter?
- Do I nonetheless wish to share this with my viewers?
If the reply is not any, discard it. You do not have to delete it completely, however take away it out of your lively listing. In the event you attempt to file an episode about one thing you are not captivated with, that lack of enthusiasm will come via in your voice.
Nevertheless, there’s a nuance right here I name “Bathtub Philosophy.” After I was a child, I hated taking baths till I really obtained in the water. Then, I cherished it and did not wish to get out. Generally, you would possibly really feel lazy a couple of matter, however when you pressure your self to start out engaged on it, the enjoyment sparks.
You may even use AI instruments like Magi or ChatGPT that can assist you break the inertia. Ask it to put in writing an intro paragraph simply to get you shifting. I’ve carried out this earlier than; typically, I simply want a sentence or two to get began, after which I find yourself writing pages of content material as a result of the momentum kicked in.
Attempt to get the momentum going. If it will definitely sparks pleasure, end it. If it does not, delete it.
Particular thanks
- $5 from Joshua Liston saying, “Somewhat assist for somebody serving to Indie Podcasters.”
- $25 from Leslie Martin saying, “In the event you ever get to Anchorage, Alaska, give me a shout. I would love to satisfy with you and take you out to dinner.”
In the event you love The Audacity to Podcast and worth the podcasting inspiration and schooling I present, would you please take into account giving again what it is value to you?
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Disclosure
This publish might include hyperlinks to services or products with which I’ve an affiliate relationship. I could obtain compensation out of your actions via such hyperlinks. Nevertheless, I do not let that corrupt my perspective and I do not advocate solely associates.
