It may feel like your podcast is dying. That doesn't always mean it's time to quit. Sometimes, your podcast just needs a bit of new life! If you have extra money to spend, I also include some bonus tips.

This is more than just finding content for your podcast, but bringing new inspiration and flavor to what is still your passion.

1. Add a new segment

Whether you have no segments or many, consider adding something new. This doesn't have to be permanent, but at least a repeatable new idea.

• Industry news
• Review something
• Highlight a listener
• Miniature tip
• Regular joke (even if you have serious content)
• Best resource(s) of the week

2. Change your opening or closing

If you don't have a standard opening and closing, make one! But even if you have one, is it consistent and memorable?

You can add or change any of these in your opening.

• Theme music
• Opening “script”
• Introduce yourself
• Describe the podcast

For your closing, you could add or change these.

• Contact information
• Shownotes URL
• Remind them who you are
• Give a call to action
• Make a closing quotation, or pull something relevant from your content

3. Rewrite your goals or description

Sometimes, we write our podcast description or goals early, which is great. We follow that but then our show changes and the description isn't as accurate. Rewrite it and you may see it influence how you podcast.

If you don't already have podcasting “goals,” then make some and consider how each episode helps you meet them.

When I started The Audacity to Podcast, it was about podcasting and Audacity. Several months later, I realized my niche was “how-to” information. So I wrote the description, “A ‘how-to' podcast about podcasting and using Audacity.” That simple rewrite gave The Audacity to Podcast new life by reminding me to focus on “how-to” information, which has been very well received.

4. Invite a guest

Find someone else who has something to contribute, or simply shares your passions and invite them as a guest. My cohost Jeremy and I have done this many times with our clean-comedy podcast. We wanted to pre-record a bunch of episodes, and we knew we couldn't come up with that much content ourselves, so we invited several guests.

Guests don't have to be permanent. Find someone who adds a different perspective on your content.

5. Rearrange your “studio”

If you've ever worked with interior design (or moved furniture for your wife, mother, sister, or yourself), you've probably noticed how different a room feels.

Look at your podcast studio. Maybe you've slowly added more equipment than the current setup holds. Rearrange it! I had huge success in moving around my own studio furniture.

6. Rearrange your outline

Look at your content and how you present it. Maybe move things around a bit and stick to it. Give a teaser in your opening, or move something earlier or later in your podcast.

7. Record at a different time or day (or set a schedule)

Changing your recording schedule may help your podcast by allowing your brain to function better. This will result in better clarity and creativity. Switching days may fit in easier with your schedule.

If you don't already have a recording schedule, try setting and sticking to one.

More expensive ideas

Each of the previous ideas would be free or extremely inexpensive to incorporate. But here are some more things you can do if you have some money to spend.

• Redesign your podcast cover art, or hire me to do it for you.
• Upgrade a piece of podcasting gear that will give you new abilities (like a portable recorder).
• Buy some software that will make things easier or faster. Here are some of my favorites:
  • TextExpander (OS X) or PhraseExpress (Windows)
  • ID3 Editor (has many time-saving features over free alternatives)
  • PrettyLink Pro (WordPress plugin) for making friendly URLs easier when writing blog posts or podcast shownotes.
  • New WordPress theme, like one of the awesome and mobile-friendly themes from StudioPress, or other choices from Standard Theme or Thesis.
  • A social-media app for your smartphone or tablet. (I recently purchased TweetBot for iPhone and Tapatalk for iOS or Android)
  • A premium soundboard app like Soundboard (OS X) or Sound Byte (Windows and OS X)
• Upgrade your furniture
• Add software or equipment to live-stream your podcast while recording.

I'm speaking in the Podcasting 101 track at BlogWorld NYC!

Please join me at BlogWorld in New York City on June 5–7. I'll be one of the panelists in the Podcasting 101 track and presenting on the last day of the conference.

Register for BlogWorld NYC for the early discount! Use promo code “PodLewis10” to save 10% off your admission.

Follow my personal blog, if you care about me

How's that for a guilt trip? I've started a personal blog at DanielJLewis.net, sharing thoughts and reviews on technology, social media, web design, freelancing, productivity, personal updates, and everything else I want to talk about that doesn't fit in my many other websites.

Ask your podcasting legal questions for upcoming guest

I'm very pleased to say that Gordon Firemark will be joining us for a few future episodes. He is an entertainment and new media Lawyer, and the author of the Podcast, Blog, and New Media Producers Legal Survival Guide. He also hosts the Entertainment Law Update podcast.

So send me your legal questions to ask Gordon in upcoming episodes.

• Privacy policy
• Release forms
• Copyrights
• Trademarks

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7 free and easy ways to give your podcast new life http://t.co/44y6gzz4 #podcasting

— Daniel J. Lewis (@theDanielJLewis) April 9, 2012

Need personalized podcasting help?

I no longer offer one-on-one consulting outside of Podcasters' Society, but request a consultant here and I'll connect you with someone I trust to help you launch or improve your podcast.

Ask your questions or share your feedback

• Comment on the shownotes
• Leave a voicemail at (903) 231-2221
• Email feedback@TheAudacitytoPodcast.com (audio files welcome)

Connect with me

• Subscribe to The Audacity to Podcast on Apple Podcasts or on Android.
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• Follow @theDanielJLewis

Disclosure

This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship and may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.

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