7 free and easy ways to give your podcast new life

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:
  • Upgrade your furniture
  • Add software or equipment to live-stream your podcast while recording.

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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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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)

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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.

About the Author
As an award-winning podcaster, Daniel J. Lewis gives you the guts and teaches you the tools to launch and improve your own podcasts for sharing your passions and finding success. Daniel creates resources for podcasters, such as the SEO for Podcasters and Zoom H6 for Podcasters courses, the Social Subscribe & Follow Icons plugin for WordPress, the My Podcast Reviews global-review aggregator, and the Podcasters' Society membership for podcasters. As a recognized authority and influencer in the podcasting industry, Daniel speaks on podcasting and hosts his own podcast about how to podcast. Daniel's other podcasts, a clean-comedy podcast, and the #1 unofficial podcast for ABC's hit drama Once Upon a Time, have also been nominated for multiple awards. Daniel and his son live near Cincinnati.
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Bill Hutchison
12 years ago

Just listened to this episode and felt very encouraged by your tips to give new life to an old podcast. After doing a podcast for 2-years I took an unofficial hiatus since December as I was feeling quite burnt out with it. Hoping that applying some of these tips could help me look at finally relaunching a new and hopefully better show.

http://billhutchison.org/podcast-burnout-needing-renewed-vision/

John Saddington
12 years ago

thanks for mentioning Standard Theme! We love our products!

Chad Waldo
12 years ago

Thanks for the help Daniel, I have been doing a podcast for almost a year now, weekly. I love doing them and have a lot of fun. But, there are times I feel like it needs something else. These are great tips!! http://www.itsrotary.com
 

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