Planning a Podcast Break? 7 Things You Need to Know

As the weather heats up and schedules slow down, many podcasters find themselves wrestling with the idea of taking a break for the summer.

It’s tempting to pause your podcast but know this: even short breaks can lead to listener confusion and a loss of momentum. Breaks start many well-intentioned podcasters down the path of “podfading,” where episodes become increasingly sporadic until your podcast fizzles out completely.

While we don’t suggest a long hiatus, many of our podcasting clients have experimented successfully with taking breaks. We want to help you do the same!

With the right strategies, taking a break doesn’t have to spell disaster for your show.

Here are 7 tips to help you take the break you need without alienating your audience:

Assess Your Podcast’s Maturity

Consider how long you have been consistently podcasting. Have you built a community of loyal listeners? Have you had a chance to do that yet? 

If you have a well-established podcast with a dedicated following, your audience will likely be more forgiving of breaks. If your podcast is still in its first year and your audience is still getting to know you, even a short break may cause listeners to drift away.

Keep Breaks Brief and Predictable 

If you must take a break, keep it short and sweet. If your content has become a regular part of your listener’s week, taking a break will create a gap when they would normally be listening. This is a good thing! The downside? Unexpected or extended breaks can push listeners to seek content elsewhere. Keeping your breaks short (taking off two weeks in July, for example) will allow less time for your listeners to move on to new podcasts. If you stick to the same schedule, over time, this becomes a predictable pattern for you and your audience. 

Communicate with Your Audience

Give your listeners plenty of advance notice about upcoming breaks or schedule changes. By telling your listeners what they can expect from you, you will continue to build the know-like-trust factor with your community of listeners. Transparency not only sets expectations for your audience but also keeps you accountable. If you’ve told your listeners you’ll be back after a 2-week break or on an alternate, set schedule, you’re much more likely to stick to it!

Stay Connected

Don’t take a break from all of your connection points at once! Use your social media, email lists, and other mediums like your blog or website to keep in touch with your audience, even when you’re not releasing new episodes. 

Diverse communication strategies ensure you stay on your listeners’ minds, especially during vacation periods when they might also be less engaged.

Podcast on the Go

Traveling a lot this season but don’t want to take a break from your show? Use a small podcast kit on the road, such as a headset and a Zoom recorder or a Rode app, to keep up with your podcast schedule without lugging around heavy equipment. 

Let your listeners know that you’re recording from a new location; they’ll appreciate the update and might enjoy the change in ambiance.

Experiment with Your Format or Schedule

Vacation periods are a great time to experiment with the format of your podcast! Shorter episodes or less formal content, like quick discussions on trending topics, can keep your podcast active without demanding too much time from you or your listeners. Guest hosts or collaborative episodes are also great ways to keep content flowing.

Another option for giving yourself a break without stopping all production is to modify your schedule. If you typically have two shows per week, cut to one for a season. If you usually have a weekly rhythm, try biweekly for the summer months.

Communicate these changes with your audience upfront. You may be surprised how much you (and they!) enjoy something new for the summer.

Batch Record Episodes

Another effective strategy is to batch record your episodes. To batch record, create multiple episodes in advance during a concentrated period of time. 

Batch recording will create a buffer in your calendar where you have content ready to be released on your regular schedule, even while you are miles away from your workspace! This approach is a proactive way to make sure that your podcast continues to engage your audience in the ways they’ve come to know and expect while protecting your vacation time and ensuring you get a break. 

FINAL THOUGHT

No podcasting break is perfect, but these tips can help you get the breathing room you need without completely losing the progress you’ve made! Plan wisely, communicate clearly, and be willing to try something new so you can have your podcast and your summer break, too. 

Have a question or need guidance in taking the next step? Schedule a call, and let’s chat!