Losing Momentum: Rebuilding Your Podcast After a Long Hiatus

In this episode, I get into the impact of taking an extended break from podcasting and how it affects your show’s growth, audience engagement, and completion rates. Here are the main takeaways:I discuss a situation where a podcast grew to 500 downloads per episode but lost half its audience after taking a year-long break. Even with improved audio quality and more polished episodes after returning, both downloads and completion rates suffered.Consistency is key. I emphasize how taking long breaks can significantly set you back, comparing it to putting your finger in a leaky bucket – once you take it out, the water (your audience) drains away.Switching to a biweekly episode schedule can help maintain consistency if that’s all you can manage with your workload, but it may slow growth.If you notice completion rates dropping, it’s a sign something may not connect with your current content. Sometimes we’re too close to our own work, so getting outside feedback is crucial.I suggest finding a friend or colleague who matches your target audience to get honest feedback on your episodes.Numbers don’t lie! Data can reveal hard truths that help you improve.If you need help starting, growing, or monetizing your podcast, I offer consulting at School of Podcasting. Use the coupon code listener for a discount!You can also check out Podcast Hot Seat, which currently includes a Black Friday deal with a free month at the School of Podcasting.If you’re looking for feedback, growth strategies, or just a friendly ear that understands the journey – I’m here to help! Let’s see what we can accomplish together.URLs mentioned:School of Podcasting (Coupon Code: listener)Podcast Hot SeatThanks for listening! I can’t wait to help you take your podcast to the next level.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy