“Something that I’ve noticed with milestones… is that there’s a feeling of never enough– never enough downloads; there are never enough episodes; there’s never enough content. And, at times, it can feel like a hamster wheel. And I think there’s a lot of pressure to continue producing content every week.”
~Melissa Guller, Everything is Teachable & Book Smart
Happy end of the year, end of the decade, podcast listeners! As the days wind down, I thought this the perfect time to discuss milestone episodes.
To be totally honest with you, I hadn’t given the topic much thought until the incredible Sarah Buino, host of Conversations With A Wounded Healer (and one of my clients) asked if I had any suggestions for marking her 100th episode.
Ok then! Time to commence thinking about milestones! But where to start?
Listen, hitting publish on your first episode is just as much a milestone as posting your hundredth so don’t let numbers put you off. I chatted with several podcasters whose interpretations of what constitutes a milestone vary.
Their advice, though, is essentially this: there’s no right or wrong way to mark your big achievement — even if that means choosing not to acknowledge your show’s milestone at all.
Continued below…
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Article Continued
“I think you should definitely pat yourself on the back because some people don’t make it to episode ten and you made it to episode 100 or a number of years or things like that. And, if nothing else, take the time to thank your audience for listening.”
~Dave Jackson, School of Podcasting
David Hooper of bigpodcast.com went the live event route for his milestone episode. Not only did the live recording reward his audience for their loyalty but the celebration also legitimized his show’s reach, thus securing the attention of larger sponsors and potential big-name guests. If a live show doesn’t sit well within your budgetary or geographical constraints,
Julie Neale from mothersquest.com suggests a thematic approach, one which aligns with your podcast’s mission or subject matter.
Robyn Conley Downs of Feel Good Effect podcast struggled with her milestone episode until she asked herself how a celebratory episode might support her message and if such a show would ultimately serve her community. The answers kept her ego and her complicated episode ideas in check.
A milestone might prove to be a good time for a hiatus, as was the case for Everything Is Teachable. Host Melissa Guller saw the show’s 18th episode and 50,000 downloads as an opportunity to hit pause and assess plans for the second season.
At the opposite end of that spectrum is Dave Jackson of schoolofpodcasting.com, a man who’s just posted his 700th episode and is well versed in all things milestones. His advice? If you do nothing else, at least thank the people who got you to where you are: your listeners.
But perhaps the best piece of advice I received came from Jen Riday. The host of Vibrant Happy Women reminds podcasters that, regardless of how they celebrate on air, they should create space for off-air congratulatory activities — a private celebration, a long bath, or a date night. You’ve earned it!
How you choose to acknowledge or not to acknowledge your show’s big event, take some time this season away from the mic and the editing app and the management tool. Relax and thoroughly enjoy some non-podcast pursuits. 2020 is just around the corner; another year to prove what an awesome podcast boss you are!
Happy holidays and, as always, peace, love, and podcasting!
Connect with me!
Email or Voice andrea@thecreativeimpostor.com
Facebook Group The Creative Impostor
Facebook Page @andreaklunder.creative
Instagram: @andreaklunder
LinkedIn: @andreaklunder (I only accept connections from people I actually know, so include a message to say you’re a Podcast Envy listener.)
Connect with my guests!
David Hooper, Big Podcast
Julie Neale, Mother’s Quest
*Also featured on Podcast Envy, episode 036
Robyn Conley Downs, Feel Good Effect
*Also featured on The Creative Impostor, episode 069
Melissa Guller, Everything is Teachable, Book Smart
Dave Jackson, School of Podcasting
*Also featured on Podcast Envy, episode 022
Jen Riday, Vibrant Happy Women
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