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(By Troy Price) I used to produce a podcast I called Flea Market Money Maker. I spent hours and hours a week compiling notes and writing scripts and recording some of the best episodes I have ever produced. I created episodes that were evergreen. Evergreen means that the content in the episode will be great on the day it is released and will have similar impact well into the future. I wanted people to find and learn from my show months and years after I did the work. I was sure that was the way to capture an audience.
You might be thinking, “Troy, what shameless promotion for your show Flea Market Money Maker.” Well, I have not produced that show in over eight years. I spent an unsustainable amount of time on each episode because I was betting on people finding and loving my 25 episodes months and years later. That did not happen. It is so dead now that my media host has removed it from their library because it received so little traffic. It is not online anywhere! Finally, zero “Flea Market Money Maker” t-shirts were sold on Cafepress. So sad!
That does not mean my love for flea marketing and reselling has faded. I still love sourcing and selling and learning all about the process. That is why I began listening to Keely Stawicki and the _Resale Revolution Podcas_t. Here is the link to the show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/resale-revolution/id1464219160.
Her show is a daily podcast about what is going on in her resale life that day. For instance, early last weekend you could listen to her prepare for selling at an upcoming local festival. Then, two days later you could then hear how much she sold and hear details about a local festival in part of the world that you may never visit. I am excited when Resale Revolution comes into my podcasts app. I look forward to learning something and joining in on whatever the next episode brings.
So, if you are a podcaster and considering creating either evergreen material or sharing timely, time-sensitive episodes, I recommend you go timely. Record what strikes you as important on that day. Share yourself. Talk about your life. Try to connect with your audience personally and frequently.
In addition to my experience, I have two other reasons for this recommendation. There is an old entrepreneurial adage that encourages people to “fail fast” (Google “fail fast” to learn the benefits of this mentality). Here is the struggle when you create evergreen material planning for the longtail (Google “longtail” to fully understanding the term), nothing is “fast” if you are waiting nine months or nine years to evaluate. You can, however, evaluate daily podcasting efforts within 24 hours and you can then tweak, pivot, or abandon your work and try something new, fast.
Secondly, think back to your decision to start podcasting. I am sure one of the reasons for choosing to podcast is the relative ease of production. Releasing time-sensitive podcast episodes quickly allows you to capitalize on that ease of production. You can experience a major life event, record a podcast episode, and have your fans share in your joy within the hour. That is compelling content!
I am of the current opinion that timely episodes beat evergreen material.
Are you producing a show like Keely? Not on resale, but something that is reflecting your day-to-day life? Have you considered a time-sensitive format show? Has this article swayed you towards releasing a more personal new episode today or tomorrow? My email is below, send me an email and a link to your timely show and I will give it a listen!
_Troy Price is the co-founder of _Front Porch Studios_ in Berea, Kentucky. He’s been involved with podcasting for over a decade. Reach Troy by email at _Troy@frontporchstudios.com.
Comments:
Interesting stance, and very valid. Definitely makes me rethink some of the advice I have given podcasters. However, I have pushed people towards live shows if they want to provide current information and keep their costs down. Live broadcasts take out a lot of the work, without a doubt.