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(By Traci Long DeForge) Why should I repurpose an episode into multiple episodes? Repurposing one episode to make four different ones sounds like a challenging task. How does that math even work, and why would you want to do it? It’s a significant time-saver, and you will end up with more downloads! If it sounds to good to be true…read ahead.
Repurposing one episode into four episodes is a valuable time-saver. You’re investing a lot of time and energy into one quality piece of audio content so it makes sense to optimize it by creating multiple episodes out of one recording. More episodes equal more downloads. The more episodes you release, the more downloads you get from the same number of subscribers. Releasing more frequently provides the opportunity to engage current listeners and attract new ones.
Can one Interview really be repurposed Into multiple episodes using only the original audio?
A full episode can become four independent episodes with content that engages the listener and keeps them wanting more. Your listener will be able to glean specific material from each of the mini-episodes even if they also listened to the first episode in full. They likely may have missed any one of the specific points highlighted in the other content pieces when released.
How can the content of my show be repurposed? Before you activate this formula, review the format of your podcast to identify segments you may have already created in your show which can be extracted and repurposed. This process works best for podcasts following the interview Q and A format. Batch your interview questions as part of your show prep into 2-3 “content sections” so when the podcast is recorded it’s easier to pull them out as separate audio pieces. Do you have any segments already created within your show? Are there places within your show where you can extract two or more pieces of content? If you do not currently have a recurring segment you can add in a deliberate question you ask each guest create or a tips and takeaway segment at the end of your episode. These would make ideal stand alone segments to re-purpose as a mini-episode.
How does the math work? Here’s a breakdown of the four separate episodes:
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Release the full episode in it’s entirety.
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Edit out 3-8 minutes of content from you and your guest that flows in a way that stands on it’s own. Add in your open and close and create a episode cover art for this episode
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Repeat #2 with additional content edited out to flow in a way that stands on its own
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Release a specific segment (ie: Tips or Takeaway segment) as the fourth episode
Bonus Tip: The best way to get organized for the editing phase of creating the “minis” is to timestamp the segments in an Excel document. As you listen through to your entire episode and identify the independent segments, utilize a timestamped Excel document to indicate the beginning and the end of each of the segments. This will enable you and/or your producer will have an easier time editing them into mini-episodes.
How do I schedule these mini-episodes? You can schedule your mini-episodes based on your needs. For example, if you release weekly and you want to ramp up the frequency of your releases, schedule them daily each week between full episodes Every other day if you release bi-monthly. You can also reserve them as bonus episodes if you experience an unexpected change in your recording and release schedule.
Keep in mind, you are releasing the clips as actual episodes, which means you upload them to your platform as an actual episode like you would any other episode. You can choose to upload them as a bonus episode or regular episodes. You can also use these pieces of content in multiple different ways;.integrate them into presentations, promotional materials, and audiograms for social media.
Seasoned Podcasters can benefit from this strategy by using it as an opportunity to go back and review your backlogs of episodes, pull some of that backlog content and bring it to the forefront; it will now appeal and be accessible to your new listeners right away.
You have a real advantage of being able to create many additional multiple episodes by using this simple process with evergreen content from your archives. This can elevate your podcast as new people discover it; these episodes will be new to them. They’re learning; you’re gaining new listeners, new followers, and new subscribers all the while using archived content.
Easier on your budget! This overall strategy is smart when it comes to budgeting. Do you spend the time editing these segments out yourself? Or do you have them outsourced? Either way It allows you to lower your recurring monthly expenses. Outsourcing your post-production can decrease the number of full episodes you need to invest in getting produced. If you’re doing your own editing, you ultimately save time by extending the shelf life of the one episode and then the subsequent mini-episodes; time is money!
**_Traci DeForge is the founder of Produce Your Podcast, a consultant, speaker, and creator of PODHIVE, an online community for podcasters. She can be contacted at traci@produceyourpodcast.com or 561-468-8758. __Visit her websites: ProduceYourPodcast.com & _PODHIVE.com **