Relaunching Your Podcast Isn’t Failure: It’s Evolution.

Podcasters often worry about “starting over” when their show isn’t working anymore. But here’s the thing: re-launching isn’t about losing what you’ve built. It’s about using everything you’ve learned to create something better.

Whether you’re returning from a hiatus, tweaking your format, or completely pivoting your niche, a relaunch lets you apply your improved skills exactly where you want them. Life changes, and when your podcast evolves with it, the result is a show that actually fits your current situation and energizes you to keep creating.

What Do We Mean by Re-Launching a Podcast?

Re-launching your podcast doesn’t always mean starting a new show on a new RSS feed, or stripping your podcast down and replacing every part. Re-launching your podcast can be as simple as returning after a hiatus. Maybe there’s one part of your show that needs a glow-up, such as changing the format. Podcasters who have spoken to me about re-launching tend to mention issues that fall into one or more of the following buckets:

• Their knowledge and skills have grown (Fancy that!)
• The podcast topic or niche doesn’t quite fit right
• Major life changes interrupt their podcast workflow

Let’s take a closer look at managing these bumps in the road.

Using Your Improved Podcasting Skills

In your first fifteen or fifty episodes, you’ll learn so much about podcasting that your head will spin. And, you may discover the choices you made when you started don’t feel right anymore. For example, you may want to try field recording instead of in a studio, or collaborate with an artist to make new cover art.  As your skills develop, relaunching helps you grow as a podcaster. 

Focusing Your Podcast Niche or Topic

Many podcasters launch their shows before they know specifically what the show is about or who it’s for. But when you know your podcast’s unique selling proposition, specificity attracts an engaged audience to your show.  

Maybe you thought a “friends talking about movies” or “sports fans talking about sports” podcast would be fun. Then you discover that “youth baseball coaches discussing baseball movies for parents of young baseball players” is more specific and unusual. Your podcast’s niche makes your show stand out and helps people who care about your topic find your show.

Re-launching your podcast to narrow down the USP isn’t a major renovation project. You can make a few changes to:

• your podcast description
• the new episodes’ intro script
• your new episodes’ show notes, if necessary

and keep going, with refreshed intention and perspective.

And yes, I also thought that particular hypothetical example of a niche baseball podcast couldn’t possibly exist. Why am I surprised? There’s a podcast for everything now.

Responding to Life Changes

Big life changes affect your perspective. Divorce, moving, or changing jobs can alter your feelings about your podcast. And, life changes will pull the rug out from under your time, energy, and motivation.

Whatever the reason, focus on what makes producing a podcast enjoyable and away from whatever makes your podcast workflow burdensome.

Moving is a good time to set up a new workstation. When you get a new job, your schedule changes: take time to plan your work sessions for recording or editing. Changes in your non-podcasting life can be opportunities to shed what you don’t love about your podcast.  

How to Relaunch Safely

Relaunching your podcast intentionally is like moving. You need to know where you’re going, how to get there, and who’s coming with you. 

The Destination: Your New Podcast

Take a moment to consider your podcast’s purpose and niche. Whether the change is significant or minimal, clarify the following: 

• Why you want to produce this new podcast
• Who benefits from the podcast, or your ideal audience. 

Write these down; together, these are your mission objective. Get out your magic markers and make a big, multi-colored sign for your workspace, write it in your journal, whatever makes your purpose and audience memorable and crystal clear. 

By the way, The Podcast Host Planner Journal is an excellent tool to plan your podcast’s relaunch. Just in case you need it. 

The Trip: How To Reach Your New Podcast

What do you want to do differently? Plan the tasks you need to complete for relaunch. Our guide on how to start a podcast is an excellent checklist if you need a refresher. You wouldn’t drive across the country without a map. Give yourself some guidance. 

The Company: Keep Your Audience Informed

If you’re planning to take a break, share the news with your audience. Keep it simple and concise. You don’t have to elaborate on why, how, or when. Emphasize briefly that you’re improving the podcast for them. Thank the audience for being part of your growth as a podcaster. Include a call to action to sign up for your podcast’s mailing list, so they’ll know when your podcast returns.

Don’t forget to put an email signup link in the show notes so that they can join right away. 

Then, take a break, rest, and recharge.  When you’re ready, relaunch and share your progress with your audience. 

Nobody Gets Through The Long Haul Without Refuelling 

“Should I relaunch my podcast?” is a question we get in the Indiepod community every month or so. The question always comes with sadness, but we say yes, do it. Pausing, pivoting, rebranding, or relaunching altogether is empowering, provided you do it with intention. When you relaunch with a new plan and purpose, you’ll enjoy it more, and so will your audience. 

In fact, when you join the Indiepod Community, you’ll learn from the experiences of our hundreds of members. Reading and discussing the details of podcast production will help you feel good about your show and continue making excellent episodes at your own pace.