What to do When You Want to Change Your Podcast Topic

Are you wanting to change your podcast topic or focus? If you’re thinking about taking your podcast in a different direction, read this first.

I opened my podcast app today and immediately noticed a change in the cover art to one of my subscriptions.

The photo of the host was pretty much the same, but the title of the show had changed. I took a quick glance at the last two weeks’ podcast titles (I hadn’t listened to them yet), and realized that this podcaster had changed the overall theme and message of her show.

This is not the first time that this has happened lately.

At least three of the podcasts to which I subscribe/listen to regularly have changed their podcast topic lately. The podcast feeds have remained the same, but the shows are totally different from what they used to be.

To be honest, this annoys me to no end.

I have been listening to that podcast host talk about a particular thing for over a year, and now she’s suddenly changing focus.

I’ve also recommended this podcast here on the blog, as a very specific type of show. Now, that recommendation is only sort of relevant, because the podcast feed is going to be a mix of old and new content, and the podcast description is totally different from what it used to be.

Yes, the host made an episode all about the pivot; her reasons why, and what she’s going to be talking about from now on. Still, I’m annoyed.

Which is not to say that I don’t get it. A piece of advice that I give to podcasters is to really L-O-V-E the podcast topic you choose. Passion for your topic is essential. You should make podcast episodes about a thing you just can’t stop talking about.

So if you’re not as passionate about something anymore, it makes sense to change things up. The question is: how do you do that well and without losing (or pissing off) your audience?

Here’s my two cents about what to do if you want to change your podcast topic.

1. Survey Your Audience

I’m all for following your passion, but you can’t expect your audience to follow you while you do.

A lot of the podcasts that I’ve noticed changing topic lately are shows that used to help the average woman—whether she’s a work-at-home type, full-time mom, or employee of a company. These shows—which are hosted by female entrepreneurs—are suddenly speaking about building a business, and leading teams in a business sense.

If these podcast hosts had asked me if I wanted more of the old content or a pivot to the new content, I would have chosen the former.

I’m all for weaving in some personal entrepreneur experience into the original topic, or having some special bonus episodes for business-focused content, but I subscribed to a lifestyle podcast, not a business show.

No matter the size of your audience, ASK THEM FOR THEIR FEEDBACK. Let them know that you’re toying with the idea of changing your podcast topic. See how they react.

Here’s How To Do This:

Create a free online survey and give your listeners at least a month to respond to it (you want to give them a lot of time, because not everyone will listen to your latest episodes or provide feedback ASAP).
Mention the survey in your podcast episode, link to it in the show notes and on your website, and drop several reminders and links to the survey in your social feeds.
Thank your audience once the survey has been completed, and let them know when you’ll have an update about your decision to change topics/focus.

Once you have the feedback, be sure to consider it as you make your final decision about what to do.

I’m not suggesting that you don’t make podcast episodes for your new passion; I’m advising that you don’t force that content onto your current listeners without finding out if they are interested in it.

2. Determine the Viability of Your New Topic

Before you jump head on into your new topic, take some time to determine how much content you can realistically create for it.

Grab a notepad or the Notes app on your phone, and write down as many ideas as possible. Brainstorm podcast episodes you’ll create (force yourself to come up with 20 good ones), identify guests you’ll have on, and search online for Facebook or other networking groups you’ll be able to join to connect with people who are passionate about the same topic.

Do you have a website dedicated to your current podcast topic? How much will it need to change? And are there people searching for this topic online?

Assume that you’ll lose some of your current audience when you switch podcast topics. How are you going to gain new listeners? Will the change in topic and audience affect the ad spots and sponsorships you currently have?

When you come upon roadblocks or challenges to your new podcast topic, figure out how you’ll overcome them (and if you’re willing to do the work to overcome them).

If you need help coming up with podcast episode ideas—for your current podcast or a new one you’re thinking of starting—be sure to download my free episode planning guide.

3. Record a Few Episodes

The easiest way to figure out if changing your podcast topic is the right thing for you is to record a few episodes. Write the script and show notes, edit the audio, listen to it from start to finish, and notice how you feel about it.

If your audience survey results showed that many of your listeners are interested in the new topic, consider publishing the episodes as bonuses (in addition to your regularly scheduled episodes), and asking anyone who listens to email you feedback.

Learning by doing is a powerful thing (you know that…you’re a podcaster!). Even if all your brainstorming and planning tells you that your new topic is viable, you can’t know for sure until you road test it.

4. Consider a Second Podcast Feed

If your audience survey results were not overwhelmingly positive, you should really consider sun-setting your current show (read: ending it) and creating a second podcast feed for your new show.

There are so many reasons why this is a good idea:

You properly wrap things up with your current audience, instead for forcing new content into the current feed
New listeners to your former show can still listen to old episodes even though you don’t update the feed
Old backlinks from journalists and bloggers will still go to the correct content, not your new show for a different topic
Your new show’s feed will have all it’s own proper subscribers, who are actually interested in your new topic, which is important for marketing and sponsorship opportunities

When you do end your current show, specifically direct any interested audience members to the feed for your new show.

If you have a website for your podcast (or one for your business or brand that features your podcast), you can edit it to include your new show, too. Add links to both podcast feeds, so your website visitors have the choice to listen to all your content, not just your latest show.

Keeping your second podcast “alive but stagnant” may cost you a few bucks, but if you’re proud of the episodes you published and you had a good audience following, leave it on good terms and let it stick around.

Conclusion

Podcasting is a lot of hard work, and I’m certain that your listeners appreciate what you do for them. I’m sure that they also want what’s best for you. If you want to chase a new dream, go for it! Just be sure to think it all the way through and do it respectfully.