Why I Make The Content I Make (And Why I Keep it Short!!)

Starting with the end in mind:

I host a podcast because some of my community members like to read my articles and newsletters, and some of my community prefers to consume their content by listening to it, like a Podcast.  We all have different learning styles, and I want to be accessible to everyone.

But as an organizer and a productivity coach, I never want to waste your time. I keep my episodes relatively short and to the point because I hope you consume them and then get on with the rest of your day, hopefully with a little more knowledge and motivation about how to make your day positive and productive.  That's my goal.

Today I am sharing insight into the content that I make and why, and I would love to hear from you about what else you would like to hear about! So, please share!!

Now, let's get to it!

I recorded this content recently on an especially long morning commute.  I have a service area of within 30 minutes of my home, but occasionally I need to go a little farther!  If you know me personally, you know that I spend a lot of time driving back and forth from Illinois to Indiana and then to Michigan, and back of course. I probably can and have made this drive in my sleep, but I didn't that day.  It was a cold and clear day, and I got an early start, before 7 am.  I planned to use my commute to catch up on some podcasts. 

There are some podcasts that I listen to, in addition to checking in on my own, while I drive.  And also, if you know me, you may know I was sick for a week or so recently.  I attended an amazing professional conference in downtown Chicago, and then pretty much everybody at conference got sick. So I was kind of laid out with the flu and it was miserable AND, since I was home in bed, I wasn't commuting and I had episodes to catch up on. Because, if I'm not commuting, I'm likely not listening to podcasts.

Because here's the thing: I love the idea of podcasts. I love to listen to them, I'm a fan. I host a podcast, for goodness sake. It is awesome that people can find podcasts on topics that interest them and really explore those topics. They find what resonates and learn more.  Podcasts can be educational and entertaining and community building, or all of the above!

One podcast I listen to every week is the EP Podcast, because it is about my community and the guests are often people I know. it is educational and informative.  My own producer hosts it.  And he doesn't like to hear this, but sometimes I listen to it in double time, because I want the information but I don't always have the time to listen to it in real time.  So, sometimes I choose are a more efficient way to consume Podcasts.  And the funny part is, he always sounds alarmed (as anyone does) when I play it at double time. But I digress.

The point - I love the idea of podcasts, AND I am selective in when and what I listen to.

So, why am I sharing this?

If you regularly listen I recently mentioned my new massage therapist. And at his appointment last night, my husband mentioned to her that I had mentioned her in the recent episode and share the name of the podcast and said oh, and they are really short episodes.  Which makes them more consumable.  But yes, one special feature is that they're really short.

I often lead with Yes, I have a podcast but I promise, it is useful information and my episodes are short.

Why are my podcast episodes short?  Let me unpack that for you.

In addition to coaching and organizing, I'm also a professional musician. I get paid to sing, to play my flute. And it is my ministry.  I spend a lot of time singing. It enhances worship, but I also can get bored of listening to myself if I think that we've been singing too much too long, etc.  I never want to waste people's time. 

I personally like a concise podcast, and therefore I host a concise podcast.  I have a hard time letting myself ramble on. I record the draft content, submit the recording to a transcription service and turn it into an article.  Then I read the article to record the content, and then I publish the article on my blog.  I focus on editing. I don't want to say things that are unnecessary.  I have a good idea of what 10-15 feels like for an episode, with intros and public service announcements and things like that.

But I don't always record a straightforward content. Since I often record it intially while I am driving,  I might have to talk myself into focus or I might get distracted by things around me.  If I ever shared a blooper reel of those recordings, it might get colorful as I comment on other drivers! So I edit.  To stay concise.

Because I don't want to listen to myself for longer than that, to be honest. And I can't listen to a podcast that rambles on and never gets to a point. Some day I may interview people, and those will be logner episodes.  But for now, I choose not to, for personal preference and for scheduling.  No matter what, I cannot listen to a podcast episode that is 2 or 3 hours long.  That gives me a headache just thinking about it. Because here is another tidbit - I like to listen to podcasts, but auditory learning is not actually my strognest learning style.

Whoa. Right?

I created a podcast because for many of my clients and my community, auditory learning is their desired learning style. I wanted to be able to support all of my community members. So, I write an article every week and it comes out with my newsletter on Tuedsays and in long form on Fridays.  I send those out to 1600 people via email, and share it on LinkedIn and Facebook, wherever people want to consume me.  And I also record the podcast episodes. 

I have short episodes because I don't know why anybody would want to listen to me for more than, I don't know, 20 minutes, tops. I certainly don't want to listen to myself for longer that that.  I want to respect people's learning styles and I think that people should recognize those for themselves and understand those for themselves.

Because I think when they understand their learning style, they can use that information to live a better life. 

I write articles and send out newsletters for people who like to read (visual, verbal and auditory learners).

I host a podcast for people who like to listen (auditory and kinesthetic learners).

Occasionally, I post videos. Why? Because videos satisfy visual learners.

These are the reasons why I create content in multiple ways.

In addition, I have ADHD, and I am not going to disrespect the ADHD brain for myself or others by rambling on and not getting to the point.  I am a great listener, and I love to share that gift and skill with my clients and community and the people around me with active and reflective listening.  I find people fascinating. I could listen to my clients for hours. But listening to something without purpose sets my teeth on edge. I know that about myself. 

I listen to the podcasts I like while I drive because it engages my brain, I learn new things and I enjoy the feeling of community. I don't listen while I do other things because my brain is engaged with those other things. 

And I'm sharing this because awareness matters.  Awareness is The Key! Professional development, personal development, you know, it all starts with awareness so that the choices we make can be intentional and purposeful.  And we come to awareness sometimes through our interactions with others. I am shareing as commentary, to see if there's something in what I've said today that resonates with you.

To sum up, starting with the end in mind:

I host a podcast because some of my community members like to read my articles and newsletters, and some of my community prefers to consume their content by listening to it, like a Podcast.  We all have different learning styles, and I want to be accessible to everyone.

But as an organizer and a productivity coach, I never want to waste your time. And as a person with ADHD who works with many people who also have ADHD, rambling on on and on with no point in  a community that  I keep my episodes relatively short and to the point because I hope you consume them and then get on with the rest of your day, hopefully with a little more knowledge and motivation about how to make your day positive and productive.  That's my goal.

Today I am sharing insight into the content that I make and why, and I would love to hear from you about what else you would like to hear about!
So, please share (email me at Colleen@PeaceofMindPO.com)!!