7 Expert Strategies to Avoid Creator Burnout

This got me thinking ... if a guy with a full production team can get burnt out - is there any hope for the rest of us? From my talks with the community - burnout happens for a few reasons (like the constant demands of creating content, comparison traps, the difficulties with work-life balance... but I won't depress you by listing them all). So here are some tips I've compiled based on that feedback that can help you build something that's actually sustainable and continues to drive you - not burn you out.

1. Define your hours. 

Set specific "working hours" for yourself. Maybe from 7-9PM you're working on your podcast. Maybe you record on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It's your show, but that doesn't mean you have to be available every day. Sure, you can land a big guest and bend your rules a bit - but try to stick to set work hours.  And on that note - schedule breaks. We all need a day off. 

2. Stop trying to be on every platform.

Not only a good burnout tip - but it actually is helpful to grow your show. If you try to create content for every platform, you 

• Will put too much work on yourself, which means you...

• Won't be able to fully engage on every platform (like answer comments or engage with other profiles) and then...

• The platforms' algorithms won't boost your content

So it's a waste of time, along with a huge contributor to burnout. Instead, focus on two platforms: one you love, and one that your audience is on. 

3. Keep a content calendar. 

If everything is organized it feels a lot less overwhelming. Create your own Google Calendar or make one on a platform like Notion (here's a template you can use as a jumping off point). In each calendar event, under the details, you can write a list of everything you do that goes into each episode. Then check them off as you do them and get that rush of conquering a to-do list.  

4. Get in a batching groove.

Batch your tasks. Create your thumbnails for a few episodes at a time. Write your show notes for a few episodes at a time. Repeating the same tasks makes them go by faster because you get into a flow. It's a fact - and I don't make the rules. The only thing that I would not batch is recording. That's a personal preference. I don't like to record back-to-back because I like to feel fresh for every recording.  

5. Prioritize the joy & define your success.

 Write the reason you began your show and put that on your desk. Record an episode that is just you ranting about something you love. If joy for you is challenging yourself - record a solo episode, or try going live. Creating can also mean creating some moments that make you smile (chances are your audience will smile from them too).  Joy can also be celebrating wins. Don't focus on the vanity metrics, like views and likes. Instead focus on the metrics that really matter, like your personal growth, learning, or the conversations you've had. Acknowledging momentum can stave off the burnout goblins.  

6. Offload what you don't love (without hiring someone).

Don't love it? Ask AI to do it. I'll take this time to plug our new, built-in AI Co Creator that can do things like write your social media captions (my least favorite task), newsletters, blog posts, show notes, insights, even create highlight reels and promo clips based on your specific recordings. If you hate doing something, bring in the bots.  

7. Don't go at it alone - find your community.

Feeling like a part of this creator community really helps you stay motivated and inspired. Meet other creators in person at local meet ups or conferences, or connect online. It REALLY helps - I'm telling you. Here's our online community where we also post local meet ups and events - and it's my favorite place on the internet (besides Riverside itself, of course ).  

In summary - your success is just as much about your audio quality, hosting skills, guests and conversations as it is about keeping yourself in it. Prioritize your boundaries and yourself. Remember that as you create both your content and your process.

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Contributor post by Kendall Breitman is a community manager at Riverside.fm you can connect on Linkedin. Kendall leads Riverside's community. She has over ten years of experience in television and video production for places like NBC and Bloomberg News. You’ll find Kendall on our webinar, where she shares her expert insights on content production, branding, and more.