We’ve all been there. It’s time to come up with a new episode and…nothing. You’ve chosen a topic for your microcast because it’s something you are knowledgeable and passionate about, and yet – inspiration is dead on its feet. What to do? Here are a few tips that have helped me and hopefully will help you as well.
First, see what’s trending on the news or Twitter. I’ve noticed a lot of microcasters tying their microcasts to current events, and it’s a great way to stay relevant while expanding your reach. Remember, anytime you can add a trending hashtag to your tweets, it gets more views. So pop onto Twitter and see what’s up if you need some inspiration. It might be a stretch, but you can usually find something that will apply to your topic. And if you see a news story related to their genre that you think would inspire a fellow microcaster, by all means, send them the link! That’s what friends are for.
Next, ask for input. Tell your friends, family, fellow microcasters, followers on social media – “I have a microcast on this topic. What are some questions you would have for me? What would you like to hear about?” This will both give you ideas and help make sure you are delivering information to your audience that is appealing and relevant to them. Make sure to give whoever inspired a particular episode a shoutout, tag them on social media, etc. It’s also a good way to give your microcast a little more exposure, as people like to share things that relate to them personally.
You can always look at holidays for inspiration. Trust me, there’s one out there related to your topic. Angelibean keeps a running commentary on these at c/obscureholidays. And unless your microcast is about something very, very unique, you can almost always find a way to tie it into the major holidays as well. Look at it as a way to stretch your imagination a bit and expand your reach.
Make sure you write down ideas that pop into your head. I have topics that come to mind, but if I don’t write them down, poof – into the ether they go. If you’re reading a book or watching a movie or TV show, keep your eyes peeled for anything related to your cast. Write it down, and use it as a springboard for your imagination.
Think outside the box – say you’re watching Game of Thrones (yes, yes, I know, it’s all over now). There is fashion, female oppression and empowerment, history, power struggles, and so much more that can relate to a bunch of different topics – depending on how you look at it. Not to mention that, if you can tie your microcast into a popular movie or show, you can use the relevant hashtags to bring your show to the attention of a larger group of people. Once you get used to watching for things related to your cast, it will become second nature, and you’ll be surprised by how much you notice.
In summary, coming up with new ideas can be hard. But it can be fun as well! See what works for you and what sparks your imagination. If you have any tips for the rest of us, leave a comment, and share your secrets. We’ll be grateful, I promise.