Reflections on reaching 6k followers in the Web Worker podcast
A few days ago, there was a notification from Xiaoyuzhou that the Web Worker podcast has reached 6000 followers.
Feeling emotional, I wrote a few sentences on x, limited to 140 characters. Here, I would like to elaborate on it.
The Web Worker podcast recently reached 6000 followers on Xiaoyuzhou, which is a great achievement. Personally, I feel that we have reached a bottleneck because our target audience is not in the tens of thousands. Before exploring more program definitions, I and a few hosts have no pressure and have a small program production burden. We have been recording for nearly 3 years and have produced 50 episodes. Currently, we are still in the honeymoon period and are willing to explore more untried things through this. -- x
I have a few points of view:
- Reaching 6k is a great achievement.
- Future growth will be slower.
- To continue growing, we need to explore more content.
- Currently, podcasting is comfortable.
- Progress together and explore new things.
Reaching 6k is a great achievement#
In the early days of the podcast, there wasn't much attention. When it was below 100 or 1000, I would constantly keep an eye on it, feeling excited every time the number increased. Slowly, the excitement became desensitized, and the threshold increased. I got used to it and no longer deliberately paid attention.
😆
A podcast created by an unknown frontend technology enthusiast, which has been continuously updated for many years without giving up, and has reached 4 digits of followers and 6000 followers on Xiaoyuzhou. It's not easy and deserves encouragement and appreciation. It's worth bragging about.
6k followers is a quantifiable feedback result. If the number increases by 2k, such as 8k followers, or decreases by 2k, such as 4k followers, it doesn't affect my good mood.
The 6k followers will also be reflected on other platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, WeChat groups, and Twitter accounts: Apple Podcasts will have more ratings, WeChat group members can chat and express their thoughts and insights, and people on Twitter actively chat with me, and so on.
Through the program, I can release my desire to express myself, and there are people willing to listen and give feedback on the episodes. It's a mutually beneficial relationship. Many podcasts come in enthusiastically, but due to a lack of desire to express themselves and a lack of audience feedback, they lose confidence and stop recording.
For example, my solo podcast "Yiyaa, Just Run!" didn't continue updating because there was no feedback.
Therefore, standing at the milestone of reaching 6k followers, I am very happy and encouraged.
Future growth will be slower#
🤔 Because my perspective is relatively narrow, and the audience of the program is relatively vertical and niche, the number of followers may not reach 20k, 50k, or 100k. It may eventually reach a peak of 8k to 10k followers.
Those who listen to podcasts on Xiaoyuzhou and are frontend programmers are a small audience, so I think most frontend programmers who listen to podcasts have already subscribed. With the continuous development of the platform and the influx of new users, there will be slow growth, but there may not be significant growth.
However, there are still solutions to pursue high growth.
To continue growing, we need to explore more content#
One of the solutions is to explore more definitions of Web Worker ✨: Web Worker is not just for frontend programmers, but also for programmers, network engineers, and internet professionals.
When I was working with Liu Wei and Xiaobaicai, I referred to Liu Wei as a full-stack engineer and Xiaobaicai as a backend Java engineer, and I wanted to explore this. However, the few of us are just ordinary engineers and haven't reached the level of architects. We are still learning and understanding many things, so we can't talk confidently about web technology, so we gave up 😹.
Later, I also tried to collaborate and communicate with UI designers, product managers, and operations, but I didn't find suitable opportunities for cooperation, so I gave up as well.
If we discuss workplace topics, psychological and emotional issues related to Web Worker, such as workplace pick-up artists, experienced professionals, introverted programmers going on blind dates, layoffs, technical problem retrospectives in big companies, and bizarre internet news, we can definitely expand our audience.
But currently, I don't want to do that because I find more joy in podcasting, even though there is no income.
Currently, podcasting is comfortable#
I have been podcasting for nearly three years, and there is basically no income. Even if there are business discussions about cooperation, there are not many suitable ones. Resource exchange and mutual assistance within a group also have limited opportunities.
So for these three years, I have been relying on passion. It's different from feeling tired from relying on passion like others. The development of the podcast is actually normal at the moment. We didn't expect to earn more money from this, but if we receive money once, our mentality will definitely change. So I think, why should I take other people's money? Can't I earn it myself?
For example, doing paid knowledge sharing, selling courses, providing technical consulting, or selling clothes and wigs. Doing things I haven't done before, without being constrained by others.
Speaking of having no income, at this stage, all of us hosts have our own jobs. We don't need to meet in person for communication. Communication through text is enough, so the cost of communication is relatively low.
The production cost of the program is also controllable. The initial outlines and topic planning were done easily. The editing and distribution of the podcast are no longer done by just me. We do it together, sharing the workload and managing the pressure.
The only thing missing is someone dedicated to marketing, writing push notifications, and summarizing the content. But there's no rush for that. We'll take it slowly.
I also care about the psychological changes of the hosts. Overall, I think we are relatively happy at the moment. We are willing to express ourselves through this program and explore new things. It's generally comfortable.
Progress together and explore new things#
I often say that I have no special abilities, but with this intangible program, I can have a conversation with the experts. I can meet many netizens and become friends, friends I can meet for a meal, and everyone is friendly.
Overall, I am moved. Through this program, we can each gain what we want, happiness outside of work. It's great. We can also learn from each other, progress together, and explore new things.
I believe that a person has two eternal themes, as I said, I don't know if it's scientific.
One theme is understanding the world. I haven't seen this thing, but I'm willing to watch it. I feel comfortable watching this thing. I'm willing to watch it.
The other theme is understanding oneself. I think I'm handsome, so I'm willing to watch things like dressing up and fitness to improve myself. I think I'm a history enthusiast, an animal and plant enthusiast, so I'm willing to spend money on experiences, books, and courses to make myself more professional in this field.
The podcast program itself can achieve both of these things. With the help of the podcast, I can meet like-minded people, expand my horizons. On the other hand, I can comfortably watch things I like, such as frontend technology, workplace topics, and observing people.
If I continue to do the podcast, I will definitely gain more different things, which is definitely better than not doing the podcast. It's boring to just go to work.
AI, summarize it for me#
Summary#
In this blog post, the blogger shares their thoughts and future prospects on the Web Worker podcast reaching 6000 followers. The blogger first expresses their pride and satisfaction in this achievement, considering it a milestone worth celebrating. However, they also acknowledge that due to the specialized nature of the program's content, the target audience is relatively limited, and therefore, they anticipate slower growth in the future.
The blogger highlights several key points:
- Recognition of achievement: Reaching 6000 followers is a recognition of the blogger and the team's hard work over the years, serving as motivation to continue updating the podcast.
- Expectations for future growth: Due to the niche and vertical nature of the program's audience, the blogger predicts that future growth may not be as rapid as in the early stages.
- Exploring more content: To attract a broader audience, the blogger considers exploring more content related to Web Worker, but currently leans towards maintaining the program's existing style and quality.
- Comfort in podcasting: Despite not generating significant income through podcasting at present, the blogger enjoys the process and considers it a comfortable way of working.
- Progressing together and exploring new things: The blogger emphasizes the importance of meeting like-minded people through the podcast, expanding their horizons, and gaining personal growth through sharing and learning.
Outlook#
Looking to the future, the blogger expresses enthusiasm and anticipation for continuing to produce the podcast. They hope to build a strong connection with the audience, share knowledge, and explore new areas through the platform. The blogger also emphasizes the importance of personal growth, viewing the podcast as not only a platform for sharing information but also a journey of self-discovery and improvement.
Despite the challenges, the blogger believes that through continuous exploration and innovation, their podcast can continue to provide value to the audience and become an integral part of their lives. They look forward to growing together with the audience, exploring unknown territories, and creating more meaningful content.