The Best Laid Plans...

Even though National Podcast Post Month only happens once a year, it is on my mind throughout the year. During the summer I begin making preliminary plans. Slowly revitalizing the various NaPodPoMo communities (FB, Hive, X) and sharing some of my thoughts on my general social media profiles.

Something New

This summer I worked with a print designer to develop some print-ready designs for a NaPodPoMo online store. That's right we've got merch! This is something past participants had asked for, but it was something I wasn't familiar with so had not taken action on. This year, I knew my lack of knowledge was not going to stop this from happening.

During the design process I have learned so much about the branding for NaPodPomo. The designer I worked with took me through an entire process which was very enlightening. I've always operated NaPodPoMo like a speedboat. Nimble, and ready to change course as the community pivots. When you're both organizing and participating in a 30 day podcasting challenge being quick-footed is the only way to survive. Time and time again the designer would pull me back from rushing off so that we could follow the full process. Working through what I'll call a proper design process has rewired my thinking...in a good way.

Best Laid What?

So what does the title of this post have to do with the new NaPodPoMo merch store? I have a renewed sense of the value of good planning. The experience of not rushing through a process. What it feels like to give myself the time to work through it. What was surprising was how much I enjoyed allowing someone else to set the tone and timing for a project. It was pretty darn liberating.

What's next?

I so enjoyed working with this designer that we are going to rework the NaPodPoMo challenge and "I Did It!" graphic a bit. It'll still have many of the same elements we've had since it was redesigned a few years back, but will be more print-ready friendly. Stay tuned!

Day 2...✅