Jun 25, 2025
What Works (and What Doesn’t) When You Plan Your Content
If you’ve ever sat down to record and thought, "Do I even have anything left to say?" you’re not alone. Creators, especially those running podcasts or agencies, hit that wall more often than they admit. The good news? There's a way out that doesn’t involve quitting your show or pushing through burnout.
In Episode 9 of Behind the Workflow, we unpack one of the biggest decisions every creator faces: Should you batch your content or create in real time? Plus, we share the 3P Framework (Plan, Produce, Pivot) that helps us—and our clients—stay on track without losing steam.
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Real-Time vs. Batching: The Pros and Cons
Let’s start with the obvious: there’s no one right way to create. Some of us thrive with a plan. Others need freedom. But here’s what we’ve learned:
When Real-Time Creation Works:
You have space in your schedule to record based on inspiration
You want to speak to trending topics or news
You’re comfortable flying a little closer to the deadline
But It Can Also Lead To:
Missed publishing dates
Low-energy episodes recorded under pressure
Scrambling to promote something you barely had time to plan
When Batching Is Better:
You want to create a content runway (even just a few weeks ahead)
You manage multiple shows or clients
You need time for approvals, edits, or post-production
The real magic? Mixing the two. Your workflow should work for you, not the other way around.
What Is the 3P Framework?
We hinted at it in the episode, and now we’re breaking it down. This is the foundation we use to stay consistent without chaos:
Plan
Map your content themes, episode ideas, and guest outreach in advance. This is your pre-production zone.
Produce
Batch record (or at least pre-schedule) key parts of your workflow: interviews, promos, graphics, repurposed clips.
Pivot
Use analytics and audience feedback to adapt. Drop what’s not working. Double down on what is.
This framework is flexible enough to work with any show size—from solo creators to full-service podcast agencies.
🛠 Want the actual 3P Framework Template Grab it here
How to Make Your Workflow Sustainable
When your content process is working with you, not against you, you feel it. Here's what helps:
1. Build a Content Calendar You Can Stick To
Start with realistic goals. Then add episodes, promotions, launches, and breaks to your calendar in advance.
2. Give Yourself Buffer Weeks
Life happens. Give yourself a two-week content runway so last-minute chaos doesn’t become the norm.
3. Create Templates for Everything
From guest emails to promo clips, templates save time and keep your voice consistent.
4. Use Northflow
It’s the only platform built to manage all your podcast planning, collaboration, and production from one place. Set up your episodes, assign tasks, track assets, and invite collaborators.
TL;DR: Episode 9 Recap
Real-time creation can keep you flexible, but batching builds consistency
The 3P Framework (Plan, Produce, Pivot) helps you manage momentum without burnout
Mixing batching and real-time can help you stay inspired and prepared
Your workflow should be designed around your energy, not just your deadlines
Want Our 3P Framework?
We made a free kit with the exact content planning system we use for Behind the Workflow (and our agency clients).