As a podcaster, one of the biggest challenges you can face is finding ways to grow your audience. If you’ve been podcasting for a while, attracting new listeners can be a grueling process essential to the success of your show. Here are some tips and strategies you can use to grow your podcast audience and reach a wider audience.
Ensure the Quality is There
Getting good at anything really takes time. There are a lot of podcasters that have dedicated years to perfecting their craft. If you haven’t released many podcast episodes, you really shouldn’t beat yourself up if you only have a few listeners. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you won’t magically have an audience without working for it. Make sure your podcast quality is comparative to other shows in your genre or niche. If you want the listenership that your competition has, you need to make your show better. If you have a great quality podcast, with quality information, people are more likely to share.
Define Your Target Audience
It’s important to understand who you’re trying to reach. Ask yourself what type of people you want to listen to your podcast and what their interests are. Having a clear understanding of your target audience will help you create content that appeals to them and attract new listeners. It will also help you understand where you want to promote your content to reach your target market.
Optimize Your Podcast for SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a critical aspect of growing your podcast audience. To make your podcast discoverable to potential listeners, you need to optimize your show for search engines. This includes optimizing your podcast title, description, and keywords for relevant search terms, submitting your podcast to popular directories, and ensuring that your website is optimized for search engines.
Leverage Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for growing your podcast audience. You can use the usual suspects of platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to promote your show, interact with your listeners, and attract new followers. You can try other social media platforms such as Tik Tok if you want and make content specific for those platforms. Don’t sleep on Linkedin and Pinterest, because they are some of the most powerful places you can share stuff. The reason being, if someone clicks your pin on Pinterest, it leads directly to wherever you want to take them. When someone likes your post on Linkedin, it can be seen by their followers too. This automatically brings you into a new audience. Try to post regularly and don’t post your content the exact same across each platform. engage with your followers to keep them engaged and interested in your podcast.
Promote Your Podcast on Multiple Platforms
In addition to social media, there are many other platforms you can use to promote your podcast and reach new audiences. To reach a wider audience, consider promoting your podcast on other platforms. Here are some of the best places to promote your podcast:
Podcast Directories
Submitting your podcast to popular podcast directories such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify is a must. There are other directories which can help you reach new audiences and increase visibility. Here are a few examples of these directories:
Google Podcasts
Google Podcasts is a relatively new podcast directory, but it’s quickly growing in popularity. Submitting your podcast to Google Podcasts can help you reach new audiences and increase visibility, and grow your podcast following over time.
Stitcher
Stitcher is a popular podcast platform that offers a wide selection of podcasts, including many niche shows. Submitting your podcast to Stitcher can help you reach new audiences and increase visibility.
iHeart
iHeart is a popular streaming service that offers a vast library of podcasts, music, and live radio. Submitting your podcast to iHeart can help you reach new listeners and increase visibility.
TuneIn
TuneIn is a popular platform that offers a wide selection of podcasts, as well as live sports, news, and talk radio. Submitting your podcast to TuneIn can help you reach new audiences and increase visibility.
Website and Blogs
Having a website or blog is an essential part of promoting your podcast and growing your audience. Your website can serve as a hub for all things related to your podcast, including show notes, episode archives, and a place for listeners to connect with you. Additionally, incorporating your podcast into your content marketing strategy can help you reach new audiences and increase visibility.
Here are some ways you can use your website and blog to promote your podcast:
Embed Podcast Episodes
Embed your podcast episodes directly on your website or blog to make it easy for visitors to listen and subscribe. Here is an example of an embedded podcast:
Create Show Notes
Show notes are a summary of each episode that provide context, links, and additional resources for your listeners. Including show notes on your website can help increase engagement and drive traffic to your site.
Write Blog Posts
Writing blog posts related to your podcast can help you reach new audiences and drive traffic to your site. Consider writing about topics covered in your episodes, interviews with guests, or other aspects of your show.
Build an Email List
Collecting email addresses from your website visitors can be a powerful way to connect with your audience and promote your podcast. Consider offering a free resource, such as a PDF or e-book, in exchange for an email address to build your list.
By utilizing your website and blog, you can build a strong online presence for your podcast and reach new audiences.
Community Platforms
Getting involved in communities around your podcast can help you connect with your listeners and grow your audience. Consider participating in online forums, groups, and discussion boards related to your niche. You can also participate in live events, meetups, and other community-building activities to engage with your listeners and build relationships.
By getting involved in communities around your podcast, you can build relationships with your listeners, gain insights into their interests and needs, and grow your audience over time. Additionally, participating in communities can help you build your reputation as an expert in your niche, increase your visibility, and establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry.
Events and Conferences
Attending events and conferences in your niche can be a great way to promote your podcast and reach new audiences. Consider speaking at events, setting up a booth, or networking with attendees to promote your show.
By promoting your podcast on multiple platforms, you can reach a wider audience and grow your podcast following over time.
Utilize Guest Interviews
Guest interviews can be a great way to introduce your show to new audiences. Inviting guests who have large followings on social media or in your industry can help you reach new listeners. Additionally, having a well-known guest on your show can also increase the perceived value of your podcast, making it more attractive to potential listeners. With that being said, some of the best podcast interviews I’ve heard are with lesser known guests, and that has drawn me into their podcast for future episodes. If you’re going to have a guest on your podcast, check out our guide on the proper etiquette for hosting a podcast guest.
Engage With Your Listeners
Engage with your listeners and keep them interested in your podcast. Respond to comments and feedback, and consider incorporating listener feedback into your show. Encourage your listeners to leave ratings and reviews on popular podcasting platforms, as this can help increase visibility and attract new listeners. You may not always be in the mood, or once your show starts to take off you may get complacent. Try to engage with as many people as you can. Don’t get lazy, you can turn a potential fan of your show into a raving fan just by being supportive.
Include a Call to Action (CTA)
A call to action is an instruction that encourages your listeners to take a specific action. Including a CTA in your podcast can be a powerful way to engage with your audience and grow your audience over time. Some effective CTAs for podcasts include asking listeners to leave a review or rating on their favorite podcast platform, share your show with friends and family, or follow you on social media. By including a clear, specific, and actionable CTA in your podcast, you can encourage your listeners to take action and help you grow your audience.
Here is what Alex Hormozi has to say about his audience and when he started adding a call to action to his podcast:
Seek Advice from Successful Podcasters
Listening to successful podcasters in your niche can be a valuable way to learn from their experiences and gain insights into growing your audience. Consider reaching out to podcasters who have a large following, or who have been podcasting for a long time, and ask them for advice and tips on growing your audience. You can also ask them about their strategies for promoting their podcast, engaging with their listeners, and overcoming challenges.
You may not get a reply, and that’s okay. Everyone leaves traces to their success, if they weren’t a known celebrity when they started their podcast, what made them succeed? Look back to their first few episodes. Take a look back to their first social media posts about their podcast. How has their style changed, or what did they do well? Is there anything you can learn from what they’ve done? Doing your research can be key to finding strategies to what you can do
By seeking advice from successful podcasters, you can learn from their experiences, gain new insights, and develop strategies for growing your audience. Additionally, reaching out to other podcasters can help you build relationships, network with others in your niche, and find opportunities for collaboration and cross-promotion.
Be a Guest on Other Podcasts
Being a guest on other podcasts can be a great way to reach new audiences and promote your own show. When you appear as a guest on another podcast, you have the opportunity to share your expertise, showcase your personality, and introduce your podcast to a new audience. Consider reaching out to podcasts in your niche that have a similar target audience and asking if you can be a guest. This is really easy to say, but hard to execute. So here are some tips on how to ask someone if you can be a guest on their podcast:
Research the Podcast and Host
Before you reach out to the host, make sure you’re familiar with their podcast and their style. Listen to a few episodes, take note of their audience, and understand what they’re looking for in a guest. This will give you a better understanding of whether you’re a good fit for their show.
Build a Connection with the Host
Making a personal connection with the host is crucial when asking to be a guest on their podcast. Follow them on social media, engage with their content, and try to build a relationship before making your request. This will help to establish a level of trust and show that you’re genuinely interested in their work.
Clearly Explain Your Value Proposition
When reaching out to the host, make sure to clearly explain why you would make a valuable guest on their show. Highlight your expertise, share relevant experience, and emphasize how you can add value to their audience.
Be Professional and Courteous
When making your request, be professional and courteous. Write a well-crafted, personalized email or message that explains your request and your reasons for wanting to be a guest on their show. Respect the host’s time and provide all the information they need to make an informed decision.
Respect Their Decision
If you don’t receive a response after your initial outreach, it’s okay to follow up. However, be mindful of the host’s schedule and give them enough time to respond. Don’t annoy them, they may have not seen your message or chose to ignore it. If they’re not interested or unavailable, don’t take it personally. You may not like it, and if they’re rude, you’ll dislike it even more. Respect their decision. There are many other potential hosts out there, and you’ll find someone who’s a good fit for you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, growing your podcast audience is essential to the success of your show. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been podcasting for a while, there are many strategies you can use to reach new audiences and build a strong, engaged community of listeners. From defining your target audience and optimizing your podcast for SEO, to leveraging social media and promoting your show on multiple platforms, there are many ways to grow your podcast audience. Remember to engage with your listeners, include a clear call to action, and keep experimenting with different strategies to find what works best for you and your audience. With hard work and persistence, you can grow your podcast audience and achieve success in the world of podcasting.