How To Get More Listeners For Your Podcast
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Congratulations, you did it! You launched your own podcast!
After weeks of preparation, you've finally gathered all the info you needed to make this idea come to life. You put in the work, you recorded the episodes, you reached out to people who could help you, you educated yourself on the best practices, and finally, you made it! Now comes the question: how do I get listeners for my podcast? How do I get people to discover this awesome podcast I created?
Here are 6 tips to get you started:
1- Tell everyone you know
Tell your friends about the podcast and they will tell their friends, and so on. Rely on the support of your friends and family to get the word out about your podcast. Most of the time, they are your biggest advocates.
It's important to be clear and concise when describing your podcast and to highlight the value that it offers to listeners. You can also encourage your network to share your podcast with their own networks and to leave ratings and reviews on podcast directories such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
2- Get your own website
A website can serve as a hub for your podcast, where you can showcase your episodes, provide information about your podcast and its host(s), and offer resources and other content related to the topics you cover. By creating a visually appealing and user-friendly website, you can make it easy for listeners to find and subscribe to your podcast.
A website is an ideal spot to build your brand and establish your credibility as a podcaster. You can use your website to showcase testimonials, reviews, and other social proof that demonstrates the value of your podcast. By creating high-quality content and promoting it on your website and through social media channels, you can attract more listeners and build a loyal following for your podcast over time. Jill went with Evoke Creative for her website.
3- Take advantage of social media
Taking advantage of social media is one of the most powerful and accessible ways to attract a bigger audience to your podcast. Social media platforms offer a range of opportunities to connect with potential listeners and promote your podcast.
By creating engaging social media content that showcases your podcast's value and highlights your expertise, you can encourage people to check out your podcast and become new listeners. You can also use social media to build relationships with other podcasters, engage with your current listeners, and get feedback on your podcast.
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4- Consider spending $ on ads
Spending money on paid ads can be an effective way to attract more listeners to your podcast because it allows you to target specific demographics and interests, which can help you reach people who are more likely to be interested in your podcast.
Platforms such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads offer a range of targeting options that can help you reach your ideal audience. By creating compelling ad copy and imagery that highlights the unique value of your podcast, you can encourage people to check out your work and become new listeners.
Keep in mind that paid advertising can be costly, so it's important to set a budget and track your results carefully to ensure that you're getting a good return on your investment.
5- Join different podcast communities
Joining different podcasting communities can also be a great way to attract more listeners to your podcast. There are many online communities where podcasters can connect with each other and share their work with a wider audience. Some examples include Reddit's podcasting community, Facebook podcasting groups, and Twitter podcasting chats.
By participating in these communities, you can get feedback on your podcast, learn from other podcasters, and promote your episodes to a wider audience. In addition, many of these communities have their own followings and can help you get exposure to new listeners who may not have discovered your podcast otherwise.
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6- Be a guest on other podcasts
Similar to podcast communities, when you appear as a guest on another podcast, you have the opportunity to introduce yourself and your podcast to a new audience that is likely to be interested in your topic. You can share your expertise, offer valuable insights, and showcase your personality, which can help you build rapport with the host and their listeners.
Additionally, appearing as a guest on other podcasts can help you establish yourself as an authority in your field and build your credibility as a podcaster. By sharing your podcast and encouraging listeners to check it out, you can drive traffic to your own podcast and attract new subscribers.
7- Send out press releases
Press releases are a great way to announce news and updates related to your podcast, such as the release of a new episode, the launch of a new series, or the achievement of a milestone. By sending out press releases to media outlets (even local ones), you can get your podcast featured in news stories, blogs, and other publications, which can help you reach a wider audience.
Similar to the previous point, press releases can also help you establish yourself as a professional and credible podcaster, which can help you attract more listeners over time. When writing press releases, it's important to focus on creating attention-grabbing headlines and providing compelling information that is relevant to your target audience.
Clara Oliveira is a social manager and content creator with a BA in Mass Communications and a BA in Interactive Media & Web Design (with a minor in advertising) from Lindenwood University. She has recently graduated with a double MA in Digital Marketing (Traffic Management and Lead Generation & Digital Project Management).
She is originally from Rio de Janeiro, has lived in St. Louis, MO, and moved to Spain in 2021. She has been part of the Jill Devine Media team for almost 3 years. When she's not working, she loves traveling, reading, and meeting new people.