Have you decided to start a podcast and want to let the world know about it to get them to tune in? While getting started is easy enough, gaining a following often requires more effort, but having a plan to put in motion can help with that. You know that you want to build a loyal fanbase and get people listening, but what can you do to promote your podc1ast? Check out these 15 marketing tricks to help you spread awareness and garner the attention you want and need.
1. Use Podcast Directories
Podcast directories are a convenient resource when you start a podcast and want people to know about it. You submit your episodes to these different platforms and directories to increase your chances of gaining more listeners. Not sure which directories to use? Spotify is one great option, but others are available, including Apple Podcasts/iTunes and Stitcher. If you're trying to reach the most significant number of people possible, start by posting to the most popular podcasting platforms – Apple iTunes and Spotify. If you're going with Apple, it's as easy as creating an account and uploading your episodes through Podcasts Connect (Apple).2. Make TikTok Videos
3. Bring on a Guest Host
Consider writing to other podcast hosts and ask them if they'd be willing to do a guest appearance on your show. Don't get discouraged if the first person you write to doesn't bother to respond. Keep pushing out those messages. You can start by saying, "Hi, My name is (Your Name Here), and I love your work." After you've introduced yourself and complimented them on their podcast, you can ask them if they'd be willing to sit in for a session to discuss many topics. The goal is to get someone with a more considerable following than yourself to guest host your podcast. If they do that, their followers can find out about your podcast, helping you gain more listeners in no time.4. Post Instagram Reels
Video has rapidly turned into the ideal method of marketing. It's why both Instagram and Facebook provide users with ways to upload video content like never before. So, take advantage of this opportunity and post reels. Create short clips from your recorded podcasts and make reels that you can upload to Instagram. Use hashtags of relatable topics to make it easier for people to find you. By posting Instagram reels, you can end up with more followers. And, if you're building a following on the social media platform, you can start getting more people to listen to your podcast.
5. Use Facebook to Reach a Different Audience
Don't sleep on Facebook. While some people refer to it as a social media site for aging adults, millions worldwide use it daily. In addition, Facebook has added new features, including a section for stories and reels similar to those found on Instagram and TikTok. Focus on posting several shorts of your podcast footage from filming to the social media platform. Not only can you get more listeners because of people viewing this content, but you can also earn money. People are making money from posting their videos to the longstanding social media site. Utilizing Facebook to promote your podcast is a win-win situation because of the many benefits it offers!
6. Pay for Advertisements
While not everyone likes the idea of paying for promotion, sometimes it's the best way to spread the word even further. You can set an amount to pay for advertisements based on your budget. There are different ways to get creative with advertisements. You can depend on Google Ads to target people interested in your niche. However, that isn't the only way to pay for advertising. You can also purchase advertising space on Facebook, targeting a specific demographic based on your niche. For example, if you're discussing all things beauty, romance, and lifestyle for women, you may choose to cater to women between a certain age group.
7. Create a Website
Start a website for your podcast. Use the name of your podcast as the URL for the website. You'll need to pay to register the domain and cover hosting-related expenses. Using a high-quality template or hiring a professional to help you with the web design is also essential.
A website allows you to create even more content to help people find you on search engines. For example, you can include SEO-friendly blog posts on your site. Then, when people search for specific terms using Google, they'll have a better chance of coming across your site. Once they've found your website, they can find your podcast!
8. Get on a Posting Schedule
Plan your posting schedule in advance to let people know when you're posting and how often you're uploading new episodes. It's also helpful to have several episodes recorded and ready to upload. If you only have one episode and people are tuning in, they may feel discouraged when they find out there's nothing else there for them to listen to just when things start getting good. Be prepared for those genuinely interested in your episodes, and consider uploading a minimum of two to get started. Most people like having at least three podcast episodes ready for listeners when they first begin their podcasting journey.
9. Post Video Footage to YouTube
If you're filming clips while recording audio for your podcast, use that footage to upload content to YouTube. You might even want to record the entire thing and upload it to your YouTube account for those who prefer a visual to go along with the audio. By doing this, you can cater to an audience of people who regularly use YouTube to watch videos. These people may then listen to your podcasts when they don't have time to watch videos. People love listening to podcasts when they're folding clothes, driving to work, or even cooking. As you build a following on Instagram, you should start to notice more traction for your podcast.
10. Host a Giveaway
Consider hosting a giveaway to get people to share the details of your podcast with their family, friends, and followers. First, think of something good to give away, such as a financial reward, gift card, or concert tickets. The goal is to get people to share your podcast through word-of-mouth referrals. You can choose up to three winners based on those who've helped you gain the most followers from the contest. Set the rules, be specific, and host your giveaway to last for a few weeks and up to one month. It will give you plenty of time to start getting more listeners as others help spread the word.
11. Network with Other Podcasters
Many people love doing podcasts. Some are just getting started, while others have been in the game for years and don't mind helping others. Use that to your advantage by networking with other podcast hosts. You can join groups or even connect on LinkedIn to have open discussions on various topics. When you're putting effort into networking, getting your name out there is easier. If you're putting yourself out there, you may have opportunities to appear as a guest on some of these podcasts. Appearing as a guest on someone else's podcast who already has thousands of listeners is a fantastic way to market yourself.
12. Use SEO When Uploading Episodes
When uploading your podcasts, don't forget the importance of using your words and applying SEO to different things. For example, you want to use keyword-rich descriptions and have a good headline that attracts listeners. If you're not putting effort into SEO practices when uploading episodes, people might not express as much interest in your content. While it may sound challenging, all it takes is a bit of keyword research. Find out which relatable keywords you should use to get the attention of your targeted audience. Using high-ranking keywords with less competition related to your niche can help your podcast rank higher and get noticed.
13. Ask Family & Friends to Listen & Share
Consider letting your friends and family know about your podcast and ask them for your support. Not only can they listen, but they can also share on social media with their friends and followers. The more shares you start to get for your podcast, the more people you can have tuning in and rating it. It's never a bad idea to ask for free support from those who love you and care about you. After all, it won't cost them anything to listen to an episode, give it a thumbs up or star rating, and share it online with others.
14. Use Podcatchers
Did you know there's such a thing known as podcatchers? These are different apps that play podcasts from thousands of others. No matter what you're talking about, you can submit your podcast to these podcatchers and potentially get more listens and views in no time. While there are many good options available, Podcast Addict and the Podcast Subreddit are two worth using. Always do your research on these places before posting your podcast and encouraging others to listen to it. The goal is to connect with more of your targeted audience to turn the average listener into a loyal fan.
15. Provide a Synopsis of Every Episode
Create a short yet detailed synopsis for every episode you create. While it doesn't need to be a full transcription of the content from start to finish, you want to let people know what to expect. For example, you can mention some of the topics you'll touch on in a specific episode or name the guest host for the day. Try to fit some SEO-friendly keywords into this brief description to help increase your rankings and make it easier for people to find you online. If your podcast is easier to find online, you can expect more people to listen.
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