10 Ways to Grow Your Podcast Audience
Your show is off the ground and running but you feel your listenership isn't where you want it to be yet. Maybe you feel like you've done everything so far that you can to get the word out there. So, now what? It can be hard to know where to look and get started when it comes to promoting your show. Check out these 10 ways to help grow your podcast audience.
1. All the Basics
One of the first things you want to have covered is all the basics set up for your show. Here are items that you should have filled out and completed so your podcast is getting all the benefits.
You are set up on all of the directories where someone could listen to your show. Of course, you first should be on all the "main" ones - Spotify and Apple Podcasts, don't forget but all the others that potential listeners could be on.
Set up your podcast website (or landing page) that way your listeners can find you that way and you can add your show notes (to get SEO benefits). For more details on a podcast website, here is a blog post we wrote on it.
Also, set up your social accounts and any other places your audience may want to reach you. It makes accessibility and connection much easier from the get-go.
2. Be Consistent
Another way to grow your podcast audience is by being consistent. It sounds like one of those obvious things to do but it's not always as simple as it sounds. You want to be consistent not just with your show episodes but with your socials as well. Your audience is interested in you and if you aren't consistent, flaky, or never updating them on what's going on or when episodes are going to come out then they will go find a show that values their time and money.
3. Repurpose into Videos
Video is becoming all the hype these days. Especially video podcasting, it is in the upcoming so don't sleep on it. 😂 More and more people want to have a personalized experience and get connected with the businesses and shows that they love. A big way people feel they can do that is by seeing your faces and having almost a live experience. There are multiple ways that your show can repurpose videos.
Utilize YouTube - you can upload your podcast show video footage or even just the audio on YouTube.
Reels - on both Instagram and Facebook, reels have become such a powerhouse of content.
TikTok - TikTok has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years, especially with Gen Z. If your listeners are big on TikTok, it may be worth jumping on too.
Break down into smaller videos - take your full clips and make little bite-size videos for social media or email newsletters to give a snippet of what the episode is about.
Transcription - now, this isn't exactly video but it's something that you should utilize in your videos. You'll be able to access a whole other audience that sometimes is left out when they don't have accessibility.
4. Promote your Show
One more obvious way to grow your podcast audience is to promote your show. I know you may be saying "Aleea, I already do" but let's make sure you are utilizing all of them.
Social Media. Make sure to promote your show on all your socials. Make posts, share videos, and talk about your show on your channels. And if you have other social media accounts - your business or personal, talk about it there too!
Ads. You can take the paid route and spend money on ads (both on social media and elsewhere) to help spread the word.
Make sure you are talking about your show! And have others talk about it too. Ask your friends and family to post about it or talk about it when it seems like a good time to bring it up. People's recommendations are important.
Reviews. Your listeners are posting (hopefully) good reviews. Utilize them! They are sharing why they love your show and just like testimonials, they can be great ways to showcase why your show is worth listening to.
5. Network!
Networking can be another great way to help grow your podcast audience. It can be difficult to get out of your comfort zone and connect with others but it can really help expand your online presence.
Connect with other podcasters. whether in your own industry, a similar industry, or one that compliments your podcast. See if you can guest on their show and vice versa. You can gain some great new listeners by collaborating with others.
Or even connect with others in your same industry overall. Not just podcasters but look at bloggers, influencers, authors, coaches, or any other field that may offer great guests for your show or a place where you can have them share your show with their audience.
6. Giveaways + Freebies
Giveaways and freebies can be a great way to help grow your reach to new potential listeners.
With giveaways, you can have them in your episode or on your social channels. Have listeners leave a review or tag people in a post. It will bring in new ideas and more traction to your show.
Same with freebies, you are able to post the link on socials like Instagram and another great one is Pinterest. Pinners are always looking to take action so offering a freebie that leads to your show.
7. Guest Management
As I have mentioned above, being a guest or having a guest on your show can help build traction from their own audience. Even if you do solo podcasting, having a guest on your show every once in a while can help share your episodes with their audiences and you give a little change of pace.
Being a guest yourself can help reach others from another audience and not just from being a podcast guest. Offer to write blog posts as a guest that relate to your show.
8. Go Local!
Have you ever thought to grow your podcast audience within your own area? There could be listeners in your own neighborhood!
Put up flyers in local businesses
If you are a little bigger of an area with billboards and you have some extra money you could look at paying for a billboard ad.
Look to your local radio, they may have an ads section or a place where you can talk about your show. For us here in Chelan, you could call Kozi and chat on the radio here in town.
9. Repurpose Old Episodes
Don't forget to utilize the content that you already have. You already have great episodes out there and don't forget to put them back into the feed for a refresh. Some ways that old episodes can help grow your audience:
Create a newsletter sequence where you share some old episodes
Share them on your socials again, it has been a while. No shame in bringing them back up. Especially on Pinterest, content lives there forever so you are able to still grow from old posts later on.
Turn an old episode into a blog post (not just show notes) to maybe elaborate more on a topic as well as turn it into another way to add Keywords and maximize SEO benefits.
Turn your old episodes into a series. You may have had an episode that you could dive deeper into or if people had more questions, you could break it down and tackle those in a small video or social post series.
10. Listen to your Listeners
Have you looked at your own listeners? You may already have utilized their reviews and word-of-mouth but ask them what they looking for. They are the ones listening to your show right now. You want to get people that your audience is looking for and who others may be searching for. Some ways you can ask your listeners are...
Through your email list with your newsletter
Connect with them regularly on social media (Instagram or Facebook group/page)
Have a spot where people and your listeners can submit potential guests or feedback to help improve your show
Conclusion
It can be hard to know exactly where to start when growing your podcast audience, especially when it feels like you've hit a dead end. We hope these 10 ways to grow your podcast audience, give you the boost you need.
Cheers - until next time!
Aleea
This blog post was updated on November 28th, 2023
