With over 750,000 blogs across the digital airwaves and 90 million dedicated listeners, it’s no surprise that more people are trying their hand at podcasting. Whether you are broadcasting your own opinion pieces, trying to connect with your business customers, or adding a new outlet to your blog, podcasting is a great way to connect.
The biggest issue with running your own podcast is the process of gaining listeners. While the largest part of podcast discovery is still via word of mouth, there are other avenues that can be pursued to help increase your audience. Growing a following can take some time but, if you follow these tips you will be surprised at how quickly your listeners can grow.
Once you are ready to go with some great content, the right software, and the right mic arms you are on your way. Let’s take a look at a few easy ways that you can grow your podcast audience.
Networking
If you are new to podcasting it’s a good idea to first take a look at what is already out there in your niche. This will give you a better idea of what seems to be working, what to avoid, and what you want your style to be. Reaching out to other podcasters for advice and guidance can help you to build relationships that will benefit you down the line.
Looking at your competitors with respect and interest can be beneficial. Get recommendations, ask for interviews of well-known podcasters, and set up partnerships that can help to cross-promote your brand and theirs.
Stay Connected
The better you get to know your audience the more you can customize your podcast to draw in more listeners. Encourage listener interactions by posting interesting Q & A segments or offering a “call-in” option during a live show.
It’s incredibly important to stay connected with your listeners. Building loyalty can be as easy as responding quickly to requests and questions and showing your appreciation for each of your listeners.
Active Social Media
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are powerful platforms that can help you get your message heard and seen. Make sure that you are staying active on each of these platforms to let your listeners know what is going on and when to expect new content.
Tease your upcoming shows or promote older postings to gain interest for anyone that may have missed a live broadcast.
Maximize SEO
Your audience numbers are never going to grow if no one can find you. This is where SEO comes into play. It’s important to optimize your video titles with the right keywords that will help you get found during a search. Adding a thorough description along with proper titling can really boost your search engine ratings.
Contests & Giveaways
People love a challenge especially if it comes with a prize at the end. Creating a contest or offering merchandise in exchange for an honest review, a like or a share is a simple strategy that can help you to build your numbers.
Podcasting has become the new “talk radio” of the world. If you have something to say, to sell or to share, a podcast is a great platform to help you get your message out there. Be patient, do the work to produce quality content, and try some of these easy ways that can help you grow your podcasting audience.