Success doesn’t always come easily; it takes a lot of hard work and planning to reach your audience and get them to download episode after episode. However, most listeners have a podcast playlist of their favorite podcasts, which they subscribe to and will listen to at set times.
Getting on that podcast playlist can be a challenge, but once on, you can be sure of excellent access to your core audience, which in turn helps you monetize your podcast. With a steady flow of dedicated listeners, you can improve your revenues by charging more for sponsorship spots or getting customers to purchase your book, services, or product.
So, in this article, we look at how you can get on everyone’s podcast playlist using a variety of tactics that cover podcast strategy.
1. Podcast SEO
Podcasting is a great way to get heard, but audio isn’t ranked on search engines. Therefore, you need to practice better SEO and get new listeners to hear your voice because you can subscribe to your show.
If you have a landing page on your website dedicated to the podcast, you can start to optimize that page for SEO. However, you can only target a few keywords for that page, narrowing the results you achieve.
Instead, consider writing a blog post for each episode and include it as your blogging efforts. Each blog should have a keyword focused on the episode theme. Then, introduce the episode, give a brief overview of the topic, and conclude with a call to action to listen to the episode.
2. Email Subscribers About New Episodes
Be sure that everyone knows you’ve got a new episode out. Get people on your mailing list to listen to your podcast by telling them you have released a new episode. Emails about the episode should be short, less than 200 words, and include a link to download the episode.
You can also use statistics to see who’s downloading the episode and ignoring the emails.
To help improve responses, ensure you provide a reason to listen.
3. Consistency
Podcast shows offering the best results are those that are consistent. It doesn’t mean you have the same format every week. Add variety, like introducing a monthly special episode or a yearly review.
Research has shown that most podcasters will release podcasts between Tuesday and Thursday, with 5 am being the optimal time for podcast episodes to be downloaded.
You might not want to release an update at this time. Whatever time you decide to release an episode, make it standard every week or month. And advertise it on your episodes at the end and on any graphic advertising you release.
4. Improve Podcast Quality
If you want to be successful, then the quality of the podcast is critical. There are numerous ways that you can improve the quality of a podcast. You can do a sound and recording equipment diagnostic, check your recording software, and even check whether your tone or voice projection is heard on the audio.
Have quality editing, descriptions and show notes. Investing in podcasting services can help you achieve the best quality.
5. Give a Reason to Subscribe
If you want to be on a podcast playlist, you have to have a reason for the audience to return to your episode week after week. There are numerous incentives you can use. For example:
- Highlight what is coming up in the next episode.
- Provide key information over several episodes.
- Reward regular listeners with additional information.
- Use membership sites to reward regular listeners with early releases.
Giving people a reason to subscribe will increase audience numbers and improve retention, which can be an indicator of your success.
6. Release Download Figures
As you grow your audience, you should consider releasing your download figures. An impressive number will create a FOMO or Fear Of Missing Out response in other podcast fans. As a result, they’ll want to download your episodes to see what everyone else is loving about your episodes and show.
This tactic is only successful when you have a significant number of followers, but it can be a good way to find new followers once numbers start coming in.
7. Guest Appearances
Broaden your reach by appearing as a guest on other podcast shows. As a result, the other audience might want to check out your podcast. There are numerous podcasts out there looking for guests. Appearing two or three times on a show can benefit you.
In addition, you might want to bring guests to your show. They will advertise their appearance on your show and you can attract new listeners that way.
8. Use Clips From the Show
Reusing existing content can be a great way to advertise your show. Take clips from your show, of approximately 30-45 seconds and then release these on your social media channels.
Facebook, Instagram, YouTube shorts, and TikTok are great places to use these clips to reach an audience.
If people love the clips they hear, they’ll want to hear more from you. And this is when they will download new episodes.
There are many different tactics for what clips to share. Those with a joke and some laughing can be a great start. People are attracted by humor, even if you’re creating a serious business podcast.
9. Facebook Advertising
Don’t forget to do some advertising for your show. Facebook experts suggest spending at least $1 a day on Facebook advertising. You can try a couple of tactics. Either promote the Facebook page for your podcast, which can be a good way for you to keep regular contact with potential listeners, or you can advertise directly to your podcast landing page.
Advertising on Facebook can be very successful, but you might need help. For a page like this, you should be spending no more than $0.40 each new Facebook page like.
10. Media Appearances
You might want to consider reaching out to the media and making yourself available as an expert in your particular field. The media can be a powerful advertising platform for you, and they are always willing to advertise your podcast as an easy payment for your advice.
Journalists on online news sites are sometimes the best way to grow an audience because they will often introduce you as host of your podcast, especially if you request it.
To help you find the initial media contacts, you can use Help a Reporter Out or another similar service. These are free to use and can contain dozens of media leads a day for you to reach out to.
And one of the best benefits of this is enhancements to the SEO of your website landing page. Therefore, you can benefit for years to come.
FAQs
How to start a podcast with no audience?
It is challenging to start a podcast with no audience. However, by following many of the tips above, you can succeed.
What is considered a large podcast audience?
The size of a podcast audience isn’t set. Those in specific niches can expect lower podcast audience numbers than those in generic niches.
How many podcast subscribers are successful?
To be successful you need lots of retention, not just a high number of subscribers. The more retention, the more rewards you will achieve through podcasting.
Final Word: How to Get on Everyone’s Podcast Playlist
To be a successful podcaster, ensure you get on everyone’s podcast playlist. To do this, you need to make your podcast something that everyone will want to return to, episode after episode.
Above are ten tips that can turn casual or infrequent listeners into regular fans by getting them to add you to their podcast playlist. Using just a few of these can make a significant difference to your results and can help improve the revenue potential of your show.
Produce Your Podcast is a premier podcast consulting, production & marketing agency. Our team of experts provides comprehensive, full-service quality solutions for B2B clients to incorporate podcasting into their overall marketing strategy. If you’re looking for a reliable partner to help launch or grow your business-branded podcast and boost your sales and marketing goals, we’re here to help.
Click here to schedule a conversation with our team today. Let’s work together to create a high-quality podcast that takes your business to new heights!
