The hardest part of creating a podcast isn’t actually the recording and uploading; it’s growing your audience from zero. A common misconception is that people will magically find your podcast and listen to it once you post a few episodes, and that’s not going to happen. If you really want your podcast to be successful, you need to put in the work. But don’t worry, you can do it, you just need to follow a few steps and keep your ear on the following factors.
Identify Who Your Podcast Is For
This step should be a given; you shouldn’t publish a podcast before you identify your audience. If you want to grow your podcast, you need to figure out who you want to grow it. If you haven’t identified your audience, chances are good your content won’t resonate with anyone. Start by thinking about who would enjoy your podcast most. Are you trying to reach a broad audience of casual podcast listeners? Do you think a specific group of people, perhaps those who are just getting into your topic, would appreciate your content? Whatever your target audience may be, try to tailor your content to them, and the rest will follow.
Focus On Valuable Content
People listen to podcasts for a reason, usually because they are looking for some type of value. Maybe they want to get a deeper understanding of a topic they’re already familiar with. Or perhaps they are looking for entertainment, a chance to escape from their everyday lives. Or they may be hoping for inspiration, advice and direction. You need to make sure your content meets one or all of those needs, otherwise people are not going to come back to listen to the next episode. Your audience is looking for a solution, so provide one. They are looking for entertainment, so provide some. They are looking for insight, give it to them. Whatever they want, make sure you’re giving it to them, because that is how you get them to keep listening.
Publish Consistently
Your podcast audience is growing; in fact, you could argue that they are growing as you create each episode. The most critical factor in growing your podcast audience? Consistency. You can publish one episode a week, one episode a month, even one episode every other month, as long as you are consistent. You need your audience to know when to expect new content, and publishing on a regular schedule helps them get in the habit of listening to your podcast.
Get Your Podcast Found
If no one can find your podcast, they certainly won’t start listening to it! When publishing your podcast episodes, make sure you are using descriptive titles that accurately describe the content within. Make sure your podcast is uploaded to the major platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and use topics, descriptions and titles that will help listeners find your show.
Actively Promote Your Podcast
Promoting your podcast is just as important as writing and recording it. In order to build a loyal podcast audience, you are going to have to find the right people to listen to it. That means getting it out there, sharing clips of your favorite moments, and making sure everyone knows that your podcast is worth checking out.
Talk To Your Listeners
In order to keep your audience, you must have some level of interaction with them. If your listeners feel valued, heard and involved in the podcast, they are not going to be as likely to abandon ship once the next episode comes out. Get them talking about your content in the comments, answer their questions, ask for feedback, and encourage the conversation.
Analyze Your Podcast Performance
In order to continuously grow your podcast, you need to learn from your performance and make adjustments accordingly. Pay close attention to episodes that do well, and those that do not so well. Analyze what worked and what didn’t, then make changes accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Growth is not a guaranteed part of starting a podcast. In fact, it’s one of the most difficult parts. So, how do you grow your podcast? You provide value, you find the right audience and actively work to reach them, and you analyze what works and continue to make improvements. The key is to not give up, and to keep your eye on the prize of creating valuable content that your audience finds appealing and rewarding. The growth of your podcast is worth it.