Starting a podcast is a great way to share your interests and build a community. Nonetheless, launching an audio show involves more than just recording entertaining content. In order to engage listeners and build your brand, you’ll need a strategic podcast marketing plan.
Fortunately, there are various ways to kickstart your marketing and grow your audience. For instance, launching a podcast website can help improve your SEO, increase visibility, and expand your listeners-base. Meanwhile, you can use social media to build an online presence and organically attract new listeners.
In this post, we’ll discuss four podcast marketing strategies to grow your podcast. Let’s get started!
1. Launch a Podcast Website
A website serves as an online hub for your show, but it can also be a great platform for your podcast marketing efforts. First of all, you can use your site’s design to develop your visual brand. You can also use it as a space to promote your show and grow your audience:
On your website, you can post show notes, images, and other visual content to accompany episodes. If you film your podcast and publish videos, you can even embed the video directly on your website. Moreover, you can use your website to sell branded merchandise, which can help get the word out:
After your website is up and running, you can optimize it with keywords to rank higher in search results. Starting a blog and posting articles can also drive traffic to your site. With strong SEO, you can organically expand your listener base and save money.
You can also use your website to engage with your audience through comments, reviews, forms, and even voicemails. Using call-to-actions (CTAs), you can encourage listeners to share their thoughts with you and other listeners.
A website also provides opportunities for monetizing your podcast through exclusive membership content and donations. You can sell ad space and publish blog posts with affiliate links to earn commissions. Then, you can filter these profits back into other podcast marketing tactics.
The good news is that creating an attractive podcast website is easy with a code-free website builder like Podcastpage. You can even use the built-in SEO tools to boost your show and improve your search rankings.
2. Market Your Podcast on Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool to market your show and organically attract new listeners. By optimizing your handle, bio, and posts with keywords, you can reach a wider audience. This way, you can save money and make better use of your marketing dollars.
Moreover, social media provides tons of opportunities to engage with your audience. Through comments and direct messages, you can collect feedback, answer questions, and build a community around your show.
In order to get people’s attention, you’ll want to post creative and engaging content, such as teasers for upcoming episodes. You can also use social media to expand on topics in real-time.
In the example below, the hosts from The First Degree, a true crime podcast, created a TikTok to update their audience when the Long Island Serial Killer was arrested:
You should feel free to have fun with your social media and get creative with your posts. Behind-the-scenes photos, outtakes, and bloopers are great ways to show off your personality. You can also run a giveaway or contest to get your audience involved and encourage user-generated content (UGC).
3. Leverage Podcast Directories
Podcast fans use directories to listen to, subscribe to, and search for new shows. Therefore, posting your podcast on various directories, like Spotify of Apple Podcasts, can help you gain exposure and attract listeners:
It’s widely known that Apple Podcasts and Spotify are the two most popular directories. But, to reach a wider audience, it’s a good idea to get your show on as many directories as possible. Some other popular options to consider are:
- TuneIn
- GoodPods
- Podchaser
- Amazon Music
- Podcast Addict
- IHeartRadio
Listing your podcast in a directory is a simple process. As long as your show meets the requirements, you just have to create an account and upload your RSS feed URL. Then, the directory will update every time you publish a new episode. You never know where a potential new listener is browsing for their new favorite podcast – so making your show available on as many platforms as possible is a great idea.
To help people find your show, be sure to include keywords in the title, description, and show notes. Depending on the directory, you can also add tags and categories to reach a wider audience.
4. Create a Podcast Trailer
Creating a trailer is another phenomenal podcast marketing strategy to promote your show and entice new listeners. This is because people are more likely to listen to a trailer before committing to a full episode. In a nutshell, a trailer can sell your show and convince people to listen.
There are three types of podcast trailers:
- Coming soon: Advertise your show before it launches.
- General: Create a highlight reel with captivating soundbites.
- Teaser: Promote the next episode.
When creating your trailer, remember to introduce your show using the best highlights and soundbites. You want to pique listeners’ curiosity and get them excited to learn more and listen to the episode. Don’t forget to include a CTA and explain when and where people can find your show.
Conclusion
Strategic promotion is the key to growing your podcast. Implementing these effective marketing tactics can help you increase visibility, expand your listenership, and take your show to the next level.
To recap, here are four podcast marketing strategies to help grow your show:
- Launch a podcast website.
- Market your podcast on social media.
- Leverage podcast directories.
- Create a podcast trailer.
Need help launching your website? The Podcastpage website builder provides a complete solution for designing a podcast site, with no coding required. Boost your show with built-in SEO features, analytics, monetization tools, and more. Get started today!
