A lot of people start podcasts because it sounds like a fun way to build an audience.
I mean, all you need to do is show up, record, and publish and people will organically find your show, right?
While this might have been the case five or ten years ago, podcasting is a far too competitive market today for this to be a viable method of growing a show out of the gate.
And while this type of organic growth becomes easier and easier once your audience size reaches a critical mass, getting to that stage requires both a solid growth strategy and a lot of legwork.
Podcast Growth Strategy
When looking to grow your podcast, your strategy needs to be built on an intimate knowledge of who your ideal listener is, and where they’re already hanging out online.
This could be other podcasts they listen to, websites they visit regularly, Facebook groups they’re a part of, Instagram accounts they follow, and so on.
Once you know where they’re already directing their attention, it becomes easier to place yourself in the path of that attention, either through collaborations with the owners of those platforms, integration into those communities, or advertising.
Doing the Legwork
At this point, it becomes a simple matter of doing the legwork. Sending outreach emails and collaboration requests, engaging with the communities you seek to serve, and making yourself useful.
This is the hard work of growing a podcast that no one wants to do.
Most people would rather post about their latest episode on their social accounts and be done with their promotion for the week. This approach is more hands-off, less time-intensive, and emotionally safer.
But it doesn’t get results.
Make no mistake, the legwork is a necessary part of growing your show.
Buckle down, do the legwork early, and then reap the rewards later of an audience that grows itself.
Every Sunday I send out an exclusive article on how to use podcasting to build an audience and grow your business.
No opt-in, no freebie no bribe. But hopefully a new perspective, encouragement, and maybe even some occasional wisdom. It’s something I’m proud to create and I’d be honoured to share it with you.
Jeremy travels full-time, loves long-distance cycle touring, and will always look back on the day he finally saved up enough money to buy the Millennium Falcon Lego set as one of his proudest achievements. He believes that the way to grow sustainable businesses is by leading with heart, vulnerability, and helping your people be and become their best selves.
- Why Wouldn’t They Just Google It? - March 14, 2021
- Before You Can Market Your Podcast, You Need To Create A Marketable Podcast - March 11, 2021
- Podcast Promotion & Marketing Are Different (Here’s How to Use Each Effectively) - March 10, 2021
