Easy Ways to Grow Your Podcast! (Guaranteed Growth!)

Summary

This video offers six best practices for new podcasters to stand out, including establishing a publishing schedule, being authentic, optimizing podcasts with analytics, engaging with the audience outside the show, inviting guests, and hiring help for growth. Partnering with Buzzsprout is highlighted for easy podcast distribution and analytics. The narrator emphasizes the importance of consistency and authenticity to build trust and connection with the audience.

Takeaways

• 📅 Establish a consistent publishing schedule to build trust with your audience.
• 🎤 Be authentic and let your personality shine through in your podcast.
• 📊 Optimize your podcast using analytics to understand what resonates with listeners.
• 🌐 Be present and engage with your audience on other platforms besides your podcast.
• 👥 Invite guests to diversify your content and attract a wider audience.
• 💼 Consider hiring help to manage tasks like editing or social media to free up your time.
• 🔗 Collaborate with Buzzsprout for easy podcast distribution and analytics.
• 📝 Maintain a regular posting schedule to keep your audience engaged and coming back.
• 📈 Use analytics to track performance and adjust your content strategy accordingly.
• 📢 Promote interaction and feedback from your audience to tailor your content to their needs.
• 🏆 Persistence is key; continue producing episodes to grow your podcast over time.

Q & A

What are the six best practices for standing out on a podcast mentioned in the script?

The six best practices mentioned are: 1) having a publishing schedule, 2) being authentic, 3) optimizing your podcast, 4) being present outside of your show, 5) inviting guests on your show, and 6) hiring help.

Why is it important to have a publishing schedule for a podcast?

Having a publishing schedule is important because it helps build trust with the audience by ensuring regular and consistent content release, similar to traditional television programming.

How does being authentic in a podcast enhance the listener's experience?

Being authentic allows the podcast host to connect intimately with the listener, as if they are having a personal conversation, which makes the podcast more engaging and relatable.

What role does Buzzsprout play in podcast optimization according to the script?

Buzzsprout plays a significant role in podcast optimization by providing analytics and distribution services, helping podcasters reach more listeners and improve their content based on data.

Why should podcasters be present outside of their show?

Podcasters should be present outside of their show to create deeper relationships with their audience, gather feedback, and make themselves accessible for more interactive communication.

What are some ways podcasters can be present outside of their show?

Podcasters can be present outside of their show by setting up social media groups, engaging in direct messages, creating blogs, or hosting live conversations on platforms like Facebook.

How can inviting guests to a podcast benefit the show?

Inviting guests can bring new perspectives, spark intriguing conversations, and potentially attract the guest's audience to the podcast, increasing its reach.

What is the importance of hiring help for a podcaster who wants to reach a wider audience?

Hiring help allows podcasters to focus on content creation while delegating time-consuming tasks like editing and social media management, which can lead to higher quality content and more efficient production.

What is the bonus tip given for podcasters at the end of the script?

The bonus tip is to keep posting and recording the podcast consistently, as persistence and continuity are key factors in the success of top podcasters.

How does the narrator suggest using Buzzsprout to distribute a podcast?

The narrator suggests using Buzzsprout to distribute a podcast because it simplifies the process of posting and distributing podcast episodes across all major listening platforms.

What is the significance of the intimacy level in a podcast, as mentioned in the script?

The intimacy level in a podcast is significant because it allows for a more personal connection with the listener, simulating a one-on-one conversation and making the content feel more relatable and engaging.

Outlines

00:00

🎙️ Podcasting Best Practices for Newcomers

The paragraph introduces the topic of podcasting best practices, emphasizing the importance of a publishing schedule, authenticity, and optimization. It mentions a partnership with Buzzsprout, a podcast hosting platform, and discusses the value of a consistent release schedule to build trust with the audience. The paragraph also touches on the need for podcasters to be genuine and true to their personality, suggesting that the intimacy of the podcast format requires a personal touch. Additionally, it highlights the use of analytics to improve podcast performance and reach.

05:01

🔗 Building Connections Beyond the Podcast

This paragraph focuses on the importance of being present and accessible outside of the podcast to foster deeper relationships with the audience. It suggests various methods for podcasters to engage with their listeners, such as through social media groups, direct messages, or blogs. The paragraph also emphasizes the value of audience feedback and the benefits of inviting guests onto the show to diversify content and attract a broader audience. It advises on how to manage interviews effectively to ensure the conversation remains beneficial for the listeners.

10:02

💼 The Power of Delegating Podcast Tasks

The final paragraph discusses the benefits of hiring help for podcast production, such as editing or social media management, to allow the creator to focus on content creation and grow their audience. It argues that investing in assistance can significantly increase productivity and the quality of the podcast. The paragraph also includes a bonus tip about the importance of persistence in podcasting, encouraging creators to continue producing content regularly to achieve long-term success. It ends with a call to action for viewers to engage with the channel and explore additional resources.

Keywords

💡Podcast

A podcast is a digital audio file made available for downloading to a computer or mobile device, so you can listen to it at your convenience. In the context of the video, podcasting is the primary focus, with the narrator discussing strategies for new podcasters to stand out and build an audience. The video aims to provide tips for those starting their journey in podcasting.

💡Publishing Schedule

A publishing schedule refers to the regular timetable on which new content is released. The video emphasizes the importance of having a consistent publishing schedule for podcasts, drawing a parallel with traditional TV show release patterns. This helps in building trust with the audience and ensuring they know when to expect new episodes.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity in podcasting means being genuine and true to one's own personality and style. The video stresses the importance of being authentic to engage listeners on a more personal level, as podcasts are intimate forms of media where the host is 'in someone's ears.' Examples from the script include the different hosting styles of Sean and Heather from Think Media.

💡Optimization

Optimization in the context of the video refers to the process of improving a podcast's performance using analytics and strategic adjustments. This includes understanding which episodes are most popular, analyzing listener engagement, and adjusting content and distribution strategies accordingly. Buzzsprout, mentioned in the video, is highlighted as a tool that simplifies this process.

💡Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is a podcast hosting platform that simplifies the process of recording, editing, and distributing podcasts to various listening platforms. The video mentions Buzzsprout as a partner and recommends it for its ease of use and analytics features, which help podcasters reach a wider audience.

💡Analytics

Analytics in podcasting involves the collection and analysis of data related to listener behavior, such as episode views, listener retention, and engagement. The video suggests using analytics to understand audience preferences and to optimize podcast content, as provided by platforms like Buzzsprout.

💡Accessibility

Accessibility in the context of the video refers to the ability of podcast hosts to be available and interact with their audience outside of their podcast platform. This could be through social media, email, or community forums, which helps in building deeper relationships with listeners and gathering feedback.

💡Guests

Inviting guests onto a podcast can provide variety and attract new listeners. The video suggests that including guests who are influential or interesting to the target audience can spark intrigue and lead to increased interest in the podcast. It also mentions the potential for guests to share the episode with their own audience, expanding the podcast's reach.

💡Hiring Help

Hiring help refers to bringing on additional team members to assist with various aspects of podcast production, such as editing, social media management, or administrative tasks. The video posits that as podcasters grow their audience and brand, investing in help can lead to higher quality content and more time for the host to focus on creative aspects.

💡Consistency

Consistency in podcasting is about maintaining a regular release schedule and continuously producing content. The video includes a bonus tip about the importance of perseverance and consistency, suggesting that successful podcasters are those who keep producing episodes over the long term.

Highlights

Establish a consistent publishing schedule to build trust with your audience.

Be authentic and let your personality shine through in your podcast.

Optimize your podcast for better listener experience by analyzing analytics.

Distribute your podcast on all major listening platforms to reach a wider audience.

Be present and accessible outside of your podcast to build deeper relationships with your audience.

Invite guests onto your show to provide variety and intrigue to your listeners.

Consider hiring help as you grow to manage the increasing demands of podcasting.

Use Buzzsprout for easy podcast posting and distribution.

Maintain a regular publishing schedule even during challenging times.

Leverage the intimacy of podcasting to create a personal connection with listeners.

Use analytics to understand which episodes resonate most with your audience.

Encourage audience interaction by being present on social media and other platforms.

Guest appearances can bring fresh perspectives and expand your podcast's reach.

Hiring an editor or assistant can save time and improve the quality of your podcast.

Consistency is key in podcasting; keep producing episodes to grow your audience.

Offer a free trial with Buzzsprout to streamline your podcast distribution.

Create a community around your podcast to foster engagement and feedback.

Prepare interview questions in advance to keep conversations focused and beneficial for listeners.

Invest in your podcast by hiring skilled professionals to enhance production quality.

Batch recording can be an efficient way to produce content when you have the resources.

Transcripts

- As a newbie podcaster, you probably

have a lot of questions swirling around in your head.

Things like is there a right way

to be publishing my podcast,

should I be formal or more humorous

or is there best practices

to get my podcast out to new people.

Well we have done a lot of research

on the top podcasts that are winning right now.

And I wanna give you six of those best practices

to help you stand out on your podcast.

- [Narrator] You gotta just press record.

- This video is in partnership with Buzzsprout,

the company that we use for our podcast.

And I love them so much

because they help make podcasting easy.

Now if you're anything like me, time is very limited.

You maybe are running your YouTube channel,

running a business,

and so you need something that is easy to use

and Buzzsprout allows you to be able

to post your podcast and distribute it

to all of the places that people can listen to it on.

What's up, my name is Heather Torres with Think Media

and on this channel we do tech, your reviews,

YouTube tips and podcasting tips just like this.

If you're new here, consider subscribing.

Best practice number one is to have a publishing schedule.

Think about this.

How we have been consuming content for decades now

is on a television, right?

And with that, you knew exactly when your favorite episodes

to your favorite TV shows were going to be released.

Now obviously this is before the days of Netflix

well they would just give you all the episodes at one time,

but if you think about traditional television,

the traditional ways

that people have been consuming content,

it is by knowing when something is releasing.

And so I wanna encourage you to have a publishing date.

Now you might be thinking well is there a good day

that I should be publishing my podcast.

It should be on the date that works for you

so if it's Tuesdays for you or if it's Sundays for you,

you as the actual podcast producer

needs to hold firm to that date.

Now of course there's gonna be times

when your podcast may not be able to come out,

but I would just encourage you that come hell or high water,

that your podcast episode comes out on that date

because you want to be someone who is trustworthy

to your audience.

You don't want them to love your first three episodes

and then you ghost them for the next three weeks.

You wanna have the right schedule in place

so that your people can start to fall in love with you.

So tip number one

is to get your publishing schedule in order.

Best practice number two that the pros are doing right now

is being authentic.

Now I know you've heard this before, right?

Be yourself, just do you.

But this is real when it comes to producing your podcast.

Think about the intimacy of a podcast.

You're in someone's ears.

You and them are on a walk together,

you and them are on a train together or in the car together.

You and them are hanging out

and so you wanna be the real you.

So if you like to crack jokes between things,

put the jokes in there.

If you like to be more formal and more professional,

make that your podcast.

But be you times two.

Be you, meaning actually bring your personality

to what you're doing.

You know, here at Think Media,

we have our podcast that Sean and myself host

and some people really love the episodes that are just Sean

because he brings a different energy than I do.

But then some people are on team Heather

and they really love the podcast that I do.

I talk faster. I use my hands a lot.

Sean's more structured and really dialed in.

So you just need to figure out what your personality is.

And I know that at the beginning,

you'll feel like you want to be someone else.

It is kinda weird at first to start producing a podcast,

especially if you're going to be turning on the camera.

But here's the thing.

You just have to be you.

Just pretend that it's you and a friend across from coffee

talking about your favorite topics

which is what your podcast is about.

Just pretend that it's you

and someone you're trying to help along the journey

in whatever problem you're trying to solve.

Be authentic, be yourself and make great work.

Best practice number three is to optimize your podcast.

Now Buzzsprout makes this so easy.

When you sign up for Buzzsprout and you get your podcast

on all of the major listening platforms,

you have the ability to reach more people.

Now what does it mean to optimize your podcast?

It means that you should be looking at the analytics.

Buzzsprout gives you a quite a bit of analytics

for you to see what episodes are winning,

which ones have the most views on them

and which ones have the least views on them,

which ones are showing that people are listening longer

versus not listening at all.

You wanna use the analytics that Buzzsprout gives you

to be able to optimize your podcast

to be best for the listener.

That's the thing.

You wanna fight for the listener.

You wanna fight for them to have the best experience.

And so one, distributing your podcast on all platforms

and two, looking at all your analytics on a regular basis,

that's gonna help you optimize your podcast.

Now if you want to get signed up

for a free trial of Buzzsprout,

I'll make sure to link that down below for you.

It is the platform that we use here at Think Media

to distribute our podcasts on all major listening platforms.

I love the different features that Buzzsprout allows.

When you want us to share it on social media

or if you wanna partner with brands

to be sponsoring your podcast,

Buzzsprout makes this easy.

So you can get your free trial started today

down in the description below.

Best practice number four

is to be present outside of your show.

You know, podcasting right now

doesn't really make it easy

for you to be communicating with your audience

so you need to actually go to other platforms

to be able to be creating deeper relationships.

What does it mean to be accessible outside of your podcast?

Share with your audience where they can be talking to you

on a one-to-one basis or a one-to-many basis,

meaning maybe you should set up a Facebook group.

Our friend Shalene Johnson,

she has a Facebook group just for her podcast.

That's where she's gathering ideas,

that's where she's having conversations and going live

and talking to her actual audience, the pod squad,

that loves her content.

Maybe you wanna tell people

that they can reach you and give you ideas

or share their stories inside of Instagram DMs.

Maybe you wanna create a group

or something inside of the DM space

where you and a few of your audience members

could be having a conversation.

There's a lot of different ways that you can do this.

Some podcasters actually have blogs linked to their podcast

where people can go and actually leave

more valuable interactions on their actual blog.

There's a lot of ways,

but you want to let your audience know

that you're accessible.

The top podcasts right now

are having conversations with their audience

and I wanna encourage you to open yourself up

and get feedback from your audience

rather than just creating in your own world.

It's better to know

exactly what the person on the other side needs

than you thinking you know exactly what they need.

So this week maybe you tell your podcast listeners,

hey, you can reach to me on Instagram DMs

and let me know your story.

Send me a voice memo or maybe just send me an email.

Either way you wanna be accessible to your audience.

Best practice number five is to invite guests on your show.

Now a lot of shows actually depend

on a single host charisma style,

meaning that it's one person talking

kind of in the same way every single time.

And that's not a bad idea.

You definitely can have a successful podcast

as just being the only player in that podcast,

but switch it up every now and then

and invite a special guest onto your show.

It allows for this intrigue in conversation.

When someone gets to be a fly on the wall

to you having a interesting conversation

with someone of influence or someone that is influential

to that group or that audience,

it can really spark more interest in your podcast.

The other benefit of this for a best practice

is that that person then shares that with their audience

where then in turn

you can get more eyeballs to your podcast.

So even if you don't have a "interview show,"

you can be inviting people on.

Now here is my tip for you though.

You wanna make sure you're steering the conversation

in the right direction.

People love to talk about themselves

and especially when you're interviewing them,

they really can start to shift that conversation

down a road that may not be beneficial

for the audience listening.

So go into it best practice with giving the actual questions

you're going to ask upfront or structuring the conversation

in more of a five tips that they need to know

or something like that to give it a little bit more handles

to the actual intent of that conversation

so that your audience is getting the best from that guest.

So invite a friend, invite an influencer onto your show

and see what happens next.

Best practice number six is to hire help.

Podcasting in itself, being a content creator in itself

is something you can do as a solo creator,

but if you wanna reach the masses,

if you wanna be able to be running a business

and running a podcast,

if you wanna be able to be a full-time content creator,

then I wanna encourage you to hire help.

This can start with someone just editing your podcast

or someone helping you with social media

or someone being an assistant

in the admin things that you need help with.

But as you grow, it is best

if you can actually get help with your podcast.

Think about this as an investment into your future.

And what is crazy is think about the time

you're going to get back when you can hire someone

to do a skill like edit your podcast.

This is a rising industry, right?

Getting audio and getting video out to the world

is still an emerging industry.

There are people that are skilled

that can do it in 1/10 of the time

that it takes you to actually get these things done.

So set aside some of your budget and hire help.

You can actually reach out on like fiverr.com,

you can go to upworks.com

or I would actually just say look in your own community.

Who are the kids at the church

who are helping do the audio and the video?

Who in your community

are the people that are obsessed with social media?

Maybe get one of them to be a part of what you're doing.

Now here's the thing.

When you hire help, it is going to force you

to be accountable,

meaning that you are going to be now having someone else

relying on you to get your podcast out there.

So I think it's actually a good thing

to push yourself outside your comfort zone

and have someone help you with your podcast.

You could even do something like going to a podcast studio

or hiring a podcast helper that comes in

and you batch produce a ton of content like I'm doing here.

I didn't set up all of this.

Kyle from our team got everything ready.

I am here batch recording

for our podcast and for this YouTube channel.

So you can do the same thing

when you can hire help

to get your podcast out to more people.

Now I have a bonus tip for you,

but if you're getting value out of this video,

make sure you like it

and if you like content like this,

subscribe here on the channel

and let me know down below what is your podcast about.

I love seeing all the different emerging podcasts

that have come out in the last year

and I wanna know what podcast that you are doing right now.

Here's my bonus tip for you.

Best practice from all of the top podcasters out there,

they kept going.

So best practice is keep posting your podcast,

keep recording your show, keep going.

One week and then another week and then another week

because the top podcasters,

if you look how long they've been doing it,

they've been here for awhile.

So I wanna encourage you to keep going.

Keep publishing your work,

keep getting your message out there and keep going.

If you wanna know actually

how you can get started with your podcast,

you can click or tap the screen right now

for my free walkthrough that I have.

Or if you wanna catch the latest episode

of the Think Media podcast,

click or top the screen right now

so you can go over and watch that.

Thanks for watching and I'll catch you in the next video.