We believe you are reading this piece because you already know how to start a podcast. But you are currently looking for tips to increase your podcast downloads and push up your listenership.
Maybe downloads trickle in, but not to your satisfaction and expectation. After all, you put so much time and effort into creating a high-quality podcast show. If your podcast downloads is not commensurate to the efforts and resources invested, then these tips are meant for you. We’ve put together all of the best ideas and techniques that we are sure will help you take your podcast downloads to a plateau.
You can implement these tips as standalone or in batches to see the results. Here are 20 tried and tested tips to increase your podcast downloads. In the end, we are sure you’ll improve your knowledge of how to start a podcast and grow a podcast.
1. Know Your Target Audience
Research your listeners; we can’t overemphasize this. Who are your listeners? Where are they? What is the best way to get your podcast to them? Apart from the increase in downloads, listeners are the lifeline of any show.
If you can answer these questions, you have made it easier to design your podcast around them. To figure out how to start a podcast, you need to make your audience a priority. To boost your podcast downloads, you must understand your listeners, plan each episode with them in mind, and deliver it to them.
2. Frequently Upload Podcast Episodes
It is simple. How will you increase your podcast downloads when you have not uploaded new episodes? You need to consistently create new episodes that will then gain traction. The newly published episode will not only bring in more fans, but it will also help old episode.
You can promote your old podcast episodes on new ones. Furthermore, uploading new episodes will ensure you remain relevant in your niche.
3. Stick To a Schedule
When you constantly disappoint your listeners, they will look for other podcasts to listen to. If you have chosen to upload a podcast episode weekly, pick a day. This way, your fans will look forward to your upcoming shows.
Never miss an episode or abruptly change the day you upload. How can you attract a new audience if you cannot satisfy your current listeners?
4. Choose Good and Popular Guests
Getting good guests is an art, and it’s beyond podcasting. While it is nice and dandy to invite people over to your show as a favor, please don’t do it. The personality of your guests’ matters when it comes to the success of your podcast. Should I start a podcast? Yes. But it would be best if your guests that have something in common with your show.
Also, invite popular people with high followings on their platform so they can promote your show. It is free advertising. Email them with the URL when the podcast episode is the URL and persuade them to share your show.
5. Use Social Media To Promote Your Podcast Generously
Promote your show on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. It is better to have a separate social media account for your podcast. You can post a link to your latest episode on social media with infographics.
A short video of the production process or moments behind the scenes will not hurt either. You can post an audiogram if you don’t have a recorded video. More importantly, prompt your audience to like and share.
6. Dedicate A Website to Your Podcast
You need to have a website where you can direct your listeners. It can serve as both a player and an archive. Your website drives traffic to your podcast and vice versa. Ensure you post your podcast episodes on your website for people to listen to the old episodes. Your website must be aesthetically pleasing and functional.
You can add a transcription of each episode to your website. Also, if you feel there are things you missed while producing a particular episode, you can easily add them to a website blog. Having a website gives you control over your podcast.
7. Optimize Your Podcast Episodes For Search Engine
With a website and social media account for your podcast, you have a higher chance of increasing your presence online. However, keywords matter a lot when it comes to SEO. Your show’s description must be accurate and contain the right keywords for your niche.
Use keyword research tools like Google Trend and Semrush to find relevant keywords. Include the right keywords in your episode titles; this will make it easy for your target audience to locate your podcast show via the search engine.
8. Engage Your Listeners
Calls to action are the best way to get your listeners involved in your podcast. At the end of each episode, ask your listeners to do something or make certain contributions.
Also, reply to their queries with as much enthusiasm as possible. Read the comments made on each episode. It might be excellent material for a new podcast episode.
9. Use Podcast Directories
Subscribe to as many podcast directories as possible. Podcast directories are different from podcast hosting platforms. Streaming services are directories where listeners discover your show.
If your podcast is discoverable easily on directories like Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, and Spotify, the chances that it will be subscribed to are higher. The higher your podcast subscription, the higher the downloads.
10. Connect With Other Podcasters
Podcasting is not a one-person show. Talk to people in the industry. Collaborating with people in the same niche as you is even better, especially if their show is raking in ratings.
You can pick their brains on sticky issues. Other podcasters will bring a fresh perspective to your show and might even help you reach a new audience.
11. Repurpose Your Podcast
Your podcast is a great material for other contents format. For instance, you can repurpose your podcast into written words through transcription and blogs. You can convert it into a podcast video, an audiogram, or blog posts.
It can be an image with an infographic. When you repurpose your podcast, you are bringing in a new audience who might be unable to listen to the audio format.
12. Ask For Feedback, Ratings, and Reviews
Whether it is from family or friends, feedback will help you grow. Ask for thoughts on different episodes. Get your listeners’ opinions on a new segment you wish to include in your podcast.
Look for someone who will give you all the facts and truths without mincing words. Don’t be offended if the feedback is not all positive. Remember, your podcast’s success rests on public opinion.
13. Collaborate With Brands
Work with brands with similar products and visions as yours. Mention brands in your podcasts and connect with them to get mentions back. Affiliate marketing is also a great way of collaborating with brands. Disctopia recently started its affiliate program, Disctopia Partnerships. You can become one of the early affiliates of Disctopia Partnerships.
Participate in affiliate marketing for brands with services or products in your podcast niche. The brands’ customers can become your avid listeners since your podcast represents their interests.
14. Share Episode Teasers
Create sound bites for upcoming episodes and distribute them across multiple platforms. This will build suspense for your next episode. Your listeners looking forward to your next episode is a step in gaining super listeners for your podcast.
Make sure your teasers are worth your audience’s while. Important moments with guests or the mention of controversial issues will grab people’s attention.
15. Build an Email List
A mailing list brings in a new audience and helps retain current listeners. You can send links to upcoming episodes to your email subscribers. Add a pop-up on your website for people to subscribe to your mailing list.
Use tools like Mailchimp, OptinMonster, Nift, and HubSpot to build an email list. Give value to your subscribers. Don’t spam their email with unnecessary marketing.
16. Be A Guest on Other Podcasts
Inviting other podcasters in your network to your show and honoring their request to have you appear on their podcast is a good way to start.
Whether you need fresh perspectives on your podcast or trying to expand your show’s reach, working with podcasters in the same niche is a great way to start. You can promote your show on their podcast with an audience with similar interests as the show you are featured in.
17. Connect Your Hosting Platform to Your Social Media Accounts
Hosting services store your podcast episodes on their platforms and give you the RSS you will share with your social networks.
However, you can automate the distribution process instead of manually sharing your podcast to your social networks.
18. Let Your Cover Art Speak For You
Your cover design represents your brand. It must be simple yet convey the right message. Your design should attract the audience at first glance, but it must also have as few words as possible.
19. Contribute To Communities
Share your take on discussions online. Endear people to you by giving expert opinions and answering questions on platforms like Quora.
Before you know it, you will become an authority in your industry. You can share your podcast URL from there for people to listen for further information.
20. Produce Quality Content
This should not come as a surprise to you. After all, it is the quality of your content that will determine whether you will have loyal fans or not. You might gain an audience with a mediocre podcast, but you must give them value to sustain the momentum.
Final Words on Tips to Increase Your Podcast Downloads
IYou need a game plan to get more downloads. But why do you need people to download your podcast?
For Sponsorship and Endorsement
Brands want their products to get high coverage. So, before you get any support, you must show that you have a significant number of loyal fans that will download your podcast.
Podcast Monetization
One of the best ways of generating revenue from your podcast is through podcast ads. Brand ad revenue on podcasts has reached an all-time high. Even if you are starting afresh, you will eventually need to monetize your podcast.
Downloads are a common metric to measure a podcast’s success
You can use the number of downloads per episode to measure your show’s success. Note that other factors like ratings and reviews, social sharing, podcast subscriptions, and backlinks are also important KPIs to get a full picture of your podcast’s performance.
