Podcasting not only takes a lot of creative energy, but it takes hours of production to get everything recorded, released, and promoted. The last thing you want is to do all of that work and not get any listeners. So what makes a successful podcast—one that draws in loyal listeners that come back week after week?
There are certain things that seasoned and successful podcasters do on their podcasts and there are things that they definitely don’t do that keep their listeners coming back for more. Here is everything you need to know:
Don’t overlook audio quality
While it may be true that you can just record your podcast using your laptop microphone or the mic on your headphones, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Quality audio goes a long way and for many, this means investing in a podcasting microphone that will make you sound like one of the pros. It doesn’t have to be expensive. There are a variety of mics available for different price ranges and they will definitely be worth the investment.
Don’t skip weeks
We all know that life happens, so don’t expect everything to go perfectly with your podcast 100% of the time, but. when you tell your newly growing audience that you will be back each Tuesday, you should be back each Tuesday. To make it easier to remain consistent, you can batch recordings so that you are prepared for weeks at a time. If you haven’t batched recordings, try a replay episode where you broadcast a previously released favorite. This shows your audience that you stick by your word and they can rely on you every week.
Don’t make your content all about you
While it is true that this is your podcast and your listeners do care about you, you want to always approach each episode by thinking about what your listeners will get out of it. What will make them want to tune into that episode? Are they learning something? Or being entertained? Are you helping them with a problem? Keeping your content audience-focused is what will bring people back each week.
Don’t overlook the possibilities
Podcasting opens up many opportunities for you, especially if you are podcasting for business. Use this valuable space you get in your listeners’ day to get them further into your circle. In each episode, include a call to action that encourages listeners to follow you on social media, join your email list, or check out your product. They’re tuning in because they like you, so they will likely be very interested in what you have to offer as well.
Don’t make it an advertisement
While including a call to action is encouraged in each episode, you want your primary goal to be to add value to your listeners’ lives. Try to offer some advice and tips that they can put into practice that day for no cost. This will build trust and a loyal following and inevitably, create more success for you.
Don’t skip over promotion
The podcast directory inside of podcasting apps will help some people find you, but that’s likely not a great strategy if you want real success. You have to tell people about your amazing show! Make some graphics for social media and create some audiograms to share online. Word-of-mouth recommendations are one of the best ways to grow a podcast so encourage your audience and listeners to share it online with their friends as well and, in time, the listeners will roll in.
For more tips that will benefit your business and your podcast, be sure to read more of our articles! Here are some of our favorites:
The Best Productivity Tips for Podcasters
7 Tips for Conducting The Best Podcast Interviews
What Dynamic Ad Insertion Is and What the Benefits Are For Podcast Hosts
