How to Grow Your Podcast in 2023

10/18/23 • 6 min

Hey there, fellow podcasters! We understand the hustle and heart that you pour into your shows. Growing downloads, being recognized for your dedication, and getting your voice heard are universal dreams of podcasters, just like sculpting that perfect beach body at the gym. But much like the gym, podcasting success doesn’t come overnight.

It’s about trying different exercises and consistently showing up for those reps. In this article, we’ll be your podcasting personal trainers, sharing ideas and tactics to help you achieve a successful and sustainable podcast show that not only grows but shines brightly in the podcasting universe. So, grab your metaphorical podcast dumbbells, and let’s start pumping up those listener numbers!

1. SUPERCHARGE YOUR STORYTELLING

Podcasts are like storytelling adventures, and in 2023, storytelling is your secret weapon. Take inspiration from “The Moth” podcast, where real people share their stories. Make your episodes engaging, relatable, and filled with emotions. Share your own stories and encourage untold stories from your guests. It will make your podcast memorable!

Action Tip: Start your episodes with an exciting hook, like an intriguing question or a funny anecdote, to grab your listeners’ attention.

2. NICHE DOWN YOUR FOCUS

Just like “The Fantasy Footballers,” who found success by diving deep into one niche, choose a specific topic for your podcast. It’s easier to stand out in a small pond than a vast ocean. Your unique angle will attract like-minded listeners.

Starting narrow not only helps you stand out in the crowded podcast arena but also allows you to build a dedicated audience; and as your podcast grows, you can gradually expand your topics while retaining your core listeners.

Action Tip: Explore subtopics within your niche to discover fresh ideas for episodes.

3. LEVEL UP YOUR ARTWORK

Imagine your podcast artwork as a superhero costume. It should be bold, eye-catching, and give listeners a taste of what your podcast is about. Look at “The Science Vs” podcast for inspiration; their cover art reflects their investigative spirit.

In addition to having a fantastic cover art for your show, consider creating unique episode-specific artwork that resonates with the content. This extra effort not only enhances your branding but also encourages your guests to share these personalized visuals on their social media, spreading the word about your podcast.

Action Tip: Make sure your artwork looks great even when it’s tiny. Test it on a small screen to ensure it’s still captivating.

4. SUPER SOCIAL SHARING

Become a social media superhero! Share sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes, and funny anecdotes from your podcast. Be like “My Dad Wrote A Porno” – they engage their audience on social media by asking questions and responding to comments.

To master the art of podcast promotion on social media, think beyond the routine episode links. Get creative, share behind-the-scenes glimpses, ask questions, and foster an engaging online community. Since podcasting primarily operates as a one-way communication from creator to listener, leverage social media to open up channels for feedback and two-way communication with your audience, creating a stronger and more interactive podcasting community.

Action Tip: Use popular hashtags related to your podcast’s topic to reach a broader audience on social platforms.

5. PARTNER UP FOR SUPER GROWTH

Team up with other podcasters in your niche for crossover episodes. It’s like Batman and Robin joining forces! You’ll expose your podcast to a new audience while providing fresh content for your current listeners.

Collaborations with fellow podcasters do not just provide an opportunity to tap into a wider audience, they’re a chance to share expertise, ease the burden of producing content in isolation, and have fun. By working together, you can harness the collective power of your networks and create content that’s both dynamic and appealing to a broader range of listeners.

Action Tip: Reach out to potential collaborators through social media or podcasting forums and suggest exciting episode ideas.

6. SUPER SONIC SEO

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) isn’t just for websites. Like “T...

1. SUPERCHARGE YOUR STORYTELLING

Action Tip: Start your episodes with an exciting hook, like an intriguing question or a funny anecdote, to grab your listeners’ attention.

2. NICHE DOWN YOUR FOCUS

Action Tip: Explore subtopics within your niche to discover fresh ideas for episodes.

3. LEVEL UP YOUR ARTWORK

Action Tip: Make sure your artwork looks great even when it’s tiny. Test it on a small screen to ensure it’s still captivating.

4. SUPER SOCIAL SHARING

Action Tip: Use popular hashtags related to your podcast’s topic to reach a broader audience on social platforms.

5. PARTNER UP FOR SUPER GROWTH

Action Tip: Reach out to potential collaborators through social media or podcasting forums and suggest exciting episode ideas.

6. SUPER SONIC SEO

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) isn’t just for websites. Like “T...

Previous Episode

Transform Your Podcast with 3% Risks

In a world full of great podcasts, it’s increasingly challenging to stand out and capture the attention of your target audience. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to make your mark in the podcasting universe. Instead, you can take calculated risks, as small as 3%, to position your show differently, breathe new life into your content, and create a unique podcasting experience that keeps your listeners coming back for more.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR TOPIC

Before you embark on your podcasting journey, it’s essential to have a deep understanding of your chosen topic. I’m not talking about an expertise of your subject matter; but rather, you must study the competitive landscape. Dive deep into the niche you’re passionate about and identify the gaps in existing content. What are the questions that haven’t been answered? What perspectives haven’t been explored? Your goal is to find your unique angle within your niche.

ANALYZING EXISTING SUCCESSFUL SHOWS

Successful podcasts offer valuable lessons in positioning and engaging content. Take the time to analyze them. What makes them tick? Is it their format, storytelling, or the way they connect with their audience? This is where you’ll discover patterns you can use as inspiration for your unique approach.

THE POWER OF 3% RISKS

Now, let’s talk about the magic number: 3%. The idea here is to take calculated risks that deviate from the norm by just 3%. This small shift can make a world of difference and set you apart from the crowd.

Here’s how to apply it:

Revamp Your Format

If interview-style podcasts dominate your niche, consider incorporating storytelling elements.
Swap long episodes for shorter, more digestible content, or vice versa.
Experiment with different episode structures, such as debates, roundtables, or live recordings.

Find a Unique Perspective

Challenge conventional wisdom within your niche.
Bring in guest experts from unrelated fields to offer fresh insights.
Share your personal experiences and anecdotes related to the topic.

Engage with Your Audience

Encourage listener participation through Q&A sessions, polls, or listener-submitted content.
Create a community around your podcast through social media or a dedicated forum.
Actively respond to listener feedback and suggestions.

CASE STUDY: THE 3% DIFFERENCE

Five weeks ago, I made significant changes to my one-on-one interview, personal finance podcast. In publishing Inspired Money weekly for six years, I always focused on good audio quality, improving my interviewing skills, and landing great guests. In that time, I realized steady organic growth, but it was hard to break out of the very crowded one-on-one interview podcast space. It was time for a makeover, and I wanted to try something bold.

To apply the 3% rule, I decided to:

Revamp The Format: Instead of traditional interviews where the guest drives the topic, my team decided to map out one hundred episodes that includes everything from budgeting to philanthropy, from luxury watches to wine collecting, from side hustles to retirement. With the topics decided ahead of time, I can strategically reach out and book a panel of three experts per episode and moderate a thoughtful conversation.
Find a Unique Perspective: With a panel of guests, there’s room to challenge the status quo by highlighting not only success stories but also stories of failure and the valuable lessons learned from them. For example, in an episode on Financial Freedom, we took a critical look at Early Retirement. Spoiler alert: many young, early retirees are not happy after leaving the rat race.
Engage with Your Audience: Instead of recording an interview and then editing it in post production, I ditched the safety net and turned my show into a livestream podcast. I go live every Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:00 PM Eastern. Despite technical problems, sometimes less than perfect audio, and my flubs, the livestream invites a segment of my audience to watch the podcast live and interact in the chat. It’s cool that viewers can steer the direction of the panel discussion and ask questions in real-time.

By making these small but bold changes, my podcast offers a unique blend of expert discussion, vulnerability, and community involvement—a distinctive value proposition that can set my show apart. Check back in three to six months, and I’ll let you know how if it’s increased my podcast’s reach and monetization.

FINAL THOUGHTS

In the world of podcasting, being bold and different doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your content. It’s about taking calculated 3% risks tha...

Next Episode

Overcoming Discouragement in Podcasting and Finding Your Voice

Creating a podcast can be exciting. It allows you to share your unique perspective, stories, and expertise with the world. However, like any creative pursuit, the journey isn’t always smooth, and you may encounter moments of discouragement along the way. In this article, I want to share common reasons for feeling discouraged about publishing your podcast and offer thoughtful solutions to help you overcome these challenges and stay inspired.

Embrace Your Uniqueness

One of the primary sources of discouragement for podcasters is the fear of not measuring up to established shows or industry standards. Remember, your voice and perspective are unique, and that’s your superpower. Don’t hide it, unless you wear colorful tights under your clothes and want to be a super hero. Embrace what sets you apart, and realize that authenticity is a precious commodity in podcasting. Your authenticity can connect with an audience that craves something different, genuine, and relatable.

Solution: Take time to understand your niche and your podcast’s unique selling points. Once you embrace your uniqueness, you’ll find the confidence to continue your podcasting journey.

Manage Expectations

It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers game, comparing download statistics and reviews to those of more established podcasts. While it’s essential to have goals and aspirations, unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment.

Solution: Focus on setting achievable milestones and celebrate the small victories. Be patient with your growth and understand that building an audience takes time. Remember that even the most popular podcasts started small.

Seek Community and Support

Podcasting can sometimes feel like a solitary pursuit, leading to feelings of isolation and discouragement. You may question whether anyone is listening or if your efforts are worthwhile.

Solution: Engage with the podcasting community, both online and offline. Join social media groups, forums, and local podcasting events. Attend industry conferences like Podcast Movement and Podfest. Interacting with fellow podcasters can provide encouragement, networking opportunities, and a sense of belonging. Sharing your struggles and experiences can lead to valuable insights and support.

Reframe Failure as Learning

Failure and setbacks are a natural part of any creative journey, including podcasting. Instead of seeing these moments as discouraging, consider them valuable opportunities for growth.

Solution: Reframe your perspective on failure. Every mistake, poor episode, or negative review can be a stepping stone to improvement. Learn from your missteps and use them to refine your content and skills.

Consistency and Patience

Creating a successful podcast often requires consistent effort over a long period. It’s not uncommon to feel discouraged when results don’t come as quickly as expected.

Solution: Stay committed and maintain a consistent release schedule. With time, your audience will grow, and your podcast will gain momentum. The longer you persevere, the more likely you are to achieve your goals.

Self-Care and Mental Wellbeing

Maintaining a podcast can be emotionally and mentally taxing, especially when you’re struggling with discouragement. Your passion can quickly turn into a source of stress if you’re not taking care of yourself.

Solution: Prioritize self-care, mindfulness, and your mental well-being. Give yourself breaks when needed and don’t be afraid to seek support from friends, family, or a therapist if discouragement takes a toll on your mental health.

Keep Hitting Publish

Podcasting is a rewarding medium for self-expression and connection, but it’s not without its challenges. Feeling discouraged at times is natural, but it doesn’t have to define your podcasting journey. Embrace your uniqueness, set realistic expectations, seek community and support, reframe failure as learning opportunities, and remember the importance of consistency, patience, self-care, and mental well-being.

As you navigate through the highs and lows of podcasting, remember that your voice matters. Your perspective is valuable, and your message can have a significant impact. The podcasting world is vast and diverse, and there is a place for your unique voice, so don’t let discouragement hold you back. Keep sharing your story, your knowledge, and your passion with the world, and you may be surprised by the difference you make in the lives of your listeners.