Be Heard: 6 Surefire Ways to Grow Your Listenership

2009 was a massive year for podcasting. That year, podcast advertising increased by a whopping 250 percent compared to the year prior. The podcasting audience also grew by as much as 22 percent. Nowadays, millions of people listen to podcasts on a daily basis. In other words, podcasting has now become mainstream.

So what does all of this mean for podcasting? It means that as long as you are willing to put in the effort, you can take your podcast to the next level. However, you need to attract more listeners first and foremost. Entice more people to listen to you by taking the following tips to heart:

Invite People Who Are Considered Authorities in Their Industry

When you interview people who are considered industry authorities / influencers, you can expect they will be telling their followers on social media to listen in. That being said, you need to work on creating a favorable first impression.

Do your research and learn as much as you possibly can about your guests. Ask relevant questions and make the interaction as awesome as possible and you just might enjoy a significant increase in followers before you know it.

Adhere to a Publishing Schedule

Radio shows are often able to build a loyal following because they are on the air at the same time each day. However, if the show is bounced around at different times, it will be hard for people to follow it religiously.

The same can be true for your podcast. That being said, make sure you stick to the publishing schedule you have decided on so your listeners will know when they can catch your show.

Make Sure You Tag Your Shows Aptly

Since podcasts are audio files, they need to be tagged accordingly to make it easier for listeners (current and potential) to find you on iTunes or through search engines. Also, use descriptive keywords and tags so you will be able to attract more traffic.

Take Advantage of Podcasting Directories

If you want to get ahead of the pack, consider listing your podcast in a directory a must. Fortunately, nowadays, there is no shortage of podcasting directories that can match listeners with shows they might have an interest in. And the amazing thing is you can get listed for free! Do some research online and you’ll be sure to find several podcasting directories that you can get listed in free of charge.

Be Active on Sites Related to Your Niche

Akin to blogging, podcasting is also about building a community. You can’t expect to enjoy a dramatic increase in listeners if you just sit back and wait for listeners to find you. You need to go out there and let your presence be known. For starters, you can get active in blogs, online groups, and forums that are related to your niche.

In addition, you can also use the power of social media to work for you. Build a strong presence in popular social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. Just make sure you are really contributing something and not merely spamming your followers.

Create a High Quality Show That’s Truly Worth Listening To

We’ve saved the best for last since this is the most crucial. Let’s face it, none of the above mentioned tactics will work if your podcast sucks. With that in mind, your primary aim should be to create a podcast that is interesting, substantial, and compelling. Offer exceptional content listeners can’t find anywhere else. Aim to always take things up a notch and it won’t be long until you’ll enjoy a robust and loyal following.

Have you tried any of the tips we’ve listed down? Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below!

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