It’s time to take your podcast to the next level and connect with your tribe. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place — today, we’re diving deep into the world of podcast growth and audience connection.
Whether you’re just starting out on your podcast or looking to expand your listener base, we’ve got you covered. So buckle up as we chat about leveling up your podcast game and reaching your target audience like the true influencer we know you are.
1. Know Your Voice
In order to grow your podcast and connect with your target audience, you first gotta define your unique voice and find your vibe. What makes your podcast feel lit? What topics or niches do you want to share with the world? Maybe it’s pop culture. Maybe it’s entrepreneurship. Maybe it’s mental health. Maybe it’s food. Whatever it is, discover your passion and let it shine through your episodes for the world to see.
Podcasts are where you want to seriously embrace your authentic self and speak your audience’s lingo to establish an authentic connection that makes them feel like they’re hanging out with you.
2. Plan Properly
Ugh, we know. This is not the sexiest part of the podcast game, but it is key. Creating fire episodes that resonate with your audience is absolutely vital to podcast growth. This means planning your episodes strategically while also considering your target audience’s interests and pain points.
Here’s how to do it:
Break your episodes down into segments that feel lit so people can follow along easily and not get bored
Add in a bit of humor when and where it feels appropriate to keep things fun
Share personal stories – this
really
gets listeners connected with you and makes them feel like they know you (which, *hint*, translates to them coming back for more)
Start deep convos that will hit home for some people and help them feel less alone and more understood
The biggest part of podcasts is storytelling, which, when you nail it right, is mad powerful.
So take the time to plan your episodes so that you can work in epic stories that resonate with your audience’s experiences. This makes them feel part of the fam, and what’s better than that?!
3. Build Your Brand
If only podcasting was all about just sitting down with a mic and spilling the tea. However, the reality is that a lot of work goes on behind the scenes, and much of that work deals with building your brand and creating a buzz.
If you haven’t already done so, you want to start with a killer podcast name that slaps but also accurately reflects your content. This lets people know what your podcast is about before they even tune in.
Next, you want to design some rad cover art that catches the eye and stands out on podcast platforms. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but def something that makes you stand out and speaks to your personality (and your audience, too).
Social media is going to be your bestie when it comes to marketing your podcast. Flex on social media platforms like IG, TikTok, and Twitter to promote your podcast. Here’s where you’ll also want to drop dope teasers and be sure to engage with your audience. This is essential to keeping the podcast hype flowing and is a fab way to bring in more listeners.
Consider collabs with influencers, guest experts, and other podcasters to expand your reach and tap into new squads that will help you achieve squad goals.
4. Foster Engagement
As much fun as it is to drop knowledge via your podcast, that’s not enough to help you grow to new listeners and keep people coming back. You’ve got to engage with your squad.
You wouldn’t be where you are (or hope to be) with your podcast without your listeners and followers, so give them the attention they deserve – especially since they’re giving you their attention by listening to your show and engaging with your socials.
Encourage your listeners to leave lit reviews, fire comments, and burning questions, and then respond to those things! Receive the love and throw it right back at them. That’s what’ll make it feel like a fam.
Creating a community around your podcast through social media groups or an online forum is a fab way to let listeners vibe, share their thoughts, and bond over shared interests with you and others in the groups. Remember – this podcast isn’t just about you but your audience as well.
We love the idea of hosting live Q&A sessions and giveaways to show your love to your loyal listeners and build a sense of belonging that is the heart and soul of your podcast.
5. Be Mindful of Distribution
To reach your target audience and your goals with your podcast, you need to be strategic in getting your podcast out there to listeners. You’ll want to submit your podcast to the major directories in the biz, like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
Slide into partnerships with podcast networks that vibe with your niche so that you can tap into their squad and grow from there.
Lots of podcasters find success in cross-promoting with other lit podcasts or guesting on related shows to expose your podcast to new ears. Plus, this is a fun way for you to engage with other podcasters and spend some time with others who relate to your lifestyle and biz goals.
6. Consider Monetization
Even if your goal with starting your podcast wasn’t to make money, wouldn’t it be great if you could? Turning your podcast passion into a money move would be a dream. So let’s make that dream happen.
There are some great monetization options to explore, including:
Sponsorships
Bonus content
Merch
Patreon
Podcasts provide the ideal opportunity to build relationships with brands or companies that resonate with your listener squad and negotiate sponsorship deals that can make bank.
And don’t sleep on the power of your loyal listeners. They’d prob be willing to pay extra for some bonus content, throw some money into your Patreon, and even rock some cute merch to support your podcast and keep the content coming.
7. Be Consistent
We hate to break it to you, but putting a podcast episode out whenever you feel like it is not going to get you the loyal followers you want and need to make your podcast grow. You’ve got to stay on your grind with a regular release schedule to keep your squad engaged and eagerly awaiting the release of your episodes.
Once a week is enough, but if you’re inspired to do more, go for it! Just make sure your audience knows that every, say, Wednesday, they’re going to get a new podcast from you. It’s amazing how many people will schedule their days around a podcast release. That’s goals.
8. Evolve With the Podcast World
In order to keep growing in the podcast world, you need to evolve along with it. That’s why it’s an absolute must for you to listen to your squad’s feedback and adapt your content accordingly. They’ll tell you what they want to hear, and it’s your job to listen.
It’s also your job to do your homework, keep an eye on trends and new formats, and also to try out different storytelling techniques to keep your podcast fresh and hella exciting. Because no one is going to stick around if you’re stuck on old trends.
The Bottom Line
As you can see from the above, growing a lit podcast and connecting with your podcast fam takes hustle, authenticity, and a strategic mindset.
But it’s possible. With the right planning, voice, distribution, monetization, and more, you will be on your way to podcast fame.
Just keep in mind that podcast fame won’t happen overnight, so be kind and patient with yourself.
And above all, have fun! Embrace the power of podcasting and the sick connection it can create with your crew, old and new. So, grab your mic, hit that record button, and get ready to work behind the scenes to level up your podcast like the boss we know you are. The world is waiting to hear what you have to say.
To help you stay on top of trends and other rad content, follow along with the hottest Millennial and Gen-Z lifestyle content in the game with 10PM Curfew.
Sources:
What is Podcasting? | Pew Research Center
How to Build Your Personal Brand at Work | HBR
Affiliate Marketing 101: What it is and How to Get Started | Big Commerce