How to Get More Podcast Listeners Through Social Media
When it comes to making money podcasting, quality content is king. But when you’re trying to grow a dedicated following, distribution is key. With over a million shows currently fighting for a top spot in the podcasting industry, the importance of building a loyal community of loyal listeners has become just as important as the content creation itself.
To get ahead of the curve, you can’t wait for an audience to seek you out. Instead, you need to share your content with as many people in your target market as possible. And with almost 4 billion people now using social media, it has become one of the most powerful tools to get more listeners.
✴ Choosing Your Platform
While it may be tempting to join as many social media platforms as possible to grow your audience, it will serve your podcast better to strategically identify which social channels work best for you.
Even with an abundance of platforms to choose from, your target audience will spend most of their time on certain channels over others depending on a number of different factors. You’ll generally get the most value out of popular sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok but there will also be others that can help you drive growth.
✴ Build Your Profile
Before you start promoting your content on social media, take some time to build your respective pages first. Fill in profile information such as descriptions, bios, contact info or any other options your chosen social network provides.
Not only is it useful for people who actually visit your social media pages, but social media networks will also use this data to index your profile and distribute your page to even more potential listeners.
To make you stand out from the crowd, it’s helpful to incorporate the unique style and personality of your show on each of your profiles. Consistency in tone of voice and imagery will enable your listeners to associate your social channels with your podcast, while also helping you build recognition with even more potential listeners.
✴ Optimizing Your Uploads
If you truly want to see your listener numbers grow, you need to ensure all of your assets are optimized for every social media site you post on. For instance, studies have revealed that using a square format instead of landscape for Facebook uploads can result in 30-35% more video views, and an 80-100% boost in overall engagement.
Another point to note is that different platforms have different guidelines for uploads. Image dimensions are a perfect example of this. By paying attention to these finer details, you can optimize your uploads and leverage the power of social media to get more podcast listeners.
✴ Develop a Social Media Schedule
Time is money in the world of podcasting, and much like creating an editorial calendar for your episode content, you should also develop a publishing schedule for your social media uploads.
Devising and committing to a consistent posting strategy is key for growing a dedicated listener-base. Not only does it give your profile structure, but it also makes you a regular feature in people's newsfeeds.
One way to keep your podcast front of mind is asking questions and running polls. These are very easy, yet hugely effective ways to get your audience involved. You’d be surprised how many people jump at the chance to share their opinions and views, which is great for boosting engagement.
✴ Grow a Podcast with Cross-Promotional Partnerships
One of the fastest ways to get more listeners through social media is to tap into the followers of other creators. This can be achieved through cross-promotional partnerships.
Partnerships like this can take several forms and some of them are highlighted below.
✴ Guest Appearances
Collaborating with other podcasts by securing guest appearances, co-hosting, or participating in interviews is a form of indirect advertising. It will get your podcast extra recognition with a wider audience that may never have been exposed to your content otherwise.
✴ Strategic Tagging
When uploading your content, you can tag creators whose audience overlaps with your own. That way people who share common interests and consumption habits with your existing listener-base will be exposed to your content.
You’ll generally get the most traction by approaching content creators with a similar sized following to your own. If their audience is considerably larger than yours, they’ll typically be more hesitant to collaborate.
✴ A Larger Audience Can Mean a Bigger Pay Day
At the end of the day, the more listeners you have, the more desirable your podcast is to advertising partners. One of the best ways to expand your audience and make money podcasting is through a strong social media presence. By implementing the right strategy, you can drive considerable growth to your listener count.
For more information on building a solid social media foundation for your podcast, including the different tactics you can use to make money from your show, check out The Wave’s free growth guide here.
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