Launching a podcast is both an exciting and daunting process! It’s a key milestone as it marks the beginning of your podcasting journey. So it’s crucial to do it right. Even though it’s a complex endeavor, you can rock the launch of your podcast if you follow the correct strategies. It’s all about making a good impression with your target audience and hooking potential listeners with those first few episodes. The idea is to get them to subscribe and share your show with their family and friends!
When you start a podcast, the launch can be forgotten as you get caught up in all the details of the show’s content. But a killer launch is necessary to be a successful podcaster. So today we are sharing everything you need to launch your podcast! These tips will guide you step by step in the process of launching your show.
We’ll help make sure your show notes are perfect, your intros are engaging, and your descriptions are clear. We’ll also help make sure that each episode is properly categorized in iTunes so that anyone who’s looking for a podcast will be able to find yours.
Find the best launch strategies down below!
Everything You Need To Launch Your Podcast
Podcasts are a great way to get your voice heard, and they can be really fun to make. But if you’re new to the game, getting started can feel a little daunting. There’s so much to think about!
Your podcast is going to be amazing, and you’re going to want to shout it from the rooftops! But before you get too excited, there’s a lot of prep work that goes into launching a podcast.
So, aside from the necessary podcasting equipment, what does it take to launch your podcast?
Set A Launch Date And Stick To It:
When you create a podcast, you probably have a loose launch date in mind. Well, think about that launch date ahead of time to stay on top of the situation. It’s best to have a set day before you even start recording the first couple of episodes. This will help you to organize a marketing campaign and have a to-do list ready. Make sure you pick the same day of the week that you plan on releasing a new episode each week. It will show potential listeners you’re consistent and committed to the show.
Best Day To Release Podcast:
The best day to launch a podcast depends on what kind of show you’re looking to create. If you want to create an informational podcast with educational content that people will listen to while they drive or during commutes, then Monday might be the best day because it’s the start of the week and people have time after work where they can listen without distractions (or kids). If your podcast is more entertainment-based or informational but doesn’t require as much attention from listeners (like news), then Friday might be better because people are more relaxed by then and may want some entertainment during their commute home from work.
Setting a publishing schedule:
You should choose a set day every week, so listeners know what to expect. And if you are releasing 2 or 3 episodes each week, then posting on irregular intervals is also possible. If you’re unsure what publishing schedule would work best for you, ask yourself: “How often do I want my listeners to be able to expect new content?” The answer will determine how frequently you should post episodes.
Have The First Set Of Episodes Lined Up:
This is a no-brainer, but you should record and edit a few podcast episodes before the launch date. It’s important to be sure the audio quality of these files are high. Plus you’ll want to make sure the episodes are not only recorded but also edited. It’s better to be prepared than to record half an hour of content and have no clue what to do with it! Lastly, make sure you create an engaging podcast description! Then… once you have the first set of episodes ready to go, you can continue with the other launch preparations. But never launch a show without at least three to five episodes ready!
Think about the length of each episode:
This depends on how long it takes for you to get through all your material—but keep in mind that if the episode length is too short, people may not feel like they got their money’s worth out of it (and if it’s too long, they might not finish listening). Generally speaking, the sweet spot for most popular podcasts is about 20-30 minutes per episode. Unless you content is super engaging, anything more than an hour has the potential to start losing listeners.
Consider who your audience will be and where they’ll be listening from:
Are they going to be listening while waiting in line at the DMV? Are they going to be sitting down with their earbuds plugged in while on their morning walk?
Podcasting is an amazing way to reach people who are interested in what you have to say, but only if they can actually hear it! Your can find your target audience by researching your niche, interest, and/or similar podcasts/competition. Knowing where their listening from via streaming services is also helpful, because you’ll know what platform to list on first! Because, that’s where where your audience is!
It’s much more likely your listeners will tune in if they already use that platform whereas they are less likely to listen if they have to change/download/get a new platform.
Prepare A Professional Cover Art And A Logo:
If you want to promote your show on social media and submit it to the podcast directories, you’ll need high-quality cover art and a logo. These should be representative of your show’s content and include the name of the podcast loud and clear. The logo should be unique and attractive to potential listeners within your niche. You want people to recognize it at a first glance and immediately link it to your brand. The cover art is the main image of your show and it should be a direct reflection of your podcast’s personality and content. As the host, it can be a great idea to be featured on the cover.
Podcast artwork is a crucial part of how listeners will perceive your podcast. The cover art is what gets people’s attention, and it’s what they’ll see when they’re browsing the web, or on their smartphone. It should be professional, clean, and attractive.
If you’re not super familiar with graphic design, we recommend that you hire a designer to create a logo for your podcast to go along with the artwork. A logo can help brand your podcast and make it recognizable in the marketplace. Especially if you already have a solid following!
Promotional Social Media Content:
Growing your podcast requires a tremendous amount of marketing and social media effort. It’s best that you choose 1-2 of the social media platforms your target audience uses the MOST and roll with them. Otherwise social media management can get super overwhelming, and it could not be doing that much for you. Especially if your target audience doesn’t use that platform.
This includes social media channels, your email list, etc. Content distribution can boost your listening rates if the promotion is done right. Always include information about the theme of your show and call to action in every one of your marketing efforts. And make sure to have a few aesthetic posts lined up closer to the launch date.
Promoting your podcast on social media also gives you access to a wider variety of audiences than just those who listen through iTunes or Google Play Music. You’ll be able to reach people who aren’t necessarily active listeners but who have friends or family members who are, as well as people who might be interested in listening because they’ve heard good things about your show from others.
When promoting your podcast on social media, make sure you’re posting about it regularly so people can stay up-to-date with all the latest episodes and information about upcoming releases. Then you can tease your followers with the podcast a couple of weeks in advance. This will hype them up for the show!
Create A Professional Podcast Website And Social Media Channels:
Your podcast needs a central hub. For this, a website is pretty much non-negotiable. If you get the SEO and marketing efforts right, it will help potential listeners find your show. All the relevant information about your podcast should be in the same section. And it’s important to include podcasting platforms and social media links. You can also include on your website a small bio with information about yourself and your journey to becoming a podcast host. As for dedicated social media accounts for your podcasts, these are optional but highly recommended. The stronger the online presence of your podcast, the more popular it will become!
Record A Podcast Trailer:
Just like movies and TV shows when they release a tempting trailer to hype potential viewers, podcasts have teaser trailers. A podcast trailer it’s meant to captivate potential listeners into subscribing to your show and being alert for when the first batch of episodes drops. A solid teaser can help your podcast reach the right audience! Think of it as the highlight reel for everything that’s coming up in your show. It should include the best clips, the most inspiring quotes, and a quick promo at the end. It’s crucial to mention the launch date and include a call to action for everyone to subscribe and follow the podcast’s social media. If you do it properly, you’ll have more listeners commit to your show!
Be A Guest On Other Podcasts:
Leading up to your official launch date, appearing as a guest on someone else’s show can do wonders for promoting your upcoming podcast. Even if the episode isn’t released after your podcast has already launched, it’s still fantastic to get that early publicity. Ideally, it will be a podcast somehow related to your niche and target audience. But it can be any type of show. Just make sure to talk about your upcoming or newly released podcast when recording the episode!
Submit Your Show’s RSS Feed To The Directories:
This task will most likely be done in partnership with your media host. Once you have your podcast RSS feed ready and your podcasting web hosting all set up, it’s time to send it to all the major directories. The RSS feed allows listeners to subscribe to your show and get regular notifications when you post a new podcast episode. It’s crucial to have it ready by the launch date. Otherwise, you might have trouble loyalizing your audience!
If you want to get your podcast on the radar of potential listeners, you need to submit your RSS feed to directories. These are places where people can find new podcasts and listen to them. There are many different directories available, but we’ll cover the most popular ones here.
Upload Your Podcast To As Many Podcatchers As Possible:
Podcatchers are podcast directories, but they go further away than the big 5. There are hundreds of small podcatchers on the internet. These apps and online sites collect and play podcasts. And each one of them offers a brand new opportunity to have your show featured on the front page. This is why you should submit your show to every single one of them – they assist with discovery! A few of the best ones are Overcast, Stitcher, and Podcast Republic.
Plan A Launch Contest Or Giveaway:
This one might depend on your budget, but a launch giveaway or contest can boost your engagement. Try to offer an exclusive giveaway for every one of your followers that subscribes to your show in advance. And announce the winners on the launch date! And don’t panic if there’s no budget to offer a material prize like services, merchandise, or access to a paid online membership. You can always put forward an exclusive interview, a 5-minute spot on the show, or a shoutout at the end of a podcast episode. Just make sure you promote this action heavily on social media!
Have Your Future Guests Ready Before Launching:
You should have some sort of blueprint for the entire first season before you launch your show into the world. Most importantly, if you plan on bringing guests to your podcast: get in touch with them early! It’s key to contact any potential guests as soon as you’re sure you want them on board. Map out the content for every podcast episode of the first season and don’t let time pass you by. Have your future guests ready at the moment of the launch! For more on how to book guests for our podcast, see this post.
Collab With Influencers From Your Niche:
It’s all about networking! Influencers can be a powerful asset for helping your podcast reach a wider audience. Reach out to people from your niche and ask if they would be open to cross-promoting each other’s content. They can create hype for your podcast and you can give them a shoutout or tag them in a social media post. Create synergy with influencers from your niche and you’ll soon have a whole new group of potential subscribers. Plus, maybe you can invite them as guests to your show! There are so many possibilities for creative collaboration. So don’t be shy and put yourself out there. It will help to expand your brand and popularity!
Plan A Virtual Launch Party To Promote Your Podcast:
A party is certainly a great way to cause a fuss! This could be either in-person or remote but bear in mind that the event should be shared online to reach more people. The party can be the night or weekend before the release date or the very day your podcast launches. It’s completely up to you. Though, if it’s a virtual event, it could be fun to do a live countdown to when the show becomes available for all listeners. A party is an amazing way to connect with your audience, grow your following, and let more people know about your upcoming show. These details help to boost the engagement of your podcast and generate brand awareness!
Podcast Launch Checklist
Before you hit “publish,” there are a few things you’ll want to check off your list. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of finally being able to share your voice with the world. But it’s important to remember that your listeners will be spending time with YOU.
Here are a few things we recommend checking off before launching your podcast:
- + Set a launch date and stick to it.
- + Have the first set of episodes lined up.
- + Prepare professional cover art and a logo.
- + Promote through social media.
- + Record a podcast trailer.
- + Be a guest on other podcasts.
- + Submit your show’s RSS feed to the other directories.
- + Create a professional podcast website and social media channels
- + Upload your podcast to as many podcatchers as possible.
- + Plan a launch contest or giveaway.
- + Have your future guests ready before launching.
- + Collab with influencers from your niche.
- + Plan a virtual launch party to promote your podcast.
Are you getting ready to launch your podcast?
So that’s everything you need to launch your podcast! It’s a huge milestone. When you make it to this point, you should be proud! If you follow these strategies, your launch will be a total success. Just make sure to plan every detail and give yourself enough time to prepare for the release date.
You know what they say: “It’s all in the details.” That’s why we’ve got you covered for every last detail! And for more info on launch needs like podcast editing software, podcast format, or podcast hosting services, click here.
Start by making sure that you’re using the right equipment and have a solid grasp of the basics of podcasting. Then, make sure that you have a catchy title, description and artwork so people will be able to find and enjoy your show. Make sure to go through the technical side of things as well: be sure that your sound quality is up to par, and that you’re not infringing on any copyrights or trademarks!
Once you’ve got all this stuff down pat, it’s time for the fun part: recording and editing! Pick out some interesting topics for your episodes and start recording them—you never know what might happen!
Are you about to launch your podcast? What are some of your favorite strategies leading up to it? Tell us all about your show in the comments! We’d love to hear about your personal experiences within this industry. Also remember you can always come back to our blog for more podcasting tips and tricks, as well as terrific show recommendations. Good luck launching your podcasts!