Podcasting has literally never been more popular than it is today. There are TONS of new podcasts being released on a daily basis, by a host of creative, talented, and inspiring up-and-comers. So that’s why now more than ever, it’s important to make sure your podcast stands out – not only in content, but in quality as well.
There are so many reasons to start a podcast, from fulfilling your passion to using it as a marketing tool to boost your business. Whatever your “why”, the right skills, techniques, and strategies can help you create content that your audience would LOVE to listen to. And that’s where you really want to be.
Still, it can take a while to learn the ins and outs of successful podcasting. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s more about finding what works best for you and your future goals.
HOWEVER, one way to skip some of the initial stress – those novice mistakes, trials and errors, and technical frustrations – is to take time to learn from the experts. This can drastically speed up the whole process of launching (and maintaining) a podcast, and can prevent SO MANY unnecessary headaches.
Here at Dear Media, we consider ourselves one of those experts. So, we’re sharing a roundup of practical and effective tips that can not only help you get your podcast off the ground, but set your podcast up for success down the road.
Let’s dive in, shall we?
15 Tips For A Successful Podcast
Choose your podcast niche wisely.
Your podcast niche is the general topic of your podcast. There are two factors to consider when choosing your podcast niche.
First, are you passionate about your chosen niche? You should be, because you’ll be talking about topics within that niche a lot. Make sure you choose a niche you can consistently create new content about and that you enjoy.
Second, ensure that there is a large audience out there that will be interested in your chosen niche. If your topic is too niche, you may have a hard time finding new listeners. However, if your topic is too broad, you may struggle to gain a loyal following.
Invest in the right equipment.
The right equipment can make a big difference in the overall quality and success of your podcast. Not to mention the time you will save editing – whew. This includes physical equipment and various recording and editing software.
When choosing podcasting equipment, general factors to consider include price, capabilities, and room for growth. You may also want to consider monetization and marketing features within your chosen software as well. For a list of necessary equipment, including our product and software recommendations, click here.
Ensure top notch recording quality.
In the world of podcasting – the better your sound quality, the better your chances of success. This is a fact. Listeners, as well as paying advertisers, prefer professional grade audio quality over lower-grade, harder to hear audio.
The best way to ensure high-quality audio is to invest in quality equipment (microphones, microphone accessories, audio interfaces, mixers, editing and recording software, etc.) Other ways to improve audio quality are to practice, create a good recording environment, and learn the ins and outs of your editing software. (Editing tips, here.)
Edit smarter, not harder.
Before releasing each new podcast episode, you should always take some time to edit. The editing process ensures you’re giving your listeners your best work. Bare minimum, you should level your audio, reduce background noises, and remove mistakes.
However, when you edit, we encourage you to work smarter, not harder. Instead of completing each editing task on your own, we recommend utilizing quality editing software. Most popular editing software will complete basic editing tasks for you and take some of the stress out of your post-production routine.
Create quality content.
Now this one might sound like a no-brainer, but we feel like it’s important enough to include anyway. In order to grow and maintain an army of loyal listeners, you must create HIGH-QUALITY content.
And not only should your content be high-quality, it should be relevant, engaging, valuable, and informative. Ensure that your content is geared for your target audience and that it is always reflective of you, your personality, and your brand.
Incorporate video content.
Video podcasting is becoming more and more popular everyday. For example, take TSC: Him and Her and The Joe Rogan Experience. Both video podcasts, both insanely popular. Creating quality content is enough to make your podcast successful, but adding that extra visual layer can really set your podcast apart from the rest.
Plus, recording visual content is PERFECT for marketing your podcast on social media. Need tips on how to create a video podcast? We’ve got you covered. Check out our articles on how to make a video podcast and the best cameras for video podcasting.
Make SEO a priority.
When it comes to marketing your podcast to potential listeners, SEO must be a priority. Ensuring that your podcast ranks higher on search engines and on social media platforms is key, because that’s how your potential listeners will locate your content.
Here are some key SEO tips to keep in mind:
- Keep all your content ‘on brand’.
- Utilize the same colors, fonts, and mottos across all platforms.
- Utilize relevant and valuable hashtags.
- Include SEO keywords in your podcast titles, descriptions, and summaries.
- Release podcast transcripts that also include SEO keywords
Release content on a consistent schedule.
Listeners are always in search of new content. So, keep your listeners around by releasing fresh, new content each and every week. And if you can, twice a week. This goes for releasing podcast episodes and posting content on social media platforms.
This is where some organization, time-management, and scheduling will really come in handy. To make this process so much easier, we recommend getting acquainted with a few key podcasting apps. Think Google Calendar (or really, the whole Google Workspace), Planoly, PodMatch, and Descript.
Routinely seek out new listeners.
For the best chances of success, you should strive to routinely seek out new listeners. Luckily, there are tons of ways to accomplish this task.
First and foremost, you’ll want to identify platforms that your target audience utilizes. This will encompass podcast directories and social media platforms. By identifying where your target audience is located, you can better reach them.
Then, when you’re ready to market, we recommend making all kinds of posts. This includes, but isn’t limited to, episode trailers and teasers, behind-the-scenes clips, photos, videos, stories, and more. Like we mentioned earlier, take care to ensure that all your content is on-brand, relevant, and valuable.
Popular directories include Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and iHeartRadio. Popular social media platforms include Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok, and LinkedIn.
Market on multiple platforms.
In most cases, you’ll find your target audience uses more than one platform. So, we recommend utilizing more than just one platform to market your podcast. Identify which platforms your listeners use the most, then market across all those platforms.
When it comes to directories, we recommend submitting your podcast to as many directories as possible, starting with the ones your target audience uses the most. And for social media, we recommend choosing one or two platforms that your listeners use most. Luckily, content scheduling apps like Planoly allow you to share the same content across multiple platforms, making this process so much easier.
Connect with your audience.
Another key way to ensure the success of your podcast is to form a strong connection with your audience members. This will make your listeners feel more involved and connected to you and your content. And in the long run, this connection will keep them coming back for more.
Here are some practical ways to form connections and create a community with your listeners:
- Respond to listeners’ comments and questions.
- Shout out loyal listeners.
- Engage with your followers on social media (commenting, liking, responding to DM’s).
- Host giveaways, polls, votes, etc.
- Ask for and respond to listener feedback.
Seek partnerships within the industry.
Since we just talked about forming connections with your audience members, we should also note that it’s equally important to make connections with other professionals, podcasters, and big names in your niche as well.
Not only will this build your community, but it also gives you the opportunity to form mutually beneficial brand partnerships. Partnerships that can increase your credibility within your niche and increase your overall website traffic and listener count.
There’s a lot that goes into creating a mutually beneficial brand collaboration. So before you jump right in, ensure that each party fully understands the goals and expectations of the respective partnership.
Consider multiple monetization options.
If you want to turn your podcast into a full-fledged business, you’ll need to start considering your revenue stream sooner rather than later. Luckily, there are tons of ways to monetize a podcast. Think podcast ads (ad revenue), affiliate marketing (affiliate links and affiliate sales), selling online courses, products or services, and even hosting live events.
You’ll first need to decide which monetization method works best for you and your brand. If you’re passionate about promoting products to your listeners, affiliate marketing sounds like a good place to start. If you don’t mind incorporating ads into your podcast, consider ad revenue.
Whichever monetization method you choose, we recommend starting with at least a few options. This way, you can complete some trial and error, and see what your listeners respond to most.
Learn from others in the industry.
Want your podcast to be successful? Start by learning from other professionals and experts in the industry. There are a couple of ways to do this. You can listen to other podcasts in your niche, read or watch helpful content (like this blog), or ask for feedback from more experienced podcasters. For the best results, try all three!
The good news is, you’ve already started this process simply by reading this article! Invest some time into this process, look at what’s working (and not working) within your own podcast, and then make adjustments from there. Trust us when we say, this isn’t a step you want to skip.
Reflect and grow.
Speaking of steps you don’t want to skip, here’s another one that is non-negotiable. Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to step back from your work and evaluate the success of your podcast. What could you do better? How could you reach more listeners? What are other podcasters doing that you’re not? Are you keeping up with relevant content?
Ask yourself these questions and more as you take time to reflect on your podcast and how far you’ve come. As you identify things you could be doing better, adapt and overcome! Grow! Don’t let the fear of trying something new hold you back from taking your podcast to the next level!
How Much Money Can You Make From A Successful Podcast
The question that everyone is asking – how much money can you make from a successful podcast? Well, it depends. On average, a podcaster with around 10,000 downloads makes around $500-$900 per episode. However, more popular podcasts can earn up to 30 million a year. Like we said – it depends.
In general, podcasters make money depending on how many downloads they receive. And no, you don’t need a million downloads. To start securing sponsorship and advertising opportunities, your podcast will need to garner around 50,000 monthly downloads.
BUT, keep in mind that even podcasts with smaller audiences are eligible for TONS of podcast monetization options, like affiliate programs, small biz advertisements, and more. So, don’t let your listener count hold you back from exploring multiple methods of smart passive income.
Utilize these tips to give your podcast the best chances of success possible!
Here at Dear Media, we’re all about lifting up podcast hosts just like you and setting them on the right path towards success. So, keep these tips in your back pocket as you start your podcast and begin to navigate this crazy, competitive world of podcasting!
For more information on all things podcasting and living your best, most productive life, head on over to the Dear Media Blog. And while you’re there, be sure to check out our secrets to a successful podcast as well. With our quality advice and your determination to succeed, your podcast will be trending in no time, and we can’t wait to hear it!!!