“Growing your podcast audience takes time and effort. Experiment with different strategies, be patient, and consistently create content you know your listeners will love.”

Okay, so you’ve launched your podcast and it’s going well – but now you are thinking “how can I grow my podcast and reach a wider audience?”

Here at Bulletproof Studios, we’ve witnessed countless podcasts transform from solo shows to vibrant communities. And if you haven't started your podcast yet and need a bit more encouragement - check out our blog on "10 Reasons to Start a Podcast" for more hints and tips.

So, stay tuned as we have some great top tips to get your podcast the audience it deserves in 2024… 👊

1. Podcast with your audience in mind

First and foremost... It’s your podcast, sure, but who are you trying to reach? What do you want your audience to do/think/act off the back of it? Have you identified who your listener is? If not that is really something you want to have a look at.

• Who do you want to listen to your podcast?

• What are they interested in?

• What other podcasts are they listening to?

• What content would resonate with them?

Craft episodes with your target audience in mind. This will make your podcast more engaging and keep listeners coming back for more.

2.   Leverage the Power of Guests

Inviting guests on your podcast can be audience magnets. They bring their own fan base and social media reach, exposing your podcase to a wh9ole new pool of listeners.  

Remember to make it as easy as possible for your guests to share content about the podcast…

A great thing that we offer here at Bulletproof Studios is a host and guest package that streamlines content sharing. Once the episode is live, simply send your guest a pre-made social media kit including the episode link, visuals, and pre-written posts. This makes promotion effortless, increasing the chances your guest will share the episode.

And don’t forget to collaborate on Instagram too when sharing clips to really leverage both audiences.

3.    Use social media to promote your content in the RIGHT way

Podcasts can be content repurposing gold mines! Pull out the best bits form each episodes and transform them into bite-sized social media clips for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. These snippets give viewers a taste of your content and entice them to listen to the full episode.

But remember, optimisation is key!  

Tailor your clips to fit each platform’s style to maximise social media engagement (think watch time, shares, saves and likes).

Here’s a quick check list:

• A strong hook: to engage the viewer and stop the scroll

• Context is key: Briefly explain the clips topic to give viewers a reason to care

• Keep it snappy: Use quick and concise cuts to keep the view interested

• Visual enhancements: Add in punch-ins and zooms to keep the viewer engaged

• Captions are clutch: Not only helping with SEO but also great for views watching without sound

Think from a new viewers perspective. If you were them would you want to watch the whole video if you had never seen the creator before?

If yes: Go for it, post it

If no: run it through the optimization process until you would.

Existing fans might watch anything you create, but if you are wanting to reach a new audience – remember NOBODY knows you so you won’t have this privilege, so invest the time in creating engaging content.

4.    Consistency is KEY

Many people listen to podcasts as part of their daily/weekly routine. So, if you commit to a regular posting schedule you can train your listeners to know when to expect new content. This can be a great way to help you build a following and a community of engaged listeners. It’s really as simple as that!

5.   SEO for Podcasts? You bet!

Search Engine Optimisation isn’t just for blogs and websites anymore. It applies to podcast discoverability too.

Many of the best podcasts are easily found by search engines when searching for a certain topic so make sure you are ticking the SEO boxes.

Your podcast title and description should be catchy and include relevant keywords. Descriptions should provide a clear summary of what the listener can expect from the episode whilst including key words. But remember, quality SEO is about using keywords naturally, not keyword stuffing.

6. Encourage listeners to leave a review on their preferred platform

We all rely on ratings and reviews these days, from restaurants to podcasts While they might not directly influence charts or search, they can easily sway listeners who are exploring new shows.

Many listeners check reviews before subscribing, and positive reviews showcase your show's dedicated fan base.  Leaving a review might not always be second nature, so give your listeners a gentle nudge. Briefly explain how reviews help your podcast grow during your show. And if you get stellar reviews, use them to create even more content!

7. Connect Beyond the Podcast

Remember that your podcast is likely to be just one element of your marketing strategy. So don’t limit the time you are speaking to your audience just on the podcast. Engage with them on social media, newsletters and blogs too.

By being active on multiple platforms, you cater to different audience preferences and create a more holistic experience for your listeners. They'll feel a stronger connection to you and your podcast, keeping them engaged and coming back for more.

•  Social Media: A playground for sharing teasers, behind-the-scenes snippets, polls, and engaging discussions related to your podcast topics. Host live Q&A sessions to directly connect with listeners

• Email Newsletters: Build an email list and send out regular newsletters with exclusive content, recaps and highlights of episodes. This is a great way to keep your audience engaged in between episodes

• Blogs: Write blog posts to expand on podcast tips, offer additional resources, or share guest bios This can drive traffic back to your podcast and establish yourself as an authority in your niche.

Remember, growing your podcast audience takes time and effort. Experiment with different strategies, be patient, and consistently create content you know your listeners will love.

And if you need a studio to record or a team of pretty cool people to edit it for you – you know where we are…

Find out more about podcasting at Bulletproof Studios.