So, you have published your podcast. What next? You need to promote it on the right channel at the right time to attract potential listeners and build your listernship. There are several ways to promote a podcast, but certain tactics work better than others. It’s time to learn how to promote your podcast. 

In this post, we will be discussing 25 effective strategies on how to promote your podcast without breaking the bank. From utilizing social media platforms to engaging with listeners, these are surefire tactics that any podcaster can use to start building their audience from scratch. So if you’re ready to take your podcast promotion game up a notch, then let’s get started!

1. Factors to Consider When Promoting Your Podcast

• Target Audience

When promoting your podcast, it is crucial to consider your target audience and the best way to reach them. One effective way to do this is by leveraging any existing audience you may have, such as following on social media or subscribers to your email list. Creating content tailored to this specific group can increase your podcast’s engagement and lead to a supportive community’s growth. Understanding who you want to reach and how best to connect with them can be an essential step in helping your podcast gain visibility.

• Platforms/Channels

Promoting your podcast requires understanding which platforms and channels will yield the greatest return. You want to ensure you are promoting on platforms that reflect your content’s unique style and approach, allowing you to reach the audience who will be most interested in what you offer. When used strategically, you can create more opportunities for exposure, grow viewership, and achieve your goals. 

• Budget

When budgeting for promotional activities around your podcast, you must clearly understand how you want your promos to sound and what results you want to achieve. If you want to spend on paid advertising, you will be charged a CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impressions) basis. Therefore, you should consider those impressions that will lead to listeners rather than generic views. When budgeting for promotion, focus on producing quality ads that will yield measurable results. 

2. 25 Strategies on How to Promote Your Podcast

2.1. Planning & Strategy

2.1.1. Throw a Launch Party

A podcast launch party allows you to connect with your listeners at an emotional level. Before you work to grow your podcast, you should identify your target audience. Choose the theme and location of your podcast launch party based on your audience demographics. For instance, consider offering a course if your podcast is for teenagers.  

If your podcast streams locally, in-person events will attract a local crowd. Conversely, virtual events can extend your reach if you have a national or international audience. Make sure to build a marketing plan tailored to your podcast launch announcement using tools like – Snappa, Canva, Pablo, or Visme to spread the word about your event. 

2.1.2. Create a Unique Landing Page

If you are wondering how to promote your podcast and get a broader reach, a well-designed landing page is a must. Besides a feature-rich website, you need an attractive landing page with multiple ‘Subscribe’ links, a detailed description of your show, a list of recent episodes, social media contact details, and an email newsletter signup form.  

Several online tools like Dribble, Leadpages, Lander, ShortStack, and Pagewizhelp you create stunning landing pages with simple drag-and-drop. In addition, you can find numerous predesigned templates with compelling headlines, CTAs, buttons, and social proof. Here are some podcast landing page templates for inspiration – Podcasty, Earbasco, Podcasting, and Lattice.   

2.1.3. Use Back Catalog

A back catalog is a collection of previously recorded episodes. Adding old podcast episodes to the landing page, website, or evergreen episodes can help you grab your audience’s attention. Adding back catalog episodes doesn’t seem like an opportunity, but they will remain relevant and add value.  

Over time, you will add more episodes, which may not pique the attention of listeners. You can efficiently engage potential listeners by mentioning a topic you have covered in a previous episode. Additionally, back catalog podcasts can be listened to and shared regularly. For instance, you can add a quick link “if you want to know more about work-life balance, check out episode #20, where Daniel gave some tips.” Do not forget to link it in the show notes. Britney Spears The Back Catalog Podcast is the best example of promoting your podcast using a back catalog.

2.1.4. Prompt Your Listeners to Subscribe, Like & Share

Like, Share, and Subscribe are the important Call-to-Actions (CTAs) that should be positioned at the beginning and end of the episodes. A CTA is an instruction to the audience inviting them to take action after consuming your content. The CTAs you create for your listeners should be simple and crisp, as your listeners are unlikely to “rewind” to catch the meaning. Use one well-established and straightforward CTA – instead of multiple Podcast CTAs throughout the episode. 

Besides, ask your listeners to contribute story ideas, encourage them to share your podcast on their social media feeds, invite them to listen to previous episodes, instruct them to purchase merchandise, and so on. Whether to include it at the beginning, middle, or end – make sure it fits into your overall brand strategy. 

2.1.5. Convert Podcasts Into Videos

Converting your podcasts into videos is an effective way to promote your brand. You can get double the exposure by repurposing your podcasts into MP3 or MP4 audio format and uploading them on YouTube. Then, add your podcast logo as a thumbnail and links to cards throughout the video. 

You can even record audio and video podcasts as you create an episode. Viewers are more likely to connect with video podcasts than static images on their screens. Further, you can trim your converted videos into short clips and upload them to YouTube as shorts. Recast, Media, EchoWave, and MotionBox are some of the best online tools to convert podcasts to videos. 

2.1.6. Transcribe the Episodes

A podcast transcript is a word-to-word translation of what was spoken during the episodes. Adding transcripts to podcast episodes is another solution if you are looking for ways – how to promote your podcast. Podcast transcription not only offers SEO benefits but increased accessibility for individuals.  

To save time and money, you can highlight key portions of your episodes instead of transcribing the entire podcast. This makes it more attractive for users who expect video content on social media platforms. Additionally, you can utilize podcast transcription software to convert your podcasts and reach millions of listeners automatically. Sonix, Trint, GoTranscript, and Happy Scribe are some podcast transcription software to try.  

2.2. Search Engine Optimisation

2.2.1. Optimize Your Podcast for Search Engines

Since Google’s announcement in 2019 that it would surface podcasts in search results, there has been a significant change in the visibility of podcasts in search results. Podcast SEO is a great way to ensure that your podcast is discoverable by users and adequately indexed by search engines. Optimizing podcasts for search engines increases the likelihood of reaching more people and growing the audience. You should focus on practices such as implementing keyword research, creating high-quality meta descriptions, and tagging episodes with appropriate keywords to ensure they are visible to potential listeners. 

Besides, structuring podcast episodes with well-crafted titles, subtitles, and engaging summaries can make podcasting more discoverable, as search engine algorithms consider these elements when developing their rankings. For some, podcast SEO may not be the most exciting task, but it is essential for gaining greater visibility for your work.

2.2.2. Submit to Podcast Directories

Submitting to podcast directories is an excellent way for podcast creators to promote their work. It is a fast and efficient method that can be used to gain listeners worldwide. By submitting a podcast to podcast directories, it will become available in dozens of locations, increasing visibility and chances of discovery by potential new listeners. 

Additionally, submitting to podcast directories allows podcasters to gain access to data such as downloads and ratings, which provides necessary insights into listener engagement and performance on different platforms. With this information, podcasters can effectively refine their content and make informed decisions about their podcast to maximize its success. You’ll need an RSS feed for all podcast directories to submit your podcast to the major directories. Some popular podcast directories to submit your podcast are – Apple Podcasts, CastBox, Goodpods, and iVoox. 

2.2.3. Ask for Online Reviews

If you have recently launched a podcast, the best way to achieve growth and recognition is to ask your listeners for online reviews. Reviews encourage more podcast downloads, podcast sharing, and podcast subscriptions on various platforms. In addition, they help with podcast promotion and provide crucial feedback that can be used to improve the podcast content or style. 

Encourage your audience and build your podcast platform with online reviews that bring more listeners on board. You can approach your listeners via email, social media, website, or even podcast asking them to give podcast reviews and ratings. In addition, you can send out surveys or offer some gifts as incentives to give their feedback. 

2.3. Content Outreach

2.3.1. Promote Your Podcast on Reddit

Promoting your podcast on Reddit is a great way to get the word out and attract new listeners. You can start by joining subreddits (forums) in your target audience’s interest areas. Additionally, participate in conversations and establish yourself as an expert in the topics you discuss on your podcast. When you have a new episode to share, post it as a new thread with an accompanying image and a brief description of its contents. 

Besides, you can use keywords relevant to the episode to help people find it during searches. Finally, be sure to answer any comments or questions from viewers throughout the conversation, which can help increase engagement and encourage further sharing of your content. Promote Your Podcast on Reddit today for an effective way to gain more exposure for your show.

2.3.2. Repurpose Your Podcast Content

Repurposing content from a podcast is an effective method to maximize the impact of your content by ensuring a more diverse and far-reaching reach. Repurposing podcast content involves taking small portions of the podcast to create compelling material, such as social media posts, blog articles, and visual graphics. 

These materials can be used across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest to attract viewers, create reference material for viewers, or even serve as promotional or advertising materials that link back to the original podcast. Repurposing content is an opportunity for podcasters to get creative and make their podcasts stand out to attract new audiences and boost engagement with existing listeners.

2.3.3. Create a Podcast Newsletter

Email newsletters for podcasts are an effective form of marketing that can help to gain traction. Creating a newsletter centered around your podcast is a great way to connect with listeners and keep them up-to-date with all the latest episodes within your show. You can use predesigned podcast newsletter templates to create a newsletter with ease.  
An email newsletter should include information such as upcoming episode details, links to recent episodes, special offers, giveaways, and other engaging content that your listeners would be interested in. Not only will email marketing help spread the word about your podcast, but it also has the potential to increase website click-through rates, which can lead to opportunities such as sponsorships or subscriptions.

2.4. Social Media

2.4.1. Share on Social Media

Promoting their work on social media is an appealing and effective option for many podcasters. To successfully promote a podcast on social media, you should incorporate stunning visuals such as graphics and videos, use relevant hashtags, run competitions, collaborate with others through Instagram stories, and regularly produce quality content. 

Instagram is among the best social media to promote podcast due to its large user base, ability to reach target audiences, and vast assortment of features. By incorporating the best social media strategy for your podcast, you might find the perfect way to captivate the online community — until your subsequent episode launches.

2.4.2. Do a Giveaway or Contest

One of the most creative ways to promote podcast is by hosting giveaways or contests. Hosting such competitions engages listeners and encourages the existing audience to stay connected with the podcast. Giveaways or contests can include prizes ranging from digital, such as exclusive access to extra audio content, to physical items like t-shirts, pen stands, or mugs. Here is an example of a giveaway contest by the Writing Roots Podcast. 

Moreover, if designed correctly, they give additional publicity through word-of-mouth or cross-promotion collaborations. Many podcasters and digital marketers use contests, sweepstakes, and giveaways as important tactics to promote their work. You can use SweepWidget, Woorise, ShortStack, and Wishpond to create giveaways and social media contests.  

2.4.3. Build a Community

Building a community of podcast lovers is crucial to promote your podcast and gaining more visibility. To create an online community, you need to follow simple steps like – posting consistently, being active when responding to comments, and using appropriate hashtags to reach new listeners. Additionally, creating compelling episodes and having podcast links on social media help entice potential listeners and make sure they take notice of the podcast. 
To build trust and reputation, you should make it easier for listeners to contact you. Creating a forum on Facebook groups allows listeners to find their voice and build relationships. Before strengthening your community, create something people actively want to listen to. Remember that you can’t develop a community without creating a great show. Might Networks, Circle, Discourse, and Discord are a few online platforms that help you build influential communities.   

2.4.4. Find Partners to Mention Your Brand

Promoting a podcast can be overwhelming, especially as a one-person team. However, finding strategic partners to help create buzz around your podcast can be a game changer. Reach out to partners in your niche who share the same values you do and ask if they would be interested in mentioning your show on their websites or social media platforms. 
This strategy is invaluable for increased outreach and for connecting with new listeners. Take the time to find ideal partners who will gladly shout out about your podcast; it could take off from there. In addition, you can use tools like Digitmind, Brand24, AgoraPulse, and YouScan to discover social media mentions of your brand.

2.5. Influencer Outreach

2.5.1. Be a Guest on Other Shows

If you are looking for effective strategies on how to promote your podcast – become a guest on other shows, regardless of whether they are established podcasts or radio programs. By appearing as a guest on different platforms/channels, you can expand your audience and widen the reach of your message. 
Additionally, it provides an opportunity to showcase your expertise in the field and give subtle hints that would lead audiences back to your broadcast. By providing a teaser of what you offer as part of your podcast, you gain new subscribers and listeners who already have some context about the topics you discuss. You can even join podcasting groups on platforms like – Meetup, Eventbrite, and Universe to swap ideas and techniques and learn from other podcasters

2.5.2. Bring Guests to Your Show

Promoting your podcast by bringing on interesting guests to feature on your show is vital. This can bring fresh content and lure in potential new listeners who are fans of the guest. In addition, having repeat guests helps release consistent content about a particular topic or person and establish familiarity with the audience. 

You can engage new audiences and expand your reach with creative marketing strategies. You can also keep up the excitement by bringing captivating guests that introduce something new to the conversation every time they join your show!

2.5.3. Word-Of-Mouth Recommendations

Word-of-mouth recommendations are compelling and aid in building relationships with current and potential customers. Promoting your podcast through word-of-mouth marketing will allow you to reach a larger audience and generate buzz around your podcast. It will also encourage audiences to take action by engaging with your content.

The best thing is – word-of-mouth marketing tactics are cost-effective and often result in higher levels of loyalty than other traditional methods of promotion. For these reasons, using some form of word-of-mouth marketing to promote your podcast is essential.

2.5.4. Network With Podcasters

Networking with other podcasters can be an effective way to generate more exposure for your show and build relationships within the industry. Finding successful podcasts in a similar niche or with the same values is a great place to start. 

Then, create meaningful content related to their podcast and build constructive conversations. Mutual support between other podcasters is essential when spreading your message and ideas. Investing time to network with other podcasters can help you increase listenership and grow your audience. iHeartRadio, Wondery, WNYC Studios, and Gimlet Media are some popular podcast networks. 

2.5.5. Set Up Cross-Promotion

Creating an effective cross-promotion plan for your podcast can be another great strategy to build awareness and extend its reach. This can involve interacting with other content creators, leveraging their audience through social media, and encouraging listeners of both podcasts to subscribe and review. 

Consider sponsoring another podcast or inviting a guest from a similar show to yours and then promoting the episode on both podcasts’ social platforms. Then, create an online challenge with a specific call-to-action that allows you to use the hashtag on multiple channels. Once you establish strong working relationships with like-minded people in your community, you can spread your message far and wide in no time.

2.5.6. Leverage Influencer Marketing

Promoting your podcast can be a great way to increase its reach and attract new listeners. One excellent way to do this is leveraging influencer marketing – through partnering with influential figures online; you can use their platforms and audiences to enrich your own. As a result, you can effectively grow your immediate audience and increase awareness among people who may not even know about the podcast yet but could become fans. 

When looking for influencers to work with, make sure that the values and identity of the podcast are genuinely reflected by their message, so that collaboration will be mutually beneficial and rewarding.

2.7. PR Strategy

2.7.1. Get Media Exposure With Haro

Promoting your podcast can be challenging, especially in today’s highly competitive media landscape. Haro (Help A Reporter Out) can help you rise above the noise and get the media exposure you need. They provide a platform for journalists, podcasters, and influencers to source information. 

This creates an opportunity for you to connect with influential media outlets and gain actionable insights that will make your promotional efforts more effective. They also offer easy-to-use tools to identify interesting stories and create content that resonates with industry professionals. With HARO, you can get the media exposure your podcast requires.

2.8. Paid Advertising

2.8.1. Advertise on Podcast Apps

Promoting your podcast on an app (Android and iOS) designed specifically for podcasts is the best way of getting valuable feedback from your listeners. Having a podcast featured in any popular podcast apps like Podcast Player, Pocket Casts, Anchor, and Podbean will let you find and reach new audiences, so your work can be found by people who had no idea about its existence before. 

Advertising on these platforms also offers excellent visibility for podcasters, giving them access to targeted marketing tools and analytics. With easy integration of paid advertisements, you can also monetize your podcast with these programs. Promoting your podcast through any podcast application is vital to success and growth in the industry.

2.8.2. Invest in PPC Ads

Investing in PPC Ads is an effective way to promote your podcast. Pay-per-click (PPC) ads are a quick and easy way to reach a larger audience and build brand recognition, allowing you to increase user engagement with your podcast. By targeting your specific audience through online ads, you can create an effective marketing campaign to bring more listeners to your podcast. 

Additionally, it allows cross-promotion with other media channels, broadening your reach even further. PPC Ads or paid marketing can be inexpensive but yield a significant return on investment for driving podcast awareness and growth.

3. FAQs

• How Do I Get More Listeners to My Podcast?

You can get more listeners to your podcast by promoting it using a wide range of tactics like – content outreach, SEO, social media marketing, and paid advertising. 

• How Do I Get 1000 Listeners for My Podcast?

You need to publish high-quality episodes consistently to get more listeners and subscribers. Then, you can repurpose the episodes on social media platforms to reach a wider audience. Besides, you can invest in paid advertisements to get leads instantly

• How Do I Make My Podcast Go Viral?

To make your podcast go viral, you can create Instagram reels or TikTok videos of your podcast. Posting short and memorable video content linked to your podcast increases its chances of going viral.  

• How Do I Promote My First Episode of a Podcast?

Before you promote your first podcast episode, you need to do backend work like recording 3-5 podcast episodes, creating assets like – images/animated videos, and building an email list. Pick a launch date and release at least 2-3 episodes on the launch day. You can then send emails to featured guests and their audiences.