Publicize Your Podcast

You’ve found your niche. You’ve setup your equipment. You’ve done your editing. You’ve uploaded your audio....

Now that you have a podcast how do you get listeners?

Podcasters - In general, people who podcast also listen to podcasts. And each podcaster has varied interests. Spend time on the major podcasting forums giving thoughtful input. Don’t approach this by doing a one time drive by “Hi I am Susie. Check out my podcast here”. Instead spend time contributing meaningful posts and always have a forum signature that has the title of you podcast, the URL, and a sentence describing it.

Podcast directories - The subscribers you will receive from your listings are well worth the time it takes to submit your site. Once you have something setup, you should immediately submit your podcast feed and/or website to the major directories. In particular be sure to list at Podcast Pickle, Podcast Alley, Digital Podcast, and Itunes.

Word of Mouth - Don’t be shy. Tell people about your podcast. If your show is related to your business then tell your current clients and/or customers. If this is a separate venture then tell your friends and family. Make sure to explain that an ipod is not required to listen. (As a side note it would be helpful if people could listen to your podcast directly on your site, without downloading a file.) Also, if includes audio interviews on your show your guests will tell others because they’ll be so excited about participating.

Press Release - I think press releases are a bit overused but if you have a newsworthy angle then it couldn’t hurt. Keep in mind that the media doesn’t care if Johnny started a podcast about dogs; that’s not newsworthy, it’s boring. But if Johnny is 14 years old and his dog podcast has 500 subscribers, then that might be an interesting story to cover. Whatever your situation is think outside of the box and find a way to make it newsworthy.

DJ Nelson is an Internet entreprenuer and podcaster.