How to drive traffic to your podcasts
Podcasts are taking over the digital space, and how! If you've all but explored the text and video sharing arena, you'll discover that the world of podcasts is a planet of its own. Setting up a podcast channel has never been easier, and it is a great way to build an active network. It helps increase the visibility of your brand, and if your content is on point, it lends you a great deal of credibility, too. If you're looking to start your very own podcast channel or already have one, here are a few pointers that will drive traffic to your episodes.
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Get on iTunes
A sure shot way of getting your podcasts noticed is by sharing them on iTunes. Make sure to publish new episodes at least thrice a week in the first two months of creating an account. This is your best bet to help you get discovered by organic podcast listeners as the podcasts section is the first thing people see when they log onto iTunes. A lot of people also search the iTunes podcast directory and listen to shows that match their genre.
Make use of social media
If you're not already sharing your podcast episodes on social media, you need to start now. Whether you're an individual or a brand, you need to create your account on various social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and start sharing your podcasts there. The ‘Summary’ and ‘Project’ sections of LinkedIn let you insert media links in your profile. You can also host a YouTube channel for your podcasts and cross-promote them by posting the links on Facebook and Twitter.
Join hands with other podcasters
There will be several podcasters that host content similar to yours. Instead of viewing them as direct competition, join hands with them. Make the most of the fact that they have a similar audience as yours. You can interview the opposite person on your show about their latest episode and they can do the same for you. This is a win-win situation for everyone involved as it gives both parties the exposure they need.
Interview a celebrity
Everyone loves celebrities. Your podcast channel will strike gold if you can manage to get one on your show. Is a famous author launching his new book? Get him to promote it on your show. Celebrities are generally anxious before a new release and it is relatively easy to convince them to make an appearance around this time. Also, many celebrities cross-promote their interviews on their own profiles, and because they have a huge fan following, your number of followers will escalate overnight.
Create captivating images
The internet is flooded with GIFs, infographics, and collages, and the idea of stand-alone images is all but lost in this medley. Bring them back to promote your podcasts. Create a captivating image that will draw attention to your page and will get more users to listen to your podcasts. The image can feature a guest speaker or it can include the best quote from the episode you're promoting. This will ensure that your update is seen and clicked upon.
Unlike videos, podcasts don't burn a hole in your pocket, and they are also simple to make. Even when belonging to a brand, podcasts have a personal touch to them which other social media sharing tools lack. If marketed correctly, podcasts are sure to get your brand the attention it deserves.
