How To Get Your First 1000 Listeners For A Podcast
Starting your own podcast is an exciting adventure! You already have your equipment, a topic you are passionate about, and podcast episodes geared up for posting. But there is still one challenge: How do you get your first 1000 podcast listeners?
Building your show audience takes plenty of strategy, determination, and creativity! If you have no idea where to begin, fear not, because we will be sharing our step-by-step guide to help you reach that milestone of 1000 podcast listeners!
Let’s dive right in, shall we? —
Settle On Your Niche
Before you dip your toes into the marketing aspect of podcasting, be confident in your podcast’s topic and make sure that it has a clear focus. Your niche ultimately defines who your listeners will be, so ask yourself:
What value am I providing?
Who is my target audience?
Why should people listen to my podcast over someone else’s?
In other words, a well-defined niche allows you to stand out from the crowd. If your podcast focuses on a specific topic or interest, people are more likely to tune in and share with others.
Create High-Quality Content
Even with the best promotion strategy, people will sadly not stick around if your audio quality is poor or your episodes lack structure. Here are a few of our Insider tips —
Invest in a decent microphone and editing software, so that you can avoid any background noise, poor sound, etc.
Be sure to craft each podcast episode with a sense of structure in mind i.e. an engaging introduction, clear topics, and consistent formats. Also, don’t forget a Call To Action!
Post episodes regularly, and stick to a schedule in order to build trust with your listeners.
Take Advantage Of Your Existing Network
Your first podcast listeners are likely to be people you already know. Use both your personal and professional networks to kickstart your podcast growth! You can share your podcast with friends, family and colleagues via social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, etc.
We believe that word of mouth is still a powerful tool, so be sure to encourage them to listen, share, and leave reviews! :)
Optimize For Search (i.e. SEO For Podcasts)
Podcast directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts are search engines in themselves. Using podcast SEO is an excellent way to help people find your show and grow your listener base. See below a few ways you can implement it effectively —
Captivating Titles — Create episode titles that are clear and concise, as well as keyword-rich in order to attract attention to your podcast.
Keyword-Rich Descriptions — Craft detailed episode descriptions that include keywords related to your podcast’s topic. This helps with discoverability!
Tagging and Categories — Tag your podcast with relevant keywords and pick categories that match your niche.
Collaborate With Other Podcasters
Podcasting is all about community, and collaboration is a fantastic way to boost podcast growth!
Reach out to podcasters in your niche for guest appearances or episode swaps. By tapping into each other’s audience, you can grow your listener base quickly! A few of our collaboration ideas include —
Organize an appearance on another podcaster’s show with the intention of providing value to their audience. A great introduction to new listeners!
Invite and feature guests on your podcast. They will most likely promote their guest appearance, bringing their listener base to your show.
Swap shout-outs with other podcasters!
Leverage Social Media And Your Online Community
Social media is one of the most powerful tools for building podcast awareness. Rather than solely posting new episode updates, take advantage of your social media channels to build a community around your show. Our go-to tips for building an online community —
Create Engaging Posts — Share behind-the-scenes content, snippets of your upcoming episodes, and listener stories. Ask questions to interact with your audience!
Join Facebook Groups — Participate in groups relevant to your podcast’s niche, and offer value by answering questions and sharing insights with others.
Hashtags and Tags — Reach a wider audience by using relevant hashtags on Instagram, Tiktok, etc. Tag guests, businesses, or influencers mentioned in your episodes.
Submit To Podcast Directories
Beyond the main platforms (Apple, Spotify, Google), there are various small directories where listeners discover podcasts. It’s definitely worthwhile to submit your show to as many directories as possible to increase your chances of being found! We like Stitcher and TuneIn, but there are many other options.
Run Contests Or Giveaways
Running a contest or giveaway is helpful in creating a buzz around your podcast! Offer something valuable to your audience in exchange for their loyal listenership. A few prize ideas —
Books or products related to your podcast’s niche
One-on-one sessions (if applicable to your expertise)
Podcast merch!!!
Paid Advertising
Yes, organic growth is key, but you can also consider investing in paid advertising to reach your first 1000 listeners — if you are in the position to do so, of course! Paid options include: Facebook/Instagram Ads, Podcast Apps, and Google Ads.
Be Consistent And Don’t Give Up!
Podcast growth doesn’t happen overnight. Building your audience requires a great deal of time and patience, so don’t get discouraged! Keep your focus on providing value with each podcast episode and remember to stick to a consistent schedule.
Even when it seems like you are making little progress, and growth appears slow, remember that every listener counts, and your audience # will increase over time
Getting your first 1000 podcast listeners is definitely an attainable goal, and we hope that our step-by-step guide has offered encouragement and helpful advice :) If you continue to refine your approach and stay committed, you will see those numbers climb!
Good luck, and happy podcasting!
Need a little more guidance as you continue along your podcasting journey? We’ve got you covered!