Episode 314

full
Published on:

29th Jun 2023

Shock Through Your Podcast Growth Plateau with 3 Practical Ideas

I frequent many podcasting communities and without a doubt, the biggest question (and the biggest question for the last decade) is "How do I grow my podcast?".

I've spoken before about why this isn't an easy task and why that might even be the wrong question to ask. The truth is that running a podcast as an independent creator is really hard, it's really time-consuming and by the time we've produced our episode, we often don't have the mental bandwidth or the physical time to properly market our show and thus, we simply end up in a constant "promo cycle" that consists of lots of "promotional tactics" that don't move the needle but that make us feel like they should.

We repeat this with diminishing results and end up back at the same question: "How do I grow my podcast?!"; if we aren't careful, this can then lead us to consider quitting because no matter what we do, we don't see any meaningful change.

I think about this like fitness and muscle growth. If we aren't seeing any results, then we have to change things up and shock the system. The famous quote, attributed to Albert Einstein, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” applies to our podcast growth too.

But what should you do? Let me give you three ways to shock your podcast growth into moving in the right direction!

These are not common things that people talk about, the normal things like:

  • Guesting on shows
  • Trailer swaps and feed drops
  • Co-hosting

They all work - we know that if people repeatedly hear you or your show on other shows that there's a better chance of them trying your show than if you don't do any of that. You're going where your audience is.

We also know that you should be thinking about podcast marketing as just that, marketing - with defined & strategic campaigns, targets, and channel tactics - but that no indie creator really does because we're all really busy and most of us don't know how to be a marketer - we didn't get into podcasting for that.

Try these three things alongside what you're already doing and focus on long-term, steady growth:

  1. Focus on your podcast SEO, both for web discovery and in-app podcast discovery.
  2. Do something newsworthy in your niche - this could be covering an event, development, or similar, but get there first and early.
  3. Start doing something in-person within your niche community - meetups, events, live recordings, etc. They cost very little and your show can "sponsor" the event!

Just like growing anything, there is no one method of growing your podcast audience and there surely is no silver bullet. Imagination, planning, and long-term focus are key to all marketing campaigns but these three things will help you to break out of your comfort zone and shock the marketing system that you have in place.

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Your next steps

I teach podcasting a lot and for free. So, here's what I'd recommend you do next:

  • Watch my free podcasting tutorials on YouTube: YouTube (Captivate)
  • Ask me anything at all about podcasting over on Twitter: Twitter

If you need help with anything at all regarding your podcast, get me on Twitter (Twitter ) and I promise to respond.



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Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

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About the Podcast

The Podcast Accelerator: How to Grow Your Podcast
Helping busy podcasters to grow their audience in tested, actionable ways.
Hosted by Mark Asquith, the accomplished co-founder, and Managing Director of podcasting platform Captivate, The Podcast Accelerator is your comprehensive guide to mastering the art and business of podcasting. With a strong focus on delivering actionable insights, cutting-edge strategies, and industry-leading knowledge, this podcast is designed to help you propel your podcast to the next level.

Drawing on "That British Podcast Guy's" extensive experience in podcasting, The Podcast Accelerator covers an array of topics, from content creation and storytelling techniques to audience growth and engagement strategies. You'll also discover the secrets to podcast monetization, unlocking the full potential of your show to create a sustainable, thriving venture.

In each episode, Mark shares his expert advice, tips, and best practices, often collaborating with industry influencers, successful podcasters, and other specialists to bring you a diverse range of perspectives and insights. The Podcast Accelerator delves into the nuances of podcasting, exploring both the creative and technical aspects, as well as the latest trends, tools, and technologies shaping the industry - all backed by Mark's experience in the industry since 2013 and over two decades of building successful businesses.

The Podcast Accelerator releases new episodes every Thursday at 12pm GMT (7am Eastern). Early access to episodes, available two days ahead of the public release, along with exclusive, member-only content, is offered to members as a benefit at https://mark.live/support.

Whether you're a seasoned podcaster seeking to refine your craft or a newcomer looking to create a powerful podcast from the ground up, The Podcast Accelerator offers an invaluable learning experience. By tuning in regularly (and for free in your podcast app of choice), you'll gain a wealth of knowledge and practical guidance that can be immediately applied to your own podcasting journey.

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Join Mark Asquith on The Podcast Accelerator and immerse yourself in the exciting world of podcasting. Empower your passion, elevate your skills, and transform your podcast into a compelling success that captivates audiences around the world.
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About your host

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Mark Asquith

Known as "That British Podcast Guy", Mark is one of the United Kingdom's original podcasting experts. He is Managing Director & co-founder of podcast hosting, analytics & monetisation platform Captivate.fm which was acquired by Global in 2021 and is known worldwide as an insightful, thought provoking and actionable podcast industry keynote speaker.

Mark has educated on podcasting and delivered thought leadership at events including Podcast Movement, Podfest, Harvard's "Sound Education" and many more.

His focus is on helping people to achieve their own podcasting goals and on improving the podcasting industry for the long-term.