5 Creative Ways to Increase Podcast Downloads
Are you struggling to build an audience for your pod? Have your podcast downloads hit a plateau? It’s no secret that podcasting is a slow growth channel with limited methods of discoverability, but that doesn’t mean your download numbers are completely out of your control!
Whether you’re a couple episodes in, or looking to grow your show to the next level, these 5 strategies will help you reach new ears.
Stop Solely Focusing on Apple
It’s important to remember that Apple Podcasts is not the only platform out there. While Apple is a big player, there’s a whole world of listeners waiting for you on other platforms.
Take a page from Hala Taha’s book, who leveraged alternative players like Castbox, Player FM, and Podcast Republic to reach new audiences, turning her show into the #1 education podcast across all platforms.
By diversifying your focus and pitching cross-promotion opportunities with other platforms, you can expand your reach and attract podcast listeners who may not have found you on Apple Podcasts alone.
Seek a Sponsor
Opposed to what other people may advise, you don’t have to wait until you have hundreds of thousands of downloads to secure a sponsorship deal.
As Doone Roisin – the host of Female Startup Club – discovered, landing a sponsor early on can provide essential resources to grow your show, even in its early stages! Doone explains how she pitched (and landed) a $25K sponsorship in the early days of her company in episode 237 of Cubicle to CEO.
Sponsors can contribute funds that can go towards an editor to help you develop more content, or create a budget for ad spend. They could also work as a distribution partner, pushing your content out to their established audience.
Either way having a sponsor will give you support in reaching a larger group of listeners. The key is to look for partners who align with your brand and support your mission!
Post Bonus Episodes
A simple way to increase podcast downloads is to increase the number of episodes you post. For example, we tested posting two episodes a week last year (one interview, one bonus), and saw our downloads double almost immediately.
Whether you share behind-the-scenes insights, personal anecdotes, or bite-sized tips, showing up in your audience’s podcast feed with bonus content will supplement your regular episodes and significantly boost your downloads.
In showing up more consistently for your listeners, you give them more opportunities to show up for you! Regardless of if these extra episodes are a full hour or just a 5 minute clip, any additional play will contribute to growing your analytics.
Implement a Series Model
Get your listeners excited for upcoming podcast episodes by organizing them into thematic series. In focusing on a central theme or topic for a set number of episodes, you make it easier for listeners to follow along and anticipate upcoming content.
As Les Alfred experienced, implementing a series model led to an increase from 70K to 350K monthly downloads almost overnight!
Just like Netflix does, you can tap into binge-consumption behavior to keep your audience coming back week after week.
Pitch an Exclusive to the Press
Podcasters tend to forget that they have valuable content that other media outlets would be interested in. So, don’t forget to harness the power of media coverage to elevate your show’s visibility.
If you land an exclusive podcast interview or uncover unique insights on your show, don’t hesitate to pitch the story to relevant journalists or publications. Just like TV shows and movies preview their content through other media channels, pitching exclusives to the press can help you reach an entirely new audience.
Try out these 5 strategies to help you unlock new growth opportunities and take your show to the next level. Thinking outside of the box, and getting in front of new audiences, is a surefire way to grow your podcast downloads!
Want to hear 4 more ways you can grow your business through podcasting? Listen to episode 237 of Cubicle to CEO – available everywhere you listen to podcasts!
Get more in-depth with these strategies:
- 9 tips for growing your podcast and using it to scale your business: https://link.chtbl.com/CUa_hAXC
- How Hala Taha became the #1 podcast across platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/cRwrKaB2
- How Doone Roisin secured a $25K sponsorship for her new podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/iZc05DXj
- 3 strategies that grew our podcast to 70K monthly downloads: https://link.chtbl.com/B6SdSTEb
- 3 ways Les Alfred grew her podcast from 70K to 350K monthly downloads: https://link.chtbl.com/N7TN77HN
- 7 podcast growth tips we learned from Podcast Movement 2023: https://link.chtbl.com/QZWrmq97
