Prologue
Gen Z Wants Audio
Are you an audio-first podcaster? Here's something to be excited about.
Highlights
- Spotify is the top choice for Gen Z podcast listeners, with 56% favoring the platform.
- A majority (76%) prefer audio-only podcast formats.
- 59% of Gen Z listens to podcasts at home, primarily on mobile devices.
- Fiction podcasts have gained unexpected popularity among this group.
Keep this handy the next time somebody says, "You need to be on YouTube."
Yeah, YouTube is great, but don't let it throw you off your audio-first content.
Sponsor
Big Podcast AMP
If you like the newsletter, you'll love Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program).
This personal coaching program helps you do three things:
- Grow your podcast audience.
- Get people talking about your podcast.
- Make more money with your podcast (and podcasting skills).
You can get details here.
Steal This Idea
This Failed Blogger Now Makes $8000 Monthly from 700 Newsletter Subscribers
Pretty sure this is a fake article. There are no links, no name of the blog, and the "blogger" only has a first name. And the math doesn't add up ...
Still, the promotion methods she supposedly used to grow her newsletter are good ideas that would work for your podcast.
The Receipt Method
She partnered with local eco-conscious stores to include her newsletter cards in customers’ shopping bags. It resonated with shoppers who were already interested in sustainable products.
This is known as a "ridealong" in the mail order business and it works. Want to do deeper with how it works and how you can use it? Get the audio edition of this newsletter.
The Review Strategy
She wrote in-depth reviews of eco-friendly products on Amazon, sharing actual savings from using them. Her Amazon profile included a link to her newsletter, which drove traffic directly to her content.
This works for podcasters as well. And even better if you include a photo of yourself in your studio holding up the book/product you're reviewing.
The Local Angle
She gave talks at small community gatherings about how sustainable living can save money. Each event typically brought in 5–10 new subscribers to her newsletter.
It's easy to get caught up in "big numbers" that you see online, especially if you're looking at YouTube. But small, focused events are still one of the best ways to build an audience and the subscribers you get from these events add up quickly.
Podcast Hosting Skills
Persuade Like a Lawyer
How do you tell a good story on your podcast?
This sums it up ...
"Weak content relies on one argument; stronger content relies on a chain of arguments; the strongest content weaves together a cable of arguments."
In other words, you need something that doesn't just have one "moment," but several moments intertwined.
Worth a look if you want to learn how to tell a better story.
RELATED: If you want to dive deep into storytelling, especially getting to the point, study great comics and songwriters. Both have the ability to pull in listeners quickly, get the point, and make people feel something. These are the exact skills you need to be successful at podcasting.
Have a great example of this? Reach out to me via Bluesky and let me know!
Podcast Production
Steal This "YouTube Trick" to Get More Listeners in 2 Minutes
This editing trick can be used for your podcast, since you can see similar information on Apple Podcasts.
But one difference ... I'd suggest you use this for patterns and integrate what you learn in future episodes, not focus on editing something that you've already released. Podcasting and YouTube are two different things.
"Editing" is another skill you can learn from great comics and songwriters. You only have a limited time to work with on stage or radio, so these guys are great at cutting out everything that isn't important to the stories they're telling.
Who are your favorite songwriters and comics? Reach out to me via Bluesky and let me know!
Podcasting Deals
Acumbamail - Low-Cost Email campaigns & Landing Pages
Want to lower your monthly costs to send email or newsletters to your listeners? You'll like this.
Select from over 850 ready-made and customizable templates. to create professional, content-rich emails with attractive designs and interactive elements without breaking the bank.
If you need a way to send email to your listeners, this is worth a look!
What email service do you use? Are you happy or unhappy with them? Reach out to me via Bluesky and let me know!
Podcast Humor
You Should Start a Podcast ... or Should You?
I've been involved with podcasting for 20 years. During this time, I've been involved with too many podcasts to count. And I've thought about starting even more.
The grass is always greener. If you go to a podcasting event, it's not uncommon to see podcasters actually "switch" topics, based on what somebody else is doing, thinking that the results they're getting will somehow be better.
"If I just switched my topic to be more similar to what Bob is doing, I'll be able to double my listeners ..."
Maybe.
Or maybe you should water the grass you're standing on.
What's your next podcast idea? Reach out to me via Bluesky and let me know!
Classifieds
Riverside - Remote Recording Studio
Riverside records high-quality audio (and video) directly from your browser. No special equipment is needed and connecting with your guest is as simple as sending a web link!
You can try Riverside free (no credit card is needed) and, if you like it, save 15% on any paid plan by using the coupon code BIGPODCAST.
The Wrap Up
Do This Next ...
If you want the shortcut to building a podcast people care about, here’s how Big Podcast can help you …
Free of charge ...
- Big Podcast Extra – Short emails to help you build an audience, attract clients, and make money via podcasting
- Build a Big Podcast – The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
- Podcast Growth Toolkit – The "Swiss Army Knife" of podcasting ...
For budgets under $750 …
- Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program) – Personalized coaching for indie podcasters to help you grow your podcast audience and build your authority, brand, and reputation
For budgets of $3000 or more …
We offer a range of podcasting services including:
- Full-service podcast production and marketing
- Podcast and radio hosting
- Podcast launch and development services