Prologue
The "Instant" Audience (and How to Find It)
Believe it or not, there is an existing audience that is dying to hear from you. In this issue of Big Podcast Insider, I show you where to go to find these people and also how to do your research, so you know how to talk to them.
You've probably got a podcast that you just can't wait to listen to – you know when new episodes are released and you're ready for each one.
I want to help you make your podcast the same way. I want to help you find your perfect audience and deliver the exact episodes they want.
Then I want to help you grow that audience.
Ready to get going? Right now, while you're thinking about it, use the "hive" tool I have linked below to find one community to watch over the next few days and really listen to what they're saying.
It sounds easy, doesn't it? It is a simple process, but most podcasters never do it. Instead, they throw "random" episodes in the feed and hope something sticks, which it almost never does.
This is the first part of the process to make your podcast stick. So jump now, before you miss another opportunity.
Need more help? This is the best way to work with me.
Podcaster Opportunities
Go Here to "Borrow" an Existing Audience
There are two things you need to know about leveraging the audiences of others (including your own):
- There's an existing audience who is waiting to discover your podcast – you don't need to reinvent the wheel by establishing a new audience or go after people one at a time.
- "Borrowing" an existing audience as well as your connection to the people within that audience is why sponsors pay you.
But where are these people? Yep, at this link, which is full of established forums, blogs, and similar communities.
Podcast Marketing
Google for Podcasters
How boring is Google? You type in what you're looking for and it pops up.
Sometimes.
But sometimes you get results that are completely different from what you want and that's not helpful. For example, let's say you're looking for "speakers" for your podcast – Google doesn't know if that means you want speakers to interview as guests or speakers for you to use when editing yourself.
But Google does know, obviously, if you know how to input your query correctly.
And that's where things get exciting. When you know how to tell Google exactly what you need, it's a very powerful tool.
This is a short "Twitter thread" that gives you everything you need to know about using Google to find what you need for your podcast – existing groups of listeners that would love to hear about your podcast, great guests, podcast marketing help, or anything else.
Personalization Rage: What Happens When You Get Things Wrong
If Destiny's Child taught us anything, it's good to say the name of who you're talking to. When you get it wrong, people think you're acting "kind of shady."
Ask Gen Z about this and they'll have no idea Beyonce was in a group before she was Beyonce. But they'll agree with the sentiment.
Once you get to know all about your podcast audience through forums and direct communication, it's time to level-up your messaging with personalization. This is easy to do via both web and email. And it's coming very soon to podcasting – we're already seeing something very similar with dynamic ads.
73% of Gen Z is likely to buy goods or services when a brand has created a personal experience, vs. 67% of millennials, 67% of Gen Xers, 50% of those in the 55-64 age cohort and 45% of those over 65.
More info in this article.
Podcast Production
Freesound - Free Sound Effects for Your Podcast
This is a great resource of free sound effects that you can use for your podcast, YouTube videos, or anything else you produce. Like a lot of free sites, there's a "hit or miss" element, but dig around a bit and you'll find a lot that will work for you.
There's more than just sound effects here, by the way – there are also some great loops that make perfect backings for intro segments, commercials, and anything else you need to set the mood for.
Even More Sound Effects for Your Podcast...
If you can't find what you need at Freesound, Soundsnap has 450,282 sound effects, so you're guaranteed to find something that will work for your podcast.
The Wrap Up
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My goal is to better empower podcasters to be more successful spreading their messages and make more money with their podcasts.
I'd love it if you'll help me spread the word about this newsletter by sending your podcasting friends to bigpodcast.com/newsletter.