Episode Transcript

Howard:
Welcome to the debut episode of the DoPodcaster Podcast,  the Done For You Podcast. I’m your host, Howard Harrison. Today, we’re diving deep into the realm of podcasting with a focus on expanding your reach. Our topic is “Podcast Reach: Strategies for Local Business, Content Creators and Professionals.” I’m thrilled to welcome Lisa Gardner, a seasoned podcast expert who will be sharing her wisdom with us today. Welcome, Lisa!

Lisa:
Thank you for having me, Howard. I’m excited to be here and share some strategies that can help local businesses, content creators, and professionals grow their reach through podcasting.

Howard:
It’s great to have you here, Lisa. To kick things off, let’s delve into the importance of podcasting for local businesses, professionals like doctors, dentists, lawyers and Accountants as well as content creators, you know all the people with blogs out there. Why should they consider investing their time and resources into this medium?

Lisa:
Bite-sized podcasts are powerful because they respect the audience’s time while delivering meaningful value. In today’s world, Well Howard! According to research by acclaimed marketer, Neil Patel there are about 1 billion blogs and only 4.3 million podcasts. In a nutshell, far less competition. Podcasting has become a highly effective way for businesses. professionals and creators to connect with their audience on a deeper level. It’s an intimate medium that fosters a sense of connection and trust, which is crucial in today’s digital landscape. For local businesses and professionals podcasting presents an opportunity to reinforce their brand story and highlight their unique value propositions. It allows them to speak directly to their community, providing insights, industry knowledge, and personal anecdotes that can engage and educate listeners. For content creators, podcasts are a more digestible form of content than blogs for example. To consume a blog article, you have to be somewhere you can read, whereas a podcast goes with you anywhere: in your car, at the gym or while taking a walk.

Howard:
That makes a lot of sense. It seems like this approach can really humanize a brand and build a loyal customer base. Now, how crucial is it to identify and really understand your target audience before starting a podcast?

Lisa:
Identifying your target audience is a fundamental step in any marketing strategy, and podcasting is no different. Understanding who your audience is helps you tailor your content to their needs, interests, and pain points. This not only makes your podcast more relevant and engaging but also helps attract the right kind of listeners—the ones more likely to become loyal customers or advocates for your brand. Without a clear understanding of your audience, you risk creating content that might not resonate or drive the results you desire.

Howard:
Absolutely, knowing your audience seems essential. Once you’ve identified your audience, what are some effective marketing strategies to promote a podcast and increase its visibility?

Lisa:
There are several strategies you can employ to promote your podcast effectively. Firstly, optimizing your podcast title, description, and episode titles with relevant keywords is critical for SEO purposes, making it easier for potential listeners to find you. Secondly, use social media platforms to share your podcast episodes, snippets, or behind-the-scenes content to generate interest and discussion. Additionally, collaborating with influencers or other podcasters can help you tap into their audience, providing cross-promotional opportunities that benefit both parties. Email marketing also remains a strong tool—ensure you’re utilizing your mailing list to notify subscribers about new episodes and inviting feedback.

Howard:
That’s insightful, leveraging various channels seems important. You’ve mentioned social media, which now has such a wide reach. How can local businesses, professionals and content creators use social media to further the reach and engagement of their podcasts?

Lisa:
Social media platforms are invaluable for reaching a wider audience when it comes to podcasting. To effectively use social media, it’s essential to understand where your target audience spends most of their time and focus your efforts there. Share visually appealing content like quote cards, audiograms, or short video clips to capture attention quickly. Also, engaging with listeners by sharing answers to  questions, sharing poll results, or directing the audience to quizzes can foster a strong community. Remember that consistency in posting and an authentic voice are key to keeping your audience engaged and eager to tune into your podcast episodes.

Howard:
Community engagement appears to be a recurring theme here. What about collaborating with other podcasters or influencers? What impact can this have on a podcast’s growth?

Lisa:
Collaboration is an excellent strategy to grow your podcast audience. By collaborating with influencers or other podcasters, you can reach audiences you might not otherwise have access to. This kind of cross-promotion provides a mutually beneficial relationship where each party can gain new listeners and credibility. It’s also effective in diversifying your content and providing fresh perspectives for your audience. As you build these connections, make sure the voices you incorporate align with your brand’s values and message to maintain a cohesive listening experience.

Howard:
That’s very strategic. It’s clear that collaborations can be a win-win situation. You mentioned SEO earlier; could you elaborate on how it can enhance the discoverability of podcast episodes?

Lisa:
Certainly. SEO, or search engine optimization, plays a vital role in making your podcast visible to new listeners. This is just one reason why what you guys are doing with your Done For You Podcasts is so valuable for all those considering their own podcast. Your team knows how to research and use targeted keywords in your podcast descriptions, episode titles, and show notes to improve its rank on search engines. Additionally, the dedicated websites you include with each done for you podcast are not only keyword optimized, they include an episode library which includes descriptions or episode transcripts and detailed show notes which can also boost SEO efforts. This content becomes searchable and can draw in organic traffic from search engines. Regularly updating these elements with relevant keywords and strategic linking can significantly enhance your podcast’s discoverability.

Howard:
That’s extremely valuable information for podcasters who are looking to enhance their outreach. How should podcasters approach listener feedback and metrics to refine their content and approach?

Lisa:
Engaging with listener feedback is crucial for improving your podcast over time. This feedback often provides insights into what content resonates with your audience and what doesn’t. Utilize metrics from podcast platforms, such as download numbers, listener demographics, and engagement statistics, to gauge episode performance. Regularly check reviews or comments to identify common themes or suggestions for improvement. This data-driven approach can help you refine your content, delivery, and show format to better meet your audience’s desires, ultimately increasing listener satisfaction and retention.

Howard:
A data-driven approach indeed sounds effective to sustain and grow listener interest. What role does consistency play in podcast production, and how can one establish a release schedule that builds audience loyalty?

Lisa:
Consistency is a cornerstone of successful podcasting as you know. DoPodcaster publishes weekly episodes which is great because this schedule helps build anticipation and trust with your audience, ensuring they know when to expect new content. This predictability fosters loyalty and makes it easier for listeners to incorporate your podcast into their routine.

Howard:
Thanks for explaining the impact of consistency—that seems like a critical piece of the puzzle. Lastly, could you share some practical tips for creating high-quality audio and engaging content?

Lisa:
Of course! Your DoPodcaster team creates High-quality audio based podcasts, so that’s an important start. A lot of podcasts out there miss the boat on this.  You also create podcast episodes without a lot of background noise. That’s equally important. So are acoustics. Again, you guys have that covered. In terms of content, focus on storytelling that captures your audience’s attention right from the start. Engaging content often includes a mix of personal anecdotes, expert interviews, and actionable insights. Don’t shy away from adding variety to your podcast, whether it’s through different formats or introducing compelling segments that break the routine and add intrigue for your listeners.

Howard:
Thanks, Lisa. Those are some fantastic tips, and I’m sure our audience will find them incredibly useful. Before we wrap up, are there any success stories you can share about local businesses using podcasts to grow their customer base?

Lisa:
Certainly. One local coffee shop I worked with started a podcast highlighting community stories and the origins of their ethically-sourced coffee. This not only humanized their brand but also built a loyal following who appreciated their transparency and community focus. Another example is a boutique fitness studio that launched a podcast focusing on wellness tips and success stories from their clients. By doing this, they showcased their expertise and created a platform for client voices, which helped attract new members who were inspired by the stories they heard.

Howard:
Those success stories clearly demonstrate the potential podcasts have to create strong community connections and business growth. Thank you so much for your insights, Lisa. To our listeners, I hope you’ve gained valuable strategies for expanding your reach through podcasting. Don’t forget to visit Do Podcaster.com for more resources and support. Lisa, any final words before we sign off?

Lisa:
I just want to encourage everyone considering podcasting for their business to take the leap and start their journey. It’s a powerful platform that, when executed well, can strengthen your brand and deepen your connection with your audience. Thanks for having me, Howard.

Howard:
Thank you, Lisa. It’s been a pleasure discussing these podcast strategies with you. And thank you all for tuning in to DoPodcaster, The Done For You Podcast. We hope you found today’s discussion informative and inspiring, providing you with actionable insights to grow your customer base through the power of podcasting. Until next time, keep creating and connecting. Goodbye!