The Market Your Message Show
The Market Your Message Show
Why Most Podcasts Fail—And How to Beat the Odds (Ch 12. Build Your Audience)
The Podcast Traffic Playbook: Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Audience
Grab a Copy of the Build Your Audience Book: https://platformgrowthbooks.com
In this episode of The Market Your Message Show, hosted by Jonathan Milligan, we explore the transformative power of podcasting. Starting with a historical overview of Guglielmo Marconi's groundbreaking invention of the radio in 1895, the episode transitions into practical advice for aspiring podcasters.
Jonathan discusses the seven essential steps for launching a successful podcast, from choosing a podcast host to creating engaging content and strategies for turning listeners into subscribers. The episode also outlines common mistakes to avoid and provides actionable exercises to help listeners kickstart their own podcast journey. Tune in to learn how to simplify the podcasting process, build a loyal audience, and use podcasting as a powerful tool to share your message with the world.
00:00 The Birth of Wireless Communication
00:30 Introduction to Podcasting
01:28 The Podcast Traffic Playbook
04:18 Avoid Common Podcasting Mistakes
05:57 Simplify Your Podcasting Process
07:04 Your Podcast Playbook: Seven Steps to Audio Stardom
12:31 Today's Exercise: Your Podcast Launch Blueprint
14:55 Key Takeaways for Successful Podcasting
It's 1895 in a dusty attic in Italy. A young Marconi sends a message through the air, and the world is never the same. That moment sparked a communication revolution. Fast forward 130 years, and now you have the power to broadcast your voice around the globe. No wires, no permission, just a microphone, an idea and a connection to someone's ears while they drive. Cook. Or walk their dog. That's the power of podcasting. And today we're gonna tap into it. Hi, I am Jonathan Milligan. I'm the host of The Market Your Message Show. We're currently going through a series from book number four called Build Your Audience. Now, this is a six book series called Your Message Matters, helps you go from discovering your message all the way to building multiple streams of income with your message. And so we're gonna dive into. Podcasting today. So this is chapter 12 in the book, and if you would like to have a copy of the book, just go to platform growth books.com. Again, that's platform Growth Books. Com. You can also find the link in the show notes, but we are releasing one chapter at a time of the audio book that you can go purchase or you can just listen on this podcast for free. It's a way of saying thank you for being a subscriber of the show. So without further ado, let's jump into chapter 12, the podcast Traffic Playbook.
Speaker 24:Chapter 12, the Podcast Traffic Playbook. It's 1895, and a young Italian inventor named Guglielmo Marconi is tinkering in his attic. He's obsessed with an almost magical idea, sending messages through the air without wires. Most people think he's crazy. After all, how could invisible waves possibly carry information across vast distances? But Marconi isn't deterred. He keeps experimenting, refining his apparatus, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. And then one day it happens, he successfully transmits a radio signal over a distance of two miles. It's a small step at the beginning of a revolution. Fast forward a few years. Marconis invention has grown by leaps and bounds. In 1901, he achieved what many thought Impossible transmitting a radio signal across the Atlantic Ocean. Suddenly the world seems a whole lot smaller. News, entertainment, and information can travel at the speed of light. Marconis Radio laid the foundation for a new era of communication from those first crackling transmissions. We've evolved to crystal clear digital broadcasts, and now we're in the age of podcasting where anyone with a microphone and an internet connection can reach listeners around the globe. It's a far cry from marconis attic experiments, but the core principle is the same using technology. To share ideas and connect with an audience just as Marconis Radio revolutionized communication in his time. Podcasting is transforming how we build audiences and share knowledge Today. The power of podcasting isn't just in its reach, it's in its intimacy. When someone listens to your podcast, it's like you're speaking directly to them. You are in their car, their living room, their workout routine. You're building a connection that goes beyond words on a page or images on a screen. That's why podcasting has become such a potent tool for building an audience. It's not just about broadcasting information, it's about creating a relationship with your listeners. It's about being a trusted voice in your field. Do this by sharing business insights, telling great stories or exploring niche topics. In this chapter, we'll explore how you can harness the power of podcasting to build your own audience. We'll cover the steps to set up and launch a podcast. We'll also explore strategies to create a show that resonates with listeners and keeps them coming back. So are you ready to follow in Marconis footsteps and start your own broadcasting revolution? Let's dive in and discover how you can use podcasting to build your audience and amplify your voice. Avoid these common podcasting mistakes. Many aspiring hosts fall into the same traps when it comes to podcasting. They overcomplicate the process, turning what should be an exciting venture into a daunting ordeal. They obsess over every technical detail, agonizing over microphone, specs and editing software hours are spent tweaking audio levels and researching the perfect intro music. Meanwhile, the actual content of their show takes a backseat. These would be podcasters often fail to plan their content effectively. They might have a vague idea of what they wanna discuss, but no clear structure or long-term vision. They wing it episode by episode, hoping inspiration will strike when they hit the record button. Here's the problem. This approach doesn't work. It's a recipe for burnout. In inconsistent publishing, it's hard to stick to a publishing schedule. When you are always fighting technical issues or scrambling for content ideas, your listeners never know when to expect new episodes. Making it challenging to build a loyal following, getting bogged down in the technical details often results in poor audio quality and a subpar listener experience. Obsessing over the perfect sound can be a trap. It leads to endless tinkering and second guessing the result recordings that never meet your impossibly high standards. Perhaps most importantly, this approach fails to build a loyal audience without consistent engaging content. Listeners have no reason to stick around. They might tune in for an episode or two, but they won't become the dedicated fans you're hoping for. So what should you do instead? The key is to simplify the podcasting process, strip it down to its essentials. Focus on what matters. Create high quality, consistent content that resonates with your audience. Instead of getting lost in technical minutia, develop a clear, compelling voice for your show. Plan your content in advance, creating a roadmap for future episodes that aligns with your overall goals. Your listeners want your insights, personality, and value. They don't care about perfect audio or fancy production tricks. It's vital to make your show sound professional, but don't let tech issues overshadow your podcast's heart the content. Finally, strategies for audience growth should be implemented from day one. Don't obsess over download numbers. Focus on making a show that truly serves your listeners. Engage your audience. Encourage feedback, refine your approach based on what resonates with them. Simplify your process. Focus on content. Keep your audience in mind. Do this, and you'll build a successful podcast with a loyal, engaged audience. Your podcast playbook. Seven steps to audio stardom. Step one, choose your podcast home base. Choosing a podcast host is like selecting a home base for your audio content. It's where your episodes will live and be distributed worldwide. You want a host that's reliable, easy to use, and capable of getting your show onto all the major podcast platforms For beginners, buzz Sprout stands out as a user friendly option. It's like the Swiss Army knife of podcast hosting, simple enough for newbies, but packed with features to grow with them. With Buzz Buzzsprout, you can upload your audio files, fill out your show details, and hit publish all without breaking a sweat. Remember, your hosting platform is the foundation of your podcast. Choose wisely and you'll set yourself up for smooth sailing as your show grows. Step two, map out your content journey. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This old adage rings especially true in podcasting. As Joe Rogan, a top podcaster puts it. The key is to prepare as much as you can, but be willing to throw it all away and go with the flow. Start by nailing down your core topic. What unique perspective can you bring to the table? Then decide on your episode format. Will you do solo shows, interviews, or a mix of both? Finally, create a content calendar. Plan out your episodes in advance, ensuring a steady stream of engaging content. Consistency and quality are the dynamic duo of podcast success. By planning ahead, you'll ensure you always have something valuable to share with your audience, keeping them coming back for more. Step three, bring your voice to life. On Christmas Eve 1906, Reginald Fessenden made history. He conducted the first radio broadcast reading Bible verses and playing oh Holy Night on his violin, expecting the Morse code. Listeners on ships at sea were astonished to hear a human voice coming through their receivers. Your first podcast episode may not make history. But the principle remains create clear, engaging audio content that will captivate your listeners. Invest in a decent microphone and find a quiet space to record, but don't get bogged down in technical perfection. Remember, content is king. Your listeners are tuning in for your ideas and personality, not studio quality audio. Step four, craft your show's digital storefront. Think of your show notes and metadata as your podcast digital storefront. They're what potential listeners see when browsing podcast directories. A study from the University of Texas found that podcasts with good keyword rich show notes saw a 35% rise in new listeners. This was compared to those with minimal descriptions. Write compelling episode titles and descriptions include relevant keywords to boost your SEO. Add timestamps for key discussion points, making it easy for listeners to navigate your content. Good show notes help new listeners find you. They also improve the experience for your current audience. They add value and boost engagement. Step five, make a grand entrance. Launching a podcast is like opening a new restaurant. You wouldn't open your doors with just one dish on the menu, would you? Similarly, don't launch your podcast with just a single episode. Aim to have three to five episodes ready at launch. This allows new listeners to binge and get hooked on your content. It also raises your chances of landing an Apple Podcast new and noteworthy section that can greatly boost your show's visibility. Remember first impressions count. Make sure your launch lineup showcases the best of what your podcast has to offer. Step six. Embrace the power of batching, never touch paper twice. Popularized by productivity expert David Allen. This principle applies beautifully to podcasting. Instead of scrambling to produce episodes week by week, try batch recording set aside one day a month to record multiple episodes. This approach allows you to get into a flow state resulting in more consistent higher quality content. It also gives you a buffer reducing stress and ensuring you always have content ready to go. By batching your podcast production, you'll free up time and mental energy to focus on growing your audience and improving your craft. Step seven, turn listeners into subscribers. Your podcast is more than just a content platform. It's a powerful tool for growing your email list. Take inspiration from John Lee Dumas, host of Entrepreneurs on Fire. By promoting a lead magnet at the start and end of each episode, he grew his email list from zero to over 100,000 subscribers in two years, create a lead magnet that provides additional value related to your podcast content. It could be a checklist, an ebook, or exclusive bonus content. Promote it consistently in your episodes, making it easy for listeners to access. Turning listeners into email subscribers creates a direct link to your audience. It helps you build relationships, promote content, and grow your business. Today's exercise, your podcast Launch Blueprint, let's map out the core elements of your podcast launch. This exercise will help you clarify your concept, plan content, and consider the practical aspects of creating your show. Remember, the goal isn't perfection. It's to get you started and build momentum. Step one podcast concept. Begin by defining your podcast concept. Write down your podcast name and craft a single sentence that describes what your podcast is about. This will serve as your show's mission statement. Next list three key topics you plan to cover in your episodes. This will help you stay focused and give potential listeners a clear idea of what to expect. Step two, your first three episodes. Now let's plan your first three episodes. Quickly outline each topic and jot down two or three key points you want to cover. This initial content plan will give you a solid starting point and help you avoid the blank page syndrome. When it's time to record. Step three, your tech setup. Consider your technical setup. Choose a podcast hosting platform that fits your needs and budget. Choose your recording equipment. It could be as simple as your computer's built in mic or as advanced as a dedicated podcast mic. Remember, you can always upgrade your equipment as your podcast grows. Step four, your recording schedule. Establishing a recording schedule is crucial for consistency. Pick a date to record your first episode and choose a regular recording day and time for future episodes. This routine will help you stay on track and give your listeners a reliable schedule to look forward to. Step five, your podcast launch promotion. Finally, think about how you'll promote your podcast launch List three ways you'll spread the word. This could include leveraging social media, your email list, or your personal network. Write a short engaging blurb of two to three sentences for your launch. Use it across platforms to generate buzz. Once you've completed these steps, review what you've written. You now have a basic blueprint for your podcast launch. You've taken concrete steps towards turning your podcast idea into reality. Remember, you can continually refine these ideas later. The important thing is that you've begun the journey of launching your podcast. Key takeaways, simplify your podcasting process with user-friendly tools and consistent practices. Launch strategically with multiple episodes and optimize for discoverability. Use your podcast to grow your email list by promoting your lead magnet.