How to Launch a Podcast Successfully
So, you want to launch a podcast successfully. Depending on your audience size, podcast content, and many other factors, you’ll want to create a launch plan that works best for you. No matter your situation or goals, these ten tips for a successful podcast launch will help you get started on the right foot.
How to Launch a Podcast Successfully | 10 Tips for a Successful Launch
Launching a podcast successfully is a lot easier than you might think, but it always starts with clarifying what that success actually looks like for you. I’ve launched 10+ podcasts. None of them were alike. The audiences were different, the niches were different, and the launches were each different than the others. But these tips never changed for any of those launches.
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10 Tips to Launch a Podcast Successfully
Since there is not a single way to launch a podcast successfully, I’d at least like to supply you with some tips and tricks so you can have a great launch.
Read through each of these tips to ensure you launch a podcast successfully.
Tip 1: Define what successful launch looks like for you
The quickest way to set yourself up for failure is to set unreasonable goals for yourself. That’s why this first tip is so important. When you define what it looks like for you to launch a podcast successfully, then you are able to create a plan that will allow you to do just that.
So here are some things to consider:
- How many downloads do I want in the first 24 hours of launch? The first week? The first month?
- What does my audience look like now and how will I need to leverage or grow that audience before I launch?
- Who will I need to have on my show (if I’m having guests) that can help me reach my goals?
Notice that I’m not providing you podcast stats for launches or anything like that. That’s because each podcast launch number looks different. You get to decide what that goal is for you and how you are going to achieve it.
Tip 2: Identify the kind of podcast you want to create
Getting clear on the podcast audience, content, and format will help you create a podcast that launches successfully. When you aren’t clear on this, your listeners won’t know if the show is for them and if they’ll want to continue listening.
Sure, you might get a good number of initial downloads, but without a clear idea of what kind of podcast you’re creating, you are stuck with dwindling stats. That’s not going to keep you motivated to keep podcasting.
Tip 3: Invest in quality podcast equipment
Note that I didn’t say to invest tons of your money into a full home studio or the top of the line microphone. Some of the best podcasting microphones are less than $100.
I wrote an article on the best microphone for podcasting and you’ll be able to skim that for what will work best for your budget and type of podcast.
Tip 4: Create a quality podcast experience for your audience
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Done is better than perfect.” While I wholeheartedly agree with that in most cases, I don’t recommend that for a podcast launch.
Take the extra time to ensure that your audience is getting clear audio or they’ll only tune in for a few minutes. We want to keep them coming back for new episodes.
Tip 5: Start marketing your new podcast well in advance of your launch week
I can’t stress this enough! If you want to launch your podcast with raving fans, then you can’t start promoting one week before your launch. I will say it a million times if needed.
If you want a successful podcast launch, you have to put in the work leading up to your launch. Here are some ideas of things you can do beyond what’s recommended here.
- Do a countdown on your social channels. No surprises or saying that something is coming. Tell them exactly what it is and what day you are launching. Get them prepped and lined up.
- Show the podcast graphic multiple times so they know exactly what to look for in their listening apps. Sometimes the search for your podcast or name comes up further down the scroll. We want them to know what to look for.
- Reveal snippets of the conversations using audiograms and graphics to tease the content.
Tip 6: Take other people’s opinions with a grain of salt
Because every podcast launch is different and people define success differently, it’s important to only focus on your goals and what you want to accomplish. Some people will tell you to focus on downloads. Others will say how important reviews are.
They are both important and are things you can work on in the long run, but for your launch, focus on what you would like to achieve. Also, there will be those who will have negative things to say about your podcast. You may get 1 star ratings. Pull the facts out of the opinions and work on the things you want to in order to reach your goals.
Tip 7: Make sure your Podcast is Optimized for Search Engines
Since Google is indexing podcasts, you’ll want to be strategic about optimizing your podcast and podcast episodes right away. This is one of the best ways to organically and continually reach new audiences with your audience.
Tip 8: Get a Launch Team Together
Your launch team should consist of business friends, personal cheerleaders, and supportive family members. Reach out to them well in advance and ask if they would be willing to support your new podcast launch.
When you upload your trailer episode for podcast platform approval in anticipation of your launch, send them the links so they can leave a rating and review before you officially launch.
Before launch day, send them graphics and links they can share with their audience and friends. Make it very easy for them to support you.
Tip 9: Hire help where you need it
Having trouble with your editing or can’t seem to get your graphics to look how you want them to? Hire help in these areas. One of the first places podcasters hire support is with editing. It’s time consuming and takes a bit of tech knowledge.
Don’t be afraid to ask for support or help when you need it.
Tip 10: Organize and Automate
There are going to be a lot of moving pieces when you are launching a podcast, so make sure you have a secure place to keep all your files together. I always recommend keeping a backup of all your files on a virtual file system like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Having a cohesive virtual filing system will keep you organized and helps so you don’t lose anything on your computer or laptop should it crash.
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As you can see, there are quite a few things you can do to ensure you launch a podcast successfully. I’d like to leave you with a reminder from the beginning.
A successful podcast launch looks different for each show. Realistically define what that looks like for you based on your capacity, audience size, niche, and support.
