How to Get Your First 1000 Podcast Listeners (2024)

Define goals and focus on your reach

For a podcast that’s just starting to garner eager listeners, the search bar should be your holy grail. So, naturally, an effective strategy would be to optimize your podcast visibility in order to appear as high as possible in search results for your respective niche.

Building a robust keyword set will significantly improve your chances for discovery which in turn means more downloads and listens.

Keep in mind that they should also accurately reflect the theme of your show; you should be able to help listeners understand what your podcast is about and why they should listen.

Promotion-wise, don’t try to be on every social media outlet. Aside from being too time-consuming, this approach can put a considerable dent in your budget. Choose your social media platforms strategically by identifying where your audience hangs out online and think about which networks will work best for your niche.

Who you cater to defines a lot of the buzz generated down the line.

Lastly, it’s essential to be patient. Most podcasts run for several months until they get their first bumps in viewership. Initially, your goal isn’t to have millions of followers. On the contrary, it’s captivating the very first listeners and treating them with utmost care. Focus on quality and reach — the quantity will come.

Optimize your naming and descriptions

Podcasts are a great way to build a following around a specific topic or theme. But before you can start building your audience, you need to choose a name.

However, to optimize your podcast for visibility, make sure your episode titles and descriptions are clear, concise, and keyword-rich. Use actionable language that accurately reflects the content of your episode, and be sure to include relevant keywords that will help your podcast rank in search engines. Taking the time to improve your metadata can make a huge difference and boost your visibility across platforms.

If you don’t know where to start with metadata optimization, I recommend you read our guide on the subject. You will also need a visibility analytics tool to perform keyword research. To do so, you can take advantage of our free plan.

The more people know about your podcast, the more likely they’ll listen to it. The key is to leverage keyword-rich titles and descriptions, accompanied by appropriate use of tags.

The approach mentioned above should help you break out of any creative rut.

If you’re still struggling to come up with ideas for proper wording, brainstorm with friends, family, or colleagues. They might have some great ideas that you haven’t considered. There’s no shame in sharing your vision with your network; especially when it comes to naming.

Have several episodes ready for release

Most podcasts launch and end up with just one episode. There may be numerous reasons for that, but the main point here is consistency.

Yes — consistency is key.

There’s no set number of episodes you need to prepare. However, you wouldn’t want to release ten episodes and saturate from the get-go; three episodes will do just fine. Your potential audience will have a chance to experience a wide enough spectrum of your content.

Also, If done correctly, the first three episodes will provide enough descriptive keywords that help you appear in searches which helps you get new listeners and downloads. Most of the algorithms will notice and favor this, which brings the possibility of appearing in the suggested sections as a new and noteworthy podcast.

Keep in mind to continue publishing with the same tempo that you’ve started. There’s nothing worst than an eager listener left with no new content to consume.

Create attractive cover art

Why do podcasts need good design? Excellent branding shouts credibility. Visual language can be a powerful tool in your arsenal. It helps the audience associate with your brand every time they come across it.

A cover is a great place to start; it’s one of the first things people notice, so it’s important to make a memorable impression. Use attractive and eye-catching cover art that represents your show well.

As for technical nuances, It’s essential to use a 3000 x 3000-pixel image so it’s scalable on multiple screens. In recent years, the average user favors a mobile-first approach so make sure to test the readability on different mobile devices before publishing.

Moreover, be careful with the color choice. Align it, so it suits Spotify and Apple Podcats’s color palette. You wouldn’t want all-black lettering for Spotify, or the same purple hue as Apple Podcasts.

Pick a reliable hosting provider

Choosing the right hosting platform can be tough, with so many options on the market. Here are a few things to consider when making your decision:

• Cost
  Hosting platforms can range in price from free to several hundred dollars per month. Decide how much you’re willing to spend on your podcast before starting your search.
• Reliability
  You don’t want your podcast to go offline due to technical difficulties. Choose a hosting platform that’s reliable and has a good reputation.
• Customer support
  If you run into technical problems, you’ll want to get help from the hosting platform. Look for a platform that offers excellent customer support.

Set up your analytics foundation

Though you shouldn’t sweat this topic too much for the time being, it’s important that you set a solid podcast analytics foundation now. This will ensure that you already start gathering historical data that you will be able to look back on when you’re ready to tackle this subject. Usually, the standard analytics features offered by hosting provider are not enough if you really want to understand your audience. This is where a tool like Voxalyze can help.

Final thoughts

Podcasting can be a great way to connect with like-minded people, build a following around your interests, and promote your product.

So, taking the time to plan out your growth strategy properly will pay off in the long run. By considering the factors above, you will greatly improve your chances to spread your word.

Remember, respecting the first feedback is paramount. Your initial release will be enough to gather info, slightly adjust, or even pivot your strategy.

The more people you can get listening, the better. Also, remember to keep your podcasts exciting and engaging, and you’ll soon build a diehard group of listeners who can’t wait to hear your next episode.

Alexis Hue