Top Strategies to Make Your Podcast Stand Out in a $23.56 Billion Industry!

When it comes to Podcasting, as in everything else, the details matter.

According to Yahoo Finance, in 2023, the podcasting market is expected to be worth $23.56 Billion. 

It's a fast-growing industry at a remarkable pace for many reasons, one of which is, it can be done from ANYWHERE. 

Being so rapidly growing also means that the market is getting saturated with Podcast hosts who did not do their homework. Sometimes, they can be just too focused on their own show and forget that the most important thing is the audience.

Or they focus on finding guests that are not suitable for their target audience.

Regardless of whether you have already started your Podcast or you are planning to, this article will help you put together the basics you need to cover, so you can make your Podcast successful.

From equipment to listeners to guests, let’s go over a couple of fundamentals that will bring your Podcast game to the next level. 

Focus on your audience's needs first.

A successful Podcast is one oriented towards its audience's needs. 

You might be initially tempted to bring in big names to your Podcast because you think that's what will make it successful. 

Even if you bring Oprah Winfrey to your show, you may not see the results that you expected from a big name.  Your audience cares about the content more than the celebrity.

You want the downloads, right?

Your audience needs to come first. 

If you want to make it successful, you have to be niched down when it comes to your audience. And if you struggle with finding topics that are important to them, well, the easiest way is to ask them!

Make your Podcast a conversation with your listeners. Make them feel part of the Podcast journey. At the end of the show, or even in the Intro, ask them what they are curious about and what kind of topics and guests they'd like you to bring to the show.

Now, where do you find all the great guests that resonate with your audience? 

Try out PodMatch! 

It's a great tool that connects podcasts with guests. Through an algorithm, the platform ensures that you have an ideal match that fits your Podcast's needs. It is particularly handy for the podcaster because all of the guest's information is on their profile. No more emailing back and forth for a bio or headshot.  Plus, topics the guest likes to talk about are suggested, as well as ideal questions for them.

People who like to simply be guests can get an account, too without even having a podcast.  This gives podcasters access to ideal guests!

And if that's not enough of a reason to check it out, you get paid for each completed and published episode!

Make sure your guests have everything they need to have the best interview experience!

Invite your guests via email. Make sure that you have their most checked and active email address. 

On the email invitation, include all the possible details and links. Consider if they are in a different time zone, and add it for their convenience. 

Remind them to have a quiet space for the interview. 

Nowadays, so many people do their Podcast interviews from home. 

They don't realize something they might feel completely normal with, such as a dog shaking and the collar making noise or a cat jumping on their lap and purring, is something that can interrupt and ruin the quality of the sound.

Get creative.

On the email invitation, you can advise them to choose a quiet room but that it is not too empty so they can avoid echo sounds - a room with shelves, books, carpets, wardrobe, name it, just not an empty one with empty walls! I record in my closet for this very reason. 

Advise them to ask family members not to interrupt while conducting the interview. Ask them to keep the TV at a lower volume in the next room, and ask them to close the windows of the room where the interview will happen.

At the end of your interview, let your guests know how happy and grateful you are for having had them on the show. 

Let them know when the episode is expected to be published, and assure them they will get an email from you when the episode is on the airwaves.

When the episode is published, send them a Thank You email, and together with the episode, send them one piece of content to promote it on their social channels. 

That will make such a huge impression! And regardless if you just started or you've been into the Podcast game for a while, you'd look like an absolute professional with an impeccable work ethic.

At the end of the email, ask them to give you 5-stars on the Podcast platforms and to leave you a review.  They are excited and happy to boost your rating.