Lauren Passell, founder of Tink Media and author of Podcast the Newsletter, shares her expertise on podcast marketing. She discusses innovative ways to attract and engage listeners, emphasizing the importance of community involvement. Lauren also gives practical tips on crafting personalized pitches and highlights the value of collaborations in growing an audience. The conversation dives into strategies for unique content creation and understanding listener dynamics, making it essential for anyone looking to expand their podcast reach.
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Quick takeaways
Utilizing social media platforms like Instagram and engaging with Taylor Swift fan communities is essential for attracting listeners to a niche podcast.
Focusing on high-quality content creation and actively seeking listener feedback can enhance audience engagement and promote organic growth for podcasters.
Deep dives
Emergence of Taylor Swift Studies
Taylor Swift studies have gained popularity across universities, where students analyze her lyrics, entrepreneurial skills, and even her legal battles. Instructors have embraced this trend to offer interdisciplinary courses that connect Taylor's work to various academic fields, including English, political science, and gender studies. A unique course developed at Quinnipiac University was designed to explore Taylor's impact through conversations with academics from different disciplines. This approach demonstrates how pop culture figures like Swift can serve as conduits for serious academic discussions and insights.
Building an Audience
To grow the audience for a podcast focused on Taylor Swift, the host utilized multiple strategies, such as creating an Instagram page to engage with fans and promote episodes. Participation in Reddit communities and existing Taylor Swift fan groups helped increase visibility and interaction with potential listeners. The host also reached out to their university community through newsletters to connect with alumni and current members. These methods illustrate the importance of leveraging various platforms and communities to build a dedicated listener base.
Marketing Strategies for Podcasters
Effective podcast marketing necessitates a focus on existing podcast listeners rather than trying to convert non-listeners, as the latter often proves to be challenging. Experts recommend engaging with podcast enthusiasts and utilizing targeted strategies like cross-promotion with similar shows to expand reach. A successful marketing plan also includes optimizing sound quality, identifying the podcast's unique angle, and making the content appealing. Furthermore, fostering a relationship with the audience through community engagement can lead to organic growth, driven by passionate fans.
Content Quality and Audience Engagement
Podcasters should prioritize creating high-quality content, including clear sound and a well-organized structure, to retain listeners. Surveys can provide valuable feedback and insights from a small but dedicated audience on how to enhance the show. Continuous improvement and adaptation based on listener feedback, including the introduction of recurring segments, can increase engagement and attract more supporters. Engaging the audience in a meaningful way not only strengthens the community but also ensures the podcast remains relevant and interesting.
Ari always dreamed of starting his own podcast. When he started interviewing fellow academics for the Taylor Swift class he’s teaching, Ari suddenly had the perfect opportunity to turn those conversations into something called ¿What Are Taylor Swift Studies Anyways?Now he just needs to find an audience. On this meta episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on LaurenPassell, founder of Tink Media and author of Podcast the Newsletter. Lauren shares creative ways to find new listeners and connect with your audience; tips that apply to all kinds of passion projects.
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