BPA Learn: 7 Steps to Winning Over Your Next Podcast Subscriber

This Post Is Sponsored By Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant

Dive into the intricate tapestry of the natural world with the release of Season 3 of "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant." This season goes beyond just animal stories, taking you on a comprehensive journey through the entire ecological web—from the microscopic to apex predators. Don't miss out on this enlightening exploration; listen now and subscribe to discover how we can redefine our relationship with nature. » Listen & Subscribe «

---

I’m so excited to be writing here on BlkPodNews! Before I jump into today’s topic, let me start by introducing myself and what I’ll be sharing here. I’m Sasha, owner of the Boundless Audio Podcast Network (also known as BA) where I’m dedicated to amplifying the voices of women in podcasting - particularly women of color, those in the LGBTQ+ community, and members of other marginalized groups. I’m also a podcast coach and educator, host of two (soon to be three) podcasts, and publisher of The Podcaster's Digest! That’s me ⬇️

Boundless Audio is currently home to twenty shows that cover everything from true crime to history, business, and pop culture. There’s also the Boundless Audio Podcast University, which houses educational courses for beginner and seasoned podcasters. We also offer podcast audits and coaching to help podcasters create better shows. I plan to use this space to share tips, tricks, and insights on how to create a better show, grow subscribers, and monetize. So without further ado, let’s hop into today’s topic!

---

The Path to Gaining a New Podcast Subscriber: Decoding the 7 Crucial Steps

Attracting new subscribers tends to be one of the primary goals of any podcaster. But ya’ll know that there are literally thousands of podcasts already, in both audio and video formats, which means ensuring that potential listeners choose your podcast over the plethora of others can be a challenging task. It's a journey, with every step presenting a crucial decision point or, as I like to call them, "fork in the road decisions."

Understanding these decision points and optimizing them can significantly enhance your ability to turn a casual browser into a loyal podcast listener.

1. First Impressions: The Power of Cover Art and Show Title

Clue they're seeking: Is this podcast worth my time?

Before a potential listener dives into your content, the first thing they'll encounter is your podcast's title and cover art. This is their first impression of your brand, and you want it to resonate. A catchy title and a professionally designed cover can grab attention and set the tone for what's to come.

2. Delving Deeper: The Show Description

Clue they're seeking: What is this podcast about?

Once your title and cover art have piqued their interest, the next step for a potential listener is to understand what your podcast offers. An engaging and concise show description can make the difference between a click-through and an off-ramp. Be sure to clearly outline who the podcast is for and how it'll add value to the listener's life.

3. Episode Titles: The Snapshot of Your Content

Clue they're seeking: Do these topics interest me?

Just as a book is judged by its chapters, your podcast will be judged by its episode titles. Don’t try and make titles clever or random. While titles should be catchy, they also need to give a clear idea of the content and its relevance to the potential subscriber.

4. A Closer Look: The Episode Description

Clue they're seeking: Is this episode worth my time?

A comprehensive episode description can seal the deal. This is where you can showcase the depth, quality, and relevance of your content. Make sure it's clear, engaging, and resonates with the specific audience you're targeting. I’ve seen episode descriptions that tell me literally nothing about the episode and the title doesn’t either. Listeners will rarely listen to a show if they don’t know what they’re getting into.

5. The Audio Teaser: First 3 Minutes of Your Episode

Clue they're seeking: Is the audio quality up to par? Does it engage me right away?

The first few minutes of your episode act as a teaser. If you can't captivate the listener in this short time, they're likely to drop off. Ensure top-notch audio quality and dive straight into compelling content.

6. Commitment: Listening Through to the End

Clue they're seeking: Is the entire episode valuable and engaging?

If a listener commits to the entire episode, you're on the right track. This shows they see value in your content. Consistency in quality and content relevance throughout the episode is key to retaining them till the end.

7. The Ultimate Goal: Subscribing to the Show

Clue they're seeking: Do I see consistent value in this podcast?

If a potential podcast listener has reached this point, you've almost won them over. A subscribe action signifies their trust in your content's consistent value. Aim to exceed their expectations to ensure they hit that subscribe button.

Fork in the Road: Why Listeners Might Turn Away

Every one of these steps gives a potential listener that fork in the road decision where they might decide the podcast isn't for them. Most commonly, they:

• Don't perceive the show as valuable;

• Question the show's quality; and/or

• Don't see it as a fit for them.

If you work to ensure that every touchpoint is optimized to cater to your target audience, you can minimize these fork-in-the-road decision checkpoints and maximize new listeners.

Standing out and ensuring that your potential podcast subscriber perceives your content as valuable, of high quality, and relevant to them is the game-changer. Do an audit of your show (or get on done by me 😉) to see where listeners might be falling off and how you can make updates to keep them moving from interested to dedicated listeners.