Podcast Growth: How to Increase Support for your Podcast

Not every podcast is ready to pursue sponsors or advertisers. But if you have an audience, they may be willing to support your podcast beyond listening and sharing.

What is Listener Support?

Podcast listeners are usually quick to support a podcast that they enjoy and believe in. A lot of support  can come from giving a review and recommending the podcast to others. But another form of support is  money. 

Donations: Most podcasts are free, and it can take a while before ad spots cover the cost of  production. Listeners are often appreciative of the free content and want to support the  podcast. It is important to make this easy for them by explaining how they can support the show  in each episode. You can also provide links in the show notes and through social media. Setting  up a Patreon or Kickstarter page will increase accessibility as well. 

What Listeners Get: It is important to thank listeners for their support. This can be done by  providing extra content or merchandise that only supporters will receive. A lot of podcasts set  levels of donations and the top-level donators will often get a spot in the credits. It is also  necessary to explain to listeners what you are doing with the money. Have goals in mind to  show growth in the show, and listeners will continue to give. (Better sound quality, more high level interviews, transcripts, more frequent episodes, etc.)  

Selling Merchandise and Using your Brand 

A podcast’s most important asset is its audience. Successful podcasts cultivate a relationship with listeners  over years of hard work and great content. A podcast’s brand can lead to opportunities in selling merchandise, promoting other products that the company offers (Books, magazine subscription, etc.), and  even creating more shows.

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