Promoting your show...how?

[Filmosity]

I've done a search of the forums, but no luck. So I have a question: How/where does everyone promote their shows? I've been told that mine is pretty good, but my listenership is fairly low still, and I want to boost that. Besides listing in directories, where should I go/what should I do to promote it?

I have forums and a mailing list available, and I try to make the blog and show as interactive as possible, but maybe my topic is just too narrow? Or not enough shows? Or is there something else I could be doing? I'm actually thinking of starting a cafepress store too.

Any ideas?

Thanks for your help.

-Chris

[simulacrum]

posting here was a start - i'll have a listen (it better be good! :D ).

as well as posting on a few podcast forums, i just emailed a few friends and i've had a bit of viral success.

how long have you been going for? i'm into my 4th week - my third week was several times more popular than the 1st etc.

best of luck,
Chris

[radioclash]

Posting on forums related to your show is a good start - don't spam but having one thread you regularly bump with each show shouldn't annoy the mods, especially if you're a regular there.

Maybe change your MSN display name also, means people are likely to ask 'what's that?' - and friends, neighbours, pestering people basically...

Sending promos to other shows, especially if related to your show content (ie. not just AC) and maybe suggesting your show to podcasters who have similar tastes maybe? If they like it they might talk about it, especially if it's similar to their show...strength in numbers is what I've always believed.

But eventually if people like your show it'll get passed by word of mouth, and grow organically...make sure you have good shownotes tho, if it's a l[arge podcast people will want to see what's in it before they download for the first time, or subscribe.

[notyourusualbollocks]

Depending on the content of your show, there are several approaches to take.

1. Get unsigned bands on your show. Jason from Insomnia Radio is a master at this. He puts a band on his show and his show in turn gets promoted on the band's e-mail list. You can do the maths pretty quickly! I had similar success with a band called Ten Story Relapse. I put them on the show and they featured me in a mailing list going out to 1500 people. Got a nice little lift in traffic from that.

2. Get a good blog provider and create a blog with content that's updated often. I tie in my show with the Not Your Usual Bollocks Music blog where I post articles of note e.g London music scene, humor etc. My blogging company squarespace has very tight integration with google and technorati which helps a LOT. I'm averaging many hundreds of hits a day now on the site purely due to google referrals. Many of these people consequently download my show. A blog with decent content just enhances the overall experience of your listeners.

3. If you're REALLY keen, get your local media to do an article on podcasting with you as a feature.

Good luck!

MK
NYUB London
www.notyourusualbollocks.squarespace.com

[F7sound]

Get your podcast listed in the search engines by having a specific "podcast" page on your site (if you don't already). Do all the stuff the others above said to do. And, most importantly, give it time.

If you're good, you're listeners will spread the word.


Michael Oster
F7 Sound and Vision
http://www.F7sound.com
my podcasts - http://www.F7sound.com/podcasts.htm
my blog - http://michaeloster.blogspot.com

[camilian]

Since your podcast is about moviemaking, why not take it to that audience? There are a TON of people interested in moviemaking while there is still a fairly small group that listen to podcasts. Start posting in film forums - filmthreat.com, aint-it-cool, moviepoopshoot, etc. Start talking to the people that are interested in what you are doing.

[jeffoest]

One thing I noticed about your site (not necessarily a promotion answer) is that it was pretty unintuitve how to listen to your podcasts (aside from the obvious XML feed option). i.e. I couldn't find a link to the mp3's. If they are there, then they were well hidden ;-)

I get more than twice the number of downloads as I have subscribers so making it easy to give a listen to your show directly from your page (especially for first time listeners who want to give it a sample before committing to a subscription) is probably a good move. Also remember that that is the primary way a lot of people still in the '90's paradigm will listen to your show - they will bookmark it and check for content every now and then... XML is just too complex for some (no matter how easy we try to make it for them!).

[Filmosity]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for all the tips and advice. I'm glad I have this resource. You're all great people.

I'm definitely going to work on putting the mp3 direct links right in each blog post. SHould help things along. And I'm working on finding more filmmaking forums too. Thanks,

-Chris

[ebrage]

There are some great ideas here.

Anyone have advise for promoting a general interest / magazine-style podcast?

[TexasMusicForge]

The tips in this thread cover the basics, whether for a special-interest program or a generalized one.

Be aware that a general-interest audio magazine will have a tougher launch period than one with a tighter focus and a core audience just because it doesn't have a readily-defined initial audience. You can counter that with a good professional marketing campaign, but that involves some serious $.

The best thing you can do if you don't have a core demographic for your show is to explore existing media outlets for cross-promotional possibilities. Have you considered contacting local newspapers (don't overlook the small town papers in nearby markets - they're often the most approachable) about writing an Internet or blogging (or podcasting)-related column for them? You might also look at providing a brief two minute program free of charge to radio stations in your area for programming in exchange for a plug for your podcast. There are lots of possibilities for shows covering lifestyle or instructional content. Listen to your local NPR station for short feature spots in order to pick up some production tips for radio. Does your local community college have adult education classes where you might be able to pick up a gig teaching the basics of podcasting or blogging? I'm not suggesting you need to go door-to-door to sell yourself, but unless you've got $$$ and a plan, you're going to have to come up with some sweat equity to promote what you do and that means you're going to have to hustle to make your own opportunities.

Marketing and promotion, if done right, eventually reach a point of critical mass where promotional opportunities will come in from unexpected sources - you just have to put enough small pieces together to reach critical mass in the first place.

Good luck,

Tio Ed
El Rey de Sweat Equity

[ebrage]

Thanks very much Tio Ed / El Rey.

What it comes down to, for me at least, is what I want to get out of podcasting (and the answer is, I'm not quite sure at present). Whereas for some (or many) people a blog exists to support the podcast, for me it's the other way around. I write about a wide variety of topics at Dumpster Bust and cross-promotionally for the much larger audience at BlogCritics.org (and also edit over there) so my new radio show is meant to supplement those activities and add a different angle/perspective in a new (for me) medium.

In any event, I'm having fun with it and will look for promotional activities here and there. This thread is certainly chock full of excellent places to start.