10 Days to Your First 100 Downloads

I’ve spent the final 5 years working alongside podcasters, and one factor all the time stands out: they need their voices to be heard.

That’s usually why we begin podcasting within the first place. Now we have one thing to share, and we hope it connects with the precise folks. However, getting from that first thought to truly rising an viewers isn’t all the time that straightforward.

There are many assets on the market that can assist you develop your podcast, however while you’re launching, it may be arduous to know what actually applies to you. That’s why I put collectively this 10 day plan based mostly on what I’ve seen work for 1000’s of Buzzsprout podcasters.

It’s a mixture of methods that creators have examined throughout each area of interest, paired with actual metrics you’ll be able to monitor inside your internet hosting platform. Whether or not you’re beginning your first podcast or your fifteenth, these steps are designed to provide your present the very best begin.

Why 100 Downloads?

I launched my podcast, Buzzsprout Weekly, in Might 2024. Like most new podcasters, I wished it to have a powerful begin, however I wasn’t certain what that basically meant. To set a sensible aim, I turned to the info.

Edison Analysis’s The Infinite Dial 2024 confirmed me that constant, early promotion is without doubt one of the strongest predictors of long-term progress. I additionally realized that directories like Apple Podcasts give new exhibits a brief window of additional visibility, which makes these first few days particularly vital.

Buzzsprout’s personal listener knowledge gave me a benchmark I may work towards: podcasts that attain 100 downloads of their first week are already within the prime 25% of exhibits on the platform. Hitting that quantity exhibits clear momentum and may even sign to podcast listing algorithms that your podcast is value highlighting.

For me, “100 downloads in 10 days” turned the milestone. In case you’re setting the identical aim, listed here are the precise steps I adopted to get there.

Day 0: Setting the Stage

Earlier than the countdown begins, it’s vital to get your personal podcast prepared for brand spanking new listeners.

It would be best to begin by publishing your first episode after which getting listed in podcast directories. This offers podcast listeners entry to your podcast and one thing to hearken to after they discover it.

• Write your episode title: Hold it brief, descriptive, and keyword-friendly. Keep away from obscure titles and attempt to lead with the listener profit. For instance, “How I Landed My First 10 Shoppers” is clearer than “Episode 1: Welcome.”
• Create your cowl artwork: Make it eye-catching, even at small thumbnail sizes. Use contrasting colours and readable textual content for visibility in podcast apps. In case you’re having hassle with content material creation, we have now some templates to assist.
• Write your present notes: Summarize your episode in 2–3 sentences. Hyperlink to assets, your touchdown web page, and different related content material. In case you’re caught, we have now templates for present notes, too.
• Take into account a trailer episode: File a 1–2 minute teaser to introduce your voice, model, and objective. Trailers rely towards your variety of downloads and assist with early discoverability in podcast apps.
• Submit your RSS feed: Use your internet hosting platform, like Buzzsprout, to undergo Apple Podcasts (previously iTunes), Spotify, and YouTube Music earlier than launch. That is the place listeners will be capable to discover your podcast episodes and it ensures you can begin selling from Day 1.

Days 1–3: The Core Launch

The primary three days are about getting your podcast seen and heard in every single place you’ll be able to. Consider it like a spark: you’re attempting to construct sufficient momentum that it catches and retains going.

Step 1: Activate your inside circle

If there are folks in your life who’re keen to advertise your present, right this moment is the day to succeed in out and invite them to be a part of your launch staff. Consider this group as your inside circle of mates, household, or coworkers who might help you get the phrase out.

Give your launch staff easy, every day duties in order that they really feel like they’re on the journey with you. In the future they could hearken to your first episode and share their suggestions. The following day they’ll submit about it on social media or ahead the hyperlink to a good friend. These small actions, achieved persistently, can create a ripple impact that expands your attain far past your personal community.

Once you share hyperlinks, make it as straightforward as potential for folks to hear. Level them on to Apple Podcasts or Spotify so it solely takes one click on to press play. The less steps between your submit and their ears, the extra seemingly they’re to truly hear.

And don’t underestimate private outreach. A fast textual content or DM works higher than a mass electronic mail as a result of it feels real.

Alex Sanfilippo, cofounder of PodMatch and host of Podcasting Made Easy, recommends:

“Textual content your family and friends, ask them to test it out and to share it with one individual they know who would get pleasure from it, whereas asking that one individual to do the identical. This easy chain can unfold farther than you’d suppose.”

The aim is to solid a large internet and maintain constructing momentum. In spite of everything, folks can’t hearken to one thing they don’t know exists.

Step 2: Share with intention on social media

Put up on Instagram, Fb, or LinkedIn, and ensure your message speaks on to the viewers you need to attain. Attempt to write one thing that connects your episode to an issue or aim your listeners care about. This offers them a cause to hear!

Right here’s an instance you could possibly use:

“Fascinated by beginning a aspect hustle? In my first episode, I share the precise steps I took earlier than making my first sale.”

Why does this matter? Social media is without doubt one of the greatest methods folks uncover new podcasts. About 17% of podcast listeners within the U.S. say they’ve discovered a podcast via posts on social platforms. Which means each share has the potential to succeed in new listeners.

And don’t underestimate the facility of blending public posts with non-public outreach. Sending a fast DM, alongside your social posts, faucets into each belief and visibility. That mixture can drive considerably extra downloads than counting on only one channel.

By the tip of day 3, you need to goal for 30-35 downloads. In case you’re not there but, maintain going!

Days 4–6: Increasing Past Your Circle

As soon as your mates and friends learn about your present, it’s time to begin reaching folks exterior your circle. Days 4–6 are all about discovering listeners who already care about your subject and digging into content material advertising and marketing.

Step 1: Be a part of area of interest communities

Start by becoming a member of communities the place your viewers already spends time. This might be Fb teams, Reddit threads, Slack channels, or trade boards. Don’t simply drop a hyperlink and run, lead with one thing useful or fascinating out of your episode and share the complete hyperlink for anybody who needs extra. When folks see you contributing worth, they’re more likely to take a look at your present.

Step 2: Repurpose your greatest moments

Subsequent, take your greatest moments and switch them into brief, shareable clips. A 20–30 second spotlight with captions works nice on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or LinkedIn. Finish every clip with a easy name to motion like: “Pay attention on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any podcast listing.”

Step 3: Cross-promote with friends

It’s also possible to develop rapidly by cross-promoting with different podcasters. Attain out to friends in your area of interest and supply to swap shout-outs or function one another’s hyperlinks in your present notes. This is without doubt one of the quickest methods to faucet into an present viewers that’s already enthusiastic about your subject. Even small collaborations can usher in new listeners.

Right here’s a terrific instance. A Buzzsprout podcaster shared on Reddit:

“I’m nonetheless new with my podcast, however publicity actually has meant every little thing. I did a visitor knowledgeable spot on ADHD for Good Ass Girls (a podcast with tens of millions of downloads) and bought a bunch of listeners after that.”

Step 4: Take into account Native Promotion

Whereas it may be tempting to all the time suppose massive image, generally it helps to suppose native.

Dave Jackson, founding father of Faculty of Podcasting, suggests pondering native for podcast promotion might help you discover your viewers:

“For my present for musicians, I used to burn CDs with a trailer on it and go away them within the foyer of Guitar Middle. The CD learn ‘Free Music Advertising and marketing Suggestions’ and I’d return week after week and replenish.”

It was 2006, when CDs had been in every single place, however the precept nonetheless applies right this moment: go the place your viewers is and make it straightforward for them to find you. There are plenty of methods you may get artistic along with your podcast advertising and marketing.

By Day 6, you ought to be seeing no less than 60–65 downloads. In case you’re not fairly there, don’t get discouraged. Evaluation your episode title, description, and posting technique. Even small tweaks could make an enormous distinction in search engine optimization and visibility.

Days 7–9: Constructing Belief and Encouraging Motion

The cool factor about podcasts is the chance to construct a each a area people and join with listeners everywhere in the world. Podcast listeners are distinctly loyal, and when you construct belief along with your viewers, they’ll turn into a strong instrument for podcast advertising and marketing.

On days 7-9 you’ll need to deal with encouraging motion out of your viewers:

Step 1: Ask for scores and critiques

Begin by asking for scores and critiques. A fast star ranking in Apple Podcasts or a comply with on Spotify can do extra in your visibility than you would possibly suppose. Remind your listeners that it solely takes 30 seconds however helps your present get beneficial to extra folks. Most listeners are completely satisfied to help you, they only want the reminder.

Step 2: Repurpose into written content material

Subsequent, repurpose your episodes into written content material by turning your key factors into weblog posts, newsletters, or LinkedIn articles.

Everytime you publish one thing, embed your podcast participant so folks can hit play with out leaving the web page. These performs rely as downloads, and also you’ll additionally attain individuals who choose studying over listening.

Once you’re specializing in written content material, look so as to add worth. You’re a distinctive voice in your podcast subject, and whereas it’s straightforward to really feel like an imposter to start with, folks do need to hear from you! Search for on-line boards, social posts, or communities the place your podcast can add worth and share your written content material there with a hyperlink to your present.

A Buzzsprout podcasters on Reddit shared:

“After 20 episodes, I offered worth in on-line discussions with different like-minded folks. Finally, I began answering with ‘Oh, that we lined on our podcast,’ and linked to the episode.”

Step 3: Comply with up along with your launch staff

Don’t neglect to comply with up along with your launch staff. A brief thank-you electronic mail with a direct hyperlink to your latest episode can go a great distance.

Ask your launch staff to ahead it to 1 good friend who would possibly get pleasure from your present. Phrase-of-mouth continues to be some of the highly effective methods to develop, and emails make it straightforward in your listeners to share.

By the tip of Day 9, it’s best to see your viewers beginning to interact extra actively by sharing, ranking, and serving to you develop.

Day 10: The Social Proof Increase

Congratulations, you made it to Day 10! Day 10 is all about celebrating your arduous work. Launching a podcast takes effort, and hitting the ten day mark is a milestone value sharing.

Take a second to submit a behind-the-scenes recap or rejoice your milestone on social media. Share what you’ve realized over the previous 10 days, and don’t be afraid to incorporate your obtain numbers. You would possibly even get a couple of extra from sharing.

Tag your early supporters and make it straightforward for them to rejoice with you, too. You possibly can even give them graphics or pre-written copy they’ll share, so the momentum continues.

By publicly acknowledging your progress, you not solely reward your self, however you additionally encourage your listeners and launch staff to maintain spreading the phrase.

Distinctive Methods to Stand Out

After the primary 10 days, you need to maintain the momentum going! Check out these methods to continue to grow your podcast:

• Create a “Begin Right here” web page: Characteristic your greatest episode, subscribe hyperlinks, and a fast pitch for brand spanking new listeners.
• Leverage influencer:. Attain out to micro-influencers with a private message and related episode.
• Visitor on different podcasts: Faucet into established audiences by showing on exhibits your listeners already comply with. PodMatch is a good useful resource to get began.
• Optimize for search engines like google and yahoo: Use descriptive key phrases in your titles and present notes to look in each podcast app and Google podcast searches.
• Provide a freebie: Embrace a downloadable guidelines or PDF in your present notes.
• Go reside: Host a Q&A about your episode on TikTok or Instagram to attach immediately with listeners.

Monitoring and Troubleshooting

Throughout the first 10 days, use your internet hosting platform analytics to observe downloads every day. Evaluate platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and see the place your podcast listeners are coming from.

In case you’re utilizing Buzzsprout, you’ll be able to monitor the kind of machine your listeners are utilizing to hearken to your episode, what podcast directories they’re utilizing, and even their geographical location. This info might help you to tailor your content material to your viewers for greater engagement.

If progress stalls, you’ll be able to all the time pivot. Attempt to:

• Refine your episode title for higher search intent.
• Put up your strongest clip on TikTok with niche-specific hashtags.
• Re-share your episode on LinkedIn with a contemporary hook.

Past the First 100 Downloads

Reaching 100 downloads in 10 days is thrilling, however it’s actually simply the beginning of your journey. Podcasting takes constant effort, and progress doesn’t all the time occur in a single day. The exhibits that final are those constructed on ardour, curiosity, and a willingness to maintain sharing your voice.

Hold creating episodes that excite you and offering worth to your listeners. Over time, these little moments of connection add up and your podcast turns into one thing larger than simply numbers.