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Many podcasters ask me how to get more listener interaction with their show. How can you get more listener feedback and comments? They are looking for ways to grow their podcast engagement.
We need to transform your information into engaging entertainment. When your content is engaging, people take notice and take action. If you want your listeners to interact more with your show, make your content engaging.
You can download the list at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/engage.
The one struggle that I hear most often is the desire to gain more engagement. How do we get more listeners? How do I increase my download numbers? What do you do to create more engagement? The problem may be worded differently, but the struggle is the same.
Are you making the problem more difficult than it needs to be?
The solution is easy to understand, yet difficult to execute properly.
Through all of my research and years of experience in both radio and podcasting, I’ve discovered a few key steps to create interaction. This week, let’s cover 7 steps to create more podcast engagement with your listeners.
Some of these steps may sound a little too simplistic. Just remember … don’t make it harder than it needs to be. Step back and ask yourself if you are truly executing on each step to the fullest.
ASK
1. Ask Them To Engage
How do you expect them to know you want them to be part of your show if you don’t ask?
Be sure to make your request specific. Tell your listener exactly what you want her to do.
If you want your listener to e-mail you or leave a voice message, tell them how to do that. Tell them where to go and what to do. When you want more podcast engagement, you need to ask for it.
EASY
2. Make It Easy To Engage
You may use social media, your website, an e-mail address, voicemail, or a number of other methods to reach you. Simplify it.
Create one contact page on your website containing the info to avoid the need for a laundry list during your show. Then, always provide that one contact source.
By using that one source, you also prevent your listener from getting caught in the decision paradox. If someone must decide which options to choose, they will choose to do neither.
It is much safer to make no choice than to make the wrong choice. Don’t put them in that situation.
Make the questions specific, so they don’t have to think. Give your listener a question to answer or specific piece of information to provide.
If he isn’t forced to be creative and “work” to create content for your show, you will have more success creating podcast engagement.
DEMONSTRATE
3. Show Them How To Engage
Give examples of podcast engagement. Show your listeners what you want them to do.
If you want people to leave you voice messages, play some examples on the show. When your listener hears others asking questions or giving opinions, they will know exactly what to do.
On the radio, we always had trouble getting the first call. Nobody wants to be first. We would set up the first call with someone who called about something completely different.
If we wanted to get into a conversation about best movie theater, we would set it up. When someone called to request a song, we would ask them the question. Then, we would play that call to demonstrate to others what we wanted.
Prime the pump to get more podcast engagement.
REWARD PODCAST ENGAGEMENT
4. Reward Podcast Engagement
What do your listeners get by engaging? What is it in for them?
Reward listeners who engage. This doesn’t need to be a gift or physical reward. You could acknowledge them on the show or highlight their journey.
Rewarding your active listeners can take many forms.
SUPERFANS
5. Use Superfans
Reach out to your superfans to begin the podcast engagement. They are more likely to engage than others. Use this to your advantage.
Connect with three or four to start the engagement. When your superfans start the conversation, others will follow.
NAMES
6. Use Their Name
Know your frequent listeners by name and use their name often.
Like Dale Carnegie says in “How To Win Friends And Influence People“, there is no sweeter sound than the sound of one’s name.
Jon and Dave and Regina listen to my show each week. They support my show and all I do. Find those frequent listeners for your show and mention them.
HIGHLIGHT
7. Highlight Members
Highlight a member of your community or audience on each show.
If you want more members and more engagement, highlight a member each week. Rather than simply acknowledging them, do a full feature on them. You might even invite them on the show and coach them.
Really shine the spotlight on a member and it will pay off when they share it.
Here are two bonus ideas …
SHARE
8. Share Tips
Have listeners share a tip of the week. Creating a crowd sourced show is a powerful way to create podcast engagement.
Dave Jackson at School of Podcasting does this as the final episode each month. He has a question of the month. He then tells people exactly how to leave their answer.
For the final episode of the month, he combines all of the answers into a show.
TEXT
9. Text
Let listeners text to make it easier. When podcast engagement is easy, engagement goes up.
We would often be told to get more callers on the radio during our show. Unfortunately, people would rather text than call. It’s a way of life today.
If your listeners are in the habit of texting, find a way to allow them to text you. Make it easy.
TIP SHEET
Would you like 75 ways to drive podcast engagement and grow your audience? You can get my list at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/engage.
You will get ideas to engage your audience with your content. There are tips to increase your podcast downloads. There are also ways to encourage your listener to visit your website.
You can download the list at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/engage.
If you don’t have a mentor who can take your hand and walk you every step of the way, go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply, click the button and apply to have a chat with me. We will develop your plan and see how I can help and support you to achieve your podcast goals.
