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Thread: Growing Your Podcast
Since there was interest, this is how we grew, and continue to grow, our show. I can't guarantee that this will work for you because there are so many outside factors involved in the process.
But, here goes!
Since there was interest, this is how we grew, and continue to grow, our show. I can't guarantee that this will work for you because there are so many outside factors involved in the process.
But, here goes!
1. Social Media Presence
Find which platform your audience is on and focus your attention there.
How to find it? Go where you'd go as a fan of something. Be a member of the community.
IMPORTANT: being a member of a community means you have to GIVE as well as take.
Find which platform your audience is on and focus your attention there.
How to find it? Go where you'd go as a fan of something. Be a member of the community.
IMPORTANT: being a member of a community means you have to GIVE as well as take.
People generally don't like it when you show up, drop a self-promo and then poof out of there. You need to genuinely and POSITIVELY interact with people.
People generally don't like Negative Nancies.
People generally don't like Negative Nancies.
Social media can be tricky and fickle. All you can do is be positive, genuine, and BE EXCITED!
We started with social media before we even launched our first episode. We were out there interacting and talking. We posted behind the scenes stuff that showcased how excited we were.
We started with social media before we even launched our first episode. We were out there interacting and talking. We posted behind the scenes stuff that showcased how excited we were.
Our excitement and joy for doing something creative were contagious. It made others excited for us. They wanted to check things out.
We engaged with others and posted a lot of open-ended questions that fostered conversation.
We engaged with others and posted a lot of open-ended questions that fostered conversation.
2. Focus
Having a narrow focus is something that will help you. We knew going in that there were a plethora of D&D podcasts out there in the world. We needed something that would make us stick out from the bunch.
I'm not talking gimmicks here, remember, it needs to be genuine.
Having a narrow focus is something that will help you. We knew going in that there were a plethora of D&D podcasts out there in the world. We needed something that would make us stick out from the bunch.
I'm not talking gimmicks here, remember, it needs to be genuine.
If it isn't genuine people will be able to read that. They'll dismiss it. Your focus needs to be something that as a group you're passionate about.
For us? It was intersectional feminism. We wanted to model the behaviour we wished to see in the TTRPG community.
For us? It was intersectional feminism. We wanted to model the behaviour we wished to see in the TTRPG community.
We didn't want to be pedantic 'cos we knew, whether it is fair or not, we'd be labeled as screeching harpies.
We all know the adages:
- talk is cheap
- actions speak louder than words
We all know the adages:
- talk is cheap
- actions speak louder than words
We chose intersectional feminism because we were all relative strangers to each other. We met in an on-line women's fitness group and had only played two sessions of EotE together.
Intersectional feminism was the most prominent aspect that each of us shared a strong interest in.
Intersectional feminism was the most prominent aspect that each of us shared a strong interest in.
We decided to openly play from that perspective.
The show ended up resonating with people, because it resonated with us. It also meant we stood out from the throngs of podcasts which only had white cis male perspectives.
The show ended up resonating with people, because it resonated with us. It also meant we stood out from the throngs of podcasts which only had white cis male perspectives.
We were tapping into an audience that did not have a lot of voices and representation at the time: marginalized genders.
3. Networking
I joined so many podcasting groups on Facebook and Discord it was ridiculous.
I participated in conversation and shared experiences with other podcasters. I made friends.
Through those friendships, we collaborated. We did crossover episodes.
I joined so many podcasting groups on Facebook and Discord it was ridiculous.
I participated in conversation and shared experiences with other podcasters. I made friends.
Through those friendships, we collaborated. We did crossover episodes.
We guested on other people's shows, they guested on ours.
We helped promote other shows on social media.
We helped promote other shows on social media.
4. Approaching Others
After only four months of podcasting, I approached Wizards about organizing a podcasting event. When I approached them I made sure I had a solid written plan. I had links. I had an elevator pitch.
I put a lot of work into that.
It worked.
After only four months of podcasting, I approached Wizards about organizing a podcasting event. When I approached them I made sure I had a solid written plan. I had links. I had an elevator pitch.
I put a lot of work into that.
It worked.
We got some pretty amazing guests doing the same thing.
We simply reached out to people - politely - but with a clear and organized approach.
I wrote a handwritten letter to the McElroys and asked if they'd guest. That's how we became acquainted with Travis.
We simply reached out to people - politely - but with a clear and organized approach.
I wrote a handwritten letter to the McElroys and asked if they'd guest. That's how we became acquainted with Travis.
5. Consistency
You can have the greatest content out there but if you aren't consistent people will most likely not stick with you. You aren't there for them so why should they for you?
You can have the greatest content out there but if you aren't consistent people will most likely not stick with you. You aren't there for them so why should they for you?
6. Being Professional
We have things like guest packages with all of the information guests needs.
When we record with guests we stick to what we're doing and don't waste their time.
We generally record an entire episode in about 45 minutes.
We have things like guest packages with all of the information guests needs.
When we record with guests we stick to what we're doing and don't waste their time.
We generally record an entire episode in about 45 minutes.
And well, that's what we've done, aside from putting love and care into the final product.
If y'all have questions, I'll answer them when I can.
If y'all have questions, I'll answer them when I can.
