Most podcasters think the key to audience growth is attracting more listeners. However, that is only half of the equation. You have to work to keep the listeners you already have.
FIX THE LEAKS
If you are trying to fill a bucket with water, it becomes very difficult when your bucket has big holes in the bottom.
There are 3 keys to keeping your listeners and achieving audience growth.
- Be unique and make them remember you.
- Give them a reason to come back.
- Get them to actually listen.
Today, let’s talk about being unique. Your listeners will remember you by the stories you tell. That is how they get to know, like and trust you.
You can get my Podcast Talent Coach Story Development Worksheet at PodcastTalentCoach.com/story.
IRELAND BOYS’ AUDIENCE GROWTH
My son watches a show on YouTube created by Ireland Boys Productions. These are videos created by a two brothers and their friends. They do crazy stuff like spending 72 hours in a WalMart, sneaking pumpkins into shopping carts of other people and ordering the entire Popeyes Chicken menu.
IBP has posted 201 videos and has 3.78 million subscribers. There have been 6.1 million views on the WalMart video.
These videos aren’t short, either. The videos are 20-30 minutes long.
The Ireland Boys even go on tour, because they have created a tremendous following.
As they create their videos, the brothers make their fans part of the show. Their viewers get to suggest crazy stuff to do on the show. You can even buy their merch on their website.
Most importantly, their fans know their story. Watching their show, you meet their parents. You see where they live. Viewers can see the awards YouTube has given the team for their online success.
It is all about their story and the plot of the episode. Each time, you wonder if they will succeed or get busted by store security.
WHO AM I?
When I started in radio, I just copied the other big personalities on the radio. I was using their phrases and mannerisms. My desire was to be them.
One day, I was reviewing my show with my program director. She was helping me find ways to improve my show.
As we were listening to the show, she stopped the audio. She asked why I was using a particular phrase. It was a phrase that was used by the morning guy on our sister station. This was the rock station I was on before I got the gig here.
When she asked, I had no answer.
She said, “Why don’t we leave that to the other guys. You be you.”
That was the day I started being true to myself and defining my own story and personality. I started sharing who I am with my audience. That began my climb to the top.
YOU’RE NOT GARY
Many podcasters hear Gary Vaynerchuk and try to be Gary Vee on their podcast. So, they start dropping F-bombs and living the hustle.
The problem is … they aren’t Gary Vaynerchuk. They weren’t born in Belarus. These people didn’t immigrate to the United States unable to speak English.
Podcasters who want to be Gary Vee didn’t spend their youth working in their fathers’s liquor store. They didn’t grow up learning how to sell by hustling baseball cards. You can’t be Gary Vaynerchuk unless you’re Gary Vaynerchuk.
Stop trying to be Gary Vaynerchuk and start being yourself.
WHO ARE YOU?
What is your story? Where did you come from? What makes you unique?
Let your personality come out on your show. Make a list of your unique characteristics that make you different from everyone else.
Maybe you’re brash, or caring, or cold, or inspiring. People might find you matter-of-fact, or welcoming, or take-no-prisoners, or comforting.
Define your personality. Then, put all of your content through that filter.
Be true to yourself and your listeners will remember you.
With your content, tell your stories. Use your personality to make your listener feel something. People remember emotions. Get them invested emotionally. This is critical to your audience growth.
When you tell stories on your show, define what do you hope to make the listener feel with your story. Always start with the emotion.
EMOTION FOR AUDIENCE GROWTH
Once you know have defined the emotion, you will know how to tell the story.
The more stories you tell, the more your listeners will get to know you. They will get emotionally invested with your show. Your listeners will remember you and come back time and again.
As you are working for audience growth, be sure you are working to hold onto the listeners you have.
You can get my Podcast Talent Coach Story Development Worksheet at PodcastTalentCoach.com/story.
You can find my podcast and other tools to help you create great content at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com.
Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.
