When I talk with podcasters about their goals, they tell me they want to grow their audience. Today, I want to show you the exact steps you can use to double your audience.

These are the exact steps I took last summer to double my downloads in four months.

I also want to let you know that Collaborate is coming again. This is my favorite event of the year. Your chance to meet hundreds of potential partners. Get the details at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/collaborate.

UNCOMFORTABLE

Before we get into the steps, you need to decide if you are really prepared to take the action necessary to grow your audience. Only you can decide if you will do the work.

Everybody wants to lose weight. Few people are willing to do what it takes.

The good news is growing your audience isn’t as difficult as losing weight. It also won’t take nearly as long.

However, it will take discipline. It will also require you to get out of your comfort zone and try some things that may push your boundaries.

Most of us consider ourselves introverts. We find it uncomfortable to engage in conversation with people we don’t know. Putting ourselves out there in vulerable situations can sometimes paralyze us.

On the other hand, when you do put yourself out there and meet new people who can help you, big things can happen.

It is lonely at the top, because so few people are willing to do the work it takes to get there. The extra mile isn’t very crowded.

When you look at these steps, you will notice that they make you a bit uncomfortable. Do you want to be average, or are you ready to stand out from the crowd?

MAKE IT EASIER

You can make this process much easier. Having conversations with people who want to have those conversations makes this process much less awkward.

If you want to double your audience, follow these four steps.

First, create a real benefit of listening to your show. How will your listener be better off when the episode is over? They could be entertained, inspired, more knowledgable, or motivated. You get to decide.

But, you need to decide. Your show cannot simply be information. Listeners can get that anywhere.

Your podcast needs to take your audience through a transformation. To make your show powerful and engaging, stir the emotion and provide a benefit.

Next, find your target audience. You can’t hit a target you cannot see.

Define your target listener. Then, figure out where they congregate.

The third step is getting in front of them. Once you know where they are, go there. Be present. Make them aware of you.

Finally, invite them to the show. Tell these new potential listeners how to find you.

ACTION

The process to double your downloads isn’t difficult to understand. It is just challenging to do it on your own.

You need to take action to achieve your goals.

I was in your shoes. It was difficult for me to put myself out there.

One year I attended a conference where I was speaking. People were actually coming to the room to hear what I had to say. You would think I had plenty of confidence.

One night at the conference, there was a special networking event. I purchased a ticket to start networking.

When I walked into the room, nobody noticed. As I made my way around the room, nobody noticed.

Eventually, I joined a table of a few podcasters. We started chatting about our shows and got to know each other a bit.

What I realized was these people were in the same position I was in. We were all there to meet new people. There was no reason for me to be uncomfortable.

COLLABORATE

Fast forward to last July. I attended an online event called Collaborate. This event was designed to help people meet potential partners.

I reminded myself what I learned back at that conference. We were all there to meet potential partners.

Iman Aghay was leading the event. He taught everyone there exactly how to network and what to say. It was great. He destroyed the self talk. We were all operating from the same playbook.

From that event, I met 40 potential partners. Some would join me on my show. Others would have me on their events.

Evakarin Wallin helps coaches go from start to empowered. She came on my show.

Kelly Falardeau became a great parther. She helps entrepreneurs and coaches write their book. We’ve promoted each other.

I met Margie Dunki-Jacobs. Margie helps entrepreneurs get to the next level. She has promoted me. She has been part of my coaching groups. We’ve found various ways to support each other.

Merri-jo Hillaker is awesome. She helps business owners make a kryptonite breakthrough and reach success in their lives. She was a guest on my show and involved in various other Podcast Talent Coach things. Her story is great.

Shelley Roxanne helps people go from overlooked to overbooked. We created a partnership after she was on my podcast.

Patty Fogarty does website triage. Robin O’Donovan creates custom music. Shadeed Eleazer helps you monetize your network and is an amazing personality that everyone loves.

The potential partners I met were incredible. And, I was taught exactly how to take action and meet all of these amazing people.

OTHER NICHES

I also met many others in a variety of niches.

Alicia helps parents raise happy, healthy kids. Angela is all about essential oils and whole life health. Bonnie does online dance classes. Cheryl does healthy eating. Dr. Cheryl does neuropathy medicine. Gayle teaches you how to get on TV. James is all about chiropractic care. Kim does holistic animal care. Melissa teaches reinvention after divorce.

Some of these experts didn’t fit my niche. However, some knew others that would be a great connection for me.

By connecting and collaborating will all of these amazing people, I doubled my downloads over the course of 4 months.

SIGN UP AND ATTEND

Would you like a chance to meet a whole list of potential partners for you? Collaborate is happening again. You can get the details and register at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/collaborate.

The event is amazing. Not only will you network with hundreds of potential partners who are looking for opportunities, you will be taught exactly how to properly network. You will learn exactly how to make the right connections.

This is by far my favorite event of the year. Do yourself a favor and take action. If you want to grow, push yourself.

You can register at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/collaborate. I would love to see you there.

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.