My name is Niall Mackay, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. I’ve been podcasting for years and it changed my life. It has opened doors I never imagined and connected me with incredible people around the world. However, it’s not always an easy path.
Building an audience is the number one struggle for podcasters at any stage. That’s why I put together 25 actionable tips to help you grow your show, connect with your listeners, and make an impact.
Here are 25 podcast growth hacks you can start using today!
1. Know Your Audience
Before you do anything else, figure out who your podcast is for. Who are they? What do they care about? What problems do they have that your podcast can help solve? If you’ve already started your podcast, it’s not too late—take a step back and define your ideal listener. Knowing your audience helps you create content they’ll love, and that’s how you build a loyal following.
2. Focus on High-Quality Content
Great content is key. You don’t need fancy equipment, but make sure your sound is clear and professional. A decent mic and basic editing software like Descript can make a huge difference. No one wants to struggle to hear what you’re saying. Good audio keeps listeners coming back.
3. Stay Consistent
Pick a schedule that works for you—weekly, biweekly, or even monthly—and stick to it. Your audience needs to know when to expect new episodes. It’s not just about timing; consistency also means maintaining high-quality episodes. One bad episode can turn listeners away.
4. Make SEO Work for You
SEO isn’t just about changing your episode titles—it’s a whole strategy. At the very least, get a website, write a blog post for each episode, and think about what people might be searching for when looking for your content. SEO helps new listeners find you.
5. Engage With Your Listeners
Podcasting can feel like talking into the void, but your listeners are real people. Ask them to message you, leave comments, or join your community. The more interaction you have, the more connected they’ll feel to your show. Plus, hearing from them is a great motivation boost!
6. Use Social Media Wisely
Don’t just post, “New episode out now!”—give value. Share insights, behind-the-scenes content, or key takeaways from your episodes. Pick one platform that fits your audience (LinkedIn for professionals, Instagram for creatives, Facebook for community building) and focus on doing it well.
7. Word of Mouth Still Works
Believe it or not, the number one way people discover new podcasts is through recommendations. How do you get people to talk about your show? Create great content that they want to share. Also, make sharing easy—have clear links on your website and social media.
8. Get a Website
Your podcast needs an online home. Many hosting platforms like Buzzsprout provide a basic site, but if you can, get your own domain. It makes you look more professional and gives you control over your content. And don’t forget to add a blog—it helps with SEO and gives listeners another way to engage.
9. Be a Guest on Other Podcasts
Want to attract new listeners? Go where they already are—other podcasts! Being a guest allows you to introduce yourself to a new audience. Try to get on shows in your niche, but if you can’t, any exposure is better than none.
Related Post: 4 Steps To Pitch a Podcast To Guest (With Pitch Example)
10. Cross-promote with Other Podcasters
Team up with other podcasters! You can swap guest spots, feature each other’s episodes, or run joint promotions. It’s an easy, free way to reach more listeners and grow together.
11. Attend Podcast Events (or Start Your Own!)
If there’s a podcasting event or conference near you, go! Meet other podcasters, share ideas, and spread the word about your show. Bring business cards, introduce yourself, and make connections. If there aren’t any events in your area, start your own—that’s exactly what I did in Saigon. Now, I run a monthly meetup where podcasters come together and chat about the industry.
Tips for networking: How To Use LinkedIn For Podcast Growth
12. Build an Email List
Social media is great, but you don’t own your followers—algorithms change, platforms die, and you could lose everything. An email list, though? That’s yours forever. It’s one of the best ways to stay connected with your listeners. Share exclusive content, updates, or even freebies. Speaking of which, if you want my free guide on 7 Ways to Monetize Your Podcast, check the show notes!
13. Run a Giveaway
Want more engagement? Give something away! It could be a free consultation, podcast merch, or even a shoutout on your show. People love free stuff, and giveaways encourage them to share your podcast with their friends.
14. Partner with Brands in Your Niche
If you have a podcast about fitness, don’t ask a fast-food chain to sponsor you—it won’t make sense. Instead, reach out to local gyms or supplement brands. Businesses love supporting relevant creators, and these partnerships can help grow your show while bringing in some income. My first sponsor was a local diner that just wanted to support my podcast.
15. Monetize Your Podcast (Even If You’re Small)
Making money from your podcast isn’t just about ads. You can offer bonus content, exclusive episodes, or perks for supporters. Monetization can actually help you grow—because when you invest back into your podcast (better gear, ads, production quality), your content improves, and so does your audience.
16. List Your Show Everywhere
Most people know about Apple Podcasts and Spotify, but did you know there are 30+ other podcast directories? Don’t miss out! Make sure your show is available on every platform. The more places people can find you, the better.
17. Use Smart Paid Ads (Not Just Facebook!)
A lot of podcasters waste money on Facebook or Instagram ads that don’t work. Instead, advertise where podcast listeners already are—like on Acast. They let you run ads inside other podcasts, targeting people who are already listening. It’s one of the most effective ways to get new listeners.
18. Get Guest Experts on Your Show
Having a well-known guest can give your podcast a boost, but don’t rely on one viral moment. If you get a big-name guest, sure, you might see a spike in listeners—but will they stick around? The best approach is to consistently invite experts in your niche, so you build a strong, loyal audience over time.
Read More: How To Find Podcast Guests: 5 Strategies That Work
19. Attend Local Events and Network
Even if it’s not a podcasting event, any live event is an opportunity to promote your show. Networking is everything. Meet new people, talk about your podcast, and make connections. And if there’s nothing happening in your area, be the one to organize it!
20. Use YouTube to Grow Your Podcast
YouTube is a powerful tool for discoverability. Even if your main focus is podcasting, having a YouTube channel can help you reach a wider audience.
You don’t have to upload full episodes—short clips, highlights, or behind-the-scenes content work just as well. Plus, YouTube has a built-in search engine (second only to Google), meaning your content can be found long after you post it.
21. Repurpose Your Podcast Into Short-Form Content
Your podcast is your main content, but don’t stop there. Break it down into bite-sized clips for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Some people may never listen to a full episode, but they’ll love a quick 30-second highlight. Think about late-night shows—many people don’t watch the full episodes, but they’ll religiously check out the best clips. Short-form content helps you reach a wider audience and even brings in extra income if you build enough views.
22. Get Featured in the Media
Want to boost your credibility? Try to get featured in local newspapers, magazines, or online articles. Reach out and pitch your story—tell them why your podcast is worth talking about. If you land an online feature, make sure they link to your podcast. Every backlink helps with SEO and discoverability.
23. Ask for Reviews
We all check reviews before booking a hotel or trying a new restaurant—podcasts are no different. If someone discovers your podcast, the first thing they’ll check is your ratings and reviews. The more positive feedback you have, the more likely they are to hit “play.” So, if you enjoy this episode, please leave a review! It really helps.
24. Host a Virtual Event
Not everyone can attend live events, but that doesn’t mean you can’t connect with your audience. Host a virtual event—a Q&A, a live recording, or even a themed discussion. During the pandemic, I hosted quiz nights, comedy shows, and podcast interviews online, and it was amazing. One of the best things about podcasting is that your listeners are worldwide, so why not bring them together?
25. Measure Your Success & Adapt
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Track your podcast analytics—which episodes get the most plays? Do solo episodes perform better than guest interviews? What kind of titles attract more listeners? Look at the data and adjust your content accordingly. Make more of what works and improve what doesn’t.
Conclusion: Take Action with Podcast Growth Hacks
Growing a podcast takes time, effort, and the right strategy. But if you apply even a handful of these 25 tips, you’ll start seeing results. The key is to stay consistent, engage with your audience, and always provide value.
If you need more help with your podcast, whether it’s about planning, editing or recording, just contact me.
