I realize that I am quite new to this podcasting world. But launching is fresh on my mind and it’s something that I actually know I blew out of the park. In my first week I had 10,000 page views and several hundred downloads. I even had several emails about the show in the first day.
So how do you plan a podcast launch that will be successful? Especially if you alreayd have some sort of online following?
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How to launch a podcast after having a successful blog
While much of this information is universal, I come from the standpoint of having a website first. I added a podcast to my media package along the way and I truly believe there’s a special way you can launch a podcast if you already have a website and loyal following.
Create a podcast Landing Page or Sneeze Page
Before you do anything else, find a name, buy a domain, and create a page or exclusive website. It really should be your very first step.
This allows you generate excitement for your podcast and you have a place to send them.
I had a preexisting website, so I created a page on my site and then redirected the new domain name to that page. This was also because the topic tied into what I was already doing.
It was an addition to what I was doing but along the same lines.
Because of that, I wanted to maintain the SEO I had built on my pre-existing domain. SO while I have the domain for the show, it simply points to a page on my main site.
Before launch, I included imagery, a link to my thunderclap campaign, and information about what the show would be once launched.
And, of course, I listed a launch date.
Start a Thunderclap Campaign
If you already have a loyal following, you can convert some of those readers and followers into listeners. Tap into that fan base by creating a digital content campaign on Thunderclap.
What this does is create a message that you create that if you reach your goal (or spend slightly lower than $50 if you don’t) will be blasted out at the date and time you specify.
This meant for me that I had a message about my podcast get sent out with my hashtag, link, and more on the day I launched. One of the benefits of this as well is that regardless of if you’re on iTunes yet, people are coming to your site. You’re getting foot traffic and you’re also able to better pitch sponsors because you can show them potential reach for your landing page on launch day.
Do your research & take your time
I watched webinars from John Lee Dumas, She Podcasts, and others to learn as much as I could.
In fact, I took 3 months to compile information, plan, and record before I ever launched. In that time I also advertised and built anticipation with my newsletter audience and even set up an automatic trigger in ConvertKit that if someone clicked on my podcast link, they were added to a segment as “interested in podcast” so I could send them specialized emails once I launched.
Plan out several months in advance
Write out your plan.
In it, include your perfect avatar listener. Give that person a name, specific characteristics, and write out their interests and daily life. Write scripts for your show intro, show outro, and define your description for iTunes.
Decide a schedule (I planned to record 8 episodes a month and work in 3 month sections taking 2 weeks off between each.
I wrote out topics and created a detailed plan.
Create a Media Kit
If you plan to use your podcast to connect with sponsors or monetize it in any way, go ahead and make one with the stats you already have from your website.
You can approach sponsors with hard numbers and show potential sponsors you’re the entire media package with web content and soon-to-be audio listeners.
While I never had a media kit for my blog, audio is different. So I created one and I am glad I did. It opened many doors with companies but most of all it helped me fully envision that trajectory of my podcast. One page in particular lists my target audience, another mentions what makes advertising with me something they won’t get anywhere else, etc.. It helped set me apart from others in my own mind.
Take a peek at my most recent media kit for an idea.
Make a promo show to submit to iTunes before launch
It doesn’t have to me long or fancy.
Just do it. It means your show will be live on iTunes for your launch, not after.
Which means people can subscribe.
I also turned mine into a video to share on facebook and YouTube to generate excitement. I took a screenshot of the youtube video and embedded the photo with a clickable link in my newsletter to get some traffic to it.
Start pitching interviewees and/or companies
Reach out to people you would love to have as guests on your show. You would be surprised at the time it takes to coordinate schedules and work it out.
Same goes for companies. Plus, with the thunderclap campaign, this is a unique opportunity for companies to partner with you. Look into Why Podcasts? to help you learn about podcast advertising and maybe even send the site to potential clients.
Create a Social Media Presence
So if you’re a blogger, you probably already have a page on facebook and other accounts. What I did was changed my FB page name to include the new podcast name and then I started using my hashtag on the other accounts.
I also created a group on facebook for podcast listeners so there was a special space dedicated to building a community solely for the podcast. I also invited interviewees into the group so not only would it have people in it at launch, listeners could interact with my guests.
Plan to launch with 3 episodes
It’s like binge watching Netflix. You don’t want just want. You want more, more, more.
So give your new audience something to listen to! I officially had 5 things that could be listened to on launch. My promo, my introduction, and 3 real episodes.
Send out emails to your guests when their show notes go live.
I send out an email to each person I interview.
It includes a link to the show notes, a link to rewteet, a link to re-pin, and images that they can include if desired on their sites.
Write a special newsletter for launch day.
I even included a free eBook copy of my latest book on Amazon as a way to just generate buzz and excitement the day I launched. I wanted my readers and new listeners to feel like they were getting something out of it more than just having a new show to listen to.
What do you plan to do when adding a podcast to your blog?
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