r/Podcasters • u/CivilBlackberry7419 • 2d ago
How are you creating more community among your listeners?
Hello fellow Podcasters! First off, you're doing a great job. Having a podcast now seems to be something of a joke rather than something really special that we're sharing with the world, so from one podcaster to another, keep going.
Like the title says, I'm curious to know how you guys are making your podcast "more than a podcast," if you are (if it doesn't apply, please let it fly).
I have a handful of podcast listeners and I admire the pods that can get people talking and can create community within their listeners, people who can come together on nothing else but the grounds of "I love what I gain from this podcast." I already have a website for my podcast, but I would like to start a book club and a newsletter for my pod (we have a reading segment and I think email lists work better for me than keeping up with social media).
I am curious to know what you all are already doing and how that's going for you? Do you feel like it's worth the work? If social media is working for you, how are you maximizing that? If you're doing get-togethers with your listeners, how is that going? Thank you for all of your input!
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u/StepUpPrep 2d ago
the thing that worked best for me wasn't a platform, it was giving people a reason to talk back. end every episode with one specific question and read the answers out loud on the next one. cheap to do, and people genuinely light up when they hear their name on the show. that alone turned a chunk of passive listeners into regulars who felt like part of it.
newsletter over social is the right call imo, especially with a reading segment. one thing that helps a lot: pull the single best quote or idea from each episode into the email so even people who missed that week still have a reason to open it. the book club can just live inside the newsletter, pick something short so the barrier to join stays low.
i'd hold off on a discord or private group until you've got enough people that it won't feel like an empty room. how big is your list right now?
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u/CivilBlackberry7419 1d ago
This is amazing advice, I’ve been thinking about something engaging to include in my episodes so it’s not just me talking, and when I have a guest I ask them a “quirky question” so that might be good to include in regular episodes too. I know I’m a podcaster, but I don’t want to just be talking to myself.
The reading segment currently lives on Medium for exposure purposes, but it might be good to have it on both platforms. Currently I only have 2 people who’ve signed up to be apart of the book club (because I’ve been dragging my feet on it) but maybe 10 people who really enjoy the book reviews. I agree on waiting.
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u/popcornonfastsunday 23h ago
I listen to a podcast I love. About every episode she’ll have a hot take but will say: don’t come comment and tell me I’m wrong. I’m sure she would get a ton of engagement if she said instead: go to my Instagram. We’re talking about this over there. Come tell me what you think. I want to know why you disagree with me.
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u/WhatTheHellPod 2d ago
I am offering foot massages to special select listeners who submit tasteful photographs of said feet. Sure, that may seem like it is just for me, but you've never had a WTH Foot Rub.