Podcasting Tips Weekly

Launching Your Podcast In Three Easy Steps

If you think you can just hit publish on your new show and it will take off, we have some bad news for you. This strategy, or lack thereof, won't work. You have to build buzz around your show weeks leading up to your launch date.  This means using every available channel for social posts, BTS content, teasers, trailers, the list goes on. Without a real plan put into place before launching your amazing new podcast, it may as well be a whisper on the wind.  * Don’t Just Drop It and Hope A single post or episode won’t cut it. Plan three weeks of content and promotion leading into launch day. This means posting on your channels every day during launch week  * Use Each Week Intentionally Week 1 is for buzz and submissions. Week 2 is for the trailer and audience warm-up. Week 3 is go-time: launch multiple episodes, post daily, and drive subscriptions. Asking for shares and subscriptions it goes a long way, and there's no shame in it!  * Leverage Your Network Early Ask friends, guests, and partners to share your show during launch week. That early boost helps you climb the charts and get picked up by algorithms. Hopefully, your famous friend owes you a favor.  Bonus Insight: Most guests won’t promote after their episode drops. Get their commitment before launch week while energy is high. Questions? Email tips@strawhutmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Don’t Be Clever With Your Podcast Title

Most creators want everything about the quality of their podcast to be perfect. The sound, the content, the video design, and everything else except the title.  You could have the best podcast in the world, but no one will even click on it if your title isn't clear, direct, and intriguing. So don't waste vital screen space on titles like  EP123: John Talks Growth Who's John, and what growth is he talking about? Why should we care? Instead, it needs to be clear, interesting, and specific to the episode's core ideas.  🔹 Clarity Over Cleverness Don’t try to be cryptic. Be specific. Tell people exactly what they’ll get from the episode. 🔹 Optimize Your Title With Keywords Podcast apps are search engines. If your episode is about launching a coaching business, say that—don’t hide it behind a vague title like “Big Changes.” 🔹 Build The Hook First  Put the most interesting part first. A big guest name? A powerful takeaway? Lead with it. People skim fast, so grab attention early. 🎯 Bonus Insight: Episode numbers don’t help with discovery. Leave them out of the title. Instead, think like a headline writer. If your title isn’t clickable, it’s invisible. Questions? Email tips@strawhutmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Podcasts Are Not Top of Funnel

Most creators don’t love talking about marketing funnels—but if you want your podcast to grow, you need a plan that works from the top down. Start broad: think paid ads, social posts, and discoverability. That’s the top of your funnel, the awareness phase. As listeners move through the funnel, your strategy should get more specific and more targeted. That’s where real growth happens: turning casual clicks into loyal subscribers. So don’t shove your podcast where it doesn’t fit, instead:  Top of Funnel = Awareness Use ads, SEO, and social clips to get attention. That’s how new listeners find you. Mid Funnel = Consideration This is where your podcast starts to shine. When someone hits “follow” or subscribes, they’re curious and want more. Your show keeps them engaged and builds trust. Bottom of Funnel = Conversion A loyal listener becomes a client, supporter, or fan. Your podcast is a powerful relationship-builder. It's not viral content—it’s long-form, high-trust storytelling that leads to action. Questions? Email tips@strawhutmedia.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Cracking The Algorithm Code

Why is it that some podcasts find overnight success, but some fade into obscurity? What’s the secret? How are shows getting found? The answer is working with the Algorithms.Platforms like YouTube and Spotify have changed the way that content is discovered, shared, and listened to. Their algorithms are powerful systems that can drive growth, but only when the content works with the algorithm, not against it.Organic reach generally means more dedicated listeners. Here’s how to tailor your podcast for each platform’s algorithm: 🔹 YouTube: Title, Thumbnail & Watch Time Matter Most * Use attention-grabbing titles with keywords that match search trends. * Create custom thumbnails that stand out—faces, bold fonts, and high contrast work best. * Encourage longer watch times. Hook viewers in the first 30 seconds and keep segments engaging to reduce drop-offs. 🔹 Spotify: Consistency & Listener Retention Grows Your Audience * Release episodes on a consistent schedule—Spotify boosts shows with regular drops. * Keep listeners engaged beyond the first five minutes—completion rates impact recommendations. * Optimize your show description and episode titles with relevant keywords for better search visibility. Questions? Email tips@strawhutmedia.com. Hear CEO Ryan Tillotson break it down on Podcasting Tips Weekly! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Paid Acquisition For Building An Audience

Organic growth is powerful, but paid acquisition accelerates it. With targeted ad campaigns, you can reach new listeners who are already interested in your niche. It’s an effective way to boost awareness, drive downloads, and grow your audience more effectively.  The key? Invest in the right platforms based no on your specific niche, track performance, and optimize as you go. Done right, paid acquisition turns curious listeners into loyal fans.The pro strategy is to promote a single, compelling episode, not the entire show. Google display ads drive audio downloads and YouTube ads offer precise tracking and real subscriber growth. Done right, both strategies create a direct path to long-term audience retention. * Use Google display ads for audio downloads – Drive clicks to a custom episode landing page. * Leverage YouTube ads for long-term growth – Track real subscriber conversions. * Test and optimize – Start with a budget, analyze performance, and adjust accordingly. Questions? Email tips@strawhutmedia.com—we're here to take your podcast to the next level! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]