Last November, we hosted one of our most popular networking sessions all about podcasting for female entrepreneurs. It was a great conversation, with tons of fantastic podcast recommendations, but we clearly had much, much more to discuss. At the latest Lioness Networking event, we invited back podcast hosts, guests, and fans to swap stories and share their best insider tips for podcasting.
Key takeaways:
Networking = podcast success
Again and again, attendees emphasized that networking is crucial for landing podcast opportunities. Rather than cold pitching, they found more success by building genuine relationships, actively promoting each other’s shows and leveraging existing communities — like our own Lioness network — for warm introductions.
Promotion is essential, but know what works
You can spend hundreds of dollars on ads and promotions, but that doesn’t always translate into new listeners. Start by experimenting with simpler methods. For instance, some attendees noted significant engagement through quick Instagram Reels and Stories rather than elaborate, expensive marketing campaigns. Test different channels to find your audience and focus on what resonates best.
Success goes beyond downloads
How do you know if your show is doing well? Downloads are the obvious metric, but they’re not always the most telling. Several hosts found that impressions and inbound leads, especially from LinkedIn, were better indicators of podcasting effectiveness, even if likes and comments seemed minimal. Pay attention to where your listeners are coming from, and look for signs of deeper engagement like DMs or new client inquiries.
Repurpose and amplify your podcast
Every podcast episode is a potential goldmine of content. Turn them into transcripts, blog posts, social clips, and quotable snippets. Spread them across multiple platforms to increase your reach and visibility. It helps each episode reach new audiences long after its initial release.
Choose a sustainable schedule
Some members of our group have been podcasting for years, while others are just starting out. Naturally, the newer crowd wanted to talk about the “ideal” posting schedule.
Many people felt that weekly was the best blend of consistency and manageability. But monthly or even semi-annual releases can also work — what matters most is that you’re realistic and consistent, so your listeners know when to expect fresh content.
If you’re not sure you can handle the workload alone, consider a collaborative approach. Recruit co-hosts, freelance audio editors, or marketing assistants. Even part-time help can save you hours every episode.
Maximize your impact as a podcast guest
Our attendees also shared several essential tips for being a standout podcast guest:
- Prepare a ready-to-go introduction. Give the host a brief, engaging introduction with all of your key information. This makes their job easier and keeps your messaging consistent.
- Proactively promote episodes. Publicize your upcoming appearance before it airs, and follow up with posts afterward. By leveraging your own network, you boost listenership and generate goodwill, often paving the way for more invitations.
- Guide the conversation. Strategically steer discussions toward your strengths and key messages to make the most of your time on-air.
- Highlight your guest spots. Maintain an updated media or press page, or keep a playlist of your guest appearances. This makes it easy for interested listeners (or future hosts) to find and share your content.
- Make sure you’re professional and prepared. Be the guest they want to bring back!
Join us for more community events!
We’ll be hosting more conversations like these at upcoming Lioness community events. Stay tuned — and happy podcasting!
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