LAUNCHING YOUR PODCAST SUCCESSFULLY: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Whether you're ready to launch or still in the planning stages, this guide will give you the steps you need to make your launch a successful one.

Preparing for Your Podcast Launch

Launching a podcast isn't as simple as hitting the record button and hoping for the best. It requires careful planning and a well-executed marketing strategy. Here's a breakdown of the steps you need to take:

1. Plan Your Marketing Campaign

If you're ready to launch, start by setting a launch date. Then, work backwards to plan your marketing campaign. I recommend dedicating at least two to four weeks to this phase. During this time, ensure your episodes are pre-recorded and ready to go.

2. Create Engaging Social Media Content

To build anticipation, craft a variety of social media posts, including audiograms, video clips, and trailers. If you're comfortable on camera, consider recording a video or going live on platforms like Instagram or Facebook.

Utilise tools like Canva for easy graphic design to enhance your podcast's branding.

3. Schedule Your Posts

Efficiency is key. Schedule your social media posts in advance using platforms like Meta Business Suite (Instagram & Facebook), Buffer, or now LinkedIn has the cool feature of scheduling directly in the platform, making it super easy to tag your guests in a post.

This ensures your content is consistently shared with your audience. Note that Meta Business Suite allows for mentions, making it a handy choice.

4. Utilise Your Email List

If you have an email list, don't forget to use it. Keep your audience informed by teasing them with trailers and sharing information about your upcoming podcast. The more you communicate, the more excitement you'll generate.

Set up a waitlist of interest for your podcast. This will generate a list full of people who would love to listen to your podcast when it launches. You can then develop a newsletter based on this list to let them know whenever a new episode is released.  

5. Promote All Episodes

If you're launching with multiple episodes, remember to promote all of them. It's easy to get caught up in the weekly promotion of new episodes and forget the ones that have already launched. Tease clips from all episodes during your pre-launch promotion to ensure they all get attention.

I actually made this mistake with my podcast! That’s why having all your social posts planned out is key!

Launch Strategies

Now, let's discuss two popular launch strategies:

1. Launch with a Trailer and Multiple Episodes

This strategy involves releasing a trailer as a teaser before the launch, followed by three or four episodes. The idea is to give listeners a chance to binge-listen right from the start, solidifying your audience.

PRO TIP: Having a trailer launched is also a great way to get your podcast registered across the podcast apps. Some apps like Apple have a 10-day approval process so if you’ve never published anything you can’t guarantee your episodes will be available if you do it on the day.

It also makes things so much easier to connect all the apps as you only need to copy your RSS feed from your host platform and copy it across to the others.

2. Launch with a Trailer and One Episode

Alternatively, you can start with a trailer and one episode. This was my approach to my first podcast (The Virtually Inspiring Podcast). I didn’t know much about any specific podcast launch strategies at the time, so I went with my gut!

The choice between these strategies depends on your content, schedule, and audience.

Adding Some Excitement

Looking for a fun way to add excitement to your podcast launch? Consider hosting a virtual launch party. Invite your audience to join in, either in a Facebook group or through an Eventbrite link. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with your listeners and create a buzz around your podcast.

Stay Engaged with Your Audience

Lastly, engagement is key. Continuously interact with your audience through comments, DMs, and emails. If they reach out to you, make sure you reach back. Building and nurturing these connections will help keep your audience engaged and invested in your podcast.

I hope that you now feel confident about how to launch your podcast. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch!

Email me at rachael@rb-va.com

Connect with me on LinkedIn

I host the Podcasting 101 with Rachael podcast, I cover topics like how to launch a podcast, and how to record. I also feature brilliant female podcast hosts or industry experts to offer real insight into the podcast space.