Podcasts have surged in popularity recently, with many people tuning in and creating their own shows. Podcasts serve as an outlet for expression, creativity, promotion and more. A successful podcast can enhance your personal or brand reputation. However, with the overwhelming number of podcasts available, it can be difficult to stand out. The obvious answer is to be a top-ranking podcast which will help with discovery when it comes to new listeners. Platforms like Apple Podcasts play a crucial role in determining podcast popularity and success through their charts and rankings.
Apple Podcasts Charts are updated daily, providing current rankings and historical data that can be used for pitching guests and sponsorship opportunities. The question is, how do you achieve a top rank for your podcast?
Podcast rankings are influenced by a variety of factors including the number of downloads, subscribers, engagement, etc. All of these are further impacted by things such as content quality, consistency, promotion, and much more. A high podcast ranking is important as it increases exposure and visibility allowing your content to have a larger impact.
What Is Spotify Podcast Charts and How Does it Work?
Spotify Podcast Charts is a ranking system developed by Spotify for all podcasts available on their platform. They use Spotify's proprietary algorithm to determine the rankings. The podcast charts are divided into various categories based on country and genre. Ranking at the top of all these lists is not a realistic goal. Instead, aim to secure a top rank in a couple of lists such as those related to your genre or country. Even this will be a challenging endeavour.
Spotify’s algorithm is based on popularity. They will use their in-app data to determine which podcasts are listened to the most by unique listeners. This means you need to gain more followers and unique listeners, increase downloads, and much more.
It’s important to get Spotify users to listen to and download newly published episodes to boost day-of listens which can help get individual episodes on a trending list. Overall, regardless of the platform, podcast rank comes down to reviews, subscription growth, downloads and plays, and social media shares.
Tips to Increase Your Podcat Rank
Now that we have a general idea of how Spotify Podcast Charts works, we will dive into some tips to help your podcast rank. To find podcast charts, you can use tools and platforms like Podchaser to explore charts by platform and category, or Rephonic for specific charts in the United States, offering valuable data for potential guests or sponsors.
1) Choose A Category
This may seem simple but it is a very important step. You must choose a category that best represents your show. Your content might fall into multiple categories, and you can list secondary categories but you can only choose one primary. This primary category should accurately match your content. You should try to pick one that is less crowded as this can help with your chances of achieving a top rank.
Ensuring the right category will also make it easier for new listeners to find your podcast when searching. This can also help Spotify correctly identify your genre and push your podcast to the top of the respective charts.
2) Create Quality Content
Having high-quality content is always the first step to creating an engaging podcast. Quality content will allow you to establish a loyal audience while attracting new listeners.
Exploring popular podcasts and analyzing listener metrics and details about these shows can provide valuable insights for creating quality content.
There are a few things you can do to enhance the quality of your show. What is the niche or topic of your podcast? Is the content interesting or offering something unique to your audience? This will help to attract an audience that is particularly interested in your subject matter. Ensure you stay up to date on insights regarding your niche. Now that you have an interesting topic, the way you convey this information will contribute to the quality of your content. Using storytelling techniques can help to make your content more relatable and engaging.
To top it all off, great sound quality and production will enhance the quality. Take the time to find the right equipmentto ensure you have great-sounding content. If you can ensure your content is of high quality, engaging, and memorable, listeners will be more likely to tune in and continue listening.
3) Consistency
Developing a publishing schedule to ensure consistent content can help to boost your show's performance. Regular content will help to establish a loyal audience that will tune in weekly or monthly. Make sure you post on the same day at the same time so listeners know when to expect your next release.
Regular content helps to establish your show as a professional podcast and can attract new listeners helping to boost your show to the top of the charts. Developing a content calendar is key as it allows you to be well-prepared for releases. You can also consider recording multiple episodes in one session so you have content ready to go. This can help to save time and allow you to work on other things while having content on hand to release.
Also, if your business/organization doesn't have the time to create a podcast content strategy, you can hire an experienced podcast production partner who can help with the entire process. This includes finding ideal clients to feature as podcast guests on your show, as well as building an audience within your target customer niche. They provide support in hosting, managing, and crafting SEO-optimized written, audio, and video content for every episode, all designed to help grow your B2B business.
4) Podcast SEO
We all understand the importance of SEO for websites, and the same principles apply to podcasts. If your podcast is new, it can be challenging for people to discover it if it hasn't yet made it to the top charts. That is why podcast SEO is crucial as it helps with discoverability.
Elements such as your podcast title, description, category, and cover art all contribute to the discoverability of your podcast. You want to ensure you use relevant keywords, keep it clear and concise, use detailed descriptions, appropriate tags, and much more.
Taking the time to craft this will improve the chances of someone stumbling upon your podcast when searching for a related topic. This will act as a stream for new listeners. If you can drive more traffic to your podcast, this will enhance its popularity and thus its rank on the Spotify Charts.
5) Ratings and Reviews
No matter what you buy or use, you are likely to check reviews first. Something with a good review will make you much more likely to give it a try. This applies to podcasts as well. If your viewers leave ratings and reviews on your show, it will enhance your credibility and discoverability thus encouraging more listeners to give it a chance.
To collect ratings and reviews, make sure to include a call to action in your episodes to remind listeners to do so. You can also provide incentives such as exclusive content to encourage listeners to leave reviews. Once you have collected these reviews, it's important to interact with them. This shows your listeners that you are engaged with them which can help to create a loyal audience and boost your ranking.
6) Social Media Promotion
New listeners can come from many sources, so it's crucial you utilize various outlets for promotion. Social media acts as an effective tool for promotion as it can entice viewers through the content posted.
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram will allow you to post shareable content from your podcasts such as engaging clips to hook the viewer. You can also use social media to engage with those in your podcast niche. Interacting with these individuals through social media platforms will allow you to develop connections, engage in conversations, and promote your podcast. You can also collaborate with other podcasters or influencers with a larger reach to connect with a broader audience.
Social media will allow you to increase the traffic to your podcast if used correctly. Once interest is generated, the quality content you have created will hopefully create a loyal listener.
7) Building a Loyal Audience
Building a loyal audience is crucial to the success of your podcast. Here are some tips to help you build a loyal following:
Consistency is Key: Regularly releasing new episodes and maintaining a consistent schedule can help you build a loyal following and keep listeners engaged. Whether you choose to release episodes weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, stick to your schedule. Consistency helps listeners know when to expect new content and keeps them coming back for more.
Offer Exclusive Content: Consider offering exclusive content or bonuses to loyal listeners to reward their loyalty and encourage them to continue listening. This could be bonus episodes, early access to new content, or special Q&A sessions. Exclusive content makes your loyal listeners feel special and appreciated.
Encourage Feedback: Encourage listeners to provide feedback and engage with your podcast by responding to comments and messages. Ask for their opinions on topics, invite them to submit questions, and make them feel involved in the creation process. This interaction can help you understand what your audience likes and dislikes, allowing you to tailor your content accordingly.
Create a Community: Consider creating a community around your podcast, such as a Facebook group or forum, to provide a space for listeners to connect with each other and discuss your podcast. A strong community can foster a sense of belonging and loyalty among your listeners. It also provides a platform for you to engage with your audience more directly.
Show Appreciation: Show appreciation for your loyal listeners by acknowledging their support and thanking them for their loyalty. Shout-outs in episodes, personalized messages, or even small giveaways can go a long way in making your listeners feel valued. A loyal audience is more likely to recommend your podcast to others, helping you grow your listener base.
8) Analytics
As with any strategy, it’s important to track analytics to see what works and what doesn’t. Tracking the history of podcast chart rankings is crucial for understanding trends in podcast popularity. You can check your analytics in the Spotify app.
You can collect a lot of information including who your listeners are, which episodes perform better, listener duration, listener patterns and behaviour, and much more. This will help to inform the core audience you should engage with, the most effective content strategy, the best days to post, etc. Analytics can be key to averting a downfall in your podcast and guide what to improve.
9) Avoiding Common Mistakes
Avoiding common mistakes can help you avoid pitfalls and ensure the success of your podcast. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Poor Audio Quality: Poor audio quality can be a major turn-off for listeners, so make sure you invest in good equipment and editing software. Clear, crisp audio is essential for a professional-sounding podcast. Background noise, echoes, and inconsistent volume levels can detract from the listening experience.
Inconsistent Scheduling: Inconsistent scheduling can make it difficult for listeners to keep up with your podcast, so make sure you maintain a regular schedule. If you promise weekly episodes, deliver weekly episodes. Consistency builds trust and reliability with your audience.
Lack of Engagement: Failing to engage with your audience can make it difficult to build a loyal following, so make sure you respond to comments and messages and encourage feedback. Engagement shows that you value your listeners and are interested in their opinions. It also helps build a community around your podcast.
Ignoring Analytics: Ignoring analytics can make it difficult to understand your audience and make data-driven decisions, so make sure you track your podcast’s performance and adjust your strategy accordingly. Analytics can provide insights into listener demographics, episode performance, and listening habits. Use this data to refine your content and marketing strategies.
Not Promoting Your Podcast: Failing to promote your podcast can make it difficult to reach new audiences, so make sure you promote your podcast on social media and other channels. Promotion is key to growing your listener base. Utilize various platforms, collaborate with influencers, and engage in cross-promotion with other podcasters to increase your reach.
By avoiding these common mistakes and implementing the tips provided, you’ll be well on your way to climbing the podcast charts and building a successful podcast.
10) Check the Charts
This may seem obvious but you need to view charts on Spotify to access and explore podcast rankings. Checking the top podcasts can provide insights into effective trends. This is how you will know where you rank. Beyond seeing your rank, it can also show you where your competitors rank. It’s a good idea to tune into other high-ranking podcasts to identify effective trends. You can utilize this information to improve your podcast content and strategy.
Conclusion
Creating a podcast is a complex process in itself but having a top-ranked podcast requires a well-crafted strategy. Don't be discouraged if it takes time for your podcast to reach the top of the charts. It will require patience and adjustment as you go along. With the right passion, strategy, and content, you will be well on your way to making it to the top.
Written by Kaitlin Duong
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Jony Studios is a content marketing agency specializing in B2B podcasting and audiobook services. They have worked with many clients, from startups to larger organizations such as Penguin Random House, Amazon, University of Waterloo, Freakonomics Radio, and many others.
