Are you looking for new ways to grow your podcast and reach a new audience? If so, then YouTube may be the perfect platform for you. With its wide reach, ability to discover new content quickly, and expansive engagement options, YouTube has become one of the largest networks with global viewers. And when it comes to your podcast, YouTube could be an amazing platform for reaching more potential listeners in a creative and exciting way. And with video podcasts on the rise, it may be time to consider growing your podcast via YouTube.
By understanding how to optimize your presence on this platform, and with some specific strategies in your marketing arsenal, you can effectively drive more traffic and followers back to your podcast.
With the rise of video podcasts in mind, today we’re sharing all the different ways that podcasters can use YouTube as a tool for podcast growth.
But first, a little background…
Introducing Podcasts to YouTube
First up, we want to state that we are definitely not saying that everyone has to start a video podcast. Yes, video podcasts are on the rise. But we don’t believe that video podcasts are going to obliterate the traditional podcast.
But we do think that adding some sort of video component to your podcast is a great idea for all types of podcasters. Whether you eventually launch a video podcast or not.
And we do think that we are heading to the time for podcasters to look at YouTube as another channel for their podcast content.
Why?
Well, because the platform itself is making moves to bridge the gap to the podcasting space. It was recently announced that YouTube Music is officially rolling out podcasts for their US users. This update has made it possible for users to listen to podcasts in the background, for free.
Couple this with the fact that YouTube Music is fast becoming the number one platform for listening to music online, you can see why there is a lot of potential for diversifying your offerings by channeling at least some of your podcast content via YouTube.
However, we will also be the first to admit that YouTube doesn’t have the whole “YouTube for Podcasts!” thing completely figured out just yet. A lot of the pieces are there. But they’re not making a complete picture just yet. If ya know what I mean?
I digress.
Back to why YouTube could be a great channel for podcasters looking to grow their audience and expand their reach…
The Benefits of Growing Your Podcast Through YouTube
The above is not the only reason podcasters should consider turning to YouTube as a way to grow their podcast. Sharing your podcast via YouTube will allow you to reach a wider audience. Because you can also tap into a whole new demographic of viewers who might not necessarily listen to podcasts (yet). But who actively watch videos or listen to music on YouTube.
Those YouTube Shorts, audiograms, or videograms that you could be sharing via your YouTube channel could be just the right hook to land you many more eager listeners, who otherwise wouldn’t have discovered all that you and your podcast have to offer. (More on this in a bit…)
Not to mention the added bonus of potentially being able to monetize your YouTube channel through ads and sponsorships. But that’s a discussion for another day.
Now, onto the heart of this post. The tips you should definitely try if you’re looking to grow your podcast via YouTube.
Tips for Growing Your Podcast via YouTube
1. Leverage the Power of Visuals
You’ve heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Well, this is the basis for our first tip for growing your podcast via YouTube. Our first tip is to lean into adding a great visual component to your podcast offering.
As we’ve already mentioned, YouTube Shorts offers a great way for ‘traditional’ audio-based podcasters to branch into video. Bite-sized videos are obviously much easier to dabble with. And with plenty of software out there to help you make high-quality audiograms and videograms, this could be a really effective, and fairly easy, way to reach a new audience via video.
You could also start filming your recording sessions, or your podcast interviews, and pick the top sound bites to share via your YouTube channel. This is another great way to wield the power of video and the popularity of YouTube in your favor.
Just remember that quality is key. Your videos have to be able to stand up to the rest of the content out there, especially those that fall within your niche.
If you’re not able to commit to creating high-quality videos, then now is not the time to add video to your podcast offering. Our honest advice is that if you can’t do it at high-quality, then don’t do it at all. As poor videos will have the opposite outcome of what you’re looking for.
2. Utilize Smart Strategies in Your Video Titles and Descriptions
When it comes to using video content to reach a new audience, the right title and description can make all the difference. Not only do they provide important information to viewers, but they can also impact how easily your video is found through search engines.
And with over 2 billion monthly active users on YouTube, it’s essential to make sure your videos are being seen by the right people.
So, how can you make the most of these elements? Utilizing smart strategies is key. This includes incorporating the right keywords into your titles and descriptions, crafting catchy headlines that entice viewers to click, or making sure your descriptions are detailed and accurate. By taking the time to optimize your video titles and descriptions, you can increase your chances of reaching a wider audience and growing your podcast following.
By utilizing keywords, tags, descriptions, and other SEO tactics, you can increase your video’s visibility and ultimately drive traffic to your channel. Which, in turn, should drive more listeners to your podcast.
3. Create an Attractive Thumbnail that Entices Viewers
Having an engaging and attractive thumbnail can be the difference between someone clicking on your video or scrolling past it. So don’t overlook this part of your YouTube strategy!
The power of a well-crafted thumbnail lies in its ability to quickly capture the attention of potential viewers. And then convince them to hit that play button. A great thumbnail is simple, bold, and visually appealing – it should also provide a glimpse into what the video is about.
Whether it’s a striking image or a clever tagline, taking the time to create a high-quality thumbnail will undoubtedly pay off in the long run and help your content stand out in a sea of online noise.
4. Analyze Performance & Optimize Videos for Maximum Engagement
Moving on to Tip Number 4. In order to make the most out of your video content, and to have it actually achieve the end goal of growing your podcast audience, it’s crucial to analyze its performance and optimize it for maximum engagement.
This means taking a deep dive into your analytics to understand who your audience is, where they’re coming from, and what they respond best to. Are your viewers dropping off after the first few seconds? Maybe it’s time to rework your opening. Are they more likely to click through to your website or follow your podcast if you include a call-to-action at the end of your video? Then make sure that CTA is compelling! Just remember to add the relevant links to your video description!
Experiment and find out what works best for you. By constantly analyzing and tweaking your video content, you’ll be able to increase your engagement, grow your audience, and ultimately drive more traffic to your podcast.
5. Make Sure Your Audience Gets Notified When You Upload a Video
Finally, a simple tip to help you utilize YouTube to grow your audience is to simply make sure that your YouTube audience gets notified whenever you upload new content.
Videos are constantly being uploaded, so it’s easy for your content to get lost in the crowd. That’s why another great tip is to let your audience know when you’ve uploaded a new video. Whether you have a loyal following or you’re just starting out, notifying your viewers is a key component to growing your audience and building a strong community.
Encourage your YouTube followers to hit that “Subscribe” button, but don’t stop there. Share links to your YouTube videos via social media, your email newsletters, and any other platform used by your audience. Create a great buzz around your videos, and you’ll also be creating a great buzz around your podcast. A win-win situation!
End Credits
Overall, sharing your podcast content on YouTube could be an effective way to reach more listeners and take the next steps toward establishing a larger audience for your podcast.
But don’t be intimidated by all of the various strategies you could use. Start out small and strategic, and aim for high-quality, and it should seriously pay off.
And with the rise of video podcasts, and with YouTube themselves focusing on podcasts, now is a fantastic time to find ways to use YouTube and video as a way to grow your podcast audience and expand your reach.
So, let those creative juices run freely and give video content a try!
Related read: How to Start a Successful Podcast on YouTube
