How Do You Increase Loyal Listeners To Your Podcast?

Why do people listen to the podcast? That's the question I've been asking our loyal Room 3026 Live listeners.

In response, I've heard them say variations of the following:

• Real-time interaction between hosts and listeners
• Good information
• Interesting guests
• The news
• The chat room

While this list is not exhaustive, it was enough to get my brain thinking. How can we, as hosts, continue to build on the core group of listeners?

Three Levels Of Listeners

In a post-show discussion, we identified three levels of listeners:

1. Potential Listeners
2. Casual Listeners
3. Core Listeners

Potential Listeners

The first group of listeners holds the most members and represents individuals who have not yet listened to the show.

Casual Listeners

These listeners have heard the podcast before, but are not regular listeners.

Core Listeners 

This group represents those listeners who are there practically every day. 

Based upon my observation, listeners move through the various circles. Those that are considered Core Listeners were once Potential Listeners that progressed through each ring until they reached the core group. In the same way, a Core Listener can move away from the center circle and become less active.

With that established, how does one attract listeners toward the core like a magnet attracts metal?

What Are The Benefits Of Listening?

As hosts, we believe there are benefits of listening. For example, we listed a few items:

• Support for listener's blog (Blog Roll)
• Promote a listener's event (Announcements)
• Engaging audience (Chat room, Daily Booth, and live interaction with hosts)
• Guests (Interviews)

In review, I don't think there is one silver bullet that encourages loyal listeners; it's a combination of all the various segments. For those that stay, I believe it's because they are getting a need fulfilled. 

How To Increase Core Level Listeners

This is the million dollar question, right? From where I sit, the answer lies in keeping loyal listeners satisfied while moving casual and potential listeners closer to the middle.  Below are a few ideas to consider at each level.

Potential Listeners (To move from potential to casual)

• Invite them to listen
• Encourage special guests to bring their listeners/fans/supporters
• Conduct live podcasts on-location

Casual Listeners (To move from casual to core)

• Encourage them to join the show's email list
• Invite them to connect on social networks
• Follow their blog, podcast, vodcast, and comment often

Core Listeners (To keep satisfied as a core listener)

• Host special on/offline events that encourages engagement and camaraderie
• Showcase and bring attention to something they are doing through interviews or on-air announcements
• Engage them in the show and use their name or feedback
• Provide relevant content that is somewhat personalized

These are just a few ideas that seem to work for us. Although, I am always looking for other creative and effective strategies to increase listener's return on investment (ROI). In the comment section below, let's talk about ideas that you have.

Other Articles On Podcasting

• Some Thoughts On Podcasting With Guests
• Will Blog Talk Radio Hosts Soon Get Higher Quality Audio?
• Quick Tip: How Do I Start Podcasting?

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Some Thoughts On Podcasting With Guests

I don't know if you know this, but having guests on your show can dramatically increase the number of listens it receives.

Yeah, I keep telling myself that this is common knowledge but if it is, why am I'm not listening to that inner voice? In fact, I've been telling Tim Arthur the same thing about Techmonks. "We have to get guests on the show" I explain.

Why am I writing about this today? you ask. Well, while updating today's episode of Room 3026 Live, I decided to compare the number of listens for February to that of January. To my surprise, two of the most popular episodes over the past few months were shows where we had guests. Coincidence? I think not.

There is definitely something special about having visitors on the show. The question is what?

Why Have Guests?

Easier To Promote 
The first thing that comes to mind is that a show focused on a guest is easier to promote. When I think about sharing our daily show, typically I'll write, "Room 3026 Live: Episode 462" as the title. That's great and all, but it doesn't explain what listeners can find within that episode. However, when we focus our efforts on one person or topic, the title can easily reflect that.

Guests Bring Their Own Listeners (BYOL)
Depending upon the guest and the size of their support group, I have personally experienced a huge live audience. In addition, the number of archive listens tends to skyrocket as well.

Learn From The Experts
This is probably my favorite reason for having guests on the show, it's because they are really smart people. I know a little about a lot of things, but when talented and experienced guests grace our show the place comes alive.

Builds Your Network
As a result of the previous point, bringing guests on the show not only provides knowledge transfer but it also builds your network. I have met some amazing people over the years and the show only helped facilitate a friendship.

Tips For Hosting Guests
I am, by no means, the perfect producer, but finding interesting people to talk with comes through nurturing your personal relationships.

Start With People You Know
The easiest thing to do is schedule friends who you know well. This tip insures that your first interview won't flop and scar you for life. Part of my success has come through a feeling of confidence and the best confidence booster starts with friends and family.

Do Your Research
This is one of the reasons I don't have guests on as often as I'd like. It is important to take some time and understand your visitor. What makes them unique? What are they doing that caught your attention? What's happening in their industry? In the end, a good conversation occurs when you have something to talk about.

Prepare For An Interview With Questions
Maybe it's just me, but I feel naked without a script or rough outline. When you have guests on your show, take some time to jot down a few questions. You don't have to read them verbatim, but they help you stay focused. Through your research activity you can identify some really interesting questions.

Be Nice!
Unless you're trying to punish a person, don't throw in unexpected questions that might embarrass a guest. I like to share my show notes with visitors prior to the interview. This will help them relax and feel confident about your time together.

It's Not About YOU, Play Your Part
While the show may be yours, it's not really about YOU. When you have guests on, and depending upon the message, the interview is about your visitor. Therefore, remember to ask questions and get out of the way. Allow your guest to elaborate and talk their way through your question. Your job is to help the guest look and sound good.

Schedule Them Often
This is probably the hardest thing for me to do, but it's extremely important. When you talk to people about being on the show, do your best to put it on a calendar. This step will help you prepare for a show, but it also empowers you to make decisions on offering variety in topics and guests.

Final Thought
This article is just my way of capturing a few thoughts on the subject. I know, first hand, that hosting guests on your podcast is very beneficial for both you and your visitor. So, don't waste anymore time and get to inviting. Good luck!

If you have any experiences in this area, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave me a message in the comment section below.

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Will Blog Talk Radio Hosts Soon Get Higher Quality Audio?

For weeks, maybe even longer, my friend Tim Arthur has been talking about podcasting and the quality of our show, Room 3026 Live. His argument, after researching the topic pretty extensively, is that if we are going to take this podcast seriously, we need to consider getting off Blog Talk Radio.

In short, the complaint is that our show doesn't sound very good. When you compare the sound quality of Room 3026 Live to other shows in iTunes and Stitcher, we sound like beginners.

To support his position, Tim points to a number of blog articles. Most recently, he referenced this one from the School of Podcasting. In short, the article talks about hosting needs and resources (i.e., Libsyn and Blubrry).

At this point, my brain starts swirling with problems and potential solutions. Should we stay? Should we go? I immediately turned to BTR for answers and I found this:

HI Mike, yes we are working on higher quality audio, look for this major announcement in your email in the next coming months. ~ John Sweet, Assistant Director of Operations at Blog Talk Radio Employee

I then turned to my connections asked the following:

Heard some interesting news about BlogTalkRadio today. Is it true that we could see increased quality soon? #fingersCrossed

In a Facebook response, Amy Domestico wrote:

Morning Damond! We are constantly striving to improve audio quality, I will be hosting a show soon with the man who makes all of our audio work to explain some tips and tricks to get better audio and whats ahead for us in that department.

To which I replied:

I appreciate your chiming in on the question and the support BlogTalkRadio has shown our show Room 3026 Live (i.e. Lincoln MKX Lounge, for one).

In the beginning, over 400 episodes ago, I knew very little about podcasting. One minute we didn't have a show and in the next, we did. Since that time, we're growing more aware about the quality of our episodes. 

For starters, we have moved up from the telephone and now have a mixing board with real mics. Thanks to Skype, we are able to play sound bytes locally and better manage their levels.

For months, our listeners/supporters are asking us to consider increasing the quality of our shows to better match the level of other shows on iTunes/Stitcher. We would like to make this happen.

Having been on BTR for almost 2 years, I feel a sense of loyalty to the network and would like to help it grow even more.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure how much longer I can hold on. Here are a few of my needs (interests).

• Most importantly, I would love to increase the bitrate to a 96kbps - 128kbps vs. the 32kbps we get today.
• A better and easier way to play audio files from withing places like Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and RSS feeds (Google Reader).
• The ability to hyperlink to a certain point in the show.

Based on what you know, do you foresee BTR making any significant strides to address these items?

Again, thanks for all you do.

As of this article, I haven't heard back from Amy or any other BTR representative. Although, I imagine the Thanksgiving holiday may be one reason for the delay.

I would love to get your feedback on this topic. If you are a host on BTR, what are your needs and interests? If you have been a host on BTR but later moved to another solution like Libsyn or Blubrry, what has been your experience? Has anyone considered using YouTube as an alternative platform? Please leave your comments below.

Until next time...

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