Growing a podcast takes the right tools, support, and strategy. With Simplecast, creators can turn insights into action and build sustainable revenue.
What does it take to grow and monetize a successful podcast? According to Madeline Wright, Technical Account Manager at Simplecast, it starts with having the right platform. From dynamic ad insertion and advanced analytics to hands-on onboarding and ongoing support, Simplecast is built to help creators turn their podcasts into successful, revenue-generating channels. Here’s Madeline’s advice on how creators can tap into those tools to unlock their next phase of growth.
“We're simple, easier to use. We try to have that special, personalized touch whenever creators are onboarding to our robust Professional and Enterprise level offerings so we can address any questions that they have and make sure that they're set up for success. I don't know that other hosts offer that same level of service.”
“For podcasters new to monetization, it’s about education. Do you know what a campaign is? Do you know what markers are? Once those basics are understood, we can move into optimizing for their show. We can focus on where they are ready to grow, meet them where they are, and go from there.
Our blog has a lot of resources, and we also have a knowledge base that helps podcasters understand monetization and growth. Plus we have video tutorials that are really easy to follow and break things down step-by-step. And of course, our support team is always there to answer questions. We try to reduce the overall overwhelm as much as possible and make sure creators feel supported.”
“We want to make sure that our podcasters are able to use our platform no matter what stage they're in. If all they want to do is learn how to podcast or run a show, that's great. If they have other goals, like tracking analytics or monetization, we have ways that they can do that. Our team and platform are there for them every step of the way.”
“There are a ton of ways to monetize, and it can feel overwhelming. I would recommend focusing on one at a time. So if your goal is to work directly with an advertiser, start there. Learn how to create a campaign, run it, manage it, and get comfortable with that. And then once you feel good about it, you can expand into other avenues. We also have a lot of resources that can help guide you through that process.”
“For people who are looking to grow and use our data, our suite of analytics is now able to display everything from how and where your show's being consumed, to the delivery of different advertisement campaigns, down to wherever you have it targeted. That gives you a holistic picture of how your show is being consumed and informs what to do next. If your goal is to expand your audience, or if it's to go hyper-local, our tools provide you with the analytics to help you hit your next goal.”
“Define your goal. If it’s growth, look at downloads and listener locations. If it’s monetization, look at campaign performance. If you're working with advertisers directly for your show, you can look at your analytics to see how well advertiser created or host-read ads do on your show. With a direct and programmatic approach to monetization you will see insights like the top advertisers on your shows, which gives you more information to achieve your goals.”
“Looking at your analytics to see the types of programmatic advertisements that are getting placed on your show gives you insight into your audience. So if you have, for example, a business show and you’re seeing a lot of tax-related ads being placed, that might tell you something about your audience, like maybe they’re in a certain income bracket or demographic. That’s valuable information for podcasters to have, because it helps you understand who you’re actually reaching.”
“If someone feels stuck, I would recommend first checking their content. Things change all the time, so it’s important to stay aware of trends and make sure your content is still relevant. Then look at your analytics to see if you’re really leveling off or if it just feels that way. Sometimes the data can tell a different story.”
“Another thing I would suggest is looking into collaborations with other podcasts in your genre to help grow together. Collaboration is really important. If you network with other podcasters in your space, your audience can meet them and vice versa, and their audience will be able to come to you to get more of what they enjoy. It’s a great way to grow together, and a rising tide lifts all boats.”
Support and data is the name of Simplecast’s game. No matter if creators are looking to grow or learning to monetize, our tools are here to help. Get started today.