In this episode of Start, Grow, and Monetise Your Podcast, hosts Alex Chisnall and James Burtt dive into the world of podcast SEO and keyword optimization to help your podcast get discovered. This episode is bought to you by POD SCHOOL, the ultimate free community for serious podcasters! Learn actionable tips on integrating relevant keywords, optimising show descriptions, and leveraging transcripts to rank higher on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. If you’re serious about growing your audience and maximising your podcast’s visibility, this episode is packed with practical SEO strategies for podcasters.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to Choose the Right Keywords for Your PodcastLearn how to use tools like Google Trends, Uber Suggest, and YouTube auto-fill to identify trending and relevant keywords for your podcast.Best Practices for Keyword IntegrationDiscover how to naturally integrate keywords into your episode titles, descriptions, and show notes without sounding spammy.SEO for Podcast PlatformsUncover the secrets of optimizing your overall show description and leveraging podcast hosting platforms like Libsyn, Buzzsprout, and Podbean for SEO.Using Transcripts to Boost SEOFind out how platforms like Otter.ai can help you create transcripts that improve accessibility and searchability for your podcast.Retention Metrics & Podcast GrowthLearn why listener retention and engagement are becoming increasingly critical for podcast discoverability.Key Topics Covered:Podcast SEO Basics: Why keywords and organic search are crucial for podcast growth.Keyword Research Tools: Using ChatGPT, Uber Suggest, and Google Trends for better keyword strategies.Optimizing Episode Titles and Descriptions: Writing engaging, keyword-rich titles and descriptions.Transcripts for Accessibility and SEO: How transcripts can increase your podcast’s visibility.Audience Retention Strategies: Understanding how retention impacts rankings and future discoverability.Takeaways:50% of podcasts are found through organic search, so optimizing your podcast is essential.Small changes, like improving show notes or adding transcripts, can lead to big SEO wins.Consistency in keyword usage across all platforms ensures maximum audience reach.Join the Conversation:If you found this episode helpful, share it with someone who’s ready to level up their podcast SEO. For more insights and tips, join our free community at Pod School – the ultimate platform for serious podcasters.JOIN POD SCHOOL FOR FREE, NOWBy implementing the strategies discussed in this episode, you’ll have everything you need to grow your podcast audience and rank higher on podcast platforms. 

Grow Your Podcast Audience: Networking, Guesting, and Social Media Tips brought to you by Pod School Welcome to How to Start, Grow, and Monetise Your Podcast, hosted by James Burtt and Alex Chisnall. In this episode, we tackle one of the most frequently asked questions: How can you grow your podcast audience? Discover actionable strategies that leverage social media, networking, guest appearances, and SEO to increase your reach and impact.Episode Highlights:Leveraging Social Media for Podcast GrowthSecure Social Media Handles: Learn why claiming handles across platforms is essential and how to creatively adapt if your preferred name is taken.Leverage Personal Brands: Use your existing social media following to amplify your podcast content and connect with your audience.Platform-Specific Strategies: Discover why LinkedIn might be the best platform for B2B podcasts, while TikTok and YouTube Shorts excel at discoverability.Networking and Utilizing Your Existing AudienceTap Into Your Network: Identify existing connections, forums, and newsletters within your niche to engage your target audience.Form Strategic Partnerships: Invite industry leaders or influential figures as guests to attract their followers to your podcast.Make Guesting Easy: Provide tools like short clips and social media assets to make it simple for your guests to promote their episode.Guesting on Other PodcastsBe Tactical About Guesting: Guest on shows with established audiences that align with your niche to attract listeners already consuming similar content.Pod Swaps and Collaborations: Partner with other podcasters for mutually beneficial audience growth.Use Tools to Find Opportunities: Explore platforms like Podbooker and Matchmaker.fm to discover guesting opportunities.Creating Content That ConvertsFocus on Goals: Tailor your content to align with your podcast’s purpose—whether to educate, entertain, or drive leads.Drive Long-Form Engagement: Use short-form content to highlight key takeaways and encourage listeners to dive into full episodes.Key TakeawaysLeverage What You Already Have: Your existing network and personal brand can be powerful tools for growth.Be Strategic With Guests: Collaborate with individuals whose audiences align with your target listeners.Don’t Overlook Niche Platforms: LinkedIn, newsletters, and industry forums can help you connect with your ideal audience.Consistency is Key: Regularly post on the platforms where your audience is most engaged.In This Episode We Cover:How to grow a podcast audience, Podcast networking strategies, Leveraging social media for podcasts, Guesting on other podcasts, B2B podcast marketing, Tips for using LinkedIn for podcasts, Creating content that drives engagement, Using Pod School to enhance podcast successEnjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow podcasters! Join Pod School here to access free tools, resources, and expert advice to help you start, grow, and monetise your podcast.

In this episode, hosts Alex Chisnall and James Burtt, co-founders of Pod School, explore the essential podcast formats that can elevate your show’s impact, from interview-based formats and solo episodes to dynamic roundtable discussions and innovative content creation strategies. This podcast is brought to you by Pod School, a free community for aspiring podcasters. At Pod School, you'll access resources like tactical guides, blueprints, and live webinars. Join hundreds of content creators and learn the strategies to start, grow, and monetize your podcast. Click https://tinyurl.com/joinpodschool to join Pod School now!Whether you’re aiming to build authority, boost engagement, or use podcasting as a tool for business development, this episode provides practical insights to take your podcast to the next level.Episode Highlights:Choosing the Right Podcast Format: Discover how different formats like solo shows, interviews, and co-hosted episodes can cater to various audience needs and enhance content delivery.Benefits of Solo Shows for Authority Building: Learn how solo episodes can establish you as a thought leader, showcase your expertise, and engage your audience deeply.Interview Podcasts for Expanding Reach: James and Alex discuss the advantages of interview-based shows, which can increase audience reach by tapping into guest networks.Roundtable and True Crime Formats: Explore popular formats like roundtable discussions and niche-specific formats (e.g., true crime), and understand how they can boost audience engagement.Podcasting as a Business Tool: James shares insights on using podcasts as a replacement for discovery calls, turning them into valuable live coaching sessions that provide evergreen content.Leveraging Podcasting for Content and Relationship Building: Hear examples of companies using podcasts to record client conversations and as an internal communication tool to build company culture.Key Takeaways:Select a Format Aligned with Your Audience Goals: Align your podcast format with your audience’s needs to increase engagement and reach.Leverage Podcasts for Authority & Trust: Use solo episodes or business development formats to showcase your expertise, driving trust with listeners.Use Interview Podcasts for Broader Reach: Collaborate with guests whose network and insights can broaden your show’s audience.Transform Discovery Calls Into Content: Replace traditional calls with recorded coaching sessions, making valuable content for potential clients.Experiment with Roundtables & Niche Formats: Boost content diversity and relevance with unique formats like roundtables or audience-specific shows.In This Show We Cover:Types of podcast formats, Solo vs. co-hosted podcasts, Business development through podcasting, Audience engagement strategies, Building a podcast audience, Content creation for podcasting, Using podcasts for authority building, Benefits of interview podcasts, Pod School podcast communityChapters: 0:00 - Intro & Podcast Structure Overview2:16 - Interview-Based Podcasts & Expanding Reach4:49 - Solo Shows for Authority Building5:30 - Exploring Roundtable & Niche Formats9:42 - Podcasting as a Business Development Tool11:34 - Using Podcasts Internally & for Onboarding14:38 - Podcasts for Content Creation & Engagement14:58 - Audience Engagement & Pod School Community...

Welcome to another episode of How to Start, Grow, and Monetise Your Podcast! Join Pod School, the #1 community for podcasters. This episode is packed with actionable insights to help you find the perfect niche for your podcast - whether you're looking to boost your brand, build authority, or simply share your passions with the world.Key Topics Discussed:Why Finding a Podcast Niche is Essential: Discover why getting specific in your podcast niche can skyrocket your reach and authority, especially in a crowded space.Passion vs. Expertise Exercise: Learn a simple, effective exercise to uncover topics that blend your passion with your expertise. Perfect for honing in on a niche that you'll love talking about for years to come.Niche of a Niche Strategy: Understand the importance of narrowing down your topic—think "vintage BMWs" instead of just "cars"—to attract a dedicated audience.Defining Podcast Success: Explore how to define your unique version of success, whether that's landing consulting gigs, building brand authority, or simply growing a loyal audience.Practical Tools & Tips: Leverage tools like Google Trends, AnswerThePublic, and ChatGPT to pinpoint trends and audience needs within your expertise.Key Takeaways:There’s “Riches in Niches”: The more specific your niche, the better your chances of creating meaningful connections with a dedicated audience.Match Passion & Expertise: Use our practical exercise to discover topics you’re both passionate and knowledgeable about, ensuring you’ll enjoy creating content long-term.Know Your Podcast Goals: Define what success looks like for your podcast to stay focused and evaluate your growth effectively.Resources Mentioned:Pod School: Join the free Pod School community for access to guides, blueprints, and webinars with podcasting experts. Perfect for content creators serious about growth and monetisation. Join Pod School here!In This Show We Cover:Podcast niche discovery, How to find podcast topics, Podcast niche ideas, Building a podcast audience, Podcasting tips for beginners, How to monetize a podcast, Podcast for business growth, Starting a podcast for brand authority, Pod School community

In this episode, hosts Alex Chisnall and James Burtt dive into how to start a podcast without breaking the bank. Whether you have £25 or £500, this guide covers the must-have equipment and affordable tools to launch a high-quality podcast from scratch. Alex shares how he began with a £25 headset and now sees up to 50,000 downloads monthly, proving that a low budget doesn’t mean low impact.Key Topics Discussed:Affordable Podcast Gear to Get Started: Discover why you don’t need to spend thousands. Alex and James recommend beginner-friendly equipment like the Blue Yeti microphone (£50) and Logitech webcam (£80), ideal for new podcasters.Using Remote Recording Platforms: Learn about the benefits of Riverside.fm for remote recording. It offers high-quality audio and video, echo cancellation, and is budget-friendly with subscription options.Recording Remotely vs. In-Studio: James and Alex discuss how recording remotely not only saves on production costs but also simplifies scheduling with guests, especially for international interviews.Start Small and Grow: Emphasising the "start now, get perfect later" mindset, they encourage beginners to launch with minimal gear—like a laptop mic and camera—and improve as they go.Community Building and Audience Engagement: Tips on using remote platforms to give your community exclusive access and behind-the-scenes content, building a loyal listener base early on.Takeaways:Recording Gear Suggestions: Use budget-friendly gear like the Blue Yeti mic and Logitech webcam to enhance audio and video quality without high costs.Remote Recording Benefits: Platforms like Riverside.fm make podcasting convenient, cost-effective, and accessible for beginners.Engagement-Driven Content: Focus on content value and authentic connections with listeners to build engagement over time.Mentioned Resources:Riverside.fm – Ideal for remote recording with features like echo cancellation, video syncing, and live streaming.Blue Yeti Microphone – Quality audio on a budget, perfect for beginners.Logitech Webcam – Affordable option for high-quality video recording.Pod School – Join the free Pod School community for resources, live webinars, and support from fellow podcasters.In this show we cover:Starting a podcast on a budget, Best podcast gear for beginners, Affordable podcast equipment, Remote podcast recording tips, How to grow a podcast audience, Low-cost podcast setup, Riverside.fm for podcasting, Podcasting community resources.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more!Join the Pod School CommunityThis podcast is brought to you by Pod School, a free community for aspiring podcasters. At Pod School, you'll access resources like tactical guides, blueprints, and live webinars. Join hundreds of content creators and learn the strategies to start, grow, and monetize your podcast. Click https://tinyurl.com/joinpodschool to join Pod School now!