Hello again!

Even though we’re well into January, since this is my first newsletter of the new year, Happy New Year to you and I hope you’re enjoying 2024 so far.

Even though I’m in the later stages of recovery from my hysterectomy*, I’m still slowly coming back to podcast education and mentoring as time and energy allows.

While taking time off, I began brainstorming ways to restructure my strategy sessions for 2024. I wanted to be able to share a ton of knowledge while also keeping these consulting sessions affordable for Creative Independent Podcasters.

I’d rather see you spend your money on a good mic or time-saving software than breaking the bank for some exaggerated and time-consuming program or multi-module course. Especially if you’re not 100% sure a podcast is even for you.

Even while I’m restructuring a lot behind the scenes of my business, I still wanted to be able to offer a way for podcasters to consult with me. So I’m excited to offer 30-Minute Quick Pick-My-Brain Strategy Sessions.

Grab a cup of coffee and your podcasting questions and ideas, and let’s talk strategy. Find out more here. I’ll be offering these for January and February only. I may offer them again if the feedback is there that these are something creative indie podcasters are interested in.

More info and a discount for newsletter subscribers below, but now for this month's tip!

* Want to hear more about my Adenomyosis, hysterectomy and recovery journey? Check my new podcast, “That’s Hysterical! Now, Get Out!”

>>> Missed last month’s newsletter? <<<

This Month’s Podcasting Tip

.Have you noticed your social media reach isn't as large as it once was? You're not alone.

Around the holidays is when social media platform algorithms tend to prioritize paid content over organic posts. So if you were posting as usual and your engagement numbers weren't as high last month, that might be the reason.

But even before December, I was getting a lot of podcasters in my strategy sessions telling me their social media engagement wasn't as strong in 2023 as in previous years. (It's not just you!)

A survey by Gartner showed more than half of the respondents believe social media has decayed, which researchers believe will drive people to abandon or limit their interaction with social media.

But what about indie podcasters who feel like their biggest or only marketing arm IS social media?

Maybe this is the year you challenge yourself to try a new or different way of marketing your podcast. Just because your podcast is 100% online doesn’t mean you and your marketing has to be 😉

Creative Independent Podcasters don't just have to rely on social media to attract listeners.

Here are some ideas to try on for size this year:

Asking listeners to share the podcast with a friend. Do you know what's more powerful than an ad recommendation for a podcast? A friend telling someone, “Hey, I heard this podcast episode and thought of you immediately!”
Attend a conference or event related to your subject and where your audience would most likely be. If you have the extra funds, you may want to be a sponsor or set up an information booth with information about your podcast readily available.
Speaking of conferences, this might be the year to turn your passion on the mic into a passion for public speaking on your topic of expertise. And don’t forget to mention your podcast’s name when introducing yourself and in your professional bio!
Have business cards made up for your show with relevant info, links, or code, etc. and try the old fashioned route of handing them out or leaving them in strategic locations related to your niche around town. Make sure you include your podcast’s name, website, socials, and contact info. You may also want to include cover art and a QR code with a universal link to your show or Linktr.ee.
Not keen on face-to-face marketing? Consider adding a newsletter element to your podcast to stay in touch with listeners, update them on news about the show, and remind them to catch up on past episodes in case they missed them.
If you have a promo/trailer for your podcast, consider asking another podcaster in your network or niche to do a promo swap — you play their promo on your podcast and they play your promo on their show. Some podcasters even host guest-podcasts on their feeds, which gives listeners a full preview of an episode with links to subscribe in the show notes.
Pitch yourself as a guest on podcasts with similar audiences to yours. — just make sure you do your homework when you're sending that pitch email. Listen to a few episodes to make sure it's the right fit, find out if they accept guest pitches, check out their website for contact details, and send that email. Pro tip: You can save time and work with a podcast booking company like Interview Connections.
Don't forget some of the best marketing can be simply making sure your branding (cover art, colors, fonts, your “brand voice,” etc.) is cohesive and clearly lets new and potential listeners know exactly what your show is about, who your intended audience is, and what to expect. For example, if you’re using a microphone prominently in your cover art but your podcast isn't about microphones or audio necessarily, consider replacing that with a graphic element that relates more to what your podcast is about.

Planning any new marketing for your podcast that doesn't involve social media this year? Or are you leaning more into social media and/or building an online community? Reply and let me know!

I'd love to share more ideas in next month’s newsletter and would love to give you and your podcast a shout-out 🙂

And if you'd like some more podcast marketing ideas, take a look at Podcast Marketing and Publishing: What's In and What's Out for 2024? from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt. This list reminded me of how so many trends in podcast marketing go in and out of fashion so quickly, but the grassroots, word-of-mouth marketing is a classic and never goes out of style.

Client Shout-Out

If you didn’t catch my shout-out post over on Instagram, one of my highlights of 2023 was getting to listen to one of my longtime podcast editing clients go through the process of writing and publishing her first book. Congratulations to Jamila Souffrant from the Journey to Launch podcast on her book “Your Journey to Financial Freedom!”

I’m so grateful she’s been with me for almost 6(!) years and has given me so much to think about in terms of personal finance, paying down/off debt, investing, money mindset, and hearing her journey, as well as lessons from hundreds of money experts over the years! Reading her book has been such a trip to me, since I can clearly “hear” Jamila’s voice in my head as I go through the book.

If working on your financial goals is part of your resolution for the new year, Jamila’s book and podcast are great places to start!

Upcoming Changes to My Strategy Sessions for 2024

I’ve had my calendar closed while recovering from surgery, but I’m happy to announce I’m ready to open it back up to mentor creative independent podcasters and offer Strategy Sessions in 2024!

For the beginning of 2024, I’m excited to offer a new podcast mentoring experience designed to answer your burning questions and concerns about your podcast! Bring your coffee, tea, or favorite beverage for a virtual chat with me 🙂

My Quick Pick-My-Brain Strategy Session might be for you if:

You have an idea for a podcast but need some help getting started.
You’re looking to grow your audience and get more engagement from listeners.
You love recording, but editing takes FOREVER and you could use some strategies and tips to improve your workflow and time spent in post-production.
You want to improve your sound without breaking the bank.
You’re curious about different ways to monetize your podcast or use your podcast to market your small business.
You’re wondering what you could improve on or doing better, overall.

This 30-minute strategy session is designed to give you a judgment-free space to talk about your podcasting challenges with a seasoned podcasting pro with more than 20 years of media experience and who’s heard it all. Click for more info.

Book Now — Limited Spots Available

(Newsletter subscribers, look for your discount code in your inbox 😉)

Check Out the Latest Blog Posts + Appearances

E Podcast Productions — Podcasting Blog

Emily: Out Loud — ADHD/Creative Lifestyle Blog

“That's Hysterical! Now, Get Out! | My Adenomyosis, Hysterectomy & Recovery Journey” — *NEW PODCAST!*

Until next time, Happy Podcasting!

♥ Emily Prokop

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About Me

I’m Emily Prokop, a podcaster, editor and educator. I created & hosted the Webby-nominated podcast, The Story Behind, among a number of other podcasts I’ve been a part of. As the owner of E Podcast Productions, a podcast editing and consulting business, I’ve been helping podcasters plan, improve, and grow their shows for the last 5 years.

I’m also an introverted, neurodivergent married mom of 2. When I’m not wearing a pair of headphones to record or edit a podcast, you can find me singing in choir, wandering in the woods, roller skating around my living room, or trying out a new hobby or ADHD hyperfixation on Instagram and now Threads! Find out more over at EmilyProkop.com.