Are you trying to figure out how to distribute a podcast? With today’s technology, countless options are available that make it easier to share your podcast with the world effectively.
This blog post will explore how you can build a successful podcast distribution strategy to attract more listeners and create an impactful audience. You’ll learn the tools available, the importance of SEO optimization, using social media effectively, and much more.
Related: Start a Podcast People Will Listen To
Contents
What is an RSS Feed?
Before you can distribute your podcast, you’ll need to create an RSS feed. You can create a podcast RSS feed using a good Podcast Hosting to store your media files and episode information.
This RSS podcast feed serves as the backbone of your podcast. It will include all the necessary details (e.g., podcast title, episode descriptions, audio files, etc.) that help you get it noticed by potential listeners and get your podcast online.
Key Uses
- Automatically receive new episodes of a podcast
- Share podcast episodes on social media or other websites
- Embed a podcast player on a website
- Submit a podcast to directories and platforms
Where to Find It?
RSS feed for a podcast is typically provided in the settings menu for the podcast inside their hosting platform (such as Podbean, Libsyn, etc.).
Here are the steps you can follow to find RSS feed in popular podcast hosting sites:
- Login to your account in your podcast hosting service
- Go to Podcast Dashboard
- Select Settings
- See your RSS Feed here
Related: How to Create an RSS Feed for Your Podcast
How to Use SEO Techniques? (Before Distribution)
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is important in distributing your podcast. You’ll want to ensure that your podcast is easily discoverable by potential listeners.
Optimizing your RSS feed for search engines is the best way to do this. This means including relevant keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags. It would help if you also linked to relevant web pages or social media profiles where possible.
In 2023, you can use multiple options to distribute your podcasts.
What is a Podcast Directory?
A podcast directory is an online repository of podcasts. Popular directories or podcast apps include Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. These directories provide an easy way to find, listen to, and subscribe to podcasts.
Once you’ve created your RSS feed, you can submit it to the various podcast directories. This is the easiest way to get your podcast listed and make it visible to potential listeners.
Benefits Of Distributing Podcasts Through Directories
Here are several advantages of distributing your podcasts through directories:
- Expand Your Reach: Podcast directories are a great way to expand your reach and get your podcast in front of more potential listeners. By making your podcast available on multiple directories and their apps, you can make it easier for people to discover and listen to your content no matter where they are or what activity they’re engaging in.
- Increase Visibility: Podcast directories can help you increase the visibility of your podcast. When you upload a new episode to one of these directories, it will be promoted across their platforms and featured in various search results. This can give your podcast a great boost in exposure.
- Grow Audience: Distributing through podcast directories can help you grow an audience of passionate listeners over time. As people discover and subscribe to your podcast on these platforms, their friends and followers may do the same and create a viral effect for your content.
- Build Relationships with Creators: Podcast directories can also help you build relationships with other creators. You’ll be able to find and connect with people who have similar interests or are working in the same genre as you, which can lead to future collaborations.
Related: How To Build A Podcast Audience
How Does a Podcast Host Help to Distribute Your Podcast?
A podcast hosting platform can help you distribute your podcast in several ways. Not only will they provide the infrastructure and tools needed to host the audio files of your podcast, but they’ll also provide additional services like analytics tracking, advanced SEO optimization, website creation, and more.
Here is a detailed guide to how you can use various podcast directories to distribute your podcasts.
How to Distribute Podcasts Using Apple Podcasts?
Apple Podcasts app is the largest podcast directory and the most popular way to find, listen to, and subscribe to podcasts.
Submitting your podcast to Apple Podcasts is easy. All you need to do is create an RSS feed and register with Apple Podcasts Connect, the dedicated podcast publishing platform.
Steps to Submit
Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Log Into Apple Podcasts: Visit Apple Podcasts and log in with your Apple ID. If you don’t have an account, then create one.
- Select “Add Podcast” from the Menu: Click the “+” sign in the upper-left-hand corner of your screen.
- Enter Your RSS Feed URL: Enter the URL of your podcast’s RSS feed and click ‘Continue.’
- Fill Out Your Podcast Information: Fill out all the required fields on the next page, including podcast title, description, category, keywords, and language.
- Submit for Review: Once you’ve filled out all the required fields, click “Submit” to submit your podcast for review. Apple Podcasts may take up to 5 business days to review and approve your podcast.
Related: How to Start A Podcast on Apple Podcasts
How to Distribute Podcasts Using Google Podcasts?
Google Podcasts is another popular directory for podcasts and one of the best podcast hosting services. It’s the second-largest podcast directory after Apple Podcasts and has an audience of millions of listeners around the world. It’s available for free on google play.
Submitting your podcast to Google Podcasts is easy. All you need to do is create an RSS feed and then submit it directly on the platform.
Steps to Submit
Here’s how:
- Visit Google Podcasts: This is where you will submit your podcast information and RSS feed URL to have your podcast listed in the Google Podcasts directory.
- Enter Your RSS Feed URL: Enter the URL of your podcast’s RSS feeds and click “Submit.”
- Fill Out Your Podcast Information: Fill out all the required fields on the next page, including podcast title, description, category, keywords, and language.
- Submit for Review: Once you’ve filled out all the required fields, click “Submit” to submit your podcast for review. It may take up to 5 business days for Google Podcasts to review and approve your podcast.
Related: How To Get Your Podcast Listed On Google Podcasts
How To Distribute A Podcast On Spotify?
Boasting over 150 million active users, Spotify quickly rose to the second-highest spot in podcast directory popularity. It’s neck and neck with Apple for being recognized as the most widely used choice worldwide for downloading shows.
Steps to Submit
To publish your podcast to Spotify, follow these steps:
- Visit Podcasters.Spotify.Com: Click “Log in” to create a new account or log in with your existing Spotify account.
- Enter Your RSS Feed URL: To get started, enter the URL of your podcast’s RSS feed and click ‘Continue.’
- Fill Out Your Podcast Information: Please complete the following fields on the next page to submit your podcast: title, description, category, keywords, and language. It’s highly recommended that you upload a cover art image of 3000×3000 pixels for best results.
- Submit for Review: After completing all the necessary fields, press “Submit” to submit your podcast for review. Spotify will assess and approve it within five business days at most.
Related: Podcast Cover Art Dimensions
How To Distribute A Podcast Through Stitcher?
Stitcher is another popular podcasting directory. It’s the third-largest podcast directory and has an audience of millions of listeners around the world.
Ensure your podcast meets Stitcher’s requirements by adhering to the typical industry standards. A square 1:1 cover art should be used in JPG or PNG format, with a minimum size of 1400px squared.
Additionally, ensure you have created an original title for your podcast before submitting at least one episode through the RSS feed.
Steps to Submit
Here is how you can submit your podcast at Stitcher:
- Log in to Stitcher: Go to Stitcher’s website and sign in or create a new account.
- Provide RSS Feed URL: Your podcast hosting service should have an RSS feed URL in the settings. Enter this URL in the pop-up window on Stitcher and click ‘Next’ to confirm it is valid. If not, you will receive an error message.
- Verify Email: After submitting your podcast’s RSS feed, Stitcher will send a confirmation email to the address provided. Check your inbox and click the “I approve, Add This Show To Stitcher” button.
- Review and Agree to T&C: Before moving forward, take the time to carefully review and understand Stitcher’s terms and conditions. Once you agree to them, click “Agree.”
- Your Podcast is Listed: Once your podcast is successfully listed on Stitcher, you will receive a confirmation page. Congratulations!
Related: How To Get Your Podcast On Stitcher: 6 Easy Steps
How to Distribute Your Podcast Through Amazon?
Amazon Music is another great platform to upload your Podcast. We love it because it has many users.
Steps to Submit
The procedure for submitting is as follows:
- Visit the Amazon Podcasts Submission Page: Go to the Amazon Alexa Skills Kit page, log in with your existing account, or create a new one. Please note that you will need an Amazon Developer Account to proceed further.
- Provide Your Podcast’s RSS: Enter your podcast’s RSS feed URL into the submission form and click “Next.”
- Fill in Your Podcast Details: On this page, you will be asked to provide your podcast’s title, cover art image (3000×3000 pixels minimum), a brief description of no more than 4000 characters, and at least three keywords that describe it.
- Submit for Review: After completing all the necessary fields, press “Submit” to submit your podcast for review. Amazon will assess and approve it within three business days at most.
Related: How To Get Your Podcast On Alexa
How to Distribute Your Podcast Through TuneIn?
TuneIn is an audio streaming platform that allows users to listen to content from over 100,000 radio stations and millions of podcasts.
Steps to Submit
Here’s how you can get your podcast listed on TuneIn:
- Visit TuneIn’s Podcast Submission Page: Navigate to the TuneIn Submission page and click “Submit Your Podcast.”
- Enter Your Podcast’s RSS Feed: Provide TuneIn with the URL to your podcast’s RSS feed.
- Verify Your Submission: TuneIn will send a confirmation email to the address linked with your podcast’s RSS feed once you’ve submitted the URL. All that remains is for you to check your inbox and click on the “Confirm Submission” button.
- You’re On TuneIn! It may take up to 72 hours for TuneIn to approve your submission, but once it does, you’ll be rewarded with a congratulatory message confirming your show is live on their platform!
Congratulations!
Other Ways to Distribute Your Podcast
Podcast directories are not the only way to distribute your podcast. Here are other ways you can promote and distribute your podcast:
1. Email List
Creating an email list is a great way to ensure that your subscribers are notified each time you release new content. You can set up email lists with most podcast-hosting services, such as Buzzsprout, Transistor, and Anchor.
2. Social Media Promotion
Promote your podcast on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. You can also leverage influencers in your niche to help spread the word about your show.
3. Create Video Content
Creating video content related to your podcast is a great way to reach new audiences. Use YouTube, Instagram, and other video-sharing platforms to create visually appealing videos for your podcast topics.
4. Blog Posts
Write blog posts related to the topics of each episode you publish and include transcripts or summaries of each episode at the end of the post with a link back to the original audio file. This will help increase organic search engine traffic and direct interested viewers to your podcast site or directory listings.
5. Cross Promotion
Engage with other podcasters in your niche and exchange promotional opportunities. This could include guest appearances on each other’s shows, joint ventures, or sharing content on social media.
6. Live Events
Organizing live events around the topics of your podcast is a great way to connect with your audience and grow your following. You can also use these events to increase awareness of your podcast and forge meaningful relationships with potential listeners.
Whatever strategies you choose, remember that it takes time and dedication to get the most out of any distribution method.
Related: How To Publish A Podcast
Using Social Media Platforms To Promote Your Podcast
Social media platforms are another great way to promote and distribute your podcast. You can use these platforms to create an online presence for your show, reach out to potential listeners, engage with fans on a deeper level, and get valuable feedback.
Moreover, social media allows you to connect with influencers in your niche with larger audiences interested in listening to your content.
Tips to Use Social Media
Here are some tips to help you effectively promote and distribute your podcast on social media:
- Create an Engaging Profile: Create a detailed profile on each platform you plan to use. Include your podcast’s name, a brief description of the podcast, and a link to the podcast page.
- Create Shareable Content: Creating shareable content is key to getting your content noticed. Post short clips of your podcast, behind-the-scenes pictures, or short summaries to tease each episode.
- Encourage Engagement: Encourage your followers to engage with your content by asking questions or responding to comments. This will help create a sense of community and will help increase the reach of your podcast.
- Run Ads: Running ads on social media platforms can be a great way to get your podcast in front of potential listeners. While it does cost money, it’s a great way to reach more people and get more followers.
YouTube – A Growing Platform for Podcasters
Perhaps it’s an unconventional idea, but why not upload your podcast to YouTube? Everybody is doing it!
You don’t need a video of yourself speaking – you can use a graphic, image, or stock footage instead. This will help ensure that your content reaches different audiences on multiple platforms.
People often listen to podcasts while carrying out tasks like editing photos and color grading edits; having them available on YouTube makes the process much simpler. Uploading requires minimal effort yet promises greater exposure for you and your brand. It’s the best app for a video podcast.
Here’s how you can get started:
1. Set Up Your YouTube Channel
Start by setting up your YouTube channel and using relevant keywords in the channel name and description. This will help potential viewers find your channel when searching for relevant topics.
2. Create a Video Series
Creating a video series allows you to connect with potential viewers by providing them with a visual representation of your content. Make sure to use keywords in the titles and descriptions of each video to boost your search engine rankings.
3. Promote Your Videos
Start promoting your videos on social media platforms such as YouTube and Twitter. Post regular updates about new podcast episodes or share clips from recent episodes to keep fans updated on your actions.
4. Engage With Viewers
Engaging with viewers is essential for building relationships and connecting with potential listeners. Invite viewers to leave comments, ask questions, or provide feedback on your content, so they feel like their opinions matter.
By following these steps, you can easily set up and distribute your podcast using YouTube, helping you reach a new audience of potential listeners.
Related: How To Start A Podcast On YouTube?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I measure the success of my podcast?
The most common ways of measuring the success of a podcast include tracking total downloads, engagement levels (comments/shares/likes, etc.), and listener retention rates. Additionally, you could look at feedback from surveys or polls sent out to listeners for more detailed insights into how well your show performs. To learn more, here’s a guide on how to find out the number of listeners of a podcast.
How do I choose the best hosting platform for my podcast?
Selecting the right hosting platform for your podcast will depend on factors such as the size of your audience, cost, and features offered. Researching different platforms and comparing their features is the best way to ensure you are making an informed decision about which is most suited to your needs. If you want to know our list of best hosting platform, we’ve also got you covered.
How much does it cost to publish a podcast?
The great news is that it costs nothing to publish a podcast. That said, certain costs are associated with hosting and distributing your podcast, such as buying a domain name or paying streaming services to list your podcast.
How much you decide to invest will depend on how far you want to take your podcasts and the level of Engagement you want to achieve.
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing your podcast! Now it’s time to get it out into the world so people can start listening. Distributing a podcast isn’t as complicated as it may seem at first.
By following the steps in this guide, you’ll easily get your podcast onto all of the major platforms. Then, you can sit back and enjoy watching your downloads skyrocket!
Thanks for reading, and good luck with your new podcast.
