🎙️ The Easiest Podcast SEO Win You’re Probably Missing
👋Hey there Podcaster!
This past week on the Podcasting Morning Chatwas all about the small hinges that swing big doors.
We talked about the one question that can save you from a bad guest, the one sentence that can get you discovered, and the one framework that turns a good episode into an obsession-worthy one.
Let's get into it!
The Blueprint for a Bingeable Podcast
The Doorway:The thing that pulls your listener in.Swindleduses a prelude; a parallel story that primes your brain for the main event. But it could also be a destabilizing question, an emotional stake, or a familiar success anchor. The point? Don't start with "Today we're talking about." That's a lecture, not a hook.
The Pattern Reveal:The connective tissue. This is where you zoom out and show the listenerwhythe story matters. It’s the mechanism behind the magic.
The Belief Flip:The ending that rewires how your listener sees something. They should walk away with a new perspective.
This structure is the difference between an episode people listen to and an episode peoplefeel.
But what happens when the story involves another person? That brings us to the pre-interview.
On last Tuesday's show,Why Your Podcast Needs a Pre-Interview,we role-playedthe exact conversations you need to havebeforeyou hit record. The community agreed a good pre-interview does three jobs: it vets the guest for fit, it builds rapport, and it sets the rules of the road. AsRalph Estep Jr.put it, you're "gatekeeping your gold."
What's one question you could ask in a pre-interview to know if a guest is right for your audience?
Are You Ignoring the Easiest SEO Win in Podcasting?
Shows that use a descriptive tagline in both theirtitleandauthorfields rank, on average,6.7x better on Apple and 5.6x better on Spotify.
And almost nobody is doing it. Only 0.58% of podcasts use this two-field approach.
According to their findings, the author field might even be more powerful than the title field. This is a huge, missed opportunity for discovery. It’s a tiny detail that could change who finds your show.
What's one keyword you could add to your author fieldtoday?
What Sponsors Actually Want to See
Downloads are just the start.Ralph Estep Jr.said it best: don't lead with your numbers, lead with a question: "What's moving the needle foryou?" Their answer tells you exactly what data they care about.
Here's the framework we landed on:
Sponsored Episode Performance:Downloads/impressions for the specific ad-read episodes.
Audience Demographics:Who is listening?
Consumption Data:Are people finishing the episodes? (Use Apple Podcasts Connect and/or YouTube for this).
Trackable Links:Use a redirect likeyourshow.com/sponsorto measure actual clicks. AsNick Nalbachpointed out, this is the cleanest way to show ROI.
Downloads get you in the door. Engagement and action are what get you renewed.
What's one piece of data you have that tells a better story than your download numbers?
Big News: Empowered Podcasting Has a Title Sponsor
What makes this one different is where the sponsorship came from. Ralph wasn't a brand that reached out because of a pitch deck. He was an attendee at EPC2. He socialized in the hallways, emerged himself in the event, and became one of the most active members of this community. When EPC3 needed a title sponsor, he stepped up because he believed in what this event is building.
As I said onEp. 471: "It's not every day that sponsors come directly from the community the event was built for. Ralph understands the mission because he's lived it."
Tickets and sponsorship info are available atempoweredpodcasting.comand remember that tickets are under $200 until the price goes up on April 1! Additional sponsorship tiers are still open, including community-level options coming very soon.
Ready To Take Your Podcast To The Next Level?
Want to work with me? I help podcasters with everything from launching a new show to refining an existing one. We can work on strategy, production, growth, monetization, and more. If you're ready to turn your podcast into a powerful asset for your brand or business, let's talk.Book a free discovery call.
🎙️Podcasting Morning Chat Highlights🌅
Welcome to your essential morning brew of ideas and insights. The Podcasting Morning Chat is a daily show that's by creators, for creators. Hosted by yours truly and a dynamic team of experienced creators, entrepreneurs, and producers, each episode peels back the curtain on the art and science of podcasting. Recorded live every weekday at 7 AM EST on Clubhouse, YouTube, LinkedIn (and more) and available via podcast at 7 AM PST, our show has become a cornerstone for podcasters worldwide, offering a unique blend of expert advice, real-world success stories, and innovative ideas. The PMC is your source for inspiration, empowerment, and actionable insights. Catch up with the latest episodes and join our global community of creators to kick-start your day with creativity, strategy, and insight.
Monday (Ep. 469):The Secret Structure of an Obsession-Worthy Podcast
Tuesday (Ep. 470):Why Your Podcast Needs a Pre-Interview (And How to Do It Right)
Wednesday (Ep. 471):Podcast SEO, Amazon & Wondery, and the State of the Industry
Thursday (Ep. 472):What Podcast Metrics Do Sponsors Actually Care About?
Friday (Ep. 473):The Best & Worst Parts of Podcasting
Find out all of the ways you can connect with our show here:podcastingmorningchat.com/joinus
I’m so grateful to be connected with you and a part of your podcast journey.
All My Best,
👋Marc Ronick
This content was composed with assistance from OpenAI.
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