Expert Podcasting Practices For Dummies®

Chapter 35. Getting Featured on Podcast Directories

In This Practice

• Boosting your audience numbers

• Improving your ratings and comments

• Setting up reciprocal links

There's more to podcast directories than just being listed in the rolls. After all, there's a huge difference between being in the paper and having the headline all to yourself. People have to put less effort into discovering you if you've already been thrust to the top of the heap, and more people will be interested in finding out about you because you've gotten that notice. These front‐page notices are almost invariably good news, as well. Sites don't waste the home page's space discussing terrible podcasts.

Making Your Numbers Count

Podcast directories don't have access to the tracking numbers for your podcast host, so they're not going to know whether you have hundreds or thousands of listeners unless you run those numbers through them. Most directory services have links to assist listeners in subscribing to their listed podcasts, even if it's just a request for subscription information.

So how do you boost your subscription numbers? You make it as easy as possible for your listeners to know where and how they need to subscribe. You also use every method of communication available to you.

Your podcast

Designate a part of your podcast to talk about the specific directory you want to target and explain to your listeners what you're trying to do. Subscribing to a podcast doesn't cost any money, so listeners who haven't subscribed ...