Think of distribution as the bridge that connects your podcast with potential listeners. It’s the process of listing your episodes on popular platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Wondery, and Google Podcasts, making it easier for people to discover, subscribe, and enjoy your show. While there is another method of getting your show discovered that we’ll also cover towards the end, this post will walk through the podcast distribution process, ensuring your podcast reaches the widest possible audience with a little hack that helps your future biggest fans find you.

Choosing Your Podcast Hosting Platform to Distribute With

Before distributing your podcast, you’ll need a reliable home for your audio files. This is where podcast hosting platforms come in. They store your episodes, generate your RSS feed (more on that later), and provide valuable analytics to track your show’s performance.

When choosing a podcast hosting platform, consider:

• Pricing: Hosting plans vary in cost, so choose one that fits your budget.
• Storage: Make sure the platform offers enough storage space for your episodes.
• Analytics: Choose a platform with robust analytics to track your audience and growth.
• Ease of use: The platform should be user-friendly and easy to navigate.

Some popular podcast hosting platforms include Buzzsprout, Podbean, and Anchor. Explore their features and find the one that best suits your needs.

Creating and Optimizing Your Podcast RSS Feed

Your podcast RSS feed is essentially a text file that contains all the information about your show, including episode titles, descriptions, artwork, and audio files. It’s the backbone of your podcast distribution.

Most hosting platforms will automatically generate your RSS feed for you. However, it’s essential to optimize it to make your podcast more discoverable:

• Compelling title and description: Use keywords that accurately reflect your podcast’s content.
• Eye-catching artwork: Make sure your podcast cover art is high-quality and visually appealing.
• Choose the correct categories: Select relevant categories to help listeners find your podcast.

Submitting Your Podcast to Directories

Now that you have your optimized RSS feed, it’s time to submit your podcast to significant directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Here’s a list of some popular podcast directories to consider:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Google Podcasts
• Amazon Music
• Stitcher
• iHeartRadio
• TuneIn
• Podbean
• Castbox
• RadioPublic
• Overcast
• Pocket Casts
• Castro
• Breaker
• Player FM
• Deezer
• Audible
• Pandora
• Podcast Addict
• Podchaser
• Luminary
• Stitcher
• Podbay
• Podtail
• Castro
• Himalaya
• Radio.com

Each directory has its submission process, but it typically involves providing your RSS feed URL and some basic information about your podcast.

Promoting Your Podcast

Distribution is just the beginning! To ensure your podcast reaches a broader audience, you must actively promote it. Here are a few effective promotion strategies:

• Social media: Share your episodes on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and engage with your audience.
• Website or blog: Embed your podcast episodes on your website or blog. More on this down below.
• Email newsletter: Regularly update your email list with links to your latest episodes.
• Cross-promotion: Partner with other podcasters or professionals in your niche for cross-promotion.

Tracking Your Podcast’s Performance

Tracking your podcast’s performance to see what’s working and what’s not is essential. Most hosting platforms offer analytics tools that provide insights into your downloads, listener demographics, and popular episodes.

The Ultimate Distribution Hack

Create a basic website for your podcast. A well-optimized website can help your podcast get found organically by people looking for you without knowing about your show yet. One of the simplest explinations is that each podcast episode gets a post on your site. Put a transcript of the episode on the page, and soon enough Google should start to pick up your episodes in results.

So if you have a show about finance, and an episode that talks about the Japanese stock market crash, you have a fantastic chance for Google to show your show to someone looking up the “Japanese stock market crash”. Is it as simple as that? Yes and no, but the gist is you can make a huge impact very quicky as opposed to just distributing your podcast to the various platforms.

A website also serves as a central hub for all things related to your podcast, offering a place for listeners to find show notes, transcripts, and additional content. You can build an email list, sell merchandise, and connect with your audience on a deeper level.

A podcast website also provides opportunities for monetization beyond advertising and sponsorships. You can sell digital products, offer paid subscriptions, or run affiliate marketing campaigns. By owning your own platform, you have greater control over your revenue streams and can diversify your income sources.

Ultimately, having a website for your podcast allows you to build a direct relationship with your audience. You can collect email addresses, gather valuable feedback, and create a community around your show. By owning your audience, you can reduce your reliance on third-party platforms and maintain control over your content and distribution.