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I think most people must be already familiar with podcasts and their features. In case you are not, Podcasts are one of the recent best digital mediums used for gaining information by all. On the contrary, podcast networks are clubhouses for podcasters. It is a superficial zone for podcasters and creators to share their valued content.
Recently, it has been universally used to gain facts about any topic or promotion of any business. They are regarded as a few leading types of audio entertainment that perform well beyond essential radio shows. This is because of their pre-recorded facility, which allows individuals to choose to listen to them at their convenience.
1. Overview of Podcast Network
A podcast network can be anything from a small group of independent podcasters to a large group of people hosting multiple shows. It helps podcasters easily reach their target audiences.
For example, All Things Comedy (ATC) is a top podcast network in Canada that hosts a community of professional comedian podcasters who deliver their content directly to fans. Similarly, other bigger podcast networks working on diverse niches are CBC Podcast, Amplify Podcast Network, Canadaland, and others.
I am here to help you identify the systematic ways to create a podcast network in no time. I will leave you with do’s and don’ts of starting a podcast network. It would help to avoid to get mislead while creating one.
2. Benefits of Starting a Podcast Network
2.1. Wider Audience Engagement
The top podcast networks have many audiences of different tastes and age groups. They crave other topics, which allows wide sharing of content. The network expands your work exposure to them to help you get more followers.
2.2. Credibility
Gaining credibility is like winning trust, a must for a successful podcast network. It helps you make others believe in you.
2.3. Increased Exposure
The podcast network gives access to VIP lounge opportunities for your digital audio journalism. They do not merely influence increased visibility and ad revenue.
Explore Supportive Podcast Networks
If a larger or mid-size network comes calling and offers support in publishing, developing, and growing your show, I think that’s a great option to explore.
Joining a podcast network can welcome you to the fold of other like-minded creatives and advertisers in the podcast space where you can grow together, expose your show to a larger audience, and keep you motivated and structured with your release schedule.
If you can’t find a network that meets your needs, or you are still a smaller podcast, creating your own podcast network could be a fun way to share resources and tackle podcasting from a ‘power in numbers’ philosophy.
One note of advice is to make sure your own work stays yours when negotiating with the network.
Good luck and happy podcasting!
Meryl Klemow, Freelance Podcast Senior Copywriter, Talent Booker, and Project Manager
2.4. Opportunity for Cross-promotion
You can associate with other top podcast networks to advertise their podcasts while, in turn, they promote you to reach a greater audience.
2.5. Better Marketing
The top podcast networks work to increase your market and create bigger campaigns for your podcasts.
2.6. Increased Revenue
Podcast networks get sponsorships to promote the products and services of various brands and businesses. Thus, its use would help you create revenue to expand your network.
Gain Community and Resource Access
Becoming part of a podcast network has been a game-changer for me in the world of digital content. The biggest perk for me is the sense of community it brings.
Joining a network means you get to tap into a larger pool of listeners right away, boosting your podcast’s reach. But it’s not just about the numbers.
Being in a network means you have a whole array of shared resources at your disposal—think marketing know-how and tech help, which really takes a load off the day-to-day operations.
On top of this, the chance to collaborate with fellow podcasters is golden. Through my network, I’ve managed to team up with others, exchange valuable insights, support each other’s work, and even develop content that hits home with more listeners.
All these elements combined really supercharge the growth and visibility of individual podcasts, making it easier for us to concentrate on crafting engaging stories and content, backed by a solid support system for spreading the word.
Valentin Radu, CEO & Founder, Blogger, Speaker, Podcaster, Omniconvert
3. Step-by-Step Process of Starting a Podcast Network
I think you understand the perks of podcast networks by now. So, without further delay, here are some easy steps to follow to create your next podcast network:
3.1. Nature of Podcast Networks
The initial step is deciding the type of podcast network you want to create.
One type of podcast network is where you host multiple shows and podcasts that act as a hub for your different target listeners. For example, the Apple podcast network, where many audiences listen to other podcasts daily, is created by Apple itself.
Another nature of podcast networks is that existing podcasts are hosted under one organisation. Each show, according to its genre, is hosted on different websites on the network. One such example is the CBC podcast.
3.2. Competitor Analysis
The podcasting industry is vast, and you need good research to decide on your network. Researching your competitors and gathering data to develop your business plan is essential. It makes it easier to map trending topics, identify primary target audiences, determine how to present shows, and more. Moreover, you realise with whom you are competing in the industry.
For the competitor analysis, you may use models, like Porter’s Five Forces, Growth-Share matrix, SWOT analysis, Perceptual mapping and many more.
Your goal is not to replicate your competitors but to remain unique by identifying the gaps in their network and learning from them.
Systematic Analysis for Differentiation
When launching a new podcast network into a crowded market, competitor analysis is crucial to differentiate yourself and stand out. I take a systematic approach, looking at established networks through several lenses:
- Content: What topics and formats do they cover? Are there any gaps I could fill or unique angles I could take? I map the content landscape to identify whitespace.
- Talent: Who are their hosts and producers? What makes them engaging or authoritative? This helps me understand what talent to recruit or groom.
- Audience: Who listens to their shows? How do they market and build their audience? I look for underserved demographics or new distribution channels.
- Business Model: How do they monetize shows and the network? What are their revenue streams? This informs my strategy to fund quality programming.
- Technology: What platforms do they utilize? How do they distribute and optimize shows? I look to employ an efficient tech stack.
By thoroughly analyzing competitors and learning from industry leaders, I gain key insights to launch a differentiated network. The goal is to creatively meet an unmet audience need.
One example is when I launched a comedy podcast network by working with stand-up comedians as hosts—an untapped talent pool at the time. The market research and competitive analysis were instrumental in shaping a unique value proposition.
With strategic positioning, there are always opportunities to launch a successful network, even in a crowded space.
Jason Hunt, CMO/Co-founder, Merged Media
3.3. Mission Statement
Your mission statement should motivate you to stay in line when things get challenging to continue. Be specific about your goals and mission as they make you remain focused on building a successful podcast network.
This is because they direct you on how to build a network to get the most audience. It would be a map for your success without letting you go haywire.
3.4. Target Audience
The top podcast networks always remain clear on their target audience for different shows hosted on their platform.
- You must identify how to adapt your network so that the specific tone, language and overall strategy reach the correct audience.
- You can have audiences from different age groups, but you must remain aware of how to differentiate podcasts in your network for each group.
In Canada, 42% of 18-34-year-olds mostly listen to podcasts. Additionally, 35-49 year olds and 50-64 year olds represent 32% and 20% of the listeners.
3.5. Demarcating Your Area of Interest
A typical success tip for most podcaster networks is narrowing down their niche or area of interest. Start small and limit your podcast network to a single niche, such as entertainment, hospitality, health, etc.
This is because building a successful network takes time. Mind your selected niche, as it helps you better focus on content creation and distribution to selected audiences.
Later, as you grow your network, widen your interest to allow several shows in varied niches.
In Canada, comedy podcasts 40% of regular listeners are interested in comedy podcasts. The rest, 29%, listened to society and culture, whereas 24% and 17% of Canadians listened to new and true crime podcasts, respectively.
Boosting Listener Engagement: Podcast Network Strategies
In my time with Grooveshark, a pioneer music streaming service, and now leading a Fractional CMO practice at Harmonic Reach, I’ve seen the critical role audience engagement plays, especially for podcast networks.
The essence of building a loyal following lies in understanding and actively engaging with your audience.
For podcasters, direct engagement through social media Q&A sessions, hosting live streams, and incorporating listener feedback into episodes can significantly boost listener loyalty.
Engagement is a two-way street; it’s as much about listening to your audience as it is about broadcasting to them. A practical example from Grooveshark days was when we directly involved our users in beta testing new features, making them feel like part of the development process.
This approach not only provided us with invaluable feedback but also fostered a strong sense of community and loyalty.
Another effective strategy is leveraging data analytics to understand listener preferences and behaviors. At Harmonic Reach, we rely heavily on data-driven insights to tailor content and engagement strategies.
For instance, by analyzing podcast episode performance data, we can identify topics that resonate with listeners, optimal posting times, and even preferred podcast lengths.
This approach ensures content is crafted in line with audience preferences, boosting engagement rates. The takeaway here is clear: Engage actively with your audience, listen to their feedback, and let data guide your content strategy to build a loyal and engaged listener base.
Sam Tarantino, Fractional CMO, Harmonic Reach
3.6. Arrange Necessary Equipment and Software
You must know the software and equipment to run a successful podcast network.
3.6.1. Microphones
Podcast hosting in your network would require the best quality sounds to be present. This is because nobody is interested in listening to poor audio. The best quality microphones for podcasts are dynamic or condenser microphones. This is because they show less sensitivity to background and surrounding noise.
3.6.2. Digital Recorders
Digital recorders are an exceptional choice for running podcasts on your network on the go is using digital recorders.
They resolve the need for additional requirements for any mic for recording, as they come with built-in music and have SD cards that are handy for immediately sharing audio files on your computer to be edited easily.
3.6.3. Recording Software
You have different software options to record podcasts for your network, such as Adobe Audition and Audacity. If you want to record interviews remotely or online, you can use different call-recording options. The most extensive podcast networks, such as Gimlet, Wondery, Earwolf, etc., say you need quality acoustics in the room.
3.7. Decide Hosting Platform
A podcast network requires a hosting platform where all the audio files are stored to help the target audience quickly access them. A hosting platform provides Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary (RSS) feeds for your audience. It helps them to remain updated when your network uploads any new podcast.
This is because the RSS feed updates on new network additions. Moreover, the hosting platforms help promote podcasts by accessing analytics, identifying web players, providing scheduling tools, etc.
Some key hosting platforms are SoundCloud, Buzzsprout, Spreaker, Libsyn and.
You may consider using a regular website hosting server for your network, but this has many drawbacks.
- It may get your website banned as part of podcasting. This is because each time an audience tries to download media files, the data from the file is transferred to them from the web host. The size of the files is vast, and such a massive transmission of data may cause the website host to shut down the account due to increased unnecessary bandwidth.
- It is also costly and less desirable for any business.
- The speed with which the audio files would reach the audience would be compromised, and the use of the network may slow.
- It would mess with your statistical evaluation to understand your podcast’s performance in the network. This is because a single user may use two or more IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, initially measured as two separate audiences. In contrast, one user is gained for your podcast network.
However, if you are still inclined to use websites for your podcast networks, you can use them to promote your shows instead of including all the podcast files on the site.
3.8. Creating a Content Plan
The preliminary action to set up your podcast network has already been discussed. Now is the time to learn to create a content plan for your podcast’s release on your network.
3.8.1. Schedule
You are to decide the release schedule for each nature of podcast in your network. This will assist you in remaining organised and ensuring content is released regularly. You are to create a schedule where the dates for each release will be notified with the maximum number of episodes to be released in a week or month. This will help you inform your audience about the upcoming content on your network that may make them sit tight to wait for the release.
3.8.2. Frequency
If your podcast is about current affairs, it is best to release content daily or weekly. However, if the topics are not time-sensitive, you can extend your frequency from one week to once a month. Most podcast networks suggest a frequency of podcast episodes to be uploaded once each week to remain active among the audience.
3.8.3. Topics
You are to focus on presenting updated topics about your niche to create hype for your audiences to visit your network. You can work on a few trending topics like comedy, technology, travel, Pop culture and daily news.
3.8.4 Formats
You should decide which format to follow for each show. They include interviews, monologues, solo shows, co-hosting, non-fiction, educational, roundtable, documentary, etc.
3.8.5. Downloads
You are to decide the minimum downloads to be achieved by the podcasters to remain in your network. This is because it is related to your company’s growth, where you are supporting others but not at the cost of your downfall.
Most podcast networks require each episode of a podcaster to receive 5000 downloads in a month. This is the minimum figure, as most networks have higher targets for podcasters to be allowed in their network for show promotion and delivery.
You are to be specific about the aspects of the plan to allow creators to join your network. Research and guide your instincts to get your network going for all.
3.9. Record and Edit Podcasts
In your podcast network, always support the creative freedom of the podcasters. It allows them the opportunity to create unique content. You are to ensure adequate access to all the necessary equipment and software to support the podcast’s best recording. Later, recruit editing services to create a quality content presentation.
3.10. Marketing Plan
After creating a podcast network, the important action is to attract and engage audiences to promote shows.
3.10.1. Social Media Advertisements
In the current era, no marketing is incomplete without social media ads. It is the fastest form of promotion and is cost-effective. Before you publish your show on the network, create a plan to use your social media page for promotion. This would help to initiate communication to generate easy publicity. Example: Post your ad on Facebook, Instagram, and X pages.
3.10.2. Video Advertisements
You can create video ads by explaining to the audience what they can expect from your network while highlighting your top shows through videos. These videos can also be later used to gain sponsorships.
3.10.3. Influencer Collaboration
A marketing trend is collaborating with influencers and independent podcasters for cross-promoting shows. You can follow this trend with ease.
3.10.4. Email Marketing
You can share information about new and existing shows and release schedules and gather feedback and suggestions through email marketing to promote your network.
3.10.5. Website Promotion
The official website of your network could be used to share blogs, newsletters, articles, video ads, and other shows on the network to connect directly with the audience and access feedback.
3.10.6. Podcast Hosting Platforms
You can plan to promote your podcast network on various platforms like Spotify, iTunes, CBC network, etc.
3.10.7. Paid Advertisement
You must ensure that communication occurs both ways during marketing and that consistency is maintained.
3.11. Monetization Plan
After building your marketing plan, consider acquiring a budget for expanding and managing your network.
3.11.1. Podcast Merchandise
You can seek merchandise of your successful podcasts on your network to generate revenue most easily. You can provide them with t-shirts, mugs, stickers, hoodies, and others featuring your podcasts and network with catchphrases.
Fans are eager to buy items related to shows to express their loyalty, and the logo’s visibility in the real world creates direct promotion.
3.11.2 .Sponsorship
Try to gain direct sponsorship from those who would pay you to share their ad on your network. When deciding on a sponsor to hire, identify the nature of the products and services your potential listeners desire. This would help sponsor ads that interest them and help them avoid boredom.
3.11.3. Subscriptions
The paid subscriptions are to be created for loyal listeners. It is to help you join the podcast network, which allows easy access to many shows with a minimum subscription fee. It creates a reliable source of revenue generation for you while strengthening your connection with the audience. It also promotes brand loyalty and ensures your long-term success.
3.11.4. Affiliate Links
Affiliate programs help you to earn commissions for promoting their business products and services. As the audience uses the provided promo code to purchase the product, the business shares a percentage of its sales with you. Actively research and find potential affiliate programs for your niche, which helps both ways. A few affiliate networks are Amazon Associates, Commission Junkie, etc.
3.11.5. Premium Content
In your podcast network, you can organise exclusive live events, direct talk with celebrities, and support access to extended or exclusive parts of shows and others for people willing to pay lucrative money. This helps to create additional value for your active listeners due to exclusiveness while helping you gather money for your network.
3.11.6. Donations
Sometimes, dedicated listeners are willing to donate to your network’s growth. Never stop accepting such great gifts and create a space for them. It would eliminate your extensive search for sponsors and minimise the need for outside funding when your audience is your friends.
3.11.7. Paid Advertisement
At the initial stage of your podcast network, the paid advertisement is best to be used. You can create paid Google Ads or sponsored Ads on different social media to reach your audience.
3.12 Measure and Optimisation of Podcast Network
After publishing podcast episodes on your network, you must follow up on their performance.
The main work starts from here as you need to pay attention to How frequently the audience is listening to each show, when most listening occurs, areas from which listeners are coming, areas of their interest, and many more.
It would help you optimise your content plan, schedule, and others to keep the podcast network running.
You are to focus on gathering all listeners’ feedback, reviews, and comments regarding your podcast network. The gathered facts are to be analysed, and issues with the quality of shows or any aspect of your network are to be checked and altered.
Monitor your adjustments and actively listen to audiences to check if raised issues are resolved. This will help you create better engagement and greater audience satisfaction with your network.
Focus on checking the analytics of your network to measure the effectiveness of your promotional offers, changes, updates, and others to promote your network. Get help from Google Analytics, Semrush, and others to see figures of your success.
3.13. Promote the Growth of Your Podcast Network
Remember, growing a podcast network is the only way to stay in the market. You must keep adding new shows and content, expand your niche, create campaigns to support other creative podcasters, add new guests or hosts, and more.
Focus on staying updated with trends and technologies so that there never remains a dull moment in your network.
Key Pillars of Podcast Network Success
In launching a successful podcast network, an often overlooked yet critical factor is establishing a solid legal foundation.
From my experience, I’ve seen how crucial it is to navigate intellectual property rights and licensing agreements and ensure compliance with regulations from the outset.
For instance, while working on expanding a digital content platform, we encountered complications regarding music rights that could have been avoided with more rigorous legal scrutiny and planning.
Ensuring all content within your podcasts is properly licensed and your network complies with copyright laws from the beginning can save immeasurable time and resources later on.
Furthermore, building a versatile yet robust technological infrastructure is paramount.
In my time developing software solutions, I’ve observed that many content creators underestimate the importance of selecting the right hosting platforms and tools for their content to reach and expand their audience effectively.
For example, optimizing RSS feed management or employing dynamically inserted ad technologies can enhance monetization strategies without compromising the listener experience.
Additionally, analytics tools can provide invaluable insights into audience behaviors, helping to tailor content and marketing strategies effectively.
Lastly, an innovative approach to monetization has been a cornerstone in ensuring the financial sustainability of projects I’ve been a part of. Traditional models like advertising and sponsorships work, but diversifying revenue streams can significantly enhance financial stability.
By launching a membership model for exclusive content access or harnessing merchandise related to podcast themes, we’ve been able to unlock new revenue streams.
This diversified approach to monetization not only enhances financial resilience but also strengthens audience engagement by providing multiple ways for listeners to support and engage with their favorite podcasts.
Adam Degraide, CEO, BamBamTastic
4. Do’s of Podcast Network
- Remember that you are presenting podcasts for certain types of audiences, and you cannot please all.
- You must have creative control over how content is presented in your network, which naturally draws a broader audience.
- Keep the conversation of podcasts within your network flexible to create a relaxed environment.
- Be consistent with the release schedule
- Keep audio content of high quality only
- Edit appropriately so that the final product is good
- Increase your distribution channels for your network to reach higher audience engagement
- Monitor and evaluate your success
5. Don’ts of Podcast Network
- Avoid inside jokes, as new listeners would know little about them
- Avoid turning podcast networks into advertisement markets, as it is the quickest way to lose your valued listeners.
- Avoid rambling, as a new audience would not bear your long, unpurposeful chitchats.
- Never ignore feedback from your audience, as they are your unpaid critics.
- Avoid extending all the podcast episodes beyond 30 minutes as few would have such a long time to listen to audio with patience.
- Avoid obsessing over numbers and focus on the quality for long-term wins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do podcast networks work?
Podcast networks present a collected number of podcasts under an umbrella organisation to reach a wider audience.
Why should I start a podcast network?
Podcast networks increase the visibility of podcasts, support more comprehensive marketing and distribution, assist in gathering large audiences, increase ad revenue generation, increase business exposure, support marketing, and more.
What are the essential elements required to start a podcast network?
The essential elements for starting your podcast network are good microphones, a well-developed recording studio or room, recording and editing software and a quality content plan.
How frequently are episodes to be added to the podcast network?
You must add one episode per show daily for content related to entertainment, news, current affairs, and other topics. During the initial phase, you can host celebrity shows once a month while extending them once a week as the network progresses.
Is it worth starting a podcast network in Canada?
Absolutely. This is because nearly 53% of adolescents and young people in Canada listen to podcasts on various topics daily to keep themselves updated and entertained.
Conclusion
I hope you now understand that starting a podcast network is simple. A few may say there are big deals, but I disagree. The shared facts are the fundamental part of starting a podcast network. You need the right strategy and mindset to create your network, which will let you thrive anywhere.
Guest Author: Saket Kumar
Last Updated on by Saket Kumar