{"id":47761,"date":"2023-06-07T08:56:55","date_gmt":"2023-06-07T07:56:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/?p=47761"},"modified":"2023-06-07T08:58:44","modified_gmt":"2023-06-07T07:58:44","slug":"play-the-long-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/business-of-podcasting\/play-the-long-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Podcasters Say ‘Patience to Play the Long Game’ is #1 Key to Podcasting Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In our IndiePod Census<\/a>, we asked over 1,200 independent podcasters about their personal experiences running a podcast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest stand-outs from the results was that respondents selected ‘having the patience to play the long game and showing up consistently for the long haul’<\/strong> as the most essential ingredient to success in podcasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A massive 35% of respondents<\/strong> said playing the long game was the number one factor, followed not-so-closely by good planning <\/strong>(19%) and good equipment <\/strong>(14%). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The most important elements for podcasting success, according to 1,200+ podcasters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While it might not be the most exciting piece of advice you\u2019ve ever been given – and it\u2019s certainly not a quick win either – patience and consistency are<\/em> crucial in podcasting for several reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look at those reasons and what you can do now to nurture long-term success with your podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Patience is Key to Podcasting Success<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are just a few reasons why playing the long game is crucial to success in podcasting: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It Takes Time to Build Trust and Loyalty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a podcaster, you hear this all the time: What makes podcasts different from other mediums is the intimacy and loyalty you can build with your listeners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This loyalty makes podcasting attractive to advertisers<\/a>, so will ultimately determine how much money you can make. If you have a highly engaged audience, relevant brands will be keen to tap into it – even if you\u2019re talking about a relatively small pool of people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, of course, loyalty isn\u2019t something you can achieve overnight. You need to give listeners your time and lots of great content before they’ll be willing to buy into your podcast brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many people, listening to podcasts is part of their daily routine. They need you to show up consistently, producing regular content that they look forward to hearing if you’re going to build that trust. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this isn’t purely about new episodes, either. Consistency over time builds up a large back catalogue. New listeners will often binge through these episodes when they discover your show, and it’s during these marathons that they turn into hardcore fans. You simply can’t achieve that when you’re still working on your second or third episode, so keep going. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s No Silver Bullet When it Comes to Growth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you follow any of our advice on how to grow your podcast<\/a>, you\u2019ll know there\u2019s no single platform or tactic that will bring you podcast success overnight. Podcasts very rarely go viral, and any ones that do, don\u2019t enjoy the limelight for long because they\u2019re probably getting attention for the wrong reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing your podcast takes time, and requires a multi-channel approach to reach a wider audience. And while this can also be frustrating advice for those who want to grab at podcast fame quickly, it’s actually a positive aspect of the medium. Slow, steady and consistent growth means your podcast won\u2019t be impacted by a single platform dying off<\/a> or suddenly dropping in popularity<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

TikTokkers may be able to achieve instant fame just by starting a new fad, but where’s the longevity in that? And what happens if, tomorrow the social media platform is banned in your country<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, podcasters who own their content<\/a> and publish it across multiple listening platforms<\/a> can build loyal communities that last<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Podcasting is About the Process, Not Just the Outcome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you ask any successful podcaster, they\u2019ll tell you they enjoy doing what they do. Podcasting is just not sustainable for anyone who doesn\u2019t love the whole creation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So again, if you\u2019re a quick-win kind of content maker, you\u2019d be better gunning for platforms like TikTok or Instagram, where pulling a few tricks can help you rise to the top quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Successful podcasters care about the content they create and the niche they’re in, so they enjoy the process as much as seeing their download and subscriber numbers rise<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listeners also know when a host loves what they do. The care and attention they give to their content and production filters through the earbuds and makes it such a joy to listen to. You can\u2019t fake it with podcasting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those Who Seek Quick Wins Lose Interest Quickly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Podcasting has a low barrier to entry compared to other mediums, so it\u2019s not hard to start a podcast<\/a>. But sustaining it past the first ten or so episodes? That\u2019s another kettle of fish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A while ago, some numbers emerged that implied podcasting was on the demise because there was an 80% drop in new shows in 2022<\/a>. But in reality, what happened was that every man and their dog started a podcast during the pandemic because they had the time to do it. Only a small minority made it past the first few episodes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a creator who thrives on seeing instant numbers and getting instant recognition for the work you\u2019re doing, podcasting just isn\u2019t the gig for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As this Twitter thread explores, sustaining a podcast beyond a year or 50 episodes is considered a high hurdle, so if you can get past that, you’re onto a winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Podcasting got very popular during the pandemic \u2014 listening and creating

2. Sustaining a podcast beyond a year \/ 50 episodes is a very high hurdle in terms of skill, motivation, resources, topics, and opinions. pic.twitter.com\/lDZ81h6tzf<\/a><\/p>— @jason (@Jason) January 16, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>