Pocket-Sized Podcasting With Alitu

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about social media advertising. I know I’m never very positive or complimentary about social media. But, there are a lot of people looking at it every minute of every day. And, you can pay to advertise your podcast at them. Facebook is traditionally the mecca for social media ads because they have so much data on their users. You can really hone in on the audience you’d like to reach, from location, to interests, and even, the device they're using. For some, this is ethically questionable, but you’ll have your own opinions. The fact is, it’s out there as an option. Facebook isn’t the only platform you can run ads on either. There’s Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and probably ten more new apps by the time you hear this. Prolific social media users are some of the most distracted and angry people out there. So be prepared for the odd person who notices it to express outrage that they’re being advertised at on a platform they use for free. Anyway, that’s enough cynicism for one day eh? Thanks very much for listening to Pocket-Sized Podcasting. And, for a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to [thepodcasthost.com/facebookads](http://thepodcasthost.com/facebookads) Seriously, that’s a great guide by Gavin, so if social is your thing, then it’s well worth a wee look.

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about advertising on Podnews. Podnews is an essential daily email newsletter, predominantly aimed at keeping podcasters up-to-date with the latest industry news. But, most podcasters are podcast listeners too, and you can advertise your podcast to them here for as little as $29 a day. With Podnews advertising, you can promote your show to - at time of recording - over 25,000 subscribers every weekday. Recipients include folks from the likes of the BBC, NPR, Gimlet, and Apple Podcasts – you never know who might take an interest. The ads appear right in the middle of the main content, as a seperate box, under the heading ‘Classifieds’. Each ad is a hyperlinked headline and a 30-40 word description. All ads run in Podnews will also appear permanently on their website and within their daily companion podcast episode shownotes. By the way, it’s a good wee daily show to subscribe too. Thanks very much for listening to Pocket-Sized Podcasting. And, for a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to [thepodcasthost.com/advertising](http://thepodcasthost.com/advertising)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about community sponsorship. Depending on where you live, you might see a lot of sponsorship opportunities in your local community. These are typically things like flower beds, roundabouts, and parks. This is a more altruistic advertising approach because you’re giving something back to your community, as well as potentially pulling in some new listeners. So is there a park bench, woodland trail, or even, public toilet that would benefit from having your podcast’s name on it? If nothing else, it’ll make for a good story to tell your listeners. Thanks very much for listening to Pocket-Sized Podcasting. And remember, you can leave feedback for us quickly and easily over at [thepodcasthost.com/psp](http://thepodcasthost.com/psp)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about advertising your podcast *on* public transport. Or, on HGVs. Now that everyone *inside* the bus is listening to your podcast, let’s get some car-based listeners too. Ads on the backs of buses and lorries are common ways transport companies monetise otherwise dead space on their vehicles. They’re incredibly effective because there’s almost always someone looking right at it. Again, if the ad agency knows its business well, then it’ll also make it clear who to contact if you’re looking to enquire about one. Remember, you can do this on a much smaller and cheaper scale using car bumper stickers. Or, you might consider befriending a lorry driver and asking to put your sticker on their vehicle. However you go about it though, I hope this strategy brings you some decent traffic. Traffic. See what I did there? Thanks very much for listening to Pocket-Sized Podcasting. And remember, you can leave feedback for us quickly and easily over at [thepodcasthost.com/psp](http://thepodcasthost.com/psp)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about advertising your podcast inside public transport. You know when you’re sitting on the bus, train, or tube, trying your best to avoid eye contact with anyone. You always find yourself looking at those wee ads above the windows for weird hair tonics and haemorrhoid cream. Or is that just me? In any case, people do see these ads every single day. *A lot* of people, usually. So imagine an ad for your podcast up there beside them? As an aside, this would be the perfect place to use a QR Code, too. So next time you’re on public transport, just take a closer look at the existing ads to see which agency is running them. Then, get in touch to ask about pricing options. The only downside here is that your fellow travellers will think you’re making a note of that haemorrhoid cream for your shopping list. But, you win some, you lose some. Thanks very much for listening to Pocket-Sized Podcasting. And remember, you can leave feedback for us quickly and easily over at [thepodcasthost.com/psp](http://thepodcasthost.com/psp)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about running ads in print magazines. Print magazines have experienced a bit of a renaissance in recent years. In fact, it seems to be the ultra-niche ones that have best weathered the digital storm, and continue to grow from strength to strength. This is perfect for doing some targeted advertising for your show. Whether you’re podcasting about fly fishing, gardening, or model railways, you’ll likely find a magazine serving up the same topic to a dedicated fanbase. You’ll be surprised at how affordable this can be, with a lot of mags just looking to fill up ad spaces before their next print deadline. However, if it’s still out of your budget, you can always offer to write a guest article for them in exchange for the opportunity to mention your podcast. Thanks for listening to Pocket-Sized Podcasting. And, for a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to [thepodcasthost.com/advertising](http://thepodcasthost.com/advertising)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about advertising on Overcast and other podcast listening apps. This type of advertising is hugely effective, because 100% of the folks you reach are podcast listeners who’re actively browsing their app. There’s no education needed here whatsoever, it’s just down to your show’s title, topic, and snippet. Overcast ads appear as unobtrusive little banners, which the app’s users see at the bottom of their screen. This means they're literally one click away from browsing your podcast inside their chosen listening app. And one more click away from hitting Play or Subscribe. Costs here vary on category and demand. Overcast also estimates the number of clicks and subscribers you’ll get via your ad, so you can weigh up the potential ROI. Overcast isn’t the only listening app you can run ads on, either. Pocket Casts, Podcast Addict, Podbay, and Player FM are other options you might want to consider, too. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to [thepodcasthost.com/advertising](http://thepodcasthost.com/advertising)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about advertising your podcast. The concept of advertising really needs no introduction. This is an ancient and traditional way of promoting a product or service. You pay some money, and you get your ad in front of a particular audience. Podcast growth can be a slow burn. But the one way you can fast-track it, is to spend some money on an ad campaign. So if you’re able to set some money aside for this purpose, what are your options when it comes to spending it? And which one’s going to be the best fit for you and your podcast? Over the next few episodes, we’re going to run through some popular and effective places to run ads for your podcast, so be sure to subscribe to or follow Pocket-Sized Podcasting on your listening app of choice, that way, you’ll never miss an episode.

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about other types of podcast merch. Now that we’re looking at this from a “just get as much branded merch out there as possible” approach, what can we add to our store alongside our t-shirts, stickers, and magnets? A quick look over at popular print-on-demand service TeePublic gives us some good ideas, including laptop and phone cases, pin badges, tote bags, tapestries, wall art, mugs, pillows, kids onesies, hoodies, and even… tank tops. What about that, eh? A tank top. I went on there and they look more like vests to me, but never mind. If you want to check out this service for yourself, head on over to [thepodcasthost.com/teepublic](http://thepodcasthost.com/teepublic) And, for a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to [thepodcasthost.com/podcastmerch](http://thepodcasthost.com/podcastmerch)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about t-shirts. The big misconception about selling podcast-branded t-shirts is that this is a monetization strategy, rather than a promotion one. But, any listener wearing your show’s t-shirt becomes like a walking billboard for your show. For most podcasters, using a print-on-demand service for t-shirts will make more sense than buying a bulk order, and then storing and shipping them yourself. But print-on-demand can push the price of your merch up, so it’s worth selling t-shirts at their minimum cost price. This means you’ll make no profit on them, but, it increases the chances of you selling more. As I say, look at this as more guerrilla marketing, rather than the opportunity to make money. There are much better ways to do that, as we’ll cover later on in the series.

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about QR Codes. The humble “Quick Response” code rose to prominence during the pandemic. Very few people don’t know what they are, now. If you don’t, though, a QR Code is a unique symbol that your smartphone's camera can read and translate into a web address. They look like wee black and white chequered squares. You can add QR codes to business cards, stickers and other merch, and they’ll take people directly to your podcast website. You see bands or musicians using this a lot on their stickers, or buskers on their signage. I’ve even heard of people getting QR Code tattoos. That’s possibly the most extreme example of this strategy though, and for most folks, a wee card, sticker, or magnet will do. Thanks for listening to Pocket-Sized Podcasting. And, for a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to [thepodcasthost.com/qrcodes](http://thepodcasthost.com/qrcodes)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about roadside promotion. This might be anything from a banner draped on a flyover, to a big sign in a field. Basically, a message that promotes your podcast which will be seen by thousands of people each day. It should go without saying, but please don’t do anything stupid, dangerous, or illegal here. Roads are deadly places, so never put yours or anyone else’s life at risk with a strategy like this. Of course, you could go the official route here, and hire a billboard. But I don’t imagine that comes cheaply, no matter where you are in the world. I see a lot of roadside marketing here in Scotland, usually by some mad farmer. It’d be nice to drive past a few innovative podcast ads, slogans, or messages in the future. In the meantime, for a deeper dive on this, check out [thepodcasthost.com/guerrilla](http://thepodcasthost.com/guerrilla)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about beer mats and coasters. This is one of my favourite podcast promotion strategies, because it’s a great excuse to go to the pub. If you get a bunch of eye-catching cardboard coasters made, you can stick them on your table under your glasses. Then, when you leave, the next people who sit there are going to immediately see them. They might even take one away. Depending on the establishment, some coasters can end up there for days or weeks, too. And a lot of people will end up seeing them up close. With this approach, nights out, hen doos, and birthday drinks become “podcast marketing sessions”. Of course, it doesn’t need to revolve around alcohol, either. You can do this just as well in cafes or restaurants. Basically, any public lounge where people sit down at a table with a drink. Bonus tip: Why not approach a local bar or cafe to become their official supplier of coasters in exchange for some free promotion on your podcast? It’s worth a shot… In the meantime, for a deeper dive on this, check out [thepodcasthost.com/guerrilla](http://thepodcasthost.com/guerrilla)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about magnets. Magnets - like stickers - can be wee adverts for your podcast. They’re more tolerated than stickers, too, because they can be easily removed. This means that curious listeners sometimes take them home. We know where all magnets end up in the home, too. Don’t underestimate the power of getting your logo onto someone’s fridge. They’ll see it every single day for years. So will their family, housemates, or anyone who comes to visit. Magnets also make for great freebies at events or conferences, or as rewards for reviews or crowdfunding support. As they’re usually small, light, and flat, they don’t cost too much to post out anywhere around the world. These are quite literally “fan magnets”, and no podcaster should be without them. Thanks for listening to Pocket-Sized Podcasting. And, for a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to [thepodcasthost.com/podcastmerch](http://thepodcasthost.com/podcastmerch)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about bumper stickers. A bumper sticker on the back of your car might not seem like it’s doing much. But imagine how many different people end up seeing it over the weeks, months, and years. Sure, a lot of them won’t be your target audience. But some will. And, aside from creating your sticker and slapping it on, this is a completely effortless way of promoting your podcast. Your sticker’s design will depend a lot on your show’s name. If it’s an obvious name, like “The Organic Gardener Podcast”, then it speaks for itself. If you’ve got a more obscure name, though, then you might need to get innovative with your design in order to temp anyone to check it out. The downside of this, of course, is when you cut someone off, they know exactly who you are. So drive safely out there. Thanks for listening to Pocket-Sized Podcasting. And remember, you can leave feedback for us quickly and easily over at [thepodcasthost.com/psp](http://thepodcasthost.com/psp)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about stickers. Stickers are the ultimate guerrilla marketing tool. They’re like little ads for your podcast that can pop up anywhere, and they can last for a long time. You don’t even need to risk accusations of vandalism by actually sticking your stickers in places. You could just give them away at conferences or events. You can even use the business card strategy and leave them in books. Just don’t stick anything to the book, obviously. Most people like stickers - even if they’ve never heard of the brand behind them. Give someone a sticker, and they’re unlikely to chuck it away. They’re also quite likely to stick it somewhere. This could be anything from the back of a laptop, to a dedicated “sticker wall” in their house or office. Bottom line: No podcaster should be without a set of stickers for their show. And, for a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to [thepodcasthost.com/podcastmerch](http://thepodcasthost.com/podcastmerch)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about leaving a card in a book. Books might be very old, and podcasts very new, but both have a lot in common. They’re created with a target audience in mind. So why not promote your podcast in books that share your overarching theme or topic? The starting point here is to order a batch of business cards that promote your podcast. Then, visit any local bookshops and libraries to find books you think your target audience might be interested in. Obviously, it’s unlikely the owners of any establishment would be happy with this. So, you do so entirely at your own discretion. You know, deep down, that you’re helping their customers to find more great content. But they probably won’t share your enthusiasm. Thanks for listening to Pocket-Sized Podcasting. And remember, you can leave feedback for us quickly and easily over at [thepodcasthost.com/psp](http://thepodcasthost.com/psp)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about guerrilla marketing. No, this isn’t about promoting your podcast at the zoo - although it could be. Guerrilla marketing is a low or no-cost unconventional advertising strategy. It allows you to engage with the public on a more personal and memorable level. The cool thing about this too, is that it’s offline, and happens out there in the real world. Examples of guerrilla marketing range from making creative and artistic changes to pre-existing environments, or, leveraging the crowd at some sort of gathering or event. This is all usually without any official permission. On the next few episodes we’re going to give you some examples of podcast promotion tactics that could fall under the guerrilla marketing category. In the meantime, for a deeper dive on this, check out [thepodcasthost.com/guerrilla](http://thepodcasthost.com/guerrilla)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about scheduling tools for social media. Let’s face it. Nobody *really* wants to spend time on social media. These platforms are designed to capture your attention, and they’re very good at it. At best, you’ll lose entire hours of your day. At worst, you’ll feel utterly dejected at the world and its inhabitants. But, you can still give your podcast a presence there by using scheduling tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Meet Edgar. These tools let you post questions, updates, and other content, without having any of these apps on your phone. Then, you can set time aside to log in on your computer each day to reply to any engagement. This is a great way to win back control of your time, and put it to much better use. Like working on your podcast. Or, spending time with your friends and family. For a full review of social media scheduling tool Meet Edgar, head on over to [thepodcasthost.com/edgar](http://thepodcasthost.com/edgar)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about posting out regular questions. As a podcaster, you want to keep your finger on the pulse when it comes to the needs and wants of your audience. You might want to post out regular questions to them, asking specific things. You can do this on social, or, via your email list. You can even create a wee ongoing poll or survey on your website to collect this data indefinitely This is all fuel for highly searchable and helpful future content. The questions you ask will be specific to your topic, but they’ll typically revolve around struggles or pain points that you’re uniquely positioned to solve. There’s no need to try and second-guess what people want to hear about. They’ll usually be happy to tell you themselves. All you need to do is ask. Thanks for listening to Pocket-Sized Podcasting. And remember, you can leave feedback for us quickly and easily over at [thepodcasthost.com/psp](http://thepodcasthost.com/psp)