30. Power of Email for Podcasters Who Want Results

I talk about how email marketing can be a total game-changer for podcasters (yep, even if you think email is old news). You’ll learn how emails can help you make more money, boost your downloads, and create genuine connections with your audience without feeling salesy. I’ll share how one of my clients sold out an event thanks to her email list and how I’ve built stronger relationships just by hitting ‘send.’

I’ll walk you through simple steps to build your email list, what to send (hint: it’s not just “listen to my podcast!”), and how to keep your audience engaged with content they’ll actually look forward to. Plus, I’ve got a handy ChatGPT prompt to help you turn your podcast transcripts into newsletters effortlessly.

SHOW NOTES: https://podcastsupportservices.com.au/power-of-email-for-podcasters-who-want-results/

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Transcript

This transcript was created using Headliner. It has been copied and pasted but not proofread or edited, so it may contain errors or inaccuracies. 

Laura: Welcome to Podcasting for Business Owners. I'm Your host, Laura McRae, a podcast consultant, educator, and self confessed podcast nerd. If you're thinking of launching a podcast or want to grow the one you.

Laura: Have, you're in the right place.

Laura: Hold on to your headphones and let's go.

Laura: Hello and, um, welcome back to Podcasting for Business Owners, the podcast that helps you share your story, lead your industry, and grow your network through podcasting. I'm your host, Lauren McRae, a podcast consultant who supported many business owners to launch and manage their podcasts. Today we're talking about email marketing. I know, I know you might be thinking email isn't that old news, but trust me, emails can make a big difference for podcasters. And, um, by the end of this episode, you. You'll see why. Let's start with the basics. Why should you care about email? Well, there are three reasons. First, email can make you more money. Yes, that's right. People are more likely to take action from an email than, um, from a podcast. Call to action. When people are listening to your podcast, they're most likely doing something else at the same time, like driving, walking the dog, or doing household chores. They don't really want to stop what they're doing to go into their phone and start buying from you. But when listeners cheque their email, they're already in that let's get things done mode, making it easier for them to click buy or book a call with you. Second reason, email can boost your podcast downloads. Think about it. Uh, how many times have you loved a podcast but forgotten to cheque for new episodes? It happens to us all. Weekly emails serve as gentle reminders that your podcast exists and that it's packed with value. And thirdly, email makes you less reliant on social media. Algorithms change, platforms evolve, and your reach can shrink overnight. But with email, you're in control. You've got a direct line to your listeners that, uh, no algorithm can mess with. Every week, I send an email newsletter to my subscribers, and it's more than a simple listen to my podcast reminder. One email that really stood out was when I shared my personal struggles with confidence in speaking. I opened up about how I feel nervous every time I speak in front of an audience and how joining Toastmasters has helped me work through that fear. Ah, so many people email me back saying how they could relate. Some shared their own stories of struggles with confidence, while others thanked me for being honest and inspiring them to take their first steps towards improving their speaking skills. One of my clients experienced something Similar with her audience, she regularly emails her subscribers, sharing valuable tips and personal stories that tie into her podcast episodes. When it came to promoting an in person event she was having, her audience already trusted her. Because of the consistent value she provided, she didn't need to rely on pushy sales tactics. Her emails naturally guided people towards buying a ticket. As a result, she sold out her event within a couple of weeks. This is the power of email. It allows you to connect on a personal level, inspire your audience, and even sell in a way that feels authentic and supportive. All while boosting your podcast downloads and, um, building lasting relationships with your listeners. Now that you know why emails matter, let's talk about how to start building your list. It's easier than you think. Start by offering something valuable in exchange for your listeners email addresses. This could be a free resource like an ebook, a mini course, or a webinar. Uh, if you're not sure what to offer, think about your audience's biggest struggles. What's one thing you could give them that would make their life easier or their business better? Use that as your lead magnet. I get it. You might have some doubts about starting an email list. Maybe you're worried about spamming your audience, but email is all about giving value. When you consistently provide helpful, actionable content, your subscribers will actually look forward to hearing from you. That's why I recommend you write, uh, newsletters that don't just say, listen to my podcast. You need to give the value first, tease them into what they can expect if they listen, and then offer them a link to listen. Or maybe you're thinking, I don't have time for that. The good news is, email can be automated using platforms like mailerlite or mailchimp. They let you schedule everything in advance.

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Laura: You could even batch your newsletters once a month and you're good to go. Also, if you download the transcripts for your podcast episodes, you can repurpose these using AI tools like ChatGPT to turn your podcast episodes into newsletters. If you cheque the show notes for this episode, you'll see a link where I've given you a prompt that you can copy and paste into ChatGPT along with your transcript, which will create a newsletter for you. You can use this over and over again. This prompt makes creating newsletters so simple. Once you've got your email list going, consistency is key. Send out emails every week. Include a compelling subject line, a quick summary of the episode, and a clear call to action. Remember, the goal is to keep your audience engaged and remind them of the value that your podcast brings. And then when you're a guest on other podcasts, focus your call to action on getting listeners onto your email list, not just to your podcast. You may be asking why? Because once they're on your list, you'll have multiple chances to keep them engaged and guide them back to your show. So there you have it. Uh, the power of email for podcasters. So just to recap, email helps you make more money, grow your downloads and stay in control of your audience. It's one of the simplest and uh, most effective tools you can use to build a stronger connection with your listeners and grow your podcast at the same time. If you're ready to grow your podcast and want some help setting up your email strategy, lets chat. Connect with me on Instagram at Podcast Support Services. And remember, don't forget to grab your free ChatGPT prompt to easily turn your podcast transcripts into newsletters. The link is in the show notes until next week. Happy podcasting.

Laura: If you found value in this podcast, please leave A five star rating and a review would be even better. Your support shows that this is a good show which will attract high profile guests and in turn deliver greater value to you. This podcast is produced and edited by me. Don't waste your time on editing. Let me help you with your podcast. Cheque out the links in the show notes to get in touch.

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