Episode 283

How to Create an Thriving Podcast Community

Why a Podcast Community is Important

Connection and Feedback

When people ask me, “How do I engage with my audience?”, two things immediately pop into y head. Weekly emails and a podcast community. Now, my default definition of a podcast community is a Facebook group simply because that’s what I have. (You can join our FREE Facebook Group for The Proffitt Podcast here.)

I don’t discriminate against other community platforms out there. Like Slack, Discord, Kajabi Communities, Basecamp, Circle, and probably hundreds of other ones I’ve never heard of.

But if you want to know that the content you’re creating and putting out into the world is resonating with your audience, then you need a way to connect with them. Plus, the feedback from your is priceless!

When Groups Get Out of Hand

We’ve all joined those communities where the original creators/founders of the group have walked away and abandoned hundreds – possibly thousands – of people to behave by themselves. 

What ends up happening is those people — we all know “those people” — snake their way into the group to terrorize and spam everyone to death. “Buy my thing! Sign up for my program! Did you know I offer those services? Here, sign up with my scheduling link.” Savages!

To keep that from happening and actually creating a podcast community people enjoy visiting, I wanted to share with you 5 tips I’ve learned from creating a thriving podcast community.

The challenge starts
Aug. 23 – Aug. 27

1. Set Expectations

What’s the goal of the group?

I’m obsessed with planning and goal setting. I know, not really the sexiest things to talk about. But I’m a firm believer that if you understand the goal you’re trying to achieve, creating content and engaging with your podcast community becomes that much easier. 

First, you have to decide what the goal of your group is.

• Do you want people to engage with one another?
• Ask you questions?
• Have meet ups for collaboration?
• Establish a place to get their questions answered?

If you want a real life example of a community that demonstrates clear – and fun! – expectations of their community, check out the Squadcast community on Slack: Squadpod. Arielle, the Community Manager at Squadcast, has cultivated a thriving podcast community for podcast hosts to find guests for their shows, promote their shows, ask questions, and stay connected. 

Decide on the purpose of your podcast community and things will run a whole lot smoother.

2. Model Good Behavior

This sounds a little silly…

I guess being a mom of three boys really comes into play with this one because I keep thinking, “We all have to treat others the way we want to be treated.” But it’s true.

If you want your podcast community members to respect one another and share in the group often, you’re the one that has to model that behavior in the first place.

“We don’t talk bad about other podcast hosts, people in our industry, or trash talk anyone in this community…”

A rule I established early on when I noticed a few members getting a little catty in the beginning.

If you want the same type of environment for your podcast community, you have to model it.

3. Let Members Know What’s In It for Them

“Why should I come back?”

I don’t visit communities, networking events, or join establishments that I’m not excited about. I will happily pay for memberships that get me results, join programs where I know I’ll have a proven system, and follow people who have a community of people at their sides.

When you’re creating your thriving podcast community, you have to let them know what they’ll get out of being a member.

• Will I get a chance to connect with other members?
• Learn new strategies?
• Have some one-on-one time with you?
• Monthly Q&As?
• Hear about the latest and greatest in your industry?

Tell people up front what they can expect when joining your podcast community.

“If you’re a podcast junkie dreaming of creating your own podcast, this book is about to become your bible.”

– Amy Porterfield, Host of Online Marketing Made Easy

4. Keep Showing Up!

“It’s awkward when no one is there…”

I’m not going to lie, it was super awkward for a long time in my Facebook group when people weren’t interacting. I felt like I was talking to myself when I’d do a live stream or post in the group on a regular basis.

“Are people even listening?”

I felt so silly thinking that people weren’t there or that I was doing this all for nothing. But slowly – over time,  more people started showing up on a regular basis. Members started talking amongst themselves more often. And a thriving podcast community was established.

But it doesn’t happen overnight. Keep showing up for your people and they’ll show up for you.

5. Cultivate the Culture You Want to See

“I want people to not need me every day in the group.” it was super

Let’s tie all 5 of these tips now. Because once you’ve set group expectations, modeled good behavior, let members know what’s in it for them,  keep showing up on a regular basis, and all of those will lead to cultivating the culture you want to see in your podcast community.

At the end of the day, the success of your group will be made by you – the leader of the community. Constantly ask yourself, “How can I make this community more inviting, helpful, and valuable, to my members?” and you’ll be well on your way to having a thriving podcast community.

Podcast Episodes Mentioned:

• Podcast Community, How to Find Yours: https://krystalproffitt.com/episode74/
• Facebook Group for Your Podcast: https://krystalproffitt.com/episode108/