In the affiliate marketing industry,
podcasts are an overlooked marketing tool that very few affiliates utilize. And if you’re an affiliate marketer who isn’t using podcasts to
market your affiliate products, you’re missing out on a HUGE audience that you could potentially promote your offers to.
And when you think about how easy it is to set up a podcast and maintain, it’s almost nonsensical not to take advantage of this marketing medium to successfully
boost your affiliate commissions.
I want to talk about how you can use podcasting to boost your affiliate sales and reach audiences that prefer to absorb content via this format. It’s an underutilized marketing technique, which means there’s plenty of room to grow and
build an affiliate business without working any harder than you are right now.
What Is A Podcast?
A podcast is a form of digital media that typically consists of
audio recordings, although some podcasts also include video. It is a series of episodes that can be downloaded or streamed online.
The term
“podcast”
is a combination of the words “iPod” (referring to the Apple portable media player) and “broadcast.”
Podcasts cover a wide range of topics and formats, including
interviews, discussions, storytelling, educational content, news analysis, comedy, and more. They offer a flexible and convenient way for people to consume content on various subjects of interest.
Podcasts are usually released in a series format, with
new episodes being published on a regular basis. Listeners can subscribe to their favorite podcasts through various podcast platforms or apps. Subscribing allows them to
automatically receive new episodes when they are released.
One of the key advantages of podcasts is their accessibility. Listeners can enjoy podcasts
at their convenience, whether they are commuting, working out, or simply relaxing.
They provide an opportunity for in-depth exploration of topics and often feature experts, industry leaders, or engaging hosts who offer insights and perspectives on different subjects.
Podcasts have gained
significant popularity over the years, with a vast number of shows available covering virtually any topic imaginable.
Why Should Affiliate Marketers Sell Products Through Podcasts?
Believe it or not, podcasting is incredibly popular. And actually, more and more people in a wide variety of industries are using podcasts to
successfully promote products – but affiliate marketers seem to be behind the curve.
The fact of the matter is that the podcast industry is rapidly growing. Podcasts are popular among millions of listeners worldwide.
Fans can listen while driving, walking, doing household chores, trying to sleep, or just about anything else. There are over
464 million listeners and over
5 million podcasts globally as of January 2023.
And as podcasting continues to grow, the industry is experiencing tremendous growth in terms of listenership, revenue, and variety.
One report observed the behavior of podcast listeners from 18 countries, including the US, Canada, France, Germany, and Brazil. According to the report, the number of podcast listeners worldwide will grow to over 465 million in 2023.
Moreover, podcast industry revenue is projected to surpass
$2 billion this year.
The ever-growing number of podcast shows and episodes should also be considered. According to a constantly updated report, more than
2.9 million podcasts are available on the web, and there are more than 150 million episodes.
In the US market, podcast listenership studies imply a growing trend of podcast subscriptions in the US. According to a consumer survey by Infinite Dial 2022, over 62% of respondents listened to a podcast at least once.
This means people are increasingly signing up for podcast subscriptions – a trend that I predict will continue in 2023.
What Does All Of This Mean For Affiliate Marketers?
It means it’s time for you to get a slice of the
podcasting pie.
As the popularity of podcasts continues to rise, affiliate marketing through this medium is becoming a newer opportunity to generate income and expand brand reach.
Would you like to know how you can
market your affiliate products through podcasts? If you answered
“Yes”, let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can successfully promote your affiliate offers via podcasting.
How To Market Affiliate Products Through Podcasts
First and foremost, you need a podcast host. You need to create a podcast, create a podcast RSS feed, and submit your podcast to the podcasting directories.
You can do
all 3 with a service called
“Zencast.fm”.
They offer a
free trial so you can test out the service and they make it easy for you to produce a podcast even if you’ve never created one before.
Once you’ve signed up with Zencast.fm and successfully launched your podcast with at least 1 episode, you’ll want to implement the following
22 marketing techniques:
1) Create Compelling Podcast Cover Art
Create an attention-grabbing title and design eye-catching cover art that reflects the essence of your podcast. These elements play a crucial role in attracting potential listeners.
You can create an awesome podcast cover using
Canva.
2) Optimize Your Podcast Description
Craft a concise and compelling podcast description that highlights the unique value your podcast offers.
Incorporate relevant keywords to improve discoverability in podcast directories and search engines.
3) Define Your Target Audience
Clearly identify who your ideal listeners are. This is important if you want to sell more of your affiliate products.
Understand your
niche, their interests, demographics, and preferences to tailor your podcast content accordingly.
4) Have Consistent Branding
Develop a
consistent brand identity across all your podcasting platforms, including your podcast artwork, website, social media profiles, and promotional materials. This helps in building recognition and establishing a cohesive image.
5) Provide Content That Boosts Subscribers
Create podcast episodes that educate your audience on topics related to the affiliate products you are promoting. Offer tips, tutorials, or case studies that highlight the benefits and value of using those products.
6) Promote Relevant Affiliate Products
Select affiliate products that align with your podcast’s niche and are of interest to your target audience. Ensure the products are valuable, high-quality, and resonate with your listeners.
7) Incorporate Product Mentions Organically
Integrate your affiliate product mentions naturally into your podcast episodes.
You want to avoid sounding
overly promotional or salesy. Share personal experiences, success stories, or case studies related to the affiliate products to demonstrate their value.
8) Create Dedicated Product Promotion Episodes
Create specific podcast episodes solely focused on
promoting your affiliate products. Provide in-depth information, highlight key features and benefits, and explain how these products can solve your listeners’ problems or enhance their lives.
In these specific episodes, you can
conduct product reviews or host interviews with the creator of the affiliate product you’re promoting. This provides valuable insights, builds credibility, and helps your audience make informed purchasing decisions.
9) Strategically Insert Affiliate Links
In your podcast’s show notes, descriptions, or accompanying blog posts,
include affiliate links or promotional codes that direct listeners to the affiliate program’s website. Make it easy for them to find and purchase the products.
10) Offer Exclusive Discounts Or Deals
Negotiate with
affiliate managers to see if they can offer your podcast listeners exclusive discounts, coupon codes, or special deals. This creates a sense of exclusivity and encourages your audience to take action.
11) Cross-promote On Social Media
You’ll want to leverage
social media platforms to promote your podcast episodes, engage with your audience, and reach new listeners.
Use relevant hashtags, create compelling graphics or videos showcasing the affiliate product you’re promoting, and encourage listeners to share your content.
12) Disclose Affiliate Relationships
Remember to
disclose any affiliate relationships or sponsored content to maintain transparency with your audience. Building trust and credibility should be at the forefront of your affiliate program marketing efforts through podcasts.
13) Be Open To Guest Collaborations
Invite industry experts,
influencers, or complementary podcast hosts as guests on your show. This not only provides fresh perspectives and engaging content but also allows you to tap into the guest’s audience – exposing your podcast to new listeners.
14) Submit To The Podcast Directories
Submit your podcast to popular podcast directories such as
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher. Be sure to optimize your podcast profile with relevant keywords, categories, and tags to improve visibility and searchability.
15) Request Listener Reviews And Ratings
Encourage your listeners to
leave reviews and ratings on podcast directories. Positive reviews and high ratings enhance your podcast’s credibility and attract new listeners.
16) Don’t Forget About Email Marketing
Build an email list of your podcast subscribers and send regular updates, new episode announcements, and exclusive content.
Email marketing helps foster a direct and personal connection with your audience.
17) Attend Podcasting Events
Attend podcasting conferences, events, or local meetups to connect with fellow podcasters, industry professionals, and potential guests.
Networking can open doors to collaboration opportunities and help you stay updated with industry trends.
18) Don’t Forget About SEO!
Optimize your podcast and episodes
for search engines by incorporating relevant keywords, meta tags, and transcripts. This improves the chances of your podcast appearing in search results.
19) Engage With Your Audience
Interact with your listeners through comments, emails, social media, or live Q&A sessions. Show genuine interest in their feedback, questions, and suggestions – as this fosters a sense of community and loyalty.
20) Seek Podcast Awards And Nominations
Participate in podcast awards or submit your podcast for nominations. Recognition and awards can significantly boost your podcast’s visibility and credibility.
21) Collaborate With Other Podcasters
Collaborate with other podcast hosts by appearing as a
guest on their shows or co-hosting episodes. This exposes your podcast to new audiences and expands your reach.
Partner with influencers or experts in your podcast’s niche who have a strong following. They can endorse your podcast through their own podcasts (or social media), thus amplifying your marketing reach.
22) Monitor Analytics And Adjust
Regularly analyze your podcast analytics, such as
download numbers, audience demographics, and engagement metrics. Use these insights to refine your content and overall podcasting approach.
Final Thoughts About Why Affiliate Marketers Should Market Via Podcasts
As you can see, there’s a huge opportunity in the podcasting world for affiliate marketers who want to boost their sales. And if you think you can’t create and manage a podcast, think about this for a second:
One of the most basic ways to
come up with content for your podcast is to
repurpose your blog content into podcast episodes. This basically means that all you have to do is record yourself reading your blog articles.
Obviously you’ll want to make a few minor edits to make the content flow smoothly, but this is all you have to do. And people will gladly subscribe and listen to your podcast for your information.
So, you don’t have to be a creative genius to come up with podcast content, you just need some
ambition.
Just like your blog, your podcast will be a way for you to
build an audience.
Not everyone who listens to your show will come back for more, but the ones who like your style and your content will become loyal listeners.
They will recommend your show to others, and over time, you will build a tribe of fans eager to hear your next episode.
Are you ready to start your own podcast? Head on over to
Zencast.fm and get started today!
