According to the Podcasting Global Market Report, this industry is expected to grow from $15.62 billion in 2021 to $20.32 billion by the end of 2022, at a compound annual growth rate of 30.15%, as more people listen to podcasts for education or entertainment.
With podcasts becoming increasingly available today, the medium stretches across multiple genres and types, from true crime to writing.
So why should writers care about podcasts if one is not planning to write for podcasts?
Two words: Book marketing. We’ve previously written about common book marketing mistakes here at Valley of Writers, and one of our first points emphasizes that your book — no matter how good — won’t sell itself.
You will have to market it, so the public reads your work. In this post, we’ll go over some of the ways podcast interviews can help boost your book marketing:
A chance to network
Like any other marketing technique, marketing your book is about putting yourself out there for people to see — or listen to.
As book publishing methods have evolved in recent years — from self-publishing to e-books and audiobook exclusives — podcast interviews can be a networking opportunity to meet other writers and book lovers in your preferred niche.
According to insights from Entrepreneur, podcasting is a less formal method of establishing your brand presence. With podcasts, you become a voice that potential readers can relate to instead of just a name printed on the back of your book.
Interviews in relevant podcasts can help you gain exposure and speak with other like-minded writers.
Podcasts such as Unpublished by Amie McNee and Jamie Winestock, for example, stand out because they discuss “industry secrets” and how to build a sustainable creative life.
Writing can be lonely, so it’s always great to exchange ideas with your cohorts.
Flex your abilities outside writing
Writing can teach you many things, especially when you spend your time researching. As an author, sharing your knowledge or other interests through different mediums, including podcasts, is always a good way to find rapport with readers.
Case in point, The Writer Files podcast features the habits, habitats, and brains of writers weekly so audiences can learn the secrets of their productivity and creativity.
When you listen to and speak with other writers, you may be able to exchange new ideas or exchange tips to avoid the dreaded block from people who know what it feels like.
Being a writer is an achievement, but it’s always wonderful to highlight your values and personality outside your writing voice. Thanks to podcasts being mostly informal in format, this helps you become a more relatable figure to listeners and potential readers.
Get promoted on social media
Social media isn’t for everyone. Some of us either have no time to curate online, tidbit-sized content for an active social media presence — because we’re so busy writing — or we don’t know what to say.
Podcast interviews are a great way to reach your potential readers on social media without necessarily being the most active.
Most podcasts today have social media accounts because they need to market their work too. Being interviewed on their podcast will mean you and your valuable insights get a mention on their social media, providing you with newfound exposure to a new audience.
More importantly, people who listen to literature podcasts do so for one thing: book recommendations. NPR’s Book of the Day podcast is one such popular destination — a curated, digestible episodic podcast that listeners tune into to know what to read next.
Most book podcasts will take pride in recommending books to their listeners, as they want to be a credible voice in the community.
Podcast interviews are a great way to be part of that value-sharing while getting some effective, approachable marketing done for your book.
Exposure to new readers
Podcast audiences that follow literary podcasts obviously love books. Being a guest on a podcast like this is an efficient way to speak to people who love reading.
And because people have opted in to following a particular podcast, they will take recommendations from a podcast host more seriously than from, say, random ads on social media.
When you select your podcasts well, you are constantly exposing yourself and your work to new audiences and leveraging the trust that these audiences have for the podcast hosts.
Image: Pexels | George Milton
Author: Team VoW
Valley of Writers provides resources, tools, ideas and training for new writers. We work with a writers and contributors based around the world. Our primary focus is to equip new writers with skills to help them reach new audiences and achieve their goals.
