Apple Podcast: Your Guide to Podcasting & Promoting a Podcast

How to Optimize and Promote Your Apple Podcast for Maximum Reach

Podcasting is one of the fastest-growing ways to teach, entertain, and connect with audiences. Data shows that 74% of podcast listeners tune in to learn something new, relax, get inspired, or be entertained (Edison Research, 2023). However, nearly 50% of people say they do not know where to find podcasts. This makes search engine optimization (SEO) for your Apple Podcast more important than ever.

With 1.96 million podcasts competing on Apple Podcasts alone, covering 47 million episodes (The Podcast Host, 2023), every step you take to stand out can make a difference. In this guide, you’ll learn how to start, submit, and promote your Apple Podcast. Plus, you’ll discover why adding full podcast transcriptions helps listeners find your episodes and gives your show a big SEO boost.

Why Podcast Transcriptions Improve Apple Podcast SEO

Apple Podcasts updated its app to allow transcript search. When you put a full transcript in each episode’s show notes, you:

• Expand search visibility, so users find your show by topic or keyword
• Allow listeners who prefer reading or are hard of hearing to enjoy your content
• Enable Google and Apple to index more information from your episodes

Podcasts with transcripts rank higher in searches and gain new listeners faster than those without (Pod News, 2022).

How to Submit Your Podcast to Apple Podcasts

Step-by-Step Submission Process

1. Sign Up for Apple Podcast Connect:
   Register for an Apple Podcast Connect account. This dashboard is used to submit your podcast’s RSS feed.
2. Choose a Podcast Hosting Provider:
   Select a reliable host for your audio files and RSS feed. Popular options include:
   • Podbean: Offers customizable designs and tools for easy submission to podcast directories like Apple Podcasts.
   • Buzzsprout: Good for beginners; handles directory submissions automatically.
   • Libsyn: One of the oldest, offering broad distribution tools.
   • SoundCloud: Known for music and podcasts, embeds easily on websites.
3. Publish at Least One Episode:
   You can start with a trailer episode.
4. Check and Fix RSS Errors:
   Use tools like Podbase to test your RSS feed.
5. Add Your Show in Apple Podcast Connect:
   Click the + icon, select “New Show,” and paste your RSS feed URL.
6. Submit for Review:
   Apple takes up to eight days to approve and list your podcast.

When approved, you can start managing your show, monitoring listener data, and sharing your podcast in multiple locations.

How to Create and Manage Your Podcast RSS Feed

RSS feeds keep your followers updated on every new episode. You can create one:

• Using XML coding for custom feeds
• With feed builders on platforms like RSS.com—no coding needed

Steps for Creating an RSS Feed with RSS.com:

1. Sign up for an account on RSS.com.
2. Verify your email and click “New Podcast.”
3. Add your podcast’s title, description, and author details.
4. Select up to three categories.
5. Save and finish; your RSS feed will be created automatically.

Always test your feed using services like Podbase before submitting to Apple Podcasts.

How to Promote Your Apple Podcast

After your podcast is live, effective promotion will help you grow your audience and strengthen your reputation in your niche.

Top Strategies to Promote Your Podcast

• Monitor Listener Analytics:
  Check your podcast analytics for insights on listener behavior, then tweak your content and marketing as needed.
• Encourage Subscriptions:
  Ask listeners to subscribe for instant updates on new episodes. Subscriptions improve your ranking on Apple Podcasts.
• Submit to Multiple Directories:
  List your show on Google Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms.
• Leverage Listener Reviews and Social Shares:
  Ask listeners to review your show and tag you on social media. Thank them by mentioning their names in episodes.
• Start a Blog:
  Sharing episode transcripts or recaps makes your podcast searchable via Google and easily shareable.
• Create an Email List:
  Send regular updates about new episodes to your subscribers.

Networking and Collaborations

• Invite podcasters in similar niches for guest appearances.
• Appear as a guest on other relevant podcasts to reach new audiences.
• Provide guests with graphics and quotes for sharing on their networks.

Creative Promotion Techniques

• Create audiograms—short, visual audio clips for Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
• Add podcast links to your email signature, making it easy for contacts to find your latest episode.
• Record episode taglines featuring guests for added intrigue.

Promoting on Social Media

• Run contests or giveaways, asking users to subscribe and tag you for a chance to win themed prizes.
• Use the 80/20 rule: 80% useful content, 20% self-promotion.
• Customize content for each platform—short updates for Twitter, longer posts for Facebook, and eye-catching images for Instagram.
• Turn your podcast into a YouTube video, adding show notes and subscription links in the video’s description.
• Schedule posts for times when similar podcasts release new content for better visibility.

Boost Podcast Discovery with Transcriptions

Full podcast transcripts in your show notes allow your episodes to be found more easily on both Apple Podcasts and Google. They also let you repurpose audio content for:

• Blog posts
• Social media captions
• YouTube video descriptions
• Newsletters and email updates

Transcripts make your content accessible and help capture a wider audience who may prefer reading or have hearing difficulties.

How GoTranscript Can Support Your Podcast Growth

Ready to take your Apple Podcast to the next level? GoTranscript provides:

• High-quality human transcription services for accurate podcast transcripts.
• Automated transcription for quick turnarounds.
• AI-powered transcription subscriptions for regular podcasters.
• Closed captioning and subtitling services for posting on YouTube and social media.
• Proofreading services to ensure your transcripts are flawless.
• Competitive transcription pricing and captioning rates for every budget.

Visit GoTranscript now to order your podcast transcription or start captioning your show. Optimizing your Apple Podcast with transcripts helps your audience discover you, improves your SEO, and expands your reach across the web.