In this episode, we’re talking all about metrics to focus on other than podcast downloads.
When it comes to measuring the success and impact of a podcast, there are several metrics to consider other than podcast downloads. While downloads provide some insight into your audience reach, they don’t always reflect the full picture so I wanted to share some alternative metrics to focus on.
Listener Retention:
It’s essential to assess how long listeners stay engaged with your podcast. Measure metrics such as average listen-through rate, which indicates the percentage of listeners who complete an episode. Higher retention rates indicate that your content is compelling and retains your audience’s attention.
Listener Feedback and Reviews:
Actively seek and monitor listener feedback through reviews, ratings, and comments whether on social media or in a private listener only community. Positive feedback and constructive criticism can provide valuable insights into your podcast’s strengths and areas for improvement.
Social Media Engagement:
Evaluate the engagement levels on social media platforms on podcast specific content. Look at metrics such as likes, comments, shares, and mentions to gauge the level of interaction and conversation generated by your podcast episodes.
Website Traffic and Referrals:
Assess the traffic to your podcast website. Take note of the number of unique visitors, page views, and referral sources to understand how effective your online presence is in driving engagement and attracting new listeners. This is something I recommend tracking on a monthly basis so you can see how it’s performing and compare it to previous months.
Listener Surveys:
You know I am a huge proponent of doing listener surveys on a yearly basis at the very least. If you want to learn more about listener surveys, check out episode 218.
But essentially, listener surveys are where you are able to gather detailed feedback from your audience. You can ask questions about episode topics, quality, guest suggestions, and overall satisfaction to gain insights and make informed decisions based on listener preferences.
Media Coverage and Guest Invitations:
Track media mentions, press coverage, or invitations you receive to speak on other podcasts. Increased visibility and demand to collaborate indicate that your podcast is gaining recognition and perceived as a valuable resource.
Conversion and Actionable Metrics:
If your podcast promotes products, services, or events, measure metrics related to conversions, such as coupon code usage, sign-ups, or event attendance. These metrics help evaluate the effectiveness of your podcast in driving people to take action which is really crucial.
Remember that metrics alone do not tell the whole story, so it’s crucial to interpret them in conjunction with qualitative feedback and your podcast’s overarching goals. Focus on the metrics that align with your specific objectives and use them to continuously improve your podcast’s content, engagement, and impact.
If you’re just starting out on your podcast journey, then you may not be exceeding or even meeting the goals you set for yourself and that is completely okay. I want to encourage you not to be hard on yourself. I know that’s easier said than done but it can take some time to start seeing traction, especially if you don’t have a built in audience already.
I’m now offering free mini audits that will be broadcasted on the show so if you want me to take a look at your show and give you pointers on what can be improved to increase your downloads, then make sure to submit your show for a mini audit by going to savvypodcastaudit.com. The more details you provide me with, the better I am equipped to audit your show, so don’t be afraid to spill it all.
What metrics are you going to start measuring? Let me know over on Instagram @podcastingforentrepreneurs. I’d love to hear from you.
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