How to Do Research for Your New Podcast

Podcast Episodes

Listening to episodes of similar podcasts is a fundamental step in your research process.

This allows you to assess the topics covered, the formats used, and the overall production quality.

By understanding these elements, you can differentiate your podcast and create content that resonates with your target audience.

Analyzing the storytelling techniques, guest dynamics, and pacing can also provide insights into what works and what doesn’t within your niche.

Podcast Listener Numbers

Understanding the size of a podcast’s audience is vital, whether you’re planning to launch a new show or considering guesting on existing ones.

Listener numbers can often be gleaned from various sources, such as download statistics, subscriber counts, or listener engagement data.

Although these metrics can vary in how they are reported, they offer a snapshot of a podcast’s reach and popularity.

This information can help you gauge the potential impact of your podcast or your presence on someone else’s show.

Chart Rankings

Chart rankings are an important metric for understanding a podcast’s popularity and reach.

Platforms like Apple Podcasts offer rankings across different categories and regions, giving insight into which podcasts are trending.

Regularly tracking these rankings can help you identify emerging competitors and trending topics in your niche, allowing you to adapt your content strategy accordingly.

Listener Demographics

Knowing your audience’s demographics—such as age, gender, and income level—is crucial for tailoring your content and marketing efforts.

Understanding the gender composition of a podcast’s audience, for example, can help you fine-tune your messaging or choose the right advertising partners.

Beyond gender, consider other demographic factors that might influence how your content is received.

Audience Location

Understanding where your audience is located can significantly influence your content and marketing strategies.

If your podcast has a strong following in a particular region, you might consider tailoring some of your content to regional interests or launching local advertising campaigns.

Knowing your audience’s geographical distribution also helps in planning live events or collaborations with local influencers.

Listener Engagement

Engagement metrics such as listener ratings, reviews, and social media interactions are key indicators of how invested an audience is in a podcast.

High engagement often correlates with a loyal listener base, which is more likely to support your podcast through word-of-mouth, subscriptions, or purchases.

Tracking engagement over time can also highlight the effectiveness of different content strategies and help you refine your approach.

Episode Release Frequency and Active Status

Consistency is key in podcasting.

Analyzing the release frequency of similar podcasts can provide insight into the standards of your niche.

Regularly updated podcasts with consistent release schedules tend to build more dedicated audiences.

Additionally, confirming whether a podcast is still active is important if you’re considering guesting or collaborating, as you want to ensure the show has an engaged and current audience.

Contact Information

Networking is an integral part of growing your podcast.

Once you’ve identified potential podcasts for outreach, it’s essential to gather contact details for hosts and producers.

Social media accounts, email addresses, and professional websites are common channels through which you can reach out to collaborate, guest on a podcast, or explore cross-promotional opportunities.

How to Find a Niche for Your New Show

Before launching your podcast, it’s important to identify your niche and figure out how you can offer something unique.

Start by clarifying your goals—whether they involve raising awareness of an issue, positioning yourself as an expert, or simply entertaining your audience.

Explore what other podcasts in your niche are doing, and brainstorm how you can differentiate your content.

This might involve focusing on an underserved topic, adopting a unique format, or bringing in perspectives that aren’t commonly heard in your niche.

Utilizing Tools for Comprehensive Research

To streamline your research process, tools like Rephonic can be invaluable.

These platforms aggregate data from multiple sources, providing a more comprehensive view of the podcast landscape.

For example, Rephonic offers estimated listener numbers, chart rankings, and even insights into listener demographics and engagement.

Its 3D graph tool allows you to explore related podcasts in your niche, helping you identify potential collaborators or competitors.

Final Thoughts

In the competitive world of podcasting, thorough research is not just recommended—it’s essential.

Whether you’re planning to launch a new show, guest on existing podcasts, or simply refine your content strategy, understanding the landscape is crucial.

Leveraging comprehensive tools and data can help you find your place in the podcasting world and ensure your content resonates with your target audience.

References

• “How to Do Research for Your New Podcast.” Rephonic, September 23, 2023.
• “The Future Of Podcasting: Trends And Predictions For 2025 And Beyond.” March 25, 2024.