What are the best ways to distribute your podcast audio on Spotify?

When I started my podcast, selecting the right audio format was crucial. I chose MP3 format with a 128 kbps bitrate for a balance of quality and file size. This format is widely compatible and offers good sound quality without excessively large files, making it ideal for platforms like Spotify.

Technical Setup: Format: MP3 (192+ kbps) or AAC RSS Feed: Buzzsprout, Podbean, Anchor Submission: Hosting platform tools, self-submission with RSS URL Optimization & Promotion: Headlines & Descriptions: Catchy, SEO-friendly Artwork: High-res, reflects tone & theme (Canva) Engage with Listeners: Respond, share on social media Spotify Features: Playlists, subscriptions, "Your Daily Dose" Track Performance: Spotify for Podcasters analytics Bonus Tips: Link Outside Spotify: Website, social media, directories Network & Collaborate: Partner with other podcasts Monetization: Ads, subscriptions (larger audience) Distribution Tools: Anchor (built-in Spotify submission) Buzzsprout Podbean Transistor Captivate. fm

El rss feed es el archivo que contiene toda la información necesaria para que tu podcast pueda distribuirse en multitud de plataformas. En el caso de spotify, no viene activado por defecto y tienes que activarlo manualmente en la configuración del servidor.

Creating an RSS feed was a game-changer for my podcast's distribution. I used a podcast hosting service that automatically generated an RSS feed. This feed updates every time I upload a new episode, ensuring my listeners on Spotify and other platforms always have access to the latest content.

Creating an RSS feed is a crucial step in distributing your podcast on Spotify. However, it's important to note that the quality of your RSS feed can significantly impact your podcast's discoverability. Ensure that your metadata is accurate and descriptive, and your artwork is appealing and relevant. Remember, your RSS feed is like your podcast's digital resume—it's what Spotify and your listeners will use to judge your podcast. As a podcast agency owner, I've seen how a well-crafted RSS feed can enhance a podcast's visibility and reach. My personal preference is Buzzsprout for RSS host. Also worth noting, your RSS feed can generate emails, blogposts, and YouTube content automatically, however they will require human touch to be optimized

Submitting my podcast to Spotify was straightforward. After creating my RSS feed, I simply went to Spotify for Podcasters and submitted my feed for approval. It took a couple of days to get approved, but once it was, my podcast was accessible to a massive audience on Spotify.

On your podcast’s Spotify page, you can include links to your official site and social media so you can direct listeners to following more of your content beyond the podcast. It’s a great cross-promotional strategy. Keep your audiences engaged.

From each episode, create short-form videos to share on socials & have the CTA (Call to Action) in the headline & at the end of the video pointing users to listen to the whole show on Spotify!

I leveraged Spotify's promotional tools to increase my podcast's visibility. Creating eye-catching cover art and sharing episodes on my social media channels helped attract more listeners.

To effectively distribute your podcast on Spotify, submit it through their podcast hosting platform (Spotify for Podcasters/Anchor), ensuring compliance with Spotify's guidelines. Optimise your podcast title, description, and cover art. Promote on social media, engage with listeners, and utilise Spotify's promotional tools like playlists and partnerships for broader exposure.

On Spotify, they are still adding tags and subgroups for their podcast categories. Our podcast was originally categorized under true crime because no other area was a real fit. Reaching out to support I found there were a few categories that they could add on the back-end and that they were adding more in the future. So it is important to make sure to check that out periodically to help your audience more easily find you.

Use a reliable 'Podcast Hosting Platform' to distribute your podcast on Spotify. Fill in the information like the title, show notes, Podcast Cover Art, and most importantly select the podcast category mindfully and then publish the podcast. Use the unique 'RSS' feed generated by the podcast hosting platform, on 'Spotify' to make your podcast live. Making your podcast live on the app will take a few minutes to 24 hours. Once it's live, you can claim your podcast on 'Spotofy For Podcasters' and check your stats. You can customize your questions or polls for your listeners under the 'Interact' section of 'Spotify'. This is the best way to communicate with your audience and also to receive their feedback.

Spotify for Podcasters is the best platform for distributing your podcast. They understand what podcasters need due to their learning from Spotify. The ease of use is incredible. Anyone with basic tech know-how can manage the dashboard. Some of the features I love are analytics, polls and Q & A. All features add to the optimization of your podcast!

Optimizing for Spotify involved using descriptive and keyword-rich titles and descriptions for each episode. This made it easier for potential listeners to find my content through Spotify's search and recommendation algorithm.

While Spotify is indeed a popular choice, platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and SoundCloud have their unique user base which can significantly broaden your reach. Keep in mind, if setup correctly, distribution is AUTOMATIC. Leveraging podcast aggregators like Podcorn or Podchaser can also be a game-changer, as they not only help in finding sponsors but also provide opportunities for collaboration and networking within your niche. Remember, the key to a successful podcast is a wide distribution strategy.

While Spotify is key, diversifying distribution was important for my podcast's growth. I also distributed my podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Each platform has its unique audience, which helped in expanding my reach.

You can consider more audio platforms in addition to Spotify - or even Apple. That can increase your chances of gaining new listeners from different parts of the world. Pandora, SoundCloud, GoodPods and many other sites and apps are also fantastic choices to publish your podcast.

One important aspect is engaging with your audience. I regularly check Spotify's podcast analytics to understand my listeners' preferences. Responding to listener feedback and tailoring content to their interests has been crucial in growing and maintaining a loyal audience.