Hey Besties!
Spring has officially sprung as of today, and I’m extremely psyched to be heading in a warmer direction. I daydream of sunny days, bikinis, and obnoxiously high temperatures — and I’m thrilled that we’re ticking closer and closer to beachside nirvana every minute.
To usher in the new season, I’m planning a deep clean of my closet and office, and I thought we could all afford to do some spring cleaning on our podcast players too. I love following Eavesdrop on Instagram for Lizzy Leach’s fantastic podcast recommendations, so I’ve asked her to help turn us on to some new shows.
I also heard from Ashlynd, host of the mindFLOWERS. podcast, that she’d had success with promo swaps on Goodpods, so I asked her to give us the 411. May the freshness of this new season help our podcasts blossom into their full potential. Here’s a Q&A with some tips for OK BUT HOW??? to do that.
I was very intrigued when I saw your post about getting involved with the community on Goodpods and doing promo swaps. What’s been your strategy for that, and what kind of results are you seeing?
Ashlynd: My strategy is based on relationships, so I like to build my “relationship credit” before asking for anything. With this approach, the first two points of contact are ALWAYS about the other person I’m networking with. I like to thank them for showing up for the community and name something specific I enjoyed from their podcast, along with my personal takeaways from their work. If it feels appropriate, I might recommend an article I enjoyed that they may find relevant. People really love hearing about the impact of their work, and it makes them more likely to pay attention to you. This strategy has led to features on blogs and the Goodpods platform, along with invitations to facilitate workshops. It’s also increased my podcast reviews on Apple!
What are your tips for leveraging Goodpods for promo swaps based on your experience so far?
Ashlynd: One of my favorite things about Goodpods is that there are specific groups you can join that make it easy to find like-minded people. If I feel particularly drawn to someone and their work, I will compliment and root for their success and ask if they are available for a swap. Since everyone in the group is looking to grow and we are familiar with each other’s daily posts, I usually ask for the swap at the first point of contact.
Aside from promo swaps, do you have any advice for indie podcasters trying to promote their show and reach new listeners?
Ashlynd: Reaching out to bloggers and curators has been fruitful, as well as networking in Twitter Spaces and Clubhouse. HARO [Help a Reporter Out] also has some good press opportunities depending on the topic of your podcast. I hosted a cash giveaway contest for my listeners that was structured in such a way that “word of mouth” entries were required — I saw a huge increase in listens after that!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Ashlynd: I can’t stress enough not to force it! People will feel when you view them as a number or a lead. I made it a rule to not reach out to anyone unless listening to their work gets me excited because I want my genuine enthusiasm to shine through. I also make sure to reach out when I’m in an amazing mood. The times I have waited until I feel really good to make a move are the times when I hear a “yes” much quicker.
Thank you, Ashlynd!
➡️ For all things Ashlynd — including tarot card readings! — head here.
➡️ Of course, give Ashlynd a follow on Twitter and take a spiritual journey with her on her podcast mindFLOWERS.
💕 P.S. Thank you to Goodpods for selecting our Love Letter to Ukraine episode for their Goodpods Team picks. It meant a lot to the Private Parts Unknown team and me!
Make sure you give Lizzy Leach’s Eavesdrop account a follow on Instagram! She curates excellent podcast recs, and I’m so excited to share her spring selections with y’all today:
In her new series, author and sex educator Ruby Rare takes us on an intimate and playful exploration into the ways in which we connect with our bodies and express ourselves sexually. The series covers a broad scope of topics, from nudity and non-monogamy to sex education and kink. Each episode is full of open, informative, and judgment-free conversations between Ruby and her guests.
Anna Maria Tremonti is one of Canada’s most respected journalists known for reporting from dangerous conflict zones and confronting people in power; she’s also a survivor of intimate partner violence. This deeply personal series shares her journey as she begins to untangle the long-term impacts of the abuse she endured at the hands of her ex-husband and the ripples of trauma that continue to be felt 40 years after the events took place. For many people in Anna Maria’s life, including her therapist, this is the first time they’re hearing about the abuse. This podcast offers an intimate and emotional glimpse into these difficult and complex conversations.
In a moment when the integrity of the British monarchy is constantly under fire, and the topic of funding a royal family polarizes UK friends and families alike, journalist Moya Lothian-McLean explores how involved Britain’s most famous family really was in the slave trade. Season 2 of Human Resources continues to provide a corrective look into the buried history of the British empire and the key facts that have remained hidden under regal wraps for so many years.
From the producers of the hit podcast Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel, this series offers a fresh take on dating — complete with recorded first dates, inquisitive producer prompts, and dating expert debriefs. For anyone wanting to dip their toes into the minefield of modern dating, head this way!
👣 CONVICTION: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF NUESIBA HASAN
This is a missing-person story with a personal connection. In 2006, Nuseiba Hasan, a Jordanian-Canadian woman, seemingly disappeared without a trace. For over three years, investigative journalist Habiba Nosheen has been trying to untangle the web of secrets and lies surrounding her disappearance... but along the way, it becomes clear that some people would prefer the truth remain buried.
Journalist Collier Meyerson unpacks the complicated perspectives around what happened in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights across four days in August 1991 when tensions between two communities came to a head with devastating consequences. In a time before cellphones and social media, what we know about these events was shaped by the memories of the people who witnessed them and the subsequent stories passed down throughout both communities. Love Thy Neighbour shares these stories in a balanced and thought-provoking way while questioning what we can learn from the events that led to this situation and how they compare to the current moment we find ourselves in.
Most people won’t admit they love gossip, but sometimes it IS fun to lean in a little closer to a conversation between two strangers whilst a juicy story unfolds. Normal Gossip recreates those ‘lean in’ moments during a time when so many little novelties and watercooler eavesdrops have been erased from our lives. In each episode, host Kelsey McKinney sits down with a guest to share inconsequential tales from complete strangers with a sprinkle of listener gossip. The perfect guilt-free podcast to have you giggling to yourself while sitting on public transport.
✨ Thank you, Lizzy! For more great podcast recs, check out Eavesdrop on IG.✨
Producer/Narrative Podcast (contract) at Religion of Sports | Remote
Associate Producer/Narrative Podcast (full time) at Religion of Sports | Remote
Senior Producer (full-time) at Futuro Media Group | Remote
Producer/Audio (full-time) at Vice Media Group | Remote
Multiple Positions at Wonder Media Network | New York, NY
Managing Editor -- salary $105k + benefits
Editor -- salary $95k + benefits
Managing Producer -- salary $85k + benefits
Producer, WMN Brand Studio -- salary $78k + benefits
So… ROLL CALL! 🗣
Do you have a great tip for growing your podcast organically? Would you be willing to share with the other Besties? If so, reply and let me know!
Follow me @courtneykocak on Twitter and Instagram. For more, check out my website courtneykocak.com.