What Makes a Social Media Marketing Podcast Stand Out

If you want to stay ahead in the wild world of social media marketing, you should really consider the power of podcasts! Whether you're looking for the best social media strategy tips or weekly insights from top marketers, podcasts are fabulous resources. Get this: over 460 million people worldwide listen to podcasts regularly.  

That could easily translate into hundreds of thousands, if not millions of marketers hungry for the latest tips, tricks, trends and insider secrets to propel their social media success to new heights. Every episode offers actionable advice you can implement immediately in your marketing efforts. 

As a savvy marketer looking to expand your skills through on-demand audio education, how do you cut through the clutter and identify the social media marketing podcasts that truly deserve your attention? We've listened to hours upon hours of marketing shows to uncover the essential elements that elevate the best social media podcasts.

And, we also know what it takes to create an awesome podcast of your own! So whether you're looking for a new show to subscribe to, or want to start a social media podcast, there's lots of social media gold in this post. Let's dive in!

The Evolution of Marketing Podcasts

The social media marketing podcast space continues to explode. What started as a niche podcast topic has transformed into an indispensable resource for social media marketers at all levels. 

Leading shows like Social Media Examiner's Social Media Marketing Podcast with Michael Stelzner and Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield have grown into massive platforms, racking up millions of downloads weekly, and building devoted subscriber bases.

As the podcast medium has matured, production values have increased and audiences have come to expect higher quality content.

What Today's Social Media Marketers Want From a Podcast

When it comes to marketing podcasts, not all are created equal. To rise above the rest, these social media shows need to deliver serious value to their target listeners.

Careful analysis of top marketing podcasts reveals common themes: 

- Actionable strategies and tactics from pros, not just high-level theory

- A mix of emerging trends and evergreen principles for entrepreneurs and workers alike 

- Engaging interviews and real-world social media case studies

- Access to the brightest minds in the social media and online marketing industries

The most successful hosts understand that today's social media marketers are pressed for time and eager to extract maximum value from every minute they devote to podcast listening.

The bar for both content quality and listener experience has never been higher. But, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to create an online marketing show of your own. There's still a lot of room for entrepreneurs just like you that want to share social media news and advice.

Content Quality and Structure

To become a must-listen daily, weekly, or bi-weekly show that convinces social media marketers to tune in, your podcast needs a crystal clear unique value proposition.

The best shows develop consistent episode frameworks that deliver on their promises, balancing in-depth education with entertaining insights. 

Whether you're pulling back the curtain on the world's biggest brands and entrepreneurs weekly or showcasing the latest tools and platforms in every episode, maintaining a high standard of content quality is non-negotiable.

From digging up fresh data and research to curating clips that drive home your messages, every element must serve your episodes' goals.

Expert Guest Selection

Nothing boosts a podcast's authority more than interviews featuring expert guests who share their hard-won social media knowledge and experience. The right mix of voices elevates your content from run-of-the-mill to truly exceptional. 

Seek out diverse leaders, practitioners, and big thinkers from across the social media world. Ask thought-provoking questions that push the conversation beyond surface level.

But don't just grill your guests in your interviews. Instead, build genuine rapport that lets their unique personalities and perspectives shine through.

The extra effort will pay off in engagement.

Production Quality Standards

If your audio quality is subpar, even the most brilliant content won't be heard.

Investing in the right equipment, like professional mics and mixing tools, is par for the course for any serious podcast. But gear is just the start to convince your audience to tune in and listen. 

To compete with the top social media marketing pros, you need to put real thought into your recording environment, editing workflow, and overall production process. 

Aim for consistency in everything from your intros and outros to your vocal delivery and energy levels.

Polish and professionalism will set you apart in a crowded sea of amateur productions.

Establishing a Unique Voice

The true secret sauce for any breakout podcast is a distinctive brand identity. Defining your show's personality and carving out a memorable niche in the marketing podcast space takes time and intentionality.

Find an intersection of your passions, your expertise, and your audience's felt needs, then double down. 

Maybe you'll become the go-to for breaking down the latest social platform updates, always delivered with a side of wit.

Perhaps you'll build a reputation for attracting A-list guests and facilitating truly mind-expanding conversations.

Or you might focus on going deep into one particular social media network like LinkedIn or Facebook, becoming the definitive expert guide.

The key is leaning into what makes YOU you.  

Authenticity and consistency are what build lasting connections with loyal listeners who become evangelists for your show, and help you promote every episode you release. 

Content Strategy and Planning

The best social media marketing podcasts don't leave their episode planning to chance.

They take a strategic approach, crafting deliberate content mixes and editorial calendars designed to serve their marketing goals. Learn about planning your podcast episodes here. 

Smart podcast hosts stay plugged into emerging trends and newsworthy topics, but they also understand the evergreen content that will serve their audiences for years to come.

They solicit (and actually listen to!) feedback, using it to shape future episodes and series.

And, they find ways to create special moments, like live shows and themed seasons, that become can't-miss events for their subscribers.

Marketing and Promotion Strategies 

Even the greatest podcast content is useless if no one tunes in to listen. Successful shows take a proactive, multichannel approach to marketing, employing tactics designed to cut through the noise and attract new listeners. 

Social media is, of course, the most obvious platform for promoting a social media marketing show. But the most effective strategies go beyond just sharing links to new episodes.

They find ways to add value and build relationships on each social network, participating in relevant conversations and fostering community among their fans.

Savvy podcast hosts even use AI tools like Castmagic to get a transcript of their episode that they can use to create things like LinkedIn articles, blog posts for their websites, and email newsletters. Speaking of email...

Email often gets overlooked in podcast promotion, but it remains an invaluable  tool for nurturing subscriber relationships and driving listens to each new episode.

Creating supplementary content, like blog posts, videos, and lead magnets, is another way to draw attention to the podcast and provide more touch points for new listeners to discover it.

Audience Engagement Techniques

Ultimately, a show lives or dies by the strength of its relationship with its audience.

The top social media marketing podcasts prioritize building active, participatory communities of listeners who feel invested in the show's success. 

From running contests and giveaways to sourcing questions and comments for Q&A episodes, finding ways to involve your audience can generate powerful engagement.

Creating private Facebook and LinkedIn groups on social media, Slack channels, or Discord servers for your most excited fans cultivates a sense of community and belonging. 

You can even invite listeners to participate in content creation, whether by submitting audio snippets, writing reviews, or helping design merch.

The most devoted members of your audience can become an army of micro-influencers, expanding your show's reach and impact.

Content Repurposing Strategies

The beauty of podcasting is that a single episode can become the raw material for an entire fleet of additional content pieces.

With a tool like Castmagic, you can instantly transform each conversation into: 

- Time-stamped show notes that recap key points

- Optimized posts to promote the episode on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram

- Email newsletter blurbs and blog recaps to entice readers

- Quote cards featuring the podcast episode's most share-worthy moments

- Excerpts that become jumping-off points for full-length articles

Through strategically repurposing and remixing your podcast content, you can multiply your marketing mileage from every episode you produce.

This allows you to stay visible to your podcast audience everywhere they spend time online. 

Click here to learn about all the ways you can repurpose a podcast episode.

Measuring Success and Making a Lasting Impact

So what's the measuring stick for podcast success? It's about much more than just raw download numbers. The shows making the biggest splash track a range of engagement metrics, like:

- Audience growth over time

- Average consumption rates

- Social media shares and mentions  

- Reviews and ratings

They use this data to iterate and improve, always looking for opportunities to deliver more value and solidify their reputations as go-to resources. And increasingly, they pursue diverse monetization strategies, from traditional sponsorships and ads to premium content offerings and branded products. 

But more than any tactic or technique, the social media marketing podcasts that stand the test of time are the ones that lead with generosity and a genuine commitment to their craft. They stay endlessly curious, open to evolution as new trends and technologies emerge.

And they keep showing up, day after day, to do the work of informing, inspiring, and equipping their fellow marketers to achieve incredible things.

Launching a Successful Social Media Marketing Podcast: Expert FAQs

As we wrap things up, let's take a look at some frequently asked questions we see from entrepreneurs and would be podcast hosts about creating a social media themed podcast that people will listen to. 

Q: How often should I release my social media marketing podcast?

A: Most successful marketers release episodes weekly to maintain consistent engagement. Industry leaders like Michael Stelzner of Social Media Examiner have found that a weekly schedule helps build a loyal listener base while allowing enough time to create quality content.

Whether you decide to release monthly, weekly, or even daily episodes, the key is maintaining a regular schedule your audience can rely on.

Q: What equipment do I need to start a social media marketing podcast?

A: To create a professional podcast that people will want to listen to regularly, you'll need: a high-quality USB microphone (like the Shure MV7 or Blue Yeti), noise-canceling headphones, a pop filter, an audio interface if using an XLR mic, and editing software (like Audacity or Adobe Audition). As your show grows, consider investing in a dedicated recording space with acoustic treatment.

Q: How can I get influencers and experts to appear on my podcast?

A: Start by building relationships with marketers and social media influencers in your network. Engage with their content, share actionable insights from their posts, and demonstrate value before making your pitch. Many successful hosts, including Michael Stelzner and Amy Porterfield, began by featuring mid-tier influencers, and gradually worked their way up to bigger names like Gary Vaynerchuk and Elise Darma as their podcast grew.

Related: Learn how to become an influencer yourself!

Q: What makes the best social media marketing podcasts stand out?

A: The most successful shows deliver highly actionable content in every episode. They combine practical social media strategy tips with engaging guest interviews, clear audio quality, and consistent formatting. Look at how your favorite shows structure their podcast for a masterclass in balancing educational content with entertainment value.

And pro tip: Check out what they are doing on social media to promote their episodes. This can help you glean insights to create your own social media strategy to promote your podcast just like the pros, and get more people to listen in.

Q: Where should I promote each episode to reach more marketers?

A: Promote your podcast across all major social media platforms, focusing on where your target marketers spend their time. Create platform-specific content teasers, share valuable clips, and use relevant hashtags. Consider starting a weekly newsletter to keep your audience informed about new episodes and bonus content. 

Q: Are there additional resources I should consider to start a podcast?

A: To learn from the best social media marketing podcasts, regularly listen to industry leaders like Social Media Examiner's podcast with Michael Stelzner, Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield, and many others.

Join podcast communities on LinkedIn and Facebook, subscribe to marketing newsletters, and consider joining podcast networks to keep up with the latest in podcast and social media news.  

And check out these posts on our blog:

– Step-by-step guide to start a podcast

– Expert advice for recording your social media marketing podcast

– How to craft an outline for your social media marketing podcast

– Make an intro for your social media marketing podcast that attracts listeners 

Ready to Get Into the Podcast Game?

Now that you know the key ingredients for a truly outstanding social media marketing podcast, it's time to put them into practice. Whether you're looking to launch a new podcast, or trying to level up an existing one, remember: 

– Quality, actionable podcast content is essential: Give the facts about social media strategy that your audience can use

– Consistency is non-negotiable: If you say a new podcast episode will drop weekly, you need to stick to that 

– Community is everything: You need a social media strategy for your podcast too! 

Embrace those podcast principles with every episode, and you'll be well on your way to creating an irresistible audio experience that rises above the noise.

As you grow, don't be afraid to experiment, take risks, and forge your own path. After all, the marketing podcasts we'll be talking about tomorrow are the ones pushing the boundaries today. 

Who knows? You might have what it takes to create the hottest new weekly podcast!

Perhaps you'll even become a guest on the Social Media Examiner podcast yourself! Anything is possible when you create a plan for your podcast, and then work the plan with every episode you release.

The time is now fellow podcast hosts: Focus on delivering actionable social media strategy advice in every episode, just like the best social media marketing podcasts and podcast pros do.

Your podcast audience is out there, ready for your social media content to earn their listen. It's time to get recording! 

And, if you want some help with repurposing your podcast and online marketing of your podcast, click here for a free trial of Castmagic.