If you’re working towards launching your own podcast, awesome! A super important step to getting it out there: submitting your RSS feed to the top podcast directories. Quick note: this post was updated in April 2020.
That’s what we’ll cover in this post, but first, a bit about why we LOVE podcasting so much…
For starters, it has done so much for us, our audience, and our business! So we’ve created loads of free resources to help YOU on your podcasting journey, including Free Podcast Course and The Podcast Masterclass.
But before John launched Entrepreneurs On Fire back in 2012, podcasts were just something we consumed.
Once John launched Entrepreneurs On Fire in September 2012, the tables turned.
From consuming podcasts to producing podcasts
Podcasts suddenly became much more than something we just consumed.
Entrepreneurs On Fire became a vehicle for learning and growth for John.
He was connecting with a successful and inspiring entrepreneur every day, and because of the podcast he was able to sit down and have a 30-minute chat with them about their entrepreneurial journey.
He learned about their wins, their failures, their ah-ha moments, and how they turned their ideas into success.
Num 1 lesson learned from 2,500 episodes
His #1 lesson learned from over 2,500 interviews with successful entrepreneurs: successful entrepreneurs know how to set and accomplish goals.
This led to the creation and launch of The Freedom Journal in 2016 – but more on that later.
Entrepreneurs On Fire wasn’t just a vehicle for learning and growth for John, but for his growing audience as well.
The podcast was being listened to by A LOT of people, and as a result, this learning and growth was passed on to our listeners, Fire Nation.
This helped us begin to create a ripple effect. The impact of the lessons learned from the podcast started extended to others’ businesses and podcasts. And as Fire Nation started sharing their own message with their own audience, an even more powerful impact was being created.
Together, with John’s learning and growth and Fire Nation’s learning and growth, a successful business was born.
From launching a podcast to running a successful business
Today Entrepreneurs On Fire is much more than just a podcast (although our podcast is still credited with bringing in the highest number of engaged, qualified audience members.)
In terms of revenue, our podcast is just one of our top four revenue streams, which you can dive deeper into in our monthly income reports.
In addition to the podcast, we generate significant revenue from our online communities, our physical Journals, and our affiliate relationships.
So how the heck did John launch a podcast in 2012 and within months create an entire business around it?
Well, a lot of it had to do with visibility.
Key strategies for gaining visibility for your podcast
The podcasting space has changed a lot over the past 5 – 6 years. For starters, the space is a lot more crowded, making it more difficult to stand out.
However, there are key strategies we used back in 2012 that can still be used today to help with visibility, and one of the bigger strategies has to do with the podcast directories you’re listed in.
Top podcast directories you should be listed in
1. Submitting your podcast to Apple Podcasts (aka iTunes)
How to submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts
2. Submitting your podcast to Spotify
Spotify has teamed up with podcast hosting platforms to help you make submitting your podcast to Spotify as easy as the click of a button!
Check with your hosting company for specific instructions on how to submit your podcast to Spotify (for example, via Libsyn under Destinations, where you’ll get the rest of this month and next month FREE using our affiliate promo code FIRE).
3. Submitting your podcast to Stitcher Radio
Note: Stitcher discontinued services effective August 29, 2023. It is no longer recommended that you submit your podcast to Stitcher Radio.
Stitcher Radio’s FAQ page on this change.
4. Submitting your podcast to Google Podcasts Manager
How to submit your podcast to Google Podcasts Manager
5. Submitting your podcast to Pandora
How to submit your podcast to Pandora
6. Submitting your podcast to TuneIn
TuneIn is used with Amazon, making it a great additional platform for discovery!
How to Submit your podcast to TuneIn
7. Submitting your podcast to iHeartRadio
I know – it’s a radio platform. But it’s widely used by many who might not know about other podcasting directories, making it another positive discovery platform.
How to Submit your podcast to iHeartRadio
8. Submitting your podcast to Amazon Music
Used by Amazon’s Echo Speakers – also a standalone app and web service.
How to submit your podcast to Amazon Music
9. Submitting your podcast to Deezer
How to submit your podcast to Deezer
10. Claiming your podcast on Himalaya
How to claim your podcast on Himalaya (Sorry! This link was active when this episode was first published in 2018. This resource is no longer available.)
11. Claiming your podcast on CastBox
How to claim your podcast on CastBox
12. Submitting your podcast to PocketCasts
How to submit your podcast to PocketCasts
13. Submitting your podcast to Gaana
How to submit your podcast to Gaana (note, first sign up for a Gaana account, then add your RSS link)
14. Submitting your podcast to PodcastAddict
How to submit your podcast to PodcastAddict (a leading platform for Android users)
Remember, if you host with Libsyn then there’s a “destinations” option that will help you connect to many of these podcast directories with the click of a button, so be sure to check your Destinations tab in Libsyn!
Next steps for creating and launching your podcast
While the focus of this post is all about the top podcast directories you should be listed in, other key strategies for gaining visibility include:
- Guest podcasting,
- Being an engaged member of groups and communities in your industry or niche, and
- Being consistent with your content
If you’re ready to create and launch your podcast and want a complete guide to hold you accountable and make sure you don’t miss any of the critical setup steps, then check out The Podcast Journal: Idea to Launch in 50 Days.
With exercises laid out for you every day, you not only have a built-in accountability partner, but also every step you need to take to go from idea to launch in just 50 days!
