Podcast Promotion Magic Bullets: The Magic Circle

So, you have a podcast, and a few listeners, but you want more- we can help with this article on "The Magic Circle". The great thing about Web 2.0 is connectedness and community aspect. This is the key to promote your podcast, use the community of a podcast. Here's how;

1. Find a mid-range podcast in lists like these. Copy the url onto a Google Shared Doc. Add the podcast to Google Reader. Listen to the last few podcasts. Make notes (On your Google Shared Docs under the podcast).
2. Send them a quick email (including your name, your show name, and your website url) with some specific comments about the topics you heard on the show. If you enjoy the show, let them know.
3. Leave a comment on the blog posts of the podcasts.
4. Run the podcast title in Google, and leave comments and ratings about their show on a number of podcast directories they are on (especially Itunes).
5. Check Google Reader for the next episode, listen to it, and the host will more than likely read your email on the show, and mention the reviews you added. That's good. It's free advertisement (That you didn't have to ask for or pay for). Being a friend to a podcast is a great thing.
6. This time, record some audio feedback or call their message line and comment on the show topic you just heard (including your name, your show name, and your website url). You don't always have to do this, but podcasters always need new content for their show, so its a good idea. It's always good to continue to drop emails or audio feedback to them now and again to keep the dialog and connection going.
Time to branch out-
7. Whatever site and show you originally chose, look on their website for links or "friends of the show" links. Look for podcasts that are on that list, and paste those show's RSS feeds into your Google Reader, and their urls into your Google Shared Doc, and for every show you find, do the same thing you did before.

As you probably surmised, you can expand these "circles" to include friend's of the friends, etc. You get the idea. Podcasting is a tough gig, and the more friendly (Nice email exchanges) and helpful (Pertinent input and Reviews) you are, it will come back to you, and promote your podcast.