When it comes to growing your podcast beyond just downloads, one of the things to focus on is building an engaged community. You can start this by being present where your listeners hang out, whether that's social media, Discord, Reddit, a private Facebook group, anything like that. Going where they already are instead of trying to force them to come to you makes for a more natural approach. Next, give them a reason to connect with you and each other.
Ask questions at the end of your episodes, encourage replies to your newsletter, and most importantly, respond quickly and genuinely when people engage with you. You're not just growing a listener base, you're building relationships. And when people feel seen and heard, they'll not only stick around, they'll bring others with them. Remember, a small, engaged community beats a big, silent one every time. Until the next time, happy podcasting.