This week’s edition is sponsored by audiencelift:
Promote your podcast trailer, find real listeners, make more money.

Hey there!

This week, we will show how TWiT teamed up with Audienceclift to jump beyond podcast apps, using web-first trailers on premium tech sites (timed to episode drops) to turn readers into new listeners fast.

We’ll also look at why Taylor Swift’s big moment pulled Gen Z deeper into podcasts and wrap with a quick, do-it-now playbook to turn one episode into ten moments.

Let’s get started.

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• How TWiT Reached New Listeners—Fast 🎧

• How to Hit 100 Downloads in 10 Days — Without a Massive Audience 🎧

• Grow Your Podcast, The Fun Way 🎙️

📈 Trending news

• Podcasting Playbook: 100 Downloads in 10 Days

• Audio or Video? Your Podcast Listeners Say Either

• Podcasting Milestone: 27 Downloads Get You Top Half

How TWiT Reached New Listeners—Fast 🎧

This Week in Tech (TWiT), one of the longest-running tech podcast networks, teamed up with Audienceclift to grow beyond the podcast apps. The plan: launch a web-first trailer campaign across premium tech publishers (including WIRED and TechCrunch) and run weekly flights that synced with new-episode drops—so tech enthusiasts met fresh episodes right where they already read the news.

Key Results:

• 📣 520,000+ media impressions — awareness built on high-authority tech sites

• 🎧 86,000+ episode listens — web readers converted into new listeners for fresh releases

• 💰 $0.05 avg. cost per listen — efficient, repeatable acquisition

TWiT’s campaign shows how targeted trailers and consistent flight can turn article skimmers into subscribers—proof that the right placements and cadence drive measurable podcast growth.

Taylor Swift Just Redefined Podcasting 🎤 watch the full 6-min video here

Video published: August 15, 2025

Riverside’s breakdown argues podcasting’s still accelerating, not peaking—anchored by Taylor Swift’s first-ever pod appearance on New Heights, which pulled ~15M views in a day and pulled a fresh Gen Z wave into the medium. The big shift: YouTube now dominates discovery, especially for younger listeners. Takeaway: smart creators should lean video-first, time releases around cultural moments, and sharpen production—because the opportunity curve is still rising.

Key Takeaways:

• 📊 Swift surge: Taylor’s debut brought millions of first-time podcast viewers — unlocking a fresh wave of podcast-curious Gen Z fans (00:00:50).

• 📺 Video-first wins: YouTube and Spotify dominate podcast discovery now — video isn’t optional anymore, it’s essential for growth (00:01:40).

• 🤝 Audience crossovers matter: Booking high-profile but adjacent guests (like Swift on a sports show) drives explosive, mutually beneficial exposure (00:03:23).

• 🧠 Podcasts = loyalty platforms: Discovery happens on short-form video, but long-form podcasts build trust and audience stickiness over time (00:05:16).

Grow Your Podcast, The Fun Way 🎙️

Here’s a quick, no-fluff playbook from what’s actually working. Think less “spray and pray,” more tiny habits that stack. ✨

Make the show easy to find 🔎

• Headline-style titles (lead with the problem you solve).

• Drop a 45–60s trailer each new arc… pin it.

• Post full episodes on YouTube with search-friendly keywords.

Turn one episode into ten moments ✂️

• Cut 3 snackable reels (hook in 3s), 1 audiogram, 1 quote card.

• Skimmable email: 3 bullets, 1 link, 1 question—send day-of.

• Timestamps + links in notes; one clear CTA: follow + rate.

Borrow other people’s audiences 🤝

• Guest where your listeners already hang out; offer a 30-sec trailer swap.

• Do one feed-drop a month with a complementary show.

• Hand guests a ready-to-post line + clip—make sharing stupid-easy.

Keep the engine healthy 🧰

• Consistent day/time.

• Thumbnails that read at 1 inch; clean cover art.

• Track 1 metric for 30 days (first-7-day followers or completion rate) and optimize.

This week’s 30-minute sprint ⚡

1. Rename the next episode like a headline.

2. Record a 50-sec trailer.

3. Cut 2 reels with hard hooks.

4. Email your list: 3 bullets + 1 question.

5. DM one pod for a trailer swap.

Why It Matters

The right placements and timing—think Audienceclift’s web-first trailers—multiply discovery, and pairing video with simple repurposing habits turns that reach into loyal listeners.

Until next time,

Chloe Harper
Editor-in-Chief
Podfluence

P.S. – Don’t let your podcast blend into the noise. With Audiencelift, you’ll connect with the right audience and see real growth. Ready to amplify your voice? Click here to start your first campaign today! 🎙️