Once I was little, and my dad needed my brother or me to do chores, he would yell, “What are you ready for? An engraved invitation?” Sure, dads had been totally different for GenX children. However my dad’s exhortation echoes in my head after I see good unbiased podcasts getting dismal numbers. Folks want a direct invitation to start out listening to a brand new podcast, however engraved invites can value 1000’s of {dollars}. Thankfully, WhatsApp can shrink the hole between you and folks keen on your podcast with options similar to standing & profile, broadcast lists, and group chats.
What’s WhatsApp?
This messaging software program has 2 billion month-to-month energetic customers. WhatsApp claims extra privateness than different messaging apps (similar to Sign). Every message makes use of end-to-end encryption to stop interception by an out of doors social gathering.
A cellist pal of mine travels extensively with an orchestra and makes use of WhatsApp to substantiate journey particulars and tour operators the place he is likely to be unable to make use of his cellphone. You may set your messages to be seen as soon as or to vanish after a set interval. This fashion, his info reaches the meant recipient whereas remaining safe.
No, I’m not telling you who it’s. All proper, high quality. It’s Yo-Yo Ma. We’re buddies from means again. See why I didn’t need to inform you his identify?
WhatsApp is a free platform owned by Meta, the mother or father firm of Fb, Instagram, and Threads. In consequence, WhatsApp’s status for privateness goes hand in hand with that of different Meta merchandise. Since WhatsApp will depend on customers’ cellphone numbers for account setup and to seek out contacts, this platform has been a playground for scammers and spammers. Nonetheless, this app has the fitting price ticket for a lot of podcasters. It’s a Meta platform, so that you pay along with your consideration span, similar to Fb and Instagram.
At present, you may cross-post from Instagram to Fb and Threads. It’s unclear to me if one can cross-post between WhatsApp and different Meta platforms, however apparently, Meta is working on cross-posting for WhatsApp. This could possibly be a time-saver for podcasters.
WhatsApp began as a non-public, cheap approach to alternate messages with out leaving a path. At the moment, skilled organizations similar to CBS Information, The BBC, and the New York Mets all use WhatsApp to share updates and hyperlinks with their followers. It has additionally been used infamously by individuals similar to Jared Kushner and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Who Makes use of WhatsApp?
In line with The Pew Analysis Middle, in 2024, WhatsApp was the top social media platform in middle-income nations. As of Could 2022, 56% of social media users surveyed under age 44 had a WhatsApp account. In case your podcast is supposed for Gen Z and Millenials, WhatsApp often is the platform to succeed in them.
The Pew Analysis Middle’s Social Media and Information Truth Sheet signifies that Americans who regularly get their news from WhatsApp are usually Hispanic, aged 30-49. In line with Edison Analysis’s 2023 Latino Podcast Listener report, this demographic is:
“extra prone to have an annual family revenue of $75K+ than U.S. Latinos who should not weekly podcast listeners. They’re additionally extra prone to be employed part-time or full-time, and to personal their very own enterprise or work as a full-time freelance contractor. One in 5 U.S. Latino weekly podcast listeners pays to subscribe to a podcast.”
As Juleyka Lantigua, CEO of LWC Studios, contributed, “There merely isn’t a extra fascinating digital viewers on the market.”
Since WhatsApp’s following is so huge, and the platform includes private cellphone numbers, the chance for scammers and spammers is ripe. Meta has launched an AI scam detention tool to tackle fraud, however as new on-line scams proliferate, the AI should sustain.
Once more, WhatsApp is a messaging software program; it lacks a public feed like Fb or Twitter/X. Communication occurs by standing updates, chats (one-on-one or group), or Communities. Let me present you the way WhatsApp’s options can promote your podcast.
Standing Updates and Your Profile Image
Most customers set their profile image as their face or an avatar. WhatsApp can information you thru making a cute, bouncy cartoon persona that matches into Meta’s person interface for stickers and different interactions. You should utilize any image you want, similar to your podcast’s cowl artwork. I promote a number of podcasts, so I used one image for my profile, and podcast artwork for a Neighborhood. We’ll get to that characteristic later.
Sadly, since WhatsApp lacks a public feed, like different social media platforms, your standing messages are seen solely to your contacts, and provided that they go in search of your standing message. However, this can be a good place to speak up your present.
Broadcast Lists
You should utilize Broadcast Lists to ship messages to a number of individuals concurrently. Nonetheless, solely customers along with your info saved of their machine’s contacts can obtain your messages this manner.
Broadcast Lists are good for extra non-public communication, like planning a shock social gathering. However, when you don’t thoughts letting anybody in your viewers have your private cellphone quantity saved of their contacts, you should use this to talk along with your viewers. Or, possibly you may have a separate smartphone that you just use just for podcasting enterprise. For those who plan to make use of Broadcast Lists, ask your followers to avoid wasting your info of their Contacts.
This characteristic’s interface could also be extra acquainted to WhatsApp customers who use Fb. It has moderators who can facilitate discussions and permit new members to hitch.
Communities don’t require customers to alternate as a lot private knowledge. It is a good place for podcast subject discussions, Q&As, and the like. You may have teams inside a Neighborhood, like nesting dolls.
WhatsApp Is as Good because the Firm You Preserve.
To this present day, the phrase “engraved invitation” fills me with dread (and fills my head with the phantom scent of dry leaves ready to be raked). However, there’s little question {that a} direct supply is the easiest way to request that folks take note of your podcast.
WhatsApp is very like sending textual content messages, besides this platform features a international following. Consider it as sending text messages to your potential audience, and don’t spam them. It’s by no means a great look.
Selling your podcast on a messaging app isn’t probably the most scalable approach to attain scores of potential new listeners, however it could foster deeper extra significant connections. And people connections may result in development and alternatives with out your direct involvement. In podcasting, it’s not all the time about sheer quantity of numbers.
WhatsApp podcast promotion is only one of numerous different methods to get your present on the market and attain extra individuals. If that’s your largest podcasting ache level proper now, make sure you try our Growth Mastery course contained in the Podcraft Academy!
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