You want to build a community around your podcast. How do you make sure it's inclusive and welcoming?

We aspire to inspire. Said directly, we direct someone's hopes in order to give them the ability to do something differently. I created the Envision Speakers Series to do just that - provide hope so that people can make the positive changes needed in their lives. In the first 20 episodes, I have invited professionals who are motivational, inspirational, and insightful because they have faced significant challenges in their own lives and now have the courage, stamina, and knowledge to help those who need helping and provide guidance to help people pivot successfully!

To build a thriving podcast community, go beyond defining your purpose and understand your audience deeply. Identify their preferences, challenges, and interests. Tailor your content and community engagement to resonate with them. Foster a sense of belonging by addressing their needs and creating valuable interactions. This understanding will fuel your community's growth and make it a meaningful space for your listeners.

When you can clearly articulate your purpose and can communicate this with your audience you give yourself the best chance of them engaging with your content. For me at the Cricket Library Podcast, we have the aim of providing a platform for people to share their stories of how the game of cricket has impacted their lives and the lives of others in a positive way. Those who resonate with this have become loyal listeners and values members of the Cricket Library community.

To build an inclusive and welcoming community around your podcast, establish clear guidelines for respectful interaction, actively moderate discussions, and address any issues promptly. Feature diverse guests and seek feedback from your community to ensure their needs are met. Foster connection and belonging through meaningful engagement opportunities. Prioritizing inclusivity creates a vibrant and welcoming environment for all.

Opt for platforms aligned with your audience's habits. Research where your target audience engages most – be it Twitter, LinkedIn, or niche forums. Leverage platforms that complement your content style and encourage interaction. Ensure user-friendliness, accessibility, and security. Establish clear moderation guidelines and systems for managing feedback. Stay adaptable, evolving your community strategy based on user preferences and emerging trends. Engaging communities demands tailored approaches.

The idea behind starting a community around your podcast is to create a place for your audience to interact with each other and with you. Platforms like Facebook Groups, Slack, Discord and Circle are great for starting your podcast community. I personally have a free Facebook Group and a paid Slack community for my show. Use whatever you think will be easiest for your listeners and yourself.

Utilize podcast episodes, websites, and social media to promote engagement. Offer exclusive content, giveaways, or shout-outs to incentivize participation. Crucially, express genuine appreciation for your listeners' support, solicit their feedback, and showcase their achievements to foster a sense of belonging and appreciation.

Stories, although unique to the individual, are never in isolation. Meaning - people share collective experiences, emotions, problems, and victories. Even if the guest does not immediately offer a shout out to someone they know . . . I will. I will recall a similar situation that occurred with someone else. I might bring that person up during the call (podcast). And/or, I might offer to connect the present guest with the previous guest - those creating a strong, healthier, and cohesive community to my conversations. Since the first season of The Question Guy Podcast, and forever more, I empower people through the connections made from the podcast conversations.

Creating an inclusive and welcoming community starts with actively inviting and welcoming your listeners to participate. Encourage them to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences, and ensure that everyone feels valued and respected. Foster a culture of openness and acceptance by actively engaging with your audience, responding to their comments and feedback, and acknowledging their contributions. By making your listeners feel like an integral part of your podcasting journey, you can cultivate a sense of belonging and foster a community built on mutual respect and understanding.

Um podcast que tenha seus pilares na inclusão e diversidade é um podcast feito para todas as pessoas, e portanto, um produto extremamente rico. Sempre que pensar em nomes para compor sua mesa de debates, reflita se há representatividade nessa conversa, se há especialistas num recorte de minoria trazendo seus pontos de vista sobre o tema, e se o roteiro está composto de forma que o conteúdo seja "consumível" para qualquer pessoa. Dica para ser inclusivo de forma simples e eficaz: faça, você e seus convidados, uma autodescrição no início do programa.

In addition to fostering diversity and inclusion, it's crucial to empower marginalized voices within your podcast community actively. This means intentionally amplifying the voices of individuals from underrepresented groups and providing platforms for their stories and perspectives to be heard. Encourage inclusivity by inviting guests and contributors from diverse backgrounds, ensuring their experiences and insights are valued and respected. By actively promoting equity and inclusion, you can create a more vibrant and enriching podcasting experience for all community members.

Diversity & inclusion adds value. It's an asset that requires intentional action to build. Honor your podcast's centering theme & target audience, yet, if you have guests, put in the effort to find ones with diverse backgrounds/ opinions who don't look like you. This adds value and perspective. Take time to reflect and connect with others outside of your podcast that broaden your perspective around other ways of doing & being. This will in turn support better questions, more open conversations, & inclusive responses. The beauty of a podcast is speaking to the one listener & having them feel connected. You just need to be aware of what language might be exclusionary or make someone feel like an outsider. Individualize, yet be inclusive.

To ensure your podcast community is inclusive and welcoming, it's essential to foster diversity and inclusion. Encourage participation from individuals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Actively seek out guests and contributors from different ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. Embrace diversity in your content and discussions, addressing a wide range of topics and viewpoints. Create a safe and respectful environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and empowered to express themselves authentically. By embracing diversity and inclusion, you can create a vibrant and inclusive community that celebrates the richness of human experiences.

Ask your most active community members if they would like to help you build engagement. To make them feel special, give them titles like Community Ambassador. And let them take the initiative in starting and continuing conversations. A special role could be welcoming all new members and answering their questions regarding the community. Not only does this strengthen your community, but it takes away the burden of managing everything yourself.

Foster a vibrant community by fostering meaningful engagement and interaction. Share captivating content that ignites curiosity and drives discussions. Encourage participation through polls, surveys, and challenges, inviting your audience to share their thoughts and experiences. Take the time to respond to comments and reviews, nurturing connections and demonstrating your commitment to building a dynamic community experience.

Encouraging engagement and interaction is key to building a vibrant and inclusive podcast community. Create opportunities for listeners to share their thoughts, stories, and feedback. Foster dialogue by asking open-ended questions, hosting Q&A sessions, and encouraging listener participation in discussions and polls. Actively respond to comments, messages, and emails, showing genuine interest in your audience's contributions. Cultivate a sense of belonging by acknowledging and celebrating the diverse voices within your community. By fostering a culture of engagement and interaction, you can create a dynamic and inclusive space where everyone feels valued and connected.

Acknowledge individual achievements publicly and offer incentives for active participation. Arrange regular virtual meet-ups or organize local events to strengthen bonds. Facilitate mentorship programs and encourage collaborative projects to foster skill development and mutual support within the community.

Na minha experiência enquanto podcaster brasileiro, utilizei a plataforma 'Apoia.se' para criar um financiamento coletivo para sobrevivência do meu podcast sobre paternidade. Com o incentivo financeiro (muito acessível), os ouvintes têm acesso a recompensas especiais, como citado ao final do episódio em agradecimento, grupo fechado no whatsapp para trocas sobre o segmento e infos exclusivas de bastidores do programa, e direito a participar como ouvinte de gravações. São ações que geram conexão com o público.

Celebrate the achievements and contributions of your community members to foster a sense of appreciation and belonging. Recognize their milestones, such as anniversaries of joining the community, reaching certain engagement levels, or sharing valuable insights. Show gratitude by giving shoutouts, featuring member spotlights, or hosting special events or giveaways. Reward active participation and meaningful contributions with exclusive perks, discounts, or access to bonus content. By celebrating and rewarding your community, you reinforce positive behavior, strengthen relationships, and create a supportive and inclusive environment where members feel valued and motivated to actively participate.

Collaborating with other inclusive communities is an engaging way to build relationships, expand reach, and create a more diverse and interconnected podcast community. For example, a podcaster can work with another podcast host to create a special episode or a limited series that combines both areas of expertise. In this way, both parties can grow their respective audiences and, in turn, provide greater value to all listeners. As an extension of this, a podcast host can connect with other influencers or organizations to create inclusive virtual events, charity related fundraisers, or workshops centered around diversity and inclusion.

Building community around your podcast will really contribute to it’s longevity. There’s the vertical relationship that you have with your listener as the host, but creating horizontal relationships via a community among your listeners who will discuss, advocate for and share your content is absolute marketing gold.

Consider implementing regular feedback mechanisms to understand the evolving needs and preferences of your community. Encourage open communication channels where members can share their thoughts, suggestions, and concerns openly. Actively listen to feedback and be responsive in addressing any issues or making improvements based on community input. Additionally, foster a sense of ownership by involving your community in decision-making processes and co-creating content or initiatives together. By prioritizing feedback and collaboration, you demonstrate a commitment to continuously improving the community experience and ensuring it remains inclusive, engaging, and aligned with the interests of its members.