Getting more listeners is great. But what really matters for growing your podcast over time is turning those listeners into subscribers 💜
In this article, we’ll focus on one clear objective: helping you reach your first 1,000 subscribers 🔥
What Is a Podcast Subscriber
A podcast subscriber is someone who follows your show on a listening platform
On Spotify, Apple Podcasts or any other app, clicking “follow” or “subscribe” means the listener chooses to stay connected to your podcast. From that moment, your new episodes are automatically pushed to their feed. No need for them to search or remember, your content is delivered 📨
This data is private, and only visible to you
Unlike YouTube where the number of subscribers is public, podcast subscriber counts are not visible to your audience. Only you can see how many people follow your show, and that information is only available on the platforms themselves 🔐
To access it, you can create (if it’s not already the case) a free creator account on Apple Podcasts Connect or Spotify for Creators. In addition to the number of subscribers, you’ll also be able to view other statistics that may be useful to you.
Why Subscribers Are a Key Metric for Podcast Growth
Subscribers help boost your podcast’s visibility
If you want your podcast to be discovered more easily, growing your subscriber base is a strategic move. In 2020, Apple Podcasts confirmed that new subscribers are the most important ranking signal in the algorithm that powers their official charts 🤖
These charts are the category-based rankings you see inside listening platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify. They list the most popular shows in each category (like Business, Education, Health, etc.). For 24% of listeners, these charts are a key entry point to discover new podcast.
The faster your show gains new followers, the more likely it is to appear in these lists. That’s why subscriber growth, especially if it’s concentrated over a short period, can lead to a real snowball effect 🚀
Subscribing shows real interest
When someone subscribes to your podcast, they’re making a choice. They’re not just listening once, they are making the conscious decision to come back 🏃
That makes subscribers your most committed listeners. They follow your content regularly, they’re less likely to drop off, and they’re often the ones who recommend your show to others.
This is a much stronger signal than a download. A download might just mean someone clicked. A subscription means your content clicked with them 😉
A sign of credibility (even if it’s private)
Your number of subscribers may not be public, but it remains one of the most solid indicators of your podcast’s credibility 😎
When your show accumulates followers consistently over time, it sends a clear message : your content has impact, and your voice carries weight. In other words, your subscriber count becomes a marker of authority.
That authority becomes a real asset in many situations. When you approach a high-profile guest, your ability to say “we have 800+ subscribers” gives you legitimacy. When you reach out to a brand or another podcaster for a collaboration, it positions you as someone who has already built a relationship of trust with an audience 🤝
Top tips to get your first podcast 1,000 subscribers
Ask for Subscriptions, Assume Nothing
One of the most common mistakes podcasters make is assuming that if someone enjoyed the episode, they’ll automatically subscribe. The truth is: most listeners don’t even think about it, unless you tell them, clearly and directly 🙊
As the host, your role is not only to deliver content but also to guide the listening experience. That means explaining what a listener should do next, and more importantly, why they should do it. Don’t just say “subscribe” as an afterthought, give that request meaning.
Let your audience know that subscribing ensures they won’t miss future episodes. And tell them how important it is for the podcast itself. If they enjoyed what they just heard, subscribing is the easiest way they can support your work and help it grow. When people understand the impact of their action, they’re far more likely to take it ✅
This message should be part of your routine. You need to say it at the start of the episode, when attention is highest, and again at the end, after you’ve delivered value. You don’t need to repeat the same sentence word for word. What matters is that you ask, you explain why it matters, and you do it every time ⏱️
Turn Your Podcast Trailer into a Personal Hook
Most podcast trailers follow the same structure: “This is my show, here’s the topic, new episodes every week.” It’s informative, but not very engaging. At best, it might make someone listen. But it doesn’t necessarily make them want to subscribe 🫡
That’s the real challenge. People follow a podcast when they feel a connection, not just when they understand what it’s about ❤️🔥
Instead of presenting your trailer like an overview, think of it as a welcome. Or better: a voice message to someone you care about. Speak directly to the person pressing play. Tell them what this podcast means to you, what made you start it, and what you hope they’ll take away from it.
Keep it short, honest, and unscripted. Let your tone do the work. People don’t subscribe because they understand the concept, they subscribe when they feel a real emotional connection with the voice behind it. If your trailer can create that, even briefly, it can turn a curious listener into a follower 🔄
Be Consistent: Build a Relationship of Trust
A podcast doesn’t grow because you publish one good episode. It grows because you show up, again and again. If you want people to subscribe, you need to give them a reason to come back. And that reason starts with consistency 🗓️
Publishing on a regular rhythm, whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly, sends a clear signal to your audience: you’re committed. It shows that you’re not just creating content when you feel like it, but that you’ve made a promise to your listeners. And that promise builds trust.
Because subscribing to a podcast is choosing to make space for it in your routine. And people don’t subscribe to something they see as random or irregular. They subscribe to something they know they can count on 🥰
If you want people to commit to your podcast, start by showing that you’re committed to them.
Build a Pool of Ambassadors
You won’t reach your first 1,000 subscribers alone. You’ll get there faster if you activate the people who already believe in what you do.
Your earliest listeners. They’re your first community. And most of them probably have friends, colleagues or followers who match your target audience. That’s why they’re the perfect people to help spread the word ✋
Instead of waiting for word-of-mouth to happen organically, be intentional. Reach out to your most engaged listeners and turn them into ambassadors. Invite them to share the podcast around them. Ask them to encourage others to subscribe. And most importantly, make them feel like they’re part of what you’re building 🏠
And to thank them for their support, make space for them in your podcast journey. Mention their names in an episode. Ask their opinion on a future topic. People are much more likely to promote something they feel part of.
Celebrate Growth and Make It Public
When your podcast starts gaining traction, don’t keep it to yourself. If you don’t make it visible, it doesn’t exist in the eyes of your audience 👀
Talk about your subscriber milestones. Say it in your episodes, in your newsletter, on social media. Let your listeners know that you’ve just passed 500 followers. Tell them you’re aiming for 1,000 by the end of the year. Make them part of the journey and even get creative about it.
The simple act of making your growth visible creates a trigger. Some listeners will realize they’re not subscribed yet and decide to fix that. Others will feel involved, even responsible for helping you reach the next step ✨
Conclusion
Reaching your first 1,000 subscribers might seem like a big number when you’re starting out, but it’s a goal you can absolutely reach: step by step, episode by episode. What matters most isn’t chasing quick wins, but building something solid and consistent.
If you take the time to guide your listeners, show up regularly, and involve them in what you’re creating, people will follow, not just your podcast, but the journey behind it 🐣
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