10 Instagram post ideas for podcasters
An example Instagram post to introduce your show using a simple text-based graphic. The text reads: Freelance Sounds: a new podcast for freelancers
An example post to trail your next episode. The text reads: In the next episode, Mia Rose of Ivy & Rose on the startup story, becoming a florist, top business tips
From trailing your upcoming episodes to curating edits around specific themes, here are 10 ideas for promoting your podcast on Instagram.
1. Introduce your show
It sounds simple, but periodically sharing the story and aim of your podcast can help both remind your existing community of what you do and give new followers a clear idea of what your show is all about. You can also give people a head’s up on where they can find your latest episodes and invite them to subscribe.
2. Introduce yourself as the host(s)
It can be easy to forget that new followers may not know your story, either. This is an opportunity to share a bit of your own background story and why you decided to start your podcast in the first place.
For example: ‘There are a few new faces around here (welcome!) so it felt like a good time to introduce myself…’
3. Trail your next episode
Build anticipation for what’s to come by sharing a sneak preview of your upcoming episode. This helps people look forward to what’s coming up, and some may even opt to subscribe so they don’t miss out.
4. Share quotes and snippets from current or past shows
As well as trailers, you could also share quotes and audio snippets from your current episode or previous shows to highlight the sort of topics you cover. Remember to direct people to the relevant episode number(s) for anyone who wants to hear more.
5. Share an edit of episodes around a certain theme
If you’ve got several episodes that deal with a certain topic, round them up together in a graphic or carousel and share this ‘edit’ as a handy guide for anyone interested in that subject. This will be a helpful resource for anyone who wants to do a deep dive on that particular issue.
An example Instagram post, featuring a curated edit of four episodes on the same theme of marketing with soul, along with the relevant episode numbers.
An example Instagram post, featuring a quote from a podcast episode in the centre of the graphic, with the name of the show and episode number at the top.
6. Round up answers to the same question
If you have an interview-based podcast, you could experiment with asking each guest the same question(s), as well as questions that are tailored to their individual story. For example, you could come up with a few questions that you ask each guest at the end of the episode (quite a few podcasters do this as a way to conclude the conversation). This gives you the opportunity to round up those answers at a later date in various ways.
On Instagram, this could look like a carousel post or a round-up of audio snippets. It could also work as an accompanying blog post, mini e-book or even a future podcast episode.
7. Collate takeaways or lessons at the end of the season
If you have a solo show, your version of a round-up could look like collating a few key takeaways or best bits at the end of each season. You could then pull out individual points to share on social media, or via any of the other pieces of content mentioned in point six, above.
8. Share a behind-the-scenes photo or video of yourself recording an episode
This suggestion is based on the assumption (or rather, hope!?) that I’m not the only nosy person who likes to peek behind the curtain and see how people create the things they do. Behind-the-scenes content could also work well for stories and reels on Instagram, and can be a good prompt for sharing a little of the backstory behind your podcast: why/how you started it; how it has evolved, etc.
9. ‘Ask me anything’ or pose questions to your audience and share responses
Social media is a two-way street, and Instagram in particular is increasingly offering ways to start conversations. (For example, through polls, questions and interactive elements in stories, which offer a simple way to ask questions and collect responses).
This could work both ways: you could either ask your followers to submit their questions for you, which you then answer on stories/live or in an upcoming podcast episode; or, you could ask your followers a question and then collate/share their (anonymous, unless permission granted) responses.
An example Instagram post to promote an interview episode of your podcast. Main text reads: Maggie Rose on starting a business alongside a full-time job. The name of the show, Freelance Sounds podcast, is in smaller text at the top.
An example Instagram post to introduce your show. The text reads: Freelance Sounds: A podcast for freelancers who want to stay healthy, build sustainably, work intentionally. This sits next to a mock-up of a phone playing your show.
10. Highlight any accompanying resources
Got an episode that provides lots of information or poses questions for your listeners to reflect on? Consider creating an accompanying blog post or resource that they can refer to. You could then highlight this in a dedicated social media post, potentially using a design mockup to showcase this resource.
Mockups are photographs/graphics that you can use to showcase your creative work - for example, a mockup could comprise a photo of a laptop on a beautifully styled desk, which you can then use to display a screenshot of your website, or a picture of a frame that you can drop your own artwork into.
Moyo Studio creates some of my favourites; there are also some great options on Canva.
A few things to bear in mind when creating a content plan for your podcast…
Think about which platforms you will use to promote your show
While Instagram can be a great option for podcasters, with options for written, audio and visual content, it’s also important to keep in mind where the people you’re looking to reach with your show prefer to hang out online. Depending on your subject matter, you might find another platform (eg, Twitter or LinkedIn) works better for you.
Equally, what are your own strengths as a content creator (are you happiest creating written, audio, video or visual content, or a mix?) and which platforms will best support this? Which platform(s) do you feel energised to share on consistently?
Is your content accessible?
Remember that words in graphics/images can’t be read by screen readers (blind people use screen readers to access content online) so be sure to add any text that’s in a graphic to your caption itself or as ‘alt text’ (you can do this via the advanced settings on Instagram when you upload your post).
If your image is a photograph or illustration, you can add an image description within your caption itself or describe the visual elements in the alt text, as above.
For more information, here’s a great post on the Later blog: Five ways to make your Instagram account more accessible right now.
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