Podcasting in 2024: Key Takeaways from Podcast Movement

It’s been a week since Podcast Movement, and I’ve now had some time to sit with all the notes and insights I learned from everyone and all the sessions I attended.

This was my 4th Podcast Movement, and it's clear that the podcasting landscape is evolving quickly. There’s big money invested in this space, and we’re seeing the industry shift for everyone involved. From the content creator to the major network, the change is real, challenging podcasters to think bigger and more strategically than ever before. Here are some of the top insights and takeaways that every podcaster should keep on their radar:

1. Content is King, But Strategy is Queen: I really enjoyed Steven Bartlett’s session, host of Diary of a CEO, which reminded us that content alone isn’t enough; it’s about creating what people are searching for (What’s in High Demand?) and stacking small wins. He emphasized the importance of experimenting and testing everything.
2. “Meet Your Audience Where They Are”: This point interestingly popped up in several sessions I attended. I challenge all my coaching clients to lean into this when launching a podcast. Where are your people? Meet them there. With the external pressure to “be everywhere,” this reminder of meeting your audience where they are is a valuable lesson, especially for my fellow creators.
3. Video is Non-Negotiable: Video was a hot topic this year. The shift towards video is undeniable. Whether you’re leveraging YouTube's podcast-craving audience or creating marketing video assets to promote your show, in the words of Steven Bartlett: “If you aren’t doing video, you are at a competitive disadvantage.” And if you need more convincing, data shows that 48% of listeners discover new podcasts on YouTube. YouTube attention matters.
4. Understanding the Data: From Apple Podcast Connect to Spotify, regularly reviewing what content resonates with your audience is vital to your podcasting success. As a podcast marketer, podcasting metrics are a bit fuzzy and challenging to assess, but this session was insightful—pay attention to the first 7 days and the last 30 days of your episode downloads—these are critical windows to analyze and track podcast growth.
5. Create Ads That Resonate: Audio podcasts are the most intimate medium for connection, which is why it makes total sense that ads need to be more personalized and creative. I discovered that ads in podcasts perform best when they have a sense of humor, are relatable, and incorporate personal stories. Remember, ads don’t have to be boring—they can be fun and engaging too!
6. The Value of Consistency: As creators, we know the importance of being consistent with your content. We’ve seen those download dips when we take seasonal breaks or miss a week or two of content. Throughout sessions, we were reminded by advertisers and successful creators that your podcast’s value proposition must remain consistent to retain listeners over the long game. Emotional resonance can be just as powerful as educational content. Don’t disappoint your audience. You may be their favorite content highlight of the week.

All in all, Podcast Movement 2024 was a success. The Gaylord Hotel was a beautiful place with a ton of things to do both inside and outside their corridors. Great cafe too!

The floor layout made all the sessions easy to find, which was great! And I can’t forget how much I loved having headphones at every session. What a brilliant idea. The acoustics in the main hall weren’t conducive to listening clearly to the speakers, but the headphones were the perfect remedy! Well done.

This year’s conference made it clear: the future of podcasting is about adapting, experimenting, and understanding your audience on a deeper level. These are exciting times for all of us—not just major personalities in mainstream media or advertisers, but also everyday creators who are looking to build a brand and community through podcasting.

There are plenty of opportunities for creators to fund their passion for the mic and camera. We just have to step up our game and make the best shows possible. We need to be more strategic about our shows, from a community-building standpoint to our creative marketing efforts.

Big brands are looking for creators to invest in.

We just have to be more mindful of how we produce our podcasts and how we serve our audiences.

We don’t produce just a podcast; we are building real brands now.

So, let's focus on stacking those 1% wins and continue to level up our game as a podcasting community.

1ove, Podcasters!

Ozeal