Surveying your audience doesn't have to be a complicated matter. Moving into a new year, here are the three most important questions I recommend you ask your audience.
You don't need a fancy form or survey system for this. Simply ask your audience and provide an easy way for them to respond, such as email, voicemail, contact form, social post, comment, and such. For example, you could use Podgagement's PodcastFeedback.com feature to collect written or voicemail feedback from your audience!
1. “What would you like more of from me/us or my/our podcast?”
Start off with something positive. This question assumes they already like you and your podcast, and you're looking for additional content they want from you.
Anything your audience says could be a potential episode, series, extra value, product, service, or other opportunity.
For example, you might have an interview-based podcast and your audience might ask to hear more from only you! Or maybe they give you some topics they would love to hear you cover.
2. “What would you like less of from me/us or my/our podcast?”
Again, you can assume your responding audience already respects you to some degree if they're taking the time to respond to your questions. So while it may sting a little to learn the things they want you to do less, take it as constructive criticism from people who care.
Maybe they want less packed into each episode. Maybe they want less of a particular subject you frequently mention. Maybe they don't like a new thing you've added to your podcast.
You've likely heard the adage, “Less is more.” Keep that in mind when your audience is telling you they want less of something, because it might actually present more opportunities for you to engage deeper or share more of what your audience does want.
3. “What do you want to tell me/us that's been on your mind?”
This is the catch-all question, but I like this wording because it implies there might be something that they've wanted to share for a while, but maybe didn't think you'd be open to hearing. You could get positive and negative feedback from this question.
But keep the assumption that your responding audience is sharing this because they care.
You turn these into to-dos and take action
The worst thing you can do with solicited feedback is nothing. Even if some feedback suggests something you really don't want to change, the least you can do is thank the person for their response, acknowledge the value of their opinion, the time they took to share it with you, and be respectfully honest about what you're willing or not willing to do.
Also remember that just because a tiny portion of your audience says something doesn't mean you should or should not do it! I've heard people alienate a majority of their audience because of what the very small minority of the audience said—even when it was positive!
I want to hear your thoughts about The Audacity to Podcast!
Here's where I want something from you! I would love for you to answer these same questions for me and my podcast!
- What would you like more of from me or The Audacity to Podcast?
- What would you like less of from me or The Audacity to Podcast?
- What do you want to tell me that's been on your mind?
Click here to send your feedback—written or voicemail.
And maybe doing this yourself will help you feel better about the kinds of responses you might get from your own audience.
Special thanks
- Bryan Entzminger from Top Tier Audio gave 1,363§ for my previous two episodes.
- I've been invited to speak about podcast chapters, and the new PodChapters app I made, on a couple of other podcasts about podcasting. I'll share more information when we've recorded those episodes!
If you love The Audacity to Podcast and value the podcasting inspiration and education I provide, would you please consider giving back what it's worth to you?
Supercharge your podcast engagement and grow your podcast!
Do you ever feel like your podcast is stuck? Like you're pouring your heart into your podcast but it seems like no one is listening?
Try Podgagement to help you supercharge your podcast endgagement!
Get speakable pages to simplify engaging with your audience, accept voicemail feedback (with automatic transcripts), see and share your ratings and reviews from nearly 200 places, follow your podcast rankings across nearly 34,000 global charts, discover networking opportunities, and more!
Ask your questions or share your feedback
- Comment on the episode
- Send a written or voicemail message here
Follow The Audacity to Podcast
- Apple Podcasts, Spotify, other Android apps, or in your favorite podcast app.
- Subscribe on YouTube for Podcasting Videos by The Audacity to Podcast
- Follow @theDanielJLewis on X-Twitter
Disclosure
This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship. I may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.
Related Content
