The Podcast Study: Growth — Engagement, fandom, and a listener’s favorite.

Podcasting’s growth story continues, and the next chapter focuses on engagement, fandom, and the art of becoming a listener’s favorite.

As we’ve seen throughout The Podcast Study: Growth, discovery is only the beginning. What separates the good from the great is how well a show connects beyond the play button. The October 9 webinar reveals new data on what keeps fans coming back and how creators can convert casual listeners into loyal advocates.

Podcasting’s Momentum Continues

Nearly half of all podcast consumers say they plan to spend more time with podcasts in the year ahead. That momentum isn’t slowing, and this session will show why now is the moment to invest in your show’s connection strategy.

“The number one reason why people forget to try a podcast they’re interested in is that they simply forget to listen,” said Hal Rood, Partner at Strategic Solutions Research. “The solution is creating more touchpoints to stay top of mind, and that’s where marketing and engagement tactics make a real difference.”

Favorites Dominate the Game

Sixty percent of all podcast listening time goes to a listener’s single favorite show. To grow, a podcaster must first land in the “Top 3,” but the biggest wins happen when they become the favorite. That’s when fans tell friends, join communities, and buy in emotionally.

“Winning means creating an ecosystem of engagement through clips, contests, and community so that listeners feel personally connected to the show and the host,” said Tim Bronsil, CEO of Point-To-Point Marketing.

Engagement Tactics That Move the Needle

The October 9 presentation dives deep into what works best, from contests and giveaways to merchandise, email outreach, and virtual events. The data shows that podcasts that extend the experience beyond the audio see stronger loyalty and higher frequency of listening.

Among the highlights:

• Contests and Giveaways: Listeners say contests make shows more exciting and increase listening frequency.

• Merchandise: Fans who purchase merch are significantly more likely to recommend the show.

• Events and Community: Virtual events boost listener positivity, with 7 in 10 attendees saying it made them feel more connected to the show.

• Direct Communication: Fans want to hear from the host. Emails, social responses, and personal outreach all strengthen that bond

What to Expect

This final session of The Podcast Study: Growth brings together months of insights into a single action plan:

• Review your product and execution for consistency.

• Build a marketing strategy that turns fans into evangelists.

• Stay top of mind through social, contests, and short-form samples.

• Create experiences that extend beyond the podcast itself.

Whether you’re a network executive, content creator, or marketing lead, this webinar delivers the roadmap for building lasting loyalty in podcasting’s most dynamic era yet.

Register today at ThePodcastStudy.com.

BONUS: October 23 at 2PM — The Podcast Study: What Radio Can Learn

Following this week’s finale, Point-To-Point Marketing and Strategic Solutions Research will host a special encore presentation on October 23 focusing on The Podcast Study: What Radio Can Learn.

This session explores how radio and podcasting are not competitors but close allies in audience development. Both share the same foundation: connection, consistency, and storytelling. As detailed in our recent blog post, radio can apply the lessons from podcasting to deepen listener loyalty, extend engagement beyond the airwaves, and stay top of mind across platforms.

If your brand thrives on creating community and connection, this session is a must-attend.

Reserve your spot at ThePodcastStudy.com.

Contact info: Tim Bronsil: tim@ptpmarketing.com, 513.702.5072