How to grow podcast on instagram with reels
Podcast Marketing Social Media Growth

How to grow podcast on instagram with reels

Want more podcast listeners?

By Tsvetan - Podcast Host and CEO PodClips •

Want more podcast listeners? Instagram Reels could be your secret weapon! These short, engaging videos are perfect for catching people’s attention and drawing them to your show. The best part? You don’t need to be a video expert to create Reels that convert scrollers into loyal listeners. With the right approach, your podcast clips can reach thousands of new people who might never find you through audio platforms alone. In this guide, I’ll share simple, tested strategies to turn your podcast highlights into Instagram Reels that actually grow your audience. Let’s transform those amazing podcast moments into visual content that makes people hit “follow” and then “subscribe”!

Step by Step Guide: How to Grow Your Podcast on Instagram with Reels

Step 1: Set Up Your Podcast Instagram Account Properly

  • Choose the right username:
    • Use your exact podcast name if available
    • Keep it short and memorable
    • Avoid underscores or numbers if possible
    • Add “podcast” or “show” if your name is taken
  • Switch to a Professional Account:
    • Go to your profile and tap the hamburger menu (three lines)
    • Select Settings
    • Tap Account
    • Choose “Switch to Professional Account”
    • Select “Creator” as the category
    • Choose “Digital Creator” or “Podcast” as the subcategory
  • Complete your bio thoroughly:
    • Write a clear 1-sentence description of your podcast
    • Include 2-3 main topics you cover
    • Add a catchy tagline or your podcast’s unique angle
    • Include a call to action (“New episodes every Monday”)
    • Add relevant emojis to break up text
  • Add a link to your podcast:
    • Use a service like Linktree, Beacons, or Later
    • Include links to all major podcast platforms
    • Add your website if you have one
    • Consider a newsletter signup option
  • Use your podcast cover art as your profile picture
  • Turn on notifications to respond quickly to comments

Step 2: Study Successful Podcast Reels

  • Find 10-15 podcasters with strong Instagram presence
  • Follow them and turn on notifications for their posts
  • Create a collection of Reels that perform well:
    • Save Reels with high view counts
    • Note Reels with lots of comments
    • Pay attention to shares and saves
  • Analyze these successful Reels for patterns:
    • Average length (15, 30, or 60 seconds)
    • Content types (clips, behind-the-scenes, tips)
    • Caption styles and length
    • Hashtag strategy
    • Posting times
    • Music choices
    • Text overlay usage
    • Hook styles (first 3 seconds)
  • Make notes on what works in your podcast niche
  • Create a swipe file of ideas to adapt for your podcast
  • Identify gaps or content types nobody is doing yet

Step 3: Plan Your Reels Content Strategy

  • Brainstorm 5 main content categories:
    • Episode highlights (60-second clips from episodes)
    • Guest introductions (who’s coming on the show)
    • Teaser quotes (powerful statements from episodes)
    • Behind-the-scenes moments (recording sessions, prep)
    • Host tips or insights (advice related to your topic)
  • Create a content calendar:
    • Aim for at least 3 Reels per week
    • Balance between different content categories
    • Plan around episode release schedule
    • Note important dates or trends in your niche
  • Prepare templates for each content type:
    • Intro hook templates (“Wait until you hear what…”)
    • Text overlay patterns
    • Caption templates
    • Hashtag groups for different topics
    • Call-to-action phrases
  • Batch plan content for 2-4 weeks ahead
  • Create a folder system on your phone or computer to organize clips
  • Prepare a spreadsheet to track performance of different content types

Step 4: Get the Right Tools for Creating Podcast Reels

  • Choose a video editing app:
    • CapCut (free, powerful features)
    • InShot (user-friendly for beginners)
    • Adobe Premiere Rush (professional features)
    • Videoleap (good for text animations)
    • Descript (great for podcast clips with automatic captions)
    • Headliner (specifically for podcasts)
  • Install caption tools:
    • MixCaptions
    • Captions
    • Subtitles Viewer
    • Or use built-in caption features in your editor
  • Set up audio extraction tools:
    • MP3 converter app
    • Audio editing app like Audacity or Ferrite
  • Gather design elements:
    • Your podcast logo in PNG format
    • Brand color hex codes
    • Preferred fonts
    • Background templates
    • Transition effects
  • Test all tools before starting production
  • Watch tutorials for your chosen apps

Step 5: Create Your First Podcast Episode Highlight Reel

  • Listen to your most recent episode:
    • Note timestamps of interesting moments
    • Look for segments between 30-60 seconds
    • Find moments that stand alone well
    • Choose content that doesn’t need much context
  • Extract the audio segment:
    • Use your podcast host’s clip feature if available
    • Or use audio editing software to cut the segment
    • Save as MP3 file
  • Create a new project in your editing app
  • Import your audio clip
  • Add visuals:
    • Use podcast cover art as background
    • Or use video if you record video podcasts
    • Add a simple animated background if needed
  • Add captions:
    • Transcribe the clip (use auto-captioning or type manually)
    • Break text into short phrases (2-3 words per line)
    • Use large, readable font
    • Add contrasting background behind text if needed
    • Position captions in center or lower third of screen
  • Add your branding:
    • Small logo in corner
    • Episode number
    • Guest name (if applicable)
  • Create a hook text for the first 3 seconds:
    • “Wait until you hear this…”
    • “This changed everything…”
    • “The advice that went viral…”
  • Add music (optional):
    • Use Instagram’s music library
    • Keep volume at 10-20% of speaking volume
    • Choose music that matches the content’s tone
  • Save in 9:16 vertical format
  • Preview on your phone before posting

Step 6: Write Effective Captions for Your Podcast Reels

  • Create a strong first line:
    • Ask a question related to the clip
    • Make a bold statement
    • Use emojis to catch attention
    • Keep it under 125 characters (before the “more” cutoff)
  • Provide context in the middle section:
    • Explain who is speaking
    • Give episode number/title
    • Add any necessary background information
    • Use line breaks between thoughts
  • Include a clear call to action:
    • “Listen to the full episode - link in bio”
    • “Save this for later if you need this advice”
    • “Tag someone who needs to hear this”
    • “Share your thoughts in the comments”
  • Add relevant hashtags:
    • 5-10 specific hashtags
    • Mix of sizes (small, medium, and large hashtags)
    • Include podcast-specific tags (#podcastclips, #podcastmoments)
    • Add niche-specific hashtags
    • Include your custom podcast hashtag
  • Test different caption lengths to see what works best
  • Use emojis strategically to break up text
  • Save caption templates in your notes app

Step 7: Post Your Reels at Optimal Times

  • Check your Instagram Insights for when your audience is active:
    • Go to your profile
    • Tap Insights
    • Select “Your Audience”
    • Note the most active hours and days
  • Experiment with these generally effective times:
    • 7-9 AM (morning commute)
    • 11 AM-1 PM (lunch break)
    • 7-9 PM (evening relaxation)
  • Consider posting around these key moments:
    • Right when a new episode drops
    • A day before your episode releases (teaser)
    • During industry events related to your topic
    • When breaking news in your niche happens
  • Create a posting schedule based on best times
  • Use Instagram’s scheduling feature:
    • Create your Reel
    • Tap “Advanced settings” before posting
    • Select “Schedule this post”
    • Choose your optimal date and time
  • Track performance by posting time in your spreadsheet
  • Adjust your schedule based on what times work best

Step 8: Optimize Your Reels for the Instagram Algorithm

  • Focus on watch time:
    • Create a strong hook in first 3 seconds
    • Keep content engaging throughout
    • End with a question or thought-provoking statement
    • Aim

Conclusion

Growing your podcast on Instagram Reels doesn’t have to be complicated. By creating engaging clips, using trending audio, and posting consistently, you can build a strong presence that attracts new listeners to your show.

Remember to keep your Reels short, captivating, and valuable to your audience. Mix up your content between educational snippets, funny moments, and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Don’t forget to use relevant hashtags and engage with your community through comments and replies.

While it might take some time to find your groove with Reels, the potential reach makes it worth the effort. Start with one or two Reels per week, analyze what works best for your audience, and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Most importantly, stay authentic to your podcast’s voice and message. Instagram Reels are just another way to share your content with the world - focus on providing value, and the growth will follow naturally.

Ready to grow your podcast audience without spending hours on manual editing? PodClips uses AI to automatically turn your long-form episodes into dozens of social-ready video clips, complete with captions, b-roll, and optimized formatting for TikTok and Instagram. Stop editing and start growing. Try PodClips today and get your first clips in minutes.

;