Podcast Launch Promotion Checklist: Pre-Launch to Post-Launch Tasks
TL;DR: A successful podcast launch requires coordinated promotion across three phases: pre-launch (2-4 weeks of foundation building), launch week (concentrated visibility push), and post-launch (sustained momentum). This checklist covers the essential tasks for each phase.
Table of Contents
- Pre-Launch Phase: Foundation Building
- One Week Before Launch
- Launch Week Activities
- Post-Launch Momentum
- Platform-Specific Tasks
- Measuring Launch Success
- FAQ
Pre-Launch Phase: Foundation Building
Start promotion 2-4 weeks before your first episode goes live. This phase creates anticipation and ensures technical readiness.
Here's the thing: launching without groundwork means your first episodes reach almost no one. The work you do before launch determines your starting audience size.
Brand and asset preparation
Visual identity checklist:
- Cover art designed at 3000x3000 pixels minimum
- Cover art tested at small sizes (looks good as thumbnail)
- Consistent color palette for all graphics
- Social media profile images created
- Banner images for each platform
Written assets:
- Show description (both long and short versions)
- Episode description template
- Author/host bio
- Press kit or media one-sheet
Technical setup
Hosting and distribution:
- Podcast host selected and account created
- RSS feed generated and tested
- Submitted to Apple Podcasts (allow 3-5 days for approval)
- Submitted to Spotify
- Submitted to additional directories (Google, Amazon, etc.)
Website preparation:
- Podcast landing page or website live
- Email capture form active
- Show notes pages ready for episodes
- Embedded players functioning
Audience building
Email list development:
- Email service provider set up
- Welcome sequence drafted
- Landing page with signup incentive
- Launch announcement emails drafted
Social media foundations:
- Accounts created on relevant platforms
- Consistent handles across platforms
- Initial content posted (not just "coming soon")
- Engaged with relevant communities
One Week Before Launch
The week before launch intensifies preparation and builds final anticipation.
Content readiness
Episode preparation:
- At least 3 episodes fully produced
- Episodes uploaded to hosting platform
- Show notes written for each episode
- Timestamps or chapters created
- Transcripts generated (for SEO and accessibility)
Promotional content:
- Trailer episode published
- Teaser clips created for social media
- Quote graphics designed
- Audiograms or video clips ready
Outreach preparation
Personal network:
- List of friends and family to notify
- Professional contacts to inform
- Direct message drafts ready
- Email announcement drafted
Collaborator coordination:
- Guests notified about their episode dates
- Cross-promotion partners confirmed
- Influencers or supporters briefed
- Media contacts identified
Platform verification
Final checks:
- Apple Podcasts listing approved and visible
- Spotify listing live
- RSS feed syncing correctly
- Website links all functional
- Email signup working properly
Launch Week Activities
Launch week requires concentrated effort. Plan your schedule to accommodate daily promotion tasks.
Launch day tasks
Morning launch activities:
- Verify all episodes are live across platforms
- Post launch announcement on all social channels
- Send email to subscriber list
- Personal messages to close supporters
- Update website to reflect live status
Throughout launch day:
- Monitor comments and respond quickly
- Share user reactions and early reviews
- Post behind-the-scenes content
- Engage with anyone mentioning the show
- Track initial download numbers
Days 2-7 activities
Daily tasks:
- Fresh social content each day
- Respond to all comments and messages
- Check and fix any technical issues
- Monitor analytics for platform performance
Engagement pushes:
- Request reviews from early listeners
- Share listener feedback publicly
- Post clip content highlighting different episodes
- Cross-post to relevant communities
Sustained outreach:
- Follow up with non-responsive contacts
- Reach out to additional networks
- Pitch to relevant newsletters or blogs
- Connect with other podcasters in your space
Review collection strategy
Reviews significantly impact discoverability, especially on Apple Podcasts.
Review collection tactics:
- Direct asks to supporters who listened
- Email follow-up to launch announcement
- Social media calls to action
- Personal requests to close contacts
- Review exchange with fellow podcasters (authentic reviews only)
For more on building early momentum, see our guide on getting your first 100 podcast downloads.
Post-Launch Momentum
The weeks following launch determine whether initial interest becomes sustained growth.
Week 2-4 activities
Content consistency:
- New episodes published on schedule
- Show notes optimized for each episode
- Social promotion for each new release
- Email updates to subscriber list
Audience development:
- Analyze which content resonates
- Engage with listener feedback
- Build relationships with early supporters
- Create content based on audience questions
Growth activities:
- Guest on other podcasts in your niche
- Continue outreach to media and blogs
- Participate in relevant online communities
- Explore cross-promotion opportunities
Month 2-3 adjustments
Performance analysis:
- Review episode performance data
- Identify most popular content
- Note audience drop-off points
- Assess which promotion channels work
Strategy refinement:
- Double down on effective channels
- Adjust content based on feedback
- Refine promotion messaging
- Set realistic ongoing goals
Platform-Specific Tasks
Different platforms require different approaches during launch.
Apple Podcasts
Launch optimization:
- Category selection optimized
- Episode titles search-friendly
- Description keyword-rich
- All episodes have complete metadata
Apple-specific considerations:
- New and Noteworthy potential during first 8 weeks
- Reviews weighted heavily in rankings
- Consistent publishing helps visibility
Spotify
Spotify optimization:
- Spotify for Podcasters account claimed
- Show claimed and verified
- Topics and categories selected
- Q&A and polls enabled
Spotify-specific tactics:
- Playlist submission for relevant Spotify playlists
- Video podcast option if applicable
- Integration with music playlists
YouTube
YouTube presence:
- Channel created and branded
- Trailer video uploaded
- Full episodes or highlights posted
- Descriptions optimized for search
YouTube growth tactics:
- Shorts from key moments
- Thumbnail optimization
- Playlist organization
- Community tab engagement
Measuring Launch Success
Define success metrics before launch so you can objectively evaluate performance.
Launch week benchmarks
Realistic expectations:
- First episode: 50-150 downloads (without existing audience)
- First week total: 100-500 downloads across all episodes
- Email subscribers: 50-200 from launch activities
- Reviews: 5-15 authentic reviews
Indicators of strong launch:
- Downloads increasing day over day
- Engagement on social posts
- Unprompted shares from listeners
- Listener messages or feedback
What to track
Download metrics:
- Total downloads per episode
- Downloads by platform
- Download velocity over time
- Geographic distribution
Engagement metrics:
- Reviews and ratings
- Social media mentions
- Email open rates
- Website traffic
Growth indicators:
- New subscriber rate
- Listener retention between episodes
- Community growth
- Word-of-mouth mentions
Red flags to address
Concerning patterns:
- No downloads beyond personal network
- Zero engagement on social posts
- No reviews despite requests
- High initial interest, rapid drop-off
Potential causes:
- Technical issues preventing discovery
- Content-market mismatch
- Insufficient promotion
- Quality issues affecting retention
FAQ
How many episodes should I launch with?
Launch with 3-5 episodes. This gives listeners enough content to decide if they like your show while demonstrating commitment. More than 5 episodes dilutes download metrics that affect charts. Fewer than 3 feels sparse and risks losing interested listeners who want more.
When is the best day to launch a podcast?
Tuesday through Thursday typically see higher podcast consumption. Avoid weekends and Mondays when competition is lower but so is listening. The best day depends on your audience—experiment and track what works. Consistency matters more than the specific day.
How long should my launch promotion period last?
Active launch promotion should last 2-3 weeks, with the most intensive effort during launch week. After that, shift to ongoing promotion patterns. The "launch" period for Apple's New and Noteworthy consideration lasts about 8 weeks, so maintain momentum through that window.
What if my launch doesn't go as planned?
Most podcasts don't have spectacular launches. What matters is trajectory, not starting point. If downloads are lower than expected, focus on content quality, consistent publishing, and gradual audience building. Many successful shows had unremarkable launches but grew steadily over months.
Should I spend money on launch promotion?
Not usually. Paid promotion works better once you've validated content and have strong retention. For launch, focus on organic tactics: personal network, cross-promotion, community engagement, and earned media. Save paid budget for accelerating what's already working.
Ready to Launch Your Podcast?
A structured launch gives your podcast the best chance at early momentum. Work through this checklist systematically, starting 2-4 weeks before your target launch date. Remember that launch is just the beginning—sustainable growth comes from consistent quality and ongoing promotion.
Once launched, your archive becomes your greatest asset for discovery. Every episode creates new entry points for potential listeners searching for your topics.
Try PodRewind free and make your entire archive searchable from day one.