Why Are Podcast Calls-to-Action Important?

I really want to dig into the reasons why I believe everyone should have CTAs. Even if you’re only going to podcast for fun or you have zero ambition to create a business around your podcast, you should still have calls-to-action.

Here’s why:

They set listener expectations.

I know I have told this story many many times, but I’m going to tell it again. There was a podcast – that shall remain nameless – that I used to listen to a few years ago. They kept saying over and over again, “You will never hear ads on the show…We will never have ads on the show…I promise you, you will never, ever, ever, ever, EVER hear ads on this show…”

(I’m being a little dramatic with that last statement, but they did keep saying it over and over again.)

And then one day, you guessed it! They had ads on their show!

This is a podcast I of course no longer listen to, but the lesson I learned from them has been invaluable as a podcaster today.

You want to make sure that you are setting expectations for your listeners from the very beginning of your podcast. Even if you have a small audience. Even if you don’t plan to monetize your show for a long time. Even if you believe you are bothering your audience.

You need to have podcast calls-to-action!

Why? Because listeners like to be told what to do.

I know that sounds like a funny statement but stick with me here for a second. I listen to many podcasts. And a lot of them will have additional resources that support the episode they are creating.