If you’ve ever stared at a blank episode planner wondering, “Is this even what my audience wants to hear?” you’re not alone.
Creating podcast content that truly connects starts with knowing what your listeners care about. Not just what you want to say, but what they actually want to hear, share, and act on.
Let’s walk through 7 simple, smart ways to figure out exactly what your audience wants to hear.
1. Start With the Questions You Keep Getting
If people are already asking you questions in your DMs, comment sections, or live events, that’s a strong signal.
Example: If you’re a career coach and people keep asking about “quiet quitting,” you already have an episode topic.
Use a spreadsheet or a Notion doc to collect these over time.
2. Ask Directly (Use Polls and Questions)
Sometimes the easiest way to know what your audience wants to hear is to just ask. Use:
- Instagram Stories with the question or poll sticker
- Twitter polls
- Typeform for longer surveys
- Simple WhatsApp or Telegram group check-ins
Keep the questions short:
“What are you struggling with this week?”
“Which topic would you rather hear about next?”
3. Check What’s Already Working
Look at your own podcast stats:
- Which episodes had the most downloads?
- Which got the most replies or shares?
- What did you post on social that sparked replies?
You can check which quotes or clips you got from using pllugg for past episodes performed best, those give you clues about what your audience wants to hear more of.
4. Go Where They Already Hang Out
If your audience hangs out on Reddit, Twitter, TikTok, or Facebook groups, listen there. These days it’s WhatsApp.
For example:
- Search subreddits like r/podcasting, r/femalepodcasters, or niche communities
- Type your topic into Quora and read what people ask
- Join Discord servers or communities where your listeners live
Note what topics show up repeatedly, and what language they use.
5. Use Google’s Auto-Suggest and Forums
Go to Google and type in a topic you’re considering.
Example: “How to start a business podcast…”
Look at:
- Auto-complete suggestions
- “People Also Ask” box
- Forums like Podchaser or Podcast Guests
This shows real-world questions, not just theory.
6. Trust Your Gut But Validate It
If you’re excited to talk about something, go for it. But before you record, run a quick validation check:
- Did someone ask about this?
- Did I see it online recently?
- Would someone nod while listening?
The best podcast episodes happen when your excitement overlaps with what your audience wants to hear.
Final Takeaway
Knowing what your audience wants to hear isn’t guesswork. It’s a mix of listening, asking, and using tools that help you track signals.
When in doubt, start with real questions. The clearer your content feels to them, the more they’ll stay, share, and come back for more.
If you want help turning those insights into quotes, blogs, and posts, let pllugg help you create and repurpose with ease for free.
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