How can podcasters create a call to action with their voice and tone?

When I started my podcast over 5 years ago, I was super intentional about asking for ratings and reviews, as well as giving shout outs from pest reviewers. Showcasing people who have given reviews — in my case, in a fun and engaging way that matches the Brainy content — makes it so others are encouraged to leave reviews too (social proof — as a herding species we like to know that others have already been there and liked that). Try to keep your voice the same when you say your CTA as the rest of your content so it doesn’t feel disconnected for the audience. Even if you feel a little weird about it, people are used to it. Try it out and just be you!

Definitely keep your voice the same for your CTA, and be authentic. If it sounds pre-recorded and automated, it will turn people off. Nothing wrong with a pre-recording, but be yourself and don’t change anything. Be authentic and humble during your CTA, especially when asking for likes, follows, and reviews. Tell the listener what those things do to support the show and how it spreads the word, especially if your podcast has a purpose (veteran support, awareness, etc.). That “buy-in” helps legitimize your CTA.

Be yourself. A great question that has helped me and other podcasters I've mentored is, "How would my voice and tone sound if I was being wholly and completely myself?" Then, take a deep breath, and press record. ??

An essential type of CTA that is rarely talked about, is a CTA that gives your listener a deeper understanding of who you are and what you value. Podcasting is a very intimate medium. You are in your listeners' ear while they are in their home, in their car, in their sacred space. Do NOT take this lightly. Since I want to connect with my listeners on a deeply "human" level, my CTA reflects that. We are here on this planet to help each other, so at the end of each episode I say, "If this episode has been helpful for you, please share it. If this was helpful for you, it's probably going to be helpful for someone else. So please pass it along."

The only way you can get data about what listeners think of your podcast is to ASK and have an easy mechanism for people to share with you. Even when negative feedback hurts (it will!) look for the truth in it and try to have a calm head when you evaluate what steps to take. Your brain will want to rebel and that’s natural, but, try to step away from who you are as the creator of the show. If you were a listener, how would you feel about whatever this person is talking about? And, know that for the most part, even negative feedback is coming from someone who wants to like you and wants you to succeed. Listen and implement what makes sense (and if you don’t want to do something know you don’t have to, but at least consider it).

Don’t worry about what other people do — ask why you are doing this podcast. What do you want it to do for you? If it is part of a business, what is the goal? Who are you hoping will listen, and what will they do with you ideally? The CTA for your show doesn’t have to be like everyone else. Limit what you ask for to make it easy for people to remember (don’t ask for 32 different things) and be sure it lines up with what the listener values and what is the next logical step for your business. Unconventional CTAs are fun! What will yours be?