166: Grow Your Podcast Audience Through Collaboration

If you’ve been showing up week after week, producing high-quality podcast episodes and wondering why your audience isn’t growing as fast as you’d like, here’s a truth bomb: You might be missing your most powerful (and free) growth strategy—collaboration.

In this third part of the Grow Your Podcast series, I’m breaking down how to grow your podcast audience by tapping into the power of collaboration. Whether it’s guest swaps, cross-promotion, or working with influencers in your space, these creative strategies help you borrow trust, expand your reach, and attract aligned listeners—without ever boosting a post or running an ad.

Let’s dive into why collaboration works, what types you should consider, and how to get the most out of each opportunity.

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

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Why Podcast Collaborations Are So Effective

Collaborations are one of the most underused (but wildly effective) ways to grow a podcast audience.

When you collaborate with another podcaster, brand, or influencer, you’re not just gaining exposure—you’re borrowing trust. Their audience already sees them as a trusted source. So when they introduce you, that credibility rubs off. That’s a much warmer introduction than a cold ad ever could be.

If you’re feeling stuck trying to grow your show alone, consider this your sign: Collaboration might just be the strategy you’ve been missing.

3 Powerful Ways to Collaborate for Podcast Growth

1. Guest Swaps with Other Podcasters

One of the simplest and most mutually beneficial collaborations is the classic guest swap. You appear on their show, and they appear on yours. You both get to share your expertise and gain exposure to each other’s audiences.

But a quick word of advice: Not every guest pitch needs to be a swap. Focus on fit—make sure the collaboration serves both audiences well. And if you’re guesting on another show, go in with a clear CTA (like inviting their listeners to your podcast or lead magnet).

2. Co-Branded Podcast Series or Episodes

Take your collaboration a step further with co-branded content. This could look like:

A joint episode released on both podcast feeds
A multi-part series that encourages listeners to bounce between shows
A content swap—where you each produce episodes that air on each other’s shows weeks apart

These creative formats not only build buzz but also encourage listeners to hit that subscribe button on more than one feed.

3. Partnerships with Influencers or Experts

Not all collaborations need to be podcaster-to-podcaster. Think about the experts or influencers in your niche who could promote your podcast—even if they don’t have one of their own.

Ideas include:

Cross-promoting in each other’s newsletters
Featuring their content in your show, and vice versa
Tagging and collaborating on social media reels or carousel posts

The key is to approach this from a “how can we both win?” perspective—and always make it easy for them to say yes.

Let’s Talk About the Guest-Sharing Myth

Here’s a little tough love: You can’t rely on your guests to be your main source of podcast growth.

Yes, it’s nice when they share their episodes. But not all guests will, and you don’t control their marketing schedule. Instead, make it impossible not to share.

💡 Pro tips:

Provide easy-to-use graphics, captions, and links
Be upfront if you plan to tag them or add them as a collaborator
Promote the episode consistently for weeks—not just on launch day
Recap or repost their episode in monthly roundups

Remember: Your guest’s job isn’t to promote your show. It’s your job to make it easy (and irresistible) for them to want to.

How to Maximize the Impact of Your Collaborations

Once the episode airs, don’t let the collaboration stop there. Here’s how to keep the momentum going:

Cross-promote beyond the podcast: Do giveaways, email list swaps, or shared social media shoutouts
Repurpose across platforms: Turn your episode into a blog post (like this one!), reels, audiograms, or even a newsletter feature
Get creative with content: Behind-the-scenes footage, short-form collabs, or trending audio clips can create a splash
Track your results: Monitor what’s working (and what’s not) so you can refine your strategy going forward

Podcast collaboration should be a long game, not a one-and-done. The more you nurture the relationship, the more it can grow your audience over time.

Don’t Let Audience Size Hold You Back

Here’s the truth: You don’t need a massive following to land powerful collaborations. What matters most is alignment.

If you’ve got something valuable to say and your audience overlaps with theirs—even just a little—that’s all you need to start. Pitch with confidence, deliver high-value content, and be clear on the benefit for both sides.

🎙️ What’s Next?

In part four of the Grow Your Podcast series, we’ll be talking about paid podcast growth strategies—including podcast player ads, social media ads, and creative sponsorships. I’ll break down what works, what to avoid, and how to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your budget.

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