Email open rates in podcasting average around 35–45% if you're doing well.
WhatsApp messages? Open rates above 90% are normal.
Most podcasters haven't considered WhatsApp as a listener communication channel — they think of it as a personal messaging app. But for direct, algorithm-free audience communication, nothing comes close.
Here's how the smartest shows are using it:
Episode drops — a short broadcast the morning an episode goes live. Not a wall of text. Just: "New episode is live 🎧 [Title] — link in bio / here's the link." Done.
Behind-the-scenes — occasional messages that feel personal. A voice note from the host. A photo from a recording session. Something that makes listeners feel like they're part of the show, not just consumers of it.
Exclusive access — early access to episodes, bonus content drops, or giveaway announcements go to the WhatsApp list first. It makes being on the list feel genuinely valuable.
The key rule: don't over-message. 1–2 times a week maximum. WhatsApp feels personal, so it should be used with intention — not as a broadcast spam channel.
Building a WhatsApp subscriber list from scratch requires a capture mechanism — usually a page where listeners can opt in, often tied to a giveaway or bonus offer. PodHype builds that page for every show they work with, so growing a WhatsApp list happens automatically as the audience engages
"The best marketing doesn't feel like marketing. It feels like a friend sending you something good."
We'll be back next week. Go be someone's good news.
To your growth,
The Podcast Tonight Team
P.S. If this isn’t for you but you know someone who’d be a great fit, please forward this email. We appreciate your support more than ever.