Tulip Podcast Manager 🎙️ Bojana Lalic

Every podcaster dreams of getting the recognition they deserve, and one of the best ways to do that is by winning a podcasting award. Winning a podcasting award can elevate your show, increase credibility, and provide a huge boost in visibility.

But how do you go about earning one of these prestigious accolades?

In this blog post, we’ll explore the steps you can take to increase your chances of winning a podcasting award, what you need to focus on, and some of the key podcasting awards and organizations you should know about.

Why Winning a Podcasting Award Matters

Why It Matters

Podcasts are rapidly growing in popularity, and as more shows hit the airwaves, competition becomes tougher. Earning a podcasting award not only validates your hard work but also brings more attention to your podcast. It can lead to increased listenership, more opportunities for guest appearances, sponsorships, and collaborations, and helps you build authority in your niche.

How It Helps

Increased Visibility: Awards attract attention to your podcast, allowing you to reach new listeners.

Credibility and Trust: Winning an award shows that industry professionals recognize your work.

Opportunities for Growth: It opens doors for interviews, collaborations, and networking with other top podcasters.

When a show wins an award like the Podcast Academy’s Ambies (The Podcast Academy’s awards), it’s an automatic credibility booster, letting listeners know the podcast is not only popular but highly regarded by industry professionals.

Choose the Right Podcast Award for You

Why It Matters

There are numerous podcasting awards available, so it’s crucial to identify which ones align with your podcast’s genre, reach, and overall impact. You don’t need to aim for every award—select the ones that resonate most with your audience and the work you’re doing.

Popular Podcasting Awards and Organizations

The Ambies (Podcast Academy Awards): Known as the “Oscars of podcasting,” The Ambies celebrate excellence across various podcast genres, including Best Podcast, Best Host, and Best Narrative.

Webby Awards: The Webby Awards honors excellence on the internet and has categories for podcasts in both general and niche markets.

People’s Choice Podcast Awards: Voted on by listeners, this is a popular award that allows your audience to show their love for your podcast.

British Podcast Awards: If you’re based in the UK, this is a great platform to showcase your podcast. They have categories across different genres, from comedy to culture and lifestyle.

Podcast Movement’s Podcast Awards: One of the largest podcasting events that includes awards for outstanding content, audio quality, and social impact.

How to Do It

Research: Take the time to look into each award’s criteria and eligibility.

Focus on Genre Alignment: If you’re a true crime podcaster, for example, look for awards that honor that niche.

Understand the Submission Process: Each award will have a different process for submitting, whether it’s through an application, nomination, or listener vote.

Perfect Your Podcast’s Quality

Why It Matters

The main factor in winning any award is the quality of your podcast. Podcasters must offer outstanding content, audio quality, and a solid, consistent publishing schedule. Awards aren’t just about the message—you also need to make sure your podcast is professionally produced.

How to Do It

Focus on Content: Your content needs to be engaging, unique, and informative. Is your podcast providing value to your listeners? Are you filling a gap in the podcasting space with your topics? These are questions judges will ask.

Invest in Sound Quality: A good mic and audio editing software are essential. High-quality sound is a must if you want to stand out.

Consistent Publishing: Award-winning podcasts often publish consistently, which shows dedication and reliability. Try to keep a regular schedule so judges can evaluate your commitment to your craft.

Podcasts like Serial and TED Talks Daily stand out not only because of their content but also due to their high production values. These shows invest in professional sound editing, ensuring a clear and engaging listening experience.

Submit Your Best Episodes for Consideration

Why It Matters

You can’t win an award by submitting just any episode. Judges typically look for the best of the best. Think of it like submitting your strongest work for a job interview or art competition—your podcast episodes should showcase the very best of what you’ve done.

How to Do It

Select Impactful Episodes: Choose episodes that have garnered attention, great listener feedback, or have received recognition. Pick episodes that align with the categories you’re applying for.

Focus on Relevance: Submit episodes that are relevant to the award categories. For example, if you’re applying for a storytelling award, submit your most compelling narrative-driven episodes.

If you’re submitting to the Podcast Academy’s Ambies for Best Narrative Podcast, your submission should focus on a gripping, well-edited episode that tells a powerful story, leaving a lasting impression on the listener.

Be Authentic and Align with the Award’s Values

Why It Matters

Podcasts that win awards are often the ones that align with the values and mission of the award itself. Being authentic and staying true to your podcast’s mission is key to standing out in the selection process. Award organizations look for shows that bring value to their listeners, are innovative, and make a positive impact.

How to Do It

Stay True to Your Brand: Ensure your submission reflects the core values of your podcast. Are you promoting a positive message? Are you educating or inspiring others? Make sure the award you’re submitting to aligns with your podcast’s mission.

Show Your Impact: Awards like the Webby Awards or People’s Choice Podcast Awards value podcasts that have a genuine impact on their community or society. If your show tackles important issues or sparks meaningful conversations, highlight that.

A podcast like The Daily by The New York Times is often nominated for awards because of its journalistic integrity and the impact it has on listeners’ understanding of current events.

Winning a podcasting award can significantly boost your podcast’s visibility and credibility. It’s not an easy feat, but by focusing on content quality, consistency, and alignment with award categories, you can increase your chances of success.

Remember that you don’t have to win right away. Awards are a long-term game, and the more consistent you are with submitting quality content and engaging with your audience, the more likely you’ll eventually be recognized.

So, start by researching the best awards for your show, perfect your podcast’s content and sound quality, and submit your best work. Who knows? The next big award-winning podcast could be yours!

Have you submitted your podcast for awards?

What’s your experience been like?

Let me know in the comments, or connect with me to talk about ways to get your podcast nominated and recognized!