Buzzcast: "How To Get Listeners To Actually Do What You Ask"

Buzzsprout | March 20, 2026

Episode Overview

In this roundtable episode, the Buzzsprout team dives deep into the art and science of podcast calls to action (CTAs). They break down why most podcast CTAs underperform, how to make them more effective, and ways to experiment with placement and messaging. If you've ever wondered why your listeners seem to tune out at the most important moments, or if you want to boost engagement without sounding like a broken record, this episode is packed with insights and practical tips. The tone throughout is friendly, honest, and sometimes self-deprecating, reflecting real challenges faced by podcasters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Video Podcasting Updates (00:00 - 02:40)

• Apple's HLS Video Integration:
  Buzzsprout is moving forward with HLS video support after meetings with Apple, but no timeline yet. "We do intend to move forward with HLS support." (B, 01:19)
• Podcast Future:
  Buzzsprout remains focused on audio-first but is adapting as video podcasting rises in popularity.
• Sneak Previews:
  New features in Buzzsprout for fan mail and transcript editing are hinted at.

2. Defining Calls to Action in Podcasting (02:41 - 03:51)

• What is a CTA?
  Actions such as following, reviewing, signing up for newsletters, etc.
• Common Mistake:
  Overloading listeners with multiple asks at once—"Where we kind of run into problems is where they will ask for several things to happen." (A, 03:10)

3. Why Less Is More: The Power of a Single Ask (03:52 - 05:08)

• Avoid the 'Train of Asks':
  Too many asks make each one less effective and feel commercialized.
• Single Most Important Action:
  Always pick one clear, valuable action for each episode and focus all CTAs on it.

Notable Quote:
"The simplest thing to remember for a call to action is to have one ask." — A [04:13]

4. Intentional Placement and Planning (05:09 - 06:40)

• Don't 'Tack On' CTAs:
  Plan your CTA as part of the episode outline, not as an afterthought. Make it relevant and intentional.
• Special vs. Regular CTAs:
  Occasional giveaways or downloads are fine, but every episode should at least have a core, thoughtfully crafted ask.

5. CTA Fatigue: How Listeners Tune Out Repetition (06:41 - 08:31)

• 'Ear Blindness':
  Repeating the same CTA causes listeners to tune out (like becoming blind to household clutter).
• Keep It Fresh:
  Vary the ask or its context to bypass listener autopilot.

Memorable Moment:
“Like, your listeners develop a deafness to it. Like, it just. It falls upon deaf ears.” — A [07:16]

6. Making CTAs Compelling: The Benjamin Franklin Effect (08:32 - 10:14)

• What Is It?
  If someone does you a favor, they're more likely to think positively about you and do more favors in the future.
• Apply This to CTAs:
  Frame your request as a favor, explain why it matters, and connect emotionally.

Notable Quote:
"So instead of saying, like, leave us review, you can say, you know, if you enjoy this podcast, leaving a quick review really helps us to keep growing." — A [09:40]

7. Crafting a Strong CTA Formula (10:15 - 12:07)

• Three Elements:
  1. Why should I care?
  2. What should I do?
  3. Where do I do it?
• Give Context and Benefit:
  Make the benefit clear—don't just ask blindly.

8. CTA Variety: Mix Up Wording and Placement (12:08 - 14:21)

• Refresh Messaging:
  Say the same CTA in different ways, in various places within the episode, to avoid listener fatigue.
• Where to Place CTAs:
  • Beginning: Best for guaranteed exposure, but listeners haven’t received value yet—may forget.
  • Middle: Most effective; listeners are engaged but may be multitasking.
  • End: Least effective, as many listeners drop off.

Analogy:
"It's kind of like Duck Hunt where like, if the ducks all came out at the same time, every single game, it won't be as exciting." — A [12:39]

9. Experimentation and Use of Retention Data (14:22 - 18:39)

• Try Different Placements:
  Test CTA effectiveness at different points in the episode.
• Review Analytics:
  Use listener retention data (from Spotify, Apple, YouTube) to identify where listeners drop off and adjust CTA placement accordingly.
• Beware of Predictable Placement:
  Ads or CTAs in the same spot cause noticeable dip in retention.

Insight:
“There's this little, like, it's like someone took like a shovel and just scooped out my listener retention.” — A [18:25]

10. Creative Solutions for Multiple Actions (18:40 - 20:08)

• Funnel All Actions to Your Website:
  Direct listeners to a central website or landing page where all your links live (newsletter, social, reviews, merch, etc.). This solves the "multiple CTA" issue.
• Rotate How the CTA Is Framed:
  Vary benefit statements to see what works best for driving traffic.

11. Summary of Best Practices (20:09 - End)

• One Clear CTA:
  Tie it to episode value, make it specific, and put it where listeners are paying attention.
• Preview of Next Episode:
  Asking listeners (with a CTA) to share where they find their next podcast binge for follow-up discussion.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Planning CTAs:
  "A good call to action requires forethought and planning...there should be a part of that process where you're coming up with, what is the one thing that I wanna ask people who are listening to do?" — B [05:12]

• On Listener Behavior:
  "Oftentimes a lot of your listeners, there could be hours in between them hearing the first [CTA] and the second one, or days." — B [16:23]

• On Reviewing Analytics:
  "Look at that and figure out, like, hey, do I need to switch things up and kind of like, you know, blindside people, take them by surprise with my call to action." — A [18:38]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 - 02:40: Buzzsprout's video podcasting updates & sneak previews
• 02:41 - 03:51: Defining calls to action & common mistakes
• 03:52 - 06:40: The importance of a single, intentional ask
• 06:41 - 08:31: 'Ear blindness'/CTA fatigue and how to combat it
• 08:32 - 10:14: The Benjamin Franklin Effect and its application to CTAs
• 10:15 - 14:21: Crafting effective CTAs and experimenting with placement
• 14:22 - 18:39: Testing different placements, using analytics
• 18:40 - 20:08: Effective funneling of multiple asks via your website
• 20:09 - End: Recap, next episode preview, closing CTA

Takeaways for Podcasters

• Be intentional: Choose one clear CTA per episode and tie it to episode value.
• Mix it up: Vary language and placement to avoid listener "deafness."
• Leverage psychology: Use the Benjamin Franklin effect—appeal for a favor and explain why it matters.
• Use data: Retention analytics can reveal the best CTA placement.
• Simplify the ask: Funnel all calls to action to a single landing page when you have multiple needs.
• Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new approaches and monitor results.

This summary captures the vibrant, practical spirit of the Buzzcast episode, giving you actionable steps and strategic insights for CTAs in podcasting—even if you’ve never listened before.