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Transcript9 lines

[00:00]
A
Hey, before we start the show, I
[00:02]
B
just want to let you know I'm
[00:03]
A
starting a live six week class June 3rd.
[00:07]
B
I'll tell you more about it at the end of the show. We are always in a hurry to promote our podcast, and often we take steps that come back to haunt us when there's a very easy thing you can do to do it the right way.
[00:23]
C
Welcome to your podcast consultant. Small lessons with big value. With more than a decade of experience and many millions of downloads, this hall of fame podcaster is a featured speaker, author, and mentor to thousands. Now he wants to work with you. He's your podcast consultant, Dave Jackson.
[00:48]
B
So I was on Reddit and there was somebody who has a Little House on the Prairie podcast. I guess they're gonna reboot that show. And they went in and said, hey, I'm doing a show. Here's where it is, yada, yada, yada. This is what is called self promotion. And almost every Facebook group, almost every Reddit, says, hey, you can't do that. Now why is that? Because when you get a couple thousand people, in some cases tens and twenties and hundreds of thousands of people, and they all go, go, listen to my podcast, that form has no value. It's just, listen to my podcast. Listen to my podcast. Listen to my podcast. No, no, listen to my podcast. And there's a very, very simple solution to this. Find out who the moderator is. Now, I know. Oh, my gosh, I want you to do some work. Yeah, I know. It's not hard. You can usually go in there and see who the moderators are and then go to them and say, hey, I'm going to do a show about Little House on the Prairie. This is a forum about the TV show Little House on the Prairie. Is there any way I could mention this in the group without being banned? And in some cases they will mention it. In some cases they will say no. And when that happens, realize there are like 8 billion zillion other places you can promote your podcast. And here's something else you might want to throw in while you're talking to the administrator of the Facebook group of the Reddit whatever. Hey, would you be interested, as you are the moderator of the. Whatever subject you're in, would you want to come on my podcast? Because you know who's likely to promote an episode of the podcast would be the administrator where they are on the show. There's a novel idea. It's not that hard. Now you have to take, I don't know, two minutes to figure out who the Moderator is, et cetera, et cetera. My favorite self promotion story is this was before Facebook group. So this was a while ago. Again, I started in 2005 and I found a forum online for ex radio DJs. And I walked in and I was like, I swear I heard voices like angels singing. And I was like, oh my gosh, this is my target audience. These are people that want to get back on the air. And so I signed up for the forum, I went in and my very first post was, hey, I'm Dave Jackson from the school of Podcasting. If you want to get back on the air, I can get you in front of a global audience. Follow me to the school of podcasting. And I was banned in about 20 minutes. Why? Because it was self promotion, better known as spam in many cases, where if I'd gone in and made some friends. That's why we say when it comes to growing your show, the steps are number one. Make a show that people want to hear and then go to where they are, make friends with them, and then tell them about your show. And there are things you can do. Like in my latest episode, I talked about this subject. But don't put a link. And then anyone who really wants to know about that subject will probably click on your name in the forum or group. And then you better have a link to your website in your bio or in your profile so they can click on it. And then hopefully it's easy to find the podcast on your website. But don't self promote. You're just going to get banned. And then I see this in Reddit, probably twice a month, somebody complaining that they did self promotion and got banned. Well, yeah, read the rules when you go into different Facebook groups. Especially I had a Facebook group for Podpage and it said clearly in there, no self promotion. And there are people that don't care. They come in and the very first thing is, listen to my show. Here's the link. And you just have to go in and ban them. And that's the way it is again, because if we let everybody do that, the form would be absolutely useless. The Facebook group, the Reddit, it just people are there to learn from each other. And I know you're gonna go, yeah, but you can learn from my podcast. It just, I'm here to tell you there are different Reddits. Where like there's one, I think it's guest exchange. And it's just people going, I am somebody that does this. I would love to be on your podcast. Then somebody else is Like I do a podcast about this. I'm looking for people who do this and that's one way. There are also things like podmatch and podcast guests, things like that. But just keep in mind, if you want to get yourself kicked out of a forum really easy, just go in and self promote. And instead maybe you should reach out and ask for permission. And while you're there, ask the moderator if they'd like to come on your show. If you need more help with growing your podcast, we've got lots of ideas, lots of resources, and an amazing community over at the School of Podcasting. And use the coupon code listnr when you sign up and that will save you on either a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription. I'm Dave Jackson. I help podcasters. It's what I've been doing for over 20 years and I'd love to see what we could do together because I want to be your podcast consultant.
[07:02]
A
Are you dreaming of starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? Podcasting in six weeks gives you a clear step by step path to go from idea to to launch with confidence. This practical course is designed to help you create, record, edit, publish and promote your podcast in just six weeks. Now, whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by the technical side, you'll get the guidance, structure and tools you need to launch a podcast that sounds professional and reaches the right audience. When you're ready to stop overthinking. When you're ready to start podcasting, join Podcasting in six weeks today and turn your voice, your ideas and expertise into a show people want to hear. The best part is it's only a dollar.
[07:54]
B
Check it out.
[07:55]
A
Classes start June 3rd. Go to schoolofpodcasting.com 6.

Summary4 min read

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Your Podcast Consultant: Podcast Tips To Avoid Podcasting Mistakes
Host: Dave Jackson
Episode: How to Promote Your Podcast in Groups Without Getting Banned
Date: May 29, 2026
Duration: ~8 minutes (ads and promos omitted)

Episode Overview

In this packed episode, Dave Jackson tackles a common podcaster dilemma: how to share your podcast in online groups (like Facebook or Reddit) without running the risk of being banned for self-promotion. Drawing from his personal experiences and industry insights, Dave breaks down the etiquette, strategy, and actionable steps you need to maximize group exposure the right way, while also building relationships and credibility.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Group Self-Promotion is Usually Banned

Groups as Communities, Not Billboards:
Dave highlights that groups exist for members to discuss shared interests—not to be swamped by self-promotion.
- “When you get a couple thousand people, in some cases tens and twenties and hundreds of thousands of people, and they all go, go, listen to my podcast, that form has no value.” (01:07)
Result of Unchecked Promotion:
If everyone posts their podcasts, the forum quickly loses its usefulness and sense of community.

2. The Simple Solution: Engage Moderators

Find and Contact Moderators:
Before sharing your show, identify who runs the group or forum.
- “Find out who the moderator is. Now, I know. Oh, my gosh, I want you to do some work. Yeah, I know. It's not hard.” (02:00)
Ask for Permission:
Politely ask if it’s okay to mention your show or share it in the group.
- “Is there any way I could mention this in the group without being banned?” (02:19)
Bonus Opportunity:
While reaching out, invite the moderator to be a guest on your podcast.
- “You know who's likely to promote an episode of the podcast would be the administrator where they are on the show. There's a novel idea.” (02:48)

3. A Personal Lesson in Poor Self-Promotion

Dave’s Forum Story:
Dave shares his experience of being immediately banned from an online forum for ex-radio DJs for direct self-promotion.
- “My very first post was, hey, I'm Dave Jackson from the School of Podcasting… And I was banned in about 20 minutes. Why? Because it was self promotion, better known as spam.” (03:33)

4. The Correct Approach to Community Engagement

The Three-Step Process:
1. Make a show people want to hear.
2. Go to where your listeners are.
3. Make friends with them before pitching your show.
- “Number one. Make a show that people want to hear and then go to where they are, make friends with them, and then tell them about your show.” (04:12)
Subtle Promotion Tactics:
- Reference your show in context (e.g. “In my latest episode, I talked about this topic”) without dropping links.
- Ensure your forum bio/profile links to your podcast for curious group members.
- “Don't put a link. And then anyone who really wants to know about that subject will probably click on your name in the forum or group… so they can click on it.” (04:27)

5. Repeat Offenders and Clear Group Policies

Enforcing the Rules:
Dave recalls administering his own Facebook group and needing to ban people who ignored no-promotion rules.
- “There are people that don't care. They come in and the very first thing is, listen to my show. Here's the link. And you just have to go in and ban them.” (05:06)
Reason for Strict Rules:
Without these guidelines, groups would devolve into useless self-promotion-fests:
- “If we let everybody do that, the form would be absolutely useless.” (05:19)

6. Alternatives & Acceptable Promotion Spaces

Dedicated Groups for Promotion:
Some forums (like “Guest Exchange”) exist solely for finding/recruiting podcast guests and self-promotion—use these instead.
- “There are different Reddits… guest exchange… That’s one way. There are also things like podmatch and podcast guests.” (05:38)

7. Key Takeaways

Self-promotion = Quickest Way to Get Banned:
- “If you want to get yourself kicked out of a forum really easy, just go in and self promote.” (06:05)
Best Practices:
- Build relationships.
- Ask for permission.
- Find the right forums for promotion.
- Invite moderators/admins as guests for win-win collaborations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On self-promo backlash:
“I see this in Reddit, probably twice a month, somebody complaining that they did self promotion and got banned. Well, yeah, read the rules when you go into different Facebook groups.” (04:57)
On building group value:
“People are there to learn from each other. And I know you're gonna go, yeah, but you can learn from my podcast. It just, I'm here to tell you…” (05:21)
On outreach mindset:
“Maybe you should reach out and ask for permission. And while you're there, ask the moderator if they'd like to come on your show.” (06:12)

Important Timestamps

01:07: Why group self-promotion is usually banned
02:00: How to find and engage moderators
03:33: Dave’s personal ban experience
04:12: Three-step process for ethical outreach
05:06: Enforcing no-promotion rules in Facebook groups
05:38: Alternative communities designed for self-promo
06:05: Summary of how to get banned and what to do instead

Bottom Line

Dave Jackson gives a concise, actionable lesson: Don’t self-promote in communities where it’s unwelcome. Instead, respect group norms, build relationships, and look for win-win opportunities such as featuring moderators on your show. Always seek permission first, and seek out groups where promotion is expressly allowed or encouraged.

For further guidance, Dave encourages listeners to explore the School of Podcasting and join the supportive podcaster community there.

Loading summary

Transcript9 lines

[00:00]
A
Hey, before we start the show, I
[00:02]
B
just want to let you know I'm
[00:03]
A
starting a live six week class June 3rd.
[00:07]
B
I'll tell you more about it at the end of the show. We are always in a hurry to promote our podcast, and often we take steps that come back to haunt us when there's a very easy thing you can do to do it the right way.
[00:23]
C
Welcome to your podcast consultant. Small lessons with big value. With more than a decade of experience and many millions of downloads, this hall of fame podcaster is a featured speaker, author, and mentor to thousands. Now he wants to work with you. He's your podcast consultant, Dave Jackson.
[00:48]
B
So I was on Reddit and there was somebody who has a Little House on the Prairie podcast. I guess they're gonna reboot that show. And they went in and said, hey, I'm doing a show. Here's where it is, yada, yada, yada. This is what is called self promotion. And almost every Facebook group, almost every Reddit, says, hey, you can't do that. Now why is that? Because when you get a couple thousand people, in some cases tens and twenties and hundreds of thousands of people, and they all go, go, listen to my podcast, that form has no value. It's just, listen to my podcast. Listen to my podcast. Listen to my podcast. No, no, listen to my podcast. And there's a very, very simple solution to this. Find out who the moderator is. Now, I know. Oh, my gosh, I want you to do some work. Yeah, I know. It's not hard. You can usually go in there and see who the moderators are and then go to them and say, hey, I'm going to do a show about Little House on the Prairie. This is a forum about the TV show Little House on the Prairie. Is there any way I could mention this in the group without being banned? And in some cases they will mention it. In some cases they will say no. And when that happens, realize there are like 8 billion zillion other places you can promote your podcast. And here's something else you might want to throw in while you're talking to the administrator of the Facebook group of the Reddit whatever. Hey, would you be interested, as you are the moderator of the. Whatever subject you're in, would you want to come on my podcast? Because you know who's likely to promote an episode of the podcast would be the administrator where they are on the show. There's a novel idea. It's not that hard. Now you have to take, I don't know, two minutes to figure out who the Moderator is, et cetera, et cetera. My favorite self promotion story is this was before Facebook group. So this was a while ago. Again, I started in 2005 and I found a forum online for ex radio DJs. And I walked in and I was like, I swear I heard voices like angels singing. And I was like, oh my gosh, this is my target audience. These are people that want to get back on the air. And so I signed up for the forum, I went in and my very first post was, hey, I'm Dave Jackson from the school of Podcasting. If you want to get back on the air, I can get you in front of a global audience. Follow me to the school of podcasting. And I was banned in about 20 minutes. Why? Because it was self promotion, better known as spam in many cases, where if I'd gone in and made some friends. That's why we say when it comes to growing your show, the steps are number one. Make a show that people want to hear and then go to where they are, make friends with them, and then tell them about your show. And there are things you can do. Like in my latest episode, I talked about this subject. But don't put a link. And then anyone who really wants to know about that subject will probably click on your name in the forum or group. And then you better have a link to your website in your bio or in your profile so they can click on it. And then hopefully it's easy to find the podcast on your website. But don't self promote. You're just going to get banned. And then I see this in Reddit, probably twice a month, somebody complaining that they did self promotion and got banned. Well, yeah, read the rules when you go into different Facebook groups. Especially I had a Facebook group for Podpage and it said clearly in there, no self promotion. And there are people that don't care. They come in and the very first thing is, listen to my show. Here's the link. And you just have to go in and ban them. And that's the way it is again, because if we let everybody do that, the form would be absolutely useless. The Facebook group, the Reddit, it just people are there to learn from each other. And I know you're gonna go, yeah, but you can learn from my podcast. It just, I'm here to tell you there are different Reddits. Where like there's one, I think it's guest exchange. And it's just people going, I am somebody that does this. I would love to be on your podcast. Then somebody else is Like I do a podcast about this. I'm looking for people who do this and that's one way. There are also things like podmatch and podcast guests, things like that. But just keep in mind, if you want to get yourself kicked out of a forum really easy, just go in and self promote. And instead maybe you should reach out and ask for permission. And while you're there, ask the moderator if they'd like to come on your show. If you need more help with growing your podcast, we've got lots of ideas, lots of resources, and an amazing community over at the School of Podcasting. And use the coupon code listnr when you sign up and that will save you on either a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription. I'm Dave Jackson. I help podcasters. It's what I've been doing for over 20 years and I'd love to see what we could do together because I want to be your podcast consultant.
[07:02]
A
Are you dreaming of starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? Podcasting in six weeks gives you a clear step by step path to go from idea to to launch with confidence. This practical course is designed to help you create, record, edit, publish and promote your podcast in just six weeks. Now, whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by the technical side, you'll get the guidance, structure and tools you need to launch a podcast that sounds professional and reaches the right audience. When you're ready to stop overthinking. When you're ready to start podcasting, join Podcasting in six weeks today and turn your voice, your ideas and expertise into a show people want to hear. The best part is it's only a dollar.
[07:54]
B
Check it out.
[07:55]
A
Classes start June 3rd. Go to schoolofpodcasting.com 6.