In today's digital age, podcasting has become a powerful medium for sharing stories, information, and knowledge with a global audience. However, with the increasing popularity of podcasts, it has become crucial for podcasters to find innovative ways to grow their audience and stand out in a crowded market. One effective strategy that many podcasters are turning to is leveraging paid ads to expand their reach and visibility. In this episode, Megan Shields and I dive into the power of paid ads. Megan, a paid ads expert specializing in podcast advertising, shares valuable insights on how podcasters can effectively use paid ads to grow their audience and elevate their podcasting journey. Podcast Success Vault: The Podcast Success Vault, a new membership by VOLT Productions, offers podcasters a lifeline for starting, growing, and monetizing their shows. From simplifying the podcasting journey to providing comprehensive resources and expert guidance, the membership aims to empower podcasters at every stage of their podcasting career. Fundamentals of Paid Ads for Podcasts: Megan delves into the fundamentals of leveraging paid ads for podcasts, emphasizing the importance of understanding the strategy behind using ads to enhance audience growth. She discusses the significance of setting up essential elements such as business manager accounts, Facebook pixels, and audience targeting for effective ad campaigns. Knowledge Gap and Intimidation Factor: Megan addresses the common knowledge gap and intimidation factor that podcasters may face when considering paid ads. She highlights the misconception around leveraging ads solely for sponsorships and emphasizes the impactful role that Facebook and Instagram advertising can play in reaching a wider audience. Ad Spend and Strategy: When it comes to ad spend, Megan provides valuable insights on budget-friendly ad strategies that can kickstart podcast growth without breaking the bank. She stresses the importance of choosing the right campaign objectives and how even a modest investment in paid ads can yield significant results in audience growth and engagement. Launching Phase and Campaign Objectives: Megan explores the idea of leveraging paid ads during the launch phase of a podcast, recommending the use of signup pages and waitlists to build an email list for future engagement. She also discusses the importance of testing different ad strategies, from directing traffic to websites to promoting specific podcast episodes, to optimize audience engagement and conversion. As podcasting continues to evolve as a prominent form of content creation, leveraging paid ads has become a strategic imperative for podcasters looking to expand their reach and amplify their message. Megan Shields' insights shed light on the potential of paid ads in driving podcast growth and engagement, offering a roadmap for podcasters to navigate the realm of advertising with confidence and clarity. Learn about: 0:00 Intro 0:20 Podcast Success Vault 3:27 Why leverage podcast ads specifically 5:03 Is there a knowledge gap about paid ads especially with DIY podcasters 8:14 How to set up your Facebook and Instagram accounts for ads 10:37 Understanding Meta’s Pixel 11:57 Experience with boosting posts 15:19 Does Facebook give you good guidance when it comes to ads 16:44 Where to run ads to 20:23 Can you leverage ads in the launch phase of your podcast 21:18 Figuring out Ad Spend   Resources: Podcast Success Vault Membership: https://www.voltproductions.co/podcast-success-vault Canva Templates for Podcasters: https://yfftdvg7bw0ip4axvsg4.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/1b93588d-8dad-44f2-89a9-d6cdc3f38c1b Launch Your Podcast in 8 Weeks: https://www.voltproductions.co/launch-your-podcast-in-8-weeks Podcast Recording Equipment Guide: https://www.voltproductions.co/tech-guide-freebie Online Course [Start and Launch Your Podcast in 8 Weeks]: https://www.voltproductions.co/podcast-launch-course  7 W