Top Tips for Using Open Questions to Promote Your Podcast and Grow Your Audience
As a Catholic content creator, you’re dedicated to sharing meaningful messages and engaging your community. But when it comes to promoting your podcast—especially on platforms like YouTube or social media—how do you get potential listeners to stop scrolling and click? One of the most powerful tools in your promotional toolkit is a simple, yet often overlooked, element: the question.
In this post, we’ll explore how using open questions on your podcast thumbnails, titles, and promotional material can significantly increase engagement, intrigue, and ultimately bring more people to your message.
Closed vs. Open Questions: What’s the Difference?
Let’s start with a quick overview. ❌Closed questions can be answered with a “yes” or “no,” like “Do you find prayer hard?” These questions are straightforward, but they often don’t spark much curiosity or thought in your audience.
✅Open questions, on the other hand, invite people to reflect and can’t be answered as simply. They often start with how, what, why, or in what ways. For example, instead of asking, “Do you struggle with prayer?” try asking, “What challenges do you face in your prayer life?” This question prompts viewers to consider their own experiences and can lead them to feel a connection to your podcast before they’ve even clicked play.
Why Open Questions Work Better for Engagement
When potential listeners see an open question on your thumbnail or in your promotional post, they’re encouraged to pause and think. Open questions suggest that the episode will delve into meaningful topics and discussions rather than simple answers. This builds curiosity and anticipation, two powerful drivers for higher engagement. Open questions help you communicate that your content will be enriching and thought-provoking, perfect for an audience seeking faith-based content.
Examples of Open Questions for Podcast Thumbnails and Promotions
Below are some examples of open-ended questions tailored for Catholic podcasts, but feel free to adapt them to fit the unique focus of your content:
Faith and Daily Life
❌Closed Question: “Do you make time for faith each day?”
✅Open Question: “How does faith shape your daily life?”
Finding Peace in a Busy World
❌Closed Question: “Do you find it hard to find peace?”
✅Open Question: “What practices bring peace to your busy life?”
Understanding Scripture
❌Closed Question: “Is the Bible hard to understand?”
✅Open Question: “What do you find most challenging about reading Scripture?”
Navigating Tough Times with Faith
❌Closed Question: “Are you struggling with doubt?”
✅Open Question: “How has doubt impacted your faith journey?”
Community and Connection
❌Closed Question: “Do you feel connected to your parish?”
✅Open Question: “What brings you closer to your faith community?”
Creating Thumbnails and Promos with Open Questions
When designing thumbnails for YouTube or promotional graphics for social media, it’s important to keep the text concise but impactful. Use fonts that are easy to read and make sure the question stands out against the background. Here are some tips:
Position the question prominently on the thumbnail, ideally at the top or center where it’s easily visible.
Limit text to 7-10 words to keep it readable at a glance.
Use imagery that matches the tone of the question—if it’s a thoughtful question, use calming imagery; if it’s a challenging question, use expressive images.
For instance, if your open question is, “How do we bring peace into our relationships?”, consider an image of a serene scene or someone in a moment of quiet reflection. This creates visual harmony with the message.
Making Your Content Shareable
A well-chosen open question also makes your content more shareable. When your promotional post includes a question that people resonate with, they’re more likely to share it with their own communities. Try pairing open questions with compelling calls to action like:
“Share this episode with someone who needs a little peace today.”
“Comment below with your experience, and let’s start the conversation!”
“Tag a friend who might be facing this question too!”
Examples of Open Questions for Social Media Promos
When promoting your episodes on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, these open questions can invite even more interaction:
For a Podcast on Building Faith Practices
“How do you bring faith into your busy routine?”For a Podcast on Forgiveness and Healing
“What steps help you find forgiveness and healing?”For a Podcast on Parenting with Faith
“In what ways do you encourage faith in your children’s lives?”
These open questions not only engage your audience but also encourage them to reflect and relate to your content personally.
Conclusion: Start Asking the Right Questions
Incorporating open questions into your thumbnails and promotional material is a small shift that can make a big impact on engagement. By sparking curiosity, inviting reflection, and encouraging deeper thought, you make your content more than just a passive experience for listeners—you invite them into a conversation. So, the next time you’re planning a podcast or creating a new promo, consider asking yourself: “How can I invite my audience to go deeper?”
Ready to make your next podcast truly engaging? Start with an open question—and watch your audience grow!
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