As a social media marketer, one of the best ways to level up your skills is by learning from experts who have mastered the craft. But with so many thought leaders and self-proclaimed "gurus" out there, who should you really be listening to?
The answer: podcasts.
Podcasts have exploded in popularity as a medium for professional development, with over 50% of marketers saying they tune into marketing podcasts at least once a week to expand their knowledge. And it‘s no wonder why. The conversational format allows for deep dives into niche topics, while the on-demand audio makes it easy to learn while commuting, working out, or getting through mundane tasks.
When it comes to social media marketing, there are a wealth of outstanding podcasts hosted by true practitioners who are eager to share what‘s working for them. Listening to these shows is like getting to pick the brains of the smartest social pros in the game – for free!
To help you build your podcast library, we‘ve rounded up 13 of the absolute best social media marketing podcasts you should be listening to in 2023 and beyond. For each show, we‘ve highlighted:
- Why the host(s) are trusted experts worth learning from
- The podcast‘s key subject areas and content formats
- Our favorite episodes and the top takeaways you‘ll get from them
- Ideal listener level and who will get the most value
Whether you‘re just starting out in social media or are a seasoned veteran looking to stay sharp, these shows will give you the insights and inspiration you need to create your best work. Let‘s dive in!
1. Social Media Marketing Talk Show
- Host: Eric Fisher (Head of Social Media at Social Media Examiner, 500k+ social followers)
- Focus: Weekly news show covering the latest platform updates and strategy ideas
- Format: Solo commentary, 45 mins per episode, weekly
Social Media Examiner has been a go-to resource for social media marketers for over a decade, and their flagship podcast lives up to the hype. Host Eric Fisher is at the forefront of social media trends and does an excellent job distilling the week‘s top stories down to what really matters for marketers.
You can count on Eric to always have an opinion on the implications of each platform change or new feature. But he‘s not just a talking head – he backs up his analysis with real examples and actionable takeaways that you can apply to your own social strategy right away.
Top episodes:
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New LinkedIn Features for Marketers: An in-depth look at LinkedIn‘s product roadmap and how marketers can leverage new tools like LinkedIn Live, Newsletters, and Events.
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Instagram Content Strategy: Creating Content That Draws Customers to You: Eric breaks down the Instagram sales funnel and shares a 6-part framework for creating content that converts.
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YouTube Shorts: What Marketers Need to Know: A clear and concise overview of YouTube‘s short-form video feature, how it differs from TikTok/Reels, and strategies for repurposing content across formats.
Ideal listener: All levels. Beginners will appreciate the plain-English explanations of social media news, while more advanced marketers will enjoy the thought-provoking strategy ideas.
2. The Science of Social Media
- Hosts: Hailley Griffis (Head of Public Relations, Buffer) and Brian Peters (Strategic Partnerships Manager, Buffer)
- Focus: Research-backed social media advice and case studies
- Format: Co-hosted discussions, interviews, 20-30 mins per episode, weekly
True to its name, The Science of Social Media takes an evidence-based approach to social media marketing. Hosts Hailley and Brian are always looking at the data behind what works and what doesn‘t on social, and they love to geek out about the psychology of why people share content online.
Each episode feels like a mini masterclass, packing in tons of valuable insights and examples in an easy-to-digest format. The hosts‘ playful chemistry keeps things entertaining, while their deep experience at Buffer, one of the top social media management tools, ensures every lesson is grounded in the realities of day-to-day social media work.
Top episodes:
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The Psychology of Social Media: 7 Principles That Influence What People Share Online: A fascinating look at the core psychological drivers behind social sharing, including emotion, social proof, and scarcity.
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How to Create Thumb-Stopping Content on Social Media: 3 Powerful Frameworks: Hailley and Brian deconstruct popular social media content formats and share their frameworks for creating irresistible posts in each one.
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5 Data-Backed Social Media Trends You Need to Know for 2023: A sneak peek at Buffer‘s annual social media trends report, with insights on everything from TikTok to social commerce.
Ideal listener: Intermediate to advanced. The research-heavy content is best suited for marketers with some existing social media knowledge who are looking for data-driven ways to optimize their efforts.
3. Online Marketing Made Easy
- Host: Amy Porterfield (Social media marketing educator and consultant, author of "Two Weeks Notice")
- Focus: Advice for turning social media followers into loyal email subscribers and customers
- Format: Solo commentary, interviews, 30-60 mins per episode, weekly
After helping build the content and social media strategies at Harley Davidson and peak performance coach Tony Robbins, Amy Porterfield struck out on her own as a social media marketing educator and consultant. Her podcast distills over a decade of experience into no-fluff, highly actionable online marketing advice.
While the show touches on all aspects of digital marketing, Amy‘s specialty is using social media to drive email list growth and sales. If your goal is to turn your social media audience into paying customers, this is a must-listen.
Top episodes:
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The Ultimate Guide to Repurposing Content on Social Media: Amy shares her system for turning one piece of pillar content into dozens of social media posts, making content creation a breeze.
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How to Use Social Media to Launch a Product or Service: A detailed walkthrough of Amy‘s proven launch strategy, including what to post on social media during each phase of the launch.
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5 Steps to Creating Social Media Content That Converts: Amy‘s tried-and-true framework for crafting social media copy and visuals that inspire people to take action.
Ideal listener: Beginner to intermediate. Amy‘s down-to-earth teaching style is perfect for newer marketers, while her specific launch and list-building strategies will appeal to anyone looking to monetize their social media efforts.
4. Social Pros
- Hosts: Jay Baer (Founder, Convince & Convert) and Adam Brown (Executive Strategist, Salesforce)
- Focus: Interviews with top brands and thought leaders in social media
- Format: Interview, 45-60 mins per episode, weekly
For a high-level look at how the best social media marketers in the world approach their craft, look no further than Social Pros. Each week, hosts Jay Baer and Adam Brown sit down with a leading practitioner to discuss their career journey, their brand‘s social media strategy, and their take on the latest industry news.
The show‘s guest list is a who‘s who of social media marketers from major B2B and B2C brands, as well as a hand-picked selection of influential authors, speakers, and consultants. While the conversations are casual and relatable, they always deliver a wealth of strategic insights and thought-provoking ideas that will make you a smarter, more well-rounded marketer.
Top episodes:
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How Sephora Built a Thriving Online Community of 5 Million Beauty Fans: Sephora‘s Head of Social, Leigh George, pulls back the curtain on their wildly successful Beauty Insider Community and shares tips for fostering authentic connections on social.
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Why Reddit Is a Sleeping Giant for Social Media Marketers: Reddit‘s Head of Agency Development, Neal Hubman, makes the case for why more brands should be leveraging Reddit and shares best practices for engaging with its unique user base.
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The Future of Social Media: Predictions from 14 Top Experts: A special episode featuring soundbites from Social Pros‘ most forward-thinking guests on where they see social media headed in the next 5-10 years.
Ideal listener: Advanced. The high-level discussions assume a solid foundation in social media marketing principles and terminology. Marketers in leadership roles or those working with enterprise brands will get the most value.
Comparison of Featured Social Media Marketing Podcasts
| Podcast Name | Episode Length | Publishing Frequency | Content Formats | Areas of Focus | Ideal Listener Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Media Marketing Talk Show | 45 mins | Weekly | Solo commentary | Platform news and strategy ideas | All levels |
| The Science of Social Media | 20-30 mins | Weekly | Co-hosted discussions, interviews | Research-backed advice and case studies | Intermediate to Advanced |
| Online Marketing Made Easy | 30-60 mins | Weekly | Solo commentary, interviews | Monetizing social media followings | Beginner to Intermediate |
| Social Pros | 45-60 mins | Weekly | Interviews | Insights from top brands and thought leaders | Advanced |
Final Thoughts
As someone who has built a career in social media marketing, I can honestly say that these podcasts have made me better at my job. Whenever I feel stuck or uninspired, tuning into an episode never fails to fill me with new ideas and a renewed sense of motivation.
One of my favorite ways to apply what I learn is by taking the frameworks and strategies shared and brainstorming how I could adapt them to fit my brand‘s unique voice, audience, and goals. I‘ve generated some of my highest-performing social content using tips picked up from these shows.
I‘ve also found that the most impactful episodes tend to be the ones that challenge my existing assumptions or introduce me to a new way of thinking about a familiar topic. The diverse perspectives offered have made me a more agile and well-rounded marketer.
If you‘re serious about advancing your social media marketing skills, I can‘t recommend adding these podcasts to your weekly rotation enough. Not only will you gain a wealth of practical knowledge, you‘ll also join a vibrant community of like-minded professionals who are passionate about being the best social marketers they can be.
To get the most out of your listening experience, I suggest taking notes on key takeaways and carving out time to put what you learn into practice. Start with the "top episodes" recommendations in this guide, then explore the back catalogs to find more hidden gems.
And if you have a favorite social media marketing podcast that didn‘t make this list, let me know on Twitter [@username] so I can check it out! I‘m always looking to add new voices to my library.
Happy listening!
