How Podcasts are Using Custom Enamel Pins

Podcasts large and small have discovered that custom enamel pins can delight fans while boosting engagement and loyalty.

Below are several case studies across different genres, illustrating how enamel pins became a successful merchandise strategy.

‍My Favorite Murder (True Crime Comedy)

The hit true-crime comedy podcast My Favorite Murder introduced a limited-edition “Day 1 Listener” enamel pin to celebrate its earliest fans. Priced at $10, this 1-inch lapel pin quickly sold out due to high demand. The pin’s design proudly proclaims “Day 1 Listener,” giving devoted Murderinos (fans of the show) a fun way to show off their loyalty. The product description even joked, “brag about it in pin form! Pin one on your jacket, your favorite bag, your mortal enemy’s car tire!”  – reflecting the podcast’s tongue-in-cheek humor and encouraging fans to display the pin everywhere. Notably, My Favorite Murder’s Fan Cult membership includes a store credit that many use to snag merch like these pins, further driving engagement. Key outcomes and details include:

• Exclusive Fan Pin: “Day 1 Listener” enamel pin created as a tribute for long-time listeners, reinforcing a sense of community and inside status among fans.
• High Demand: The pin was priced at an affordable $10 and sold out on the official store, indicating strong fan enthusiasm.
• Community Engagement: The podcast’s playful promotion (urging fans to pin it on jackets or even an enemy’s tire) spurred fans to proudly wear and share the pin , boosting word-of-mouth.
• Loyalty Program Tie-In: Fan club members received store credit (e.g. $20) to spend on merch, incentivizing the purchase of items like enamel pins and rewarding loyal listeners.
  

How Did This Get Made? (Comedy/Film)

How Did This Get Made? (HDTGM) – a popular comedy podcast where hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas hilariously discuss bad movies – also found success with enamel pins. The show released a set of collectible pins featuring cartoon versions of the three hosts’ faces (marketed through Earwolf’s PodSwag merch store). Fan response was so overwhelming that the initial batch sold out, prompting a highly anticipated restock. Earwolf announced on social media that HDTGM enamel pins were “back in stock” and even offered all three host pins as a discounted set due to demand. These pins not only generated direct revenue but also became a badge of fandom that listeners loved to display. Key highlights:

• Host-Themed Pins: The podcast turned its hosts into cute enamel pin characters, allowing fans to “wear” their support. Many bought the full trio set to complete the collection.
• Sell-Out Success: The first run sold out quickly, demonstrating strong demand. Earwolf had to announce a restock of the pins due to fan excitement.
• Boosting Engagement: Social media buzz ensued when the pins returned (e.g., tweets exclaiming “People of Earth! HDTGM enamel pins are back in stock!”), showing how merchandise can re-energize the fan community.
• Revenue & Loyalty: Affordable, fun collectibles like these add a new revenue stream. At the same time, they reward loyal listeners with a tangible piece of the show – enhancing the overall listener experience and connection to the podcast.
  

Welcome to Night Vale (Fictional Horror)‍

The cult-favorite fiction podcast Welcome to Night Vale – known for its quirky, surreal storytelling – leveraged enamel pins to bring its mystical desert town to life for fans. The creators released a collection of five official enamel pins via merch partner TopatoCo, each featuring iconic symbols and quotes from the show’s universe. For example, one pin bore the Night Vale logo (the mysterious desert sky with a moon and eye). Priced around $10 each, these pins became must-have collectibles for the Night Vale community. Fans eagerly bought them to display their love for the series, often wearing the pins at live shows and meetups. Over time, some designs became out-of-print rarities – they’ve even shown up on resale sites labeled as “OOP (Out Of Print) New Sealed” items, underscoring their popularity. Key points include:

• Iconic Designs: The Night Vale team produced enamel pins with imagery from the podcast (e.g. the Night Vale eye logo, catchphrases, etc.), enhancing the story’s mystique and giving fans a physical token of the lore.
• Multi-Pin Collection: They offered a set of five different pins (fans could buy one or all five), encouraging collectors to obtain the full series. This variety appealed to listeners’ different favorite elements of the show.
• Fan Frenzy: The pins were popular – affordable and visually striking, they sold briskly. Some eventually sold out/retired, becoming coveted collectibles (later found on eBay as “out of print” Night Vale pins).
• Community & Loyalty: By owning and wearing Night Vale pins, listeners felt more connected to the podcast’s community. The pins sparked conversations among fans and served as a badge of loyalty to the Night Vale universe, thus deepening engagement beyond the audio experience.
  

Each of these examples shows how podcasts can successfully integrate custom enamel pins into their merch strategy. Whether it’s giving super-fans a way to declare their dedication, creating buzz with sell-outs and restocks, or extending a fictional world beyond the podcast, enamel pins have proven to boost fan engagement, strengthen community loyalty, and generate meaningful revenue for podcast creators. These small, collectible items pack a big punch in promoting podcasts and delighting audiences , making them a popular choice in the podcast merchandising playbook.