188 | Why More Listeners Won't Fix Your Podcast – Here's What Will
02/03/25 • 24 min
4 Listeners
Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic
Think getting more listeners will fix your podcast? Think again. If your show isn't worth listening to, no amount of promotion will save it. Too many indie podcasters focus on marketing and downloads before they focus on creating a great show—and that’s the real reason why their audience isn’t growing.
This episode dives into the biggest mistakes podcasters make when trying to build their audience, including:
- Why chasing numbers too soon leads to burnout
- The hard truth about fake downloads and bot-driven growth hacks
- Why great audio and compelling content matter more than any promotion
- How to get real, honest feedback (and actually use it)
- The three simple steps to improving your podcast before worrying about growth
Before spending time and money on ads, marketing, and social media promotions, ask yourself: Would I actually subscribe to my own show? If the answer isn't a strong YES, this episode will help you fix that. 🎧 Listen now and start making your podcast irresistible!
Podgagement® (formerly “My Podcast Reviews”) is all about simplifying your podcasting and helping you engage your audience and grow your podcast!
Thanks so much for listening, I really appreciate it so much. Sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a moment. Podtastic Audio Newsletter
Podcast Timestamps & Chapters
00:00 – The Myth of More Listeners Fixing Your Podcast
01:18 – Why Content & Audio Quality Matter More Than Marketing
02:25 – The Big Problem With Indie Podcasters Today
03:56 – Focusing on Downloads Instead of Creating a Great Show
05:14 – Why Promoting Too Soon Can Hurt Your Podcast Growth
06:45 – The Restaurant Analogy: Make Your Show Irresistible
08:09 – What Makes Listeners Stay (or Leave)
09:14 – 3 Steps to Fix Your Podcast Before Growth
10:08 – Step 1: Accept That Your Podcast Can Improve
12:08 – Step 2: Get Honest Feedback (Even If It’s Hard to Hear)
15:05 – Step 3: Improve Audio Quality & Master Editing
17:42 – The Power of Strong Content & Clear Structure
19:33 – How to Review Your Own Podcast Like a Listener
21:28 – Why Growth Should Come AFTER Quality
22:41 – Wrapping Up: Focus on Making a Great Podcast First
23:23 – Free Podcasting Resources at PodtasticAudio.com
#PodcastGrowth #IndiePodcasting #PodcastTips #PodcastMarketing #GrowYourPodcast #PodcastSuccess #PodcastStrategy #PodcastAudience #PodcastingForBeginners #PodcastProduction
Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic
Think getting more listeners will fix your podcast? Think again. If your show isn't worth listening to, no amount of promotion will save it. Too many indie podcasters focus on marketing and downloads before they focus on creating a great show—and that’s the real reason why their audience isn’t growing.
This episode dives into the biggest mistakes podcasters make when trying to build their audience, including:
- Why chasing numbers too soon leads to burnout
- The hard truth about fake downloads and bot-driven growth hacks
- Why great audio and compelling content matter more than any promotion
- How to get real, honest feedback (and actually use it)
- The three simple steps to improving your podcast before worrying about growth
Before spending time and money on ads, marketing, and social media promotions, ask yourself: Would I actually subscribe to my own show? If the answer isn't a strong YES, this episode will help you fix that. 🎧 Listen now and start making your podcast irresistible!
Podgagement® (formerly “My Podcast Reviews”) is all about simplifying your podcasting and helping you engage your audience and grow your podcast!
Thanks so much for listening, I really appreciate it so much. Sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a moment. Podtastic Audio Newsletter
Podcast Timestamps & Chapters
00:00 – The Myth of More Listeners Fixing Your Podcast
01:18 – Why Content & Audio Quality Matter More Than Marketing
02:25 – The Big Problem With Indie Podcasters Today
03:56 – Focusing on Downloads Instead of Creating a Great Show
05:14 – Why Promoting Too Soon Can Hurt Your Podcast Growth
06:45 – The Restaurant Analogy: Make Your Show Irresistible
08:09 – What Makes Listeners Stay (or Leave)
09:14 – 3 Steps to Fix Your Podcast Before Growth
10:08 – Step 1: Accept That Your Podcast Can Improve
12:08 – Step 2: Get Honest Feedback (Even If It’s Hard to Hear)
15:05 – Step 3: Improve Audio Quality & Master Editing
17:42 – The Power of Strong Content & Clear Structure
19:33 – How to Review Your Own Podcast Like a Listener
21:28 – Why Growth Should Come AFTER Quality
22:41 – Wrapping Up: Focus on Making a Great Podcast First
23:23 – Free Podcasting Resources at PodtasticAudio.com
#PodcastGrowth #IndiePodcasting #PodcastTips #PodcastMarketing #GrowYourPodcast #PodcastSuccess #PodcastStrategy #PodcastAudience #PodcastingForBeginners #PodcastProduction
Previous Episode
187 | Ditch the Camera: Why Audio Podcasting Is All You Need in 2025
Thinking about taking your podcast to YouTube in 2025? Not so fast! In this episode, we dive into why sticking with audio might just be the smartest move for indie podcasters. Audio podcasting offers less competition, deeper listener connections, and total creative freedom without bowing down to algorithms. We’ll break down the pros and cons of audio vs. video, from production complexity to audience reach, and reveal why audio podcasts remain the best choice for busy creators and listeners alike. Whether you’re tired of the YouTube grind or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to help you make your podcast truly stand out.
Key Takeaways:
- Audio Dominates: With only 400k active podcasts compared to 65M YouTube channels, it’s easier to be discovered.
- Less Time, Less Stress: Audio podcasting is faster, cheaper, and doesn’t require fancy cameras or perfect lighting.
- No Algorithms, No Problem: Stay in control of your content without relying on YouTube’s unpredictable algorithms.
- Multitasking Magic: Audio podcasts let your audience tune in anywhere, doing anything.
- Deeper Connections: Build stronger bonds with your audience through the intimacy of audio storytelling.
Discover how to make your podcast fun, effective, and uniquely yours. Let’s keep podcasting simple and powerful!
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: Why Stick to Audio in 2025?
00:23 – Welcome to Podtastic Audio
01:14 – Video Podcasts: Are They Necessary?
02:04 – Your Show, Your Rules: Create What You Enjoy
03:23 – YouTube’s Strengths and Limitations
06:32 – The Podcasting Landscape: Audio Wins on Competition
08:09 – The Time Sink of Video Production
10:15 – Algorithms vs. Creative Control
14:09 – How Audio Podcasts Get Discovered Without Algorithms
17:23 – The Intimacy of Audio: Theater of the Mind
19:34 – Audio’s Multitasking Superpower
22:11 – YouTube vs. Audio: Comparing Audience Reach and Control
26:20 – Monetization: Is YouTube Worth It?
27:36 – Engagement: Audio Podcasting’s Challenges
29:59 – Final Thoughts: Why Audio is Truly Free
30:31 – Closing Message: Happy Podcasting!
Podgagement® (formerly “My Podcast Reviews”) is all about simplifying your podcasting and helping you engage your audience and grow your podcast!
Thanks so much for listening, I really appreciate it so much. Sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a moment. Podtastic Audio Newsletter
#PodcastingTips #AudioPodcasting #PodcastGrowth #PodcastMarketing #PodcastSEO #AudioVsVideo #IndiePodcasters #PodcastDiscoverability #PodcastTrends #PodcastListeners
Next Episode
189 | Why Celebrity Podcasts Succeed (And How Indie Podcasters Can Compete)
2 RecommendationsEver wondered why celebrity podcasts rake in millions of downloads—even when they’re just rambling, unedited, and sometimes downright boring? Meanwhile, us indie podcasters hustle to create engaging, high-quality content and still struggle to grow an audience? It’s frustrating, right?
In this episode of Podtastic Audio, I dive deep into why celebrity podcasts thrive, even when they break all the “podcasting rules,” and what we, as indie podcasters, can do to stand out. Plus, I found a wild study that suggests people obsessed with celebrities might actually have lower intelligence scores. Yep, we’re going there! BMC Psychology
If you’re an indie podcaster trying to grow your show, you actually have a HUGE advantage over these big-name celebrity hosts—if you play your cards right. I’ll break down exactly why niche podcasts win and how to optimize your show for SEO, audience engagement, and growth.
🔥 Key Takeaways in This Episode:
- Why celebrity podcasts succeed (even when they’re bad)
- The #1 mistake indie podcasters make
- How niching down gives you an SEO advantage
- Why new listeners abandon random discussion shows
- The secret sauce to keeping your audience engaged
If you’re tired of grinding with little results and want to build a podcast that actually grows, this episode is for you. Let’s get into it!
Podgagement® (formerly “My Podcast Reviews”) is all about simplifying your podcasting and helping you engage your audience and grow your podcast!
Thanks so much for listening, I really appreciate it so much. Sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a moment. Podtastic Audio Newsletter
Podcast Chapters:
00:00 - Why Celebrity Podcasts Get Millions of Downloads
01:20 - How I Struggled with Podcasting at First
02:02 - The Frustration of Indie Podcasters vs. Celebrity Shows
04:17 - The #1 Reason Celebrity Podcasts Succeed
05:40 - How Big Guests Keep Celebrity Podcasts Relevant
07:14 - Why Indie Podcasters Can’t Copy the Celebrity Formula
09:20 - The Harsh Truth: Nobody Knows Who You Are (Yet!)
10:09 - The Danger of “General Discussion” Shows
11:36 - The Power of Niching Down for Indie Podcasters
13:08 - How Niche Shows Build an Engaged Audience
15:35 - Why SEO Helps Niche Podcasts Win
17:14 - The Shocking Study on Celebrity Obsession & Intelligence
19:06 - The Indie Podcasting Advantage Over Celebs
21:05 - Why You MUST Niche Down to Grow
21:39 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Me
#PodcastGrowth #IndiePodcaster #CelebrityPodcasts #PodcastSEO #HowToPodcast #PodcastMarketing #GrowYourPodcast #PodcastTips #PodcastingForBeginners #PodcastSuccess
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