Prologue
The Quickest Way to Grow Your Podcast
First of all, let's take these off the table, because they're things we have very little, if any, control over ...
- A viral video
- A public endorsement from a celebrity (e.g. "Oprah's Book Club")
- Getting featured on Apple Podcasts' homepage
- Instant word-of-mouth buzz that snowballs overnight
- Random discovery by a major media outlet or journalist
- An influencer mentioning your podcast unprompted
- A podcast network offering you a deal out of nowhere
- Your niche becoming suddenly trendy or newsworthy
- A major algorithm change boosting your show
- A competitor quitting and handing over their audience
If I had only one way to grow a podcast, I'd pick "live events."
Bring people together over a certain cause/topic and give them a way to keep that energy going via your podcast. That's why this works—the foundation of your podcast is the community of listeners.
Sounds simple? Yes, it is simple.
Is it easy? Not really. It's easy to set up an event at a local coffee house or something, but it takes a while to build momentum ... and that can be discouraging.
Got an event story for me share in the audio version of this newsletter? Reach out to me via Bluesky.
Podcast Marketing
Too Hot for OnlyFans?
What does your podcast have in common with OnlyFans?
More than you’d think …
People don't want "perfect," they want relatable.
Fans gravitate toward creators who feel genuine, a bit imperfect, and who share their personalities and quirks. The most successful creators on OnlyFans balance sex appeal with approachability and authenticity, making subscribers feel like they’re in an actual relationship, not just a parasocial one.
People in the entertainment business have known this for a long time.
This relatability is why “Baby Spice” was the most popular member of The Spice Girls. And it’s why Taylor Swift is one of the world’s biggest pop stars.
Podcast Production
Shure SM7b vs. Amazon Microphone
Can you tell the difference between a $400 microphone and a $30 microphone?
This video is a joke, but the topic is serious ... Does an "expensive" mic sound different than a cheap one?
Going from a cheap headset mic to a Samsung q2u will make you sound better to even the casual listener.
But going from the Samsung to anything in the $400-500 range? It doesn't make that much of a difference to most people. Maybe you'll be able to hear something, but casual listeners probably won't.
Regardless, watch this video and have a laugh.
Podcasting Deals
Capsho - AI Marketing Tool for Podcasters
Capsho will turn your podcast audio into marketing assets.
- Create 30+ written assets like catchy YouTube titles, social media posts, and articles
- Create compelling hooks and titles to drive engagement
- Generate transcripts and chapter summaries to increase accessibility
Capsho's AI continuously learns and adapts with every edit to keep creating content that resonates with your target audience.
Only $59 for life and you're protected by a 60-day money-back guarantee!
Podcast Humor
Fake It Till You Make It?
"Fake it till you make it" is an aphorism suggesting that by outwardly exhibiting confidence and competence, even if you don't fully feel it, you can gradually develop those qualities. You act as though you already possess the desired characteristics until you actually do.
Don't feel comfortable with your podcast or anything else you're doing? Good! This is how we grow.
But it's also true that some podcasters are full of hot air.
The Podcasters' Prayer
"Grant me the confidence to fake it while I grow, the clarity to spot my own BS, and the wisdom not to believe my own hype."
The Business of Podcasting
More, Better, New
Remember Entrepreneurs on Fire? About ten years ago, everybody and his brother was talking about it for one reason ... it was a daily podcast.
Dozens, maybe hundreds, of people copied the idea. But none made it to the level of Entrepreneurs on Fire.
Entrepreneurs on Fire worked because it was "more." Nobody thought it was possible to do a daily podcast as an independent.
And it was "new."
Was it better? That's subjective. Unless you look at the amount of money it brought in, which it was arguably better at than most podcasts.
Here are steps you can take to apply the principles of more, better, and new in your own podcast:
MORE
Do more than your competition—or more than expected.
Increase Frequency Strategically:
- If you release weekly, experiment with 2x/week for a month.
- Batch record to make this sustainable—e.g., set one day a month to record 4-8 episodes.
Add Formats:
- Introduce short-form bonus episodes (5–10 minutes) on off-days—tips, insights, news.
- Consider adding solo episodes if you're interview-only (or vice versa).
Repurpose More:
- Turn each episode into multiple pieces: reels, blog posts, quotes, emails. Capsho will help with this.
- Schedule content 3–5x/week on social using podcast material.
BETTER
Deliver a more valuable, higher-quality, or more polished experience.
Upgrade Your Audio Quality:
- Invest in a good mic, and learn basic sound treatment/editing.
- Clean up filler words, background noise, and awkward pauses.
Tighten Your Format:
- Cut fluff—aim for every minute to earn its keep.
- Start strong with a hook, tease what’s coming, and end with a call to action.
Prep Better Guests or Topics:
- Research guests more deeply—ask what others haven’t.
- Create a standout episode outline instead of winging it.
Ask for Feedback:
- Run listener surveys or invite DMs with one simple question: “What do you want more or less of?”
NEW
Do something different—format, focus, voice, structure, style.
Try a Fresh Angle:
- Combine niches (e.g., “personal finance for creatives” or “spirituality for entrepreneurs”).
- Add storytelling or behind-the-scenes documentary style.
Break the Mold:
- Do a podcast “season” with a narrative arc or theme.
- Interview unconventional guests who challenge your space’s norms.
Change How You Show Up:
- Bring more personal stories, humor, or vulnerability than typical for your niche.
- Test a creative intro, segment, or recurring series—like answering listener questions live.
Leverage What’s Trending:
- Tie episodes into current events, pop culture, or viral topics with your own spin.
- Try AI-assisted clips, voice synthesis, or other emerging tools.
The Wrap Up
More Help for Your Podcast ...
If you want the shortcut to building a podcast people care about, here’s how Big Podcast can help you …
Free of charge ...
- Big Podcast Extra – Short emails to help you build an audience, attract clients, and make money via podcasting
- Build a Big Podcast – The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
- Podcast Growth Toolkit – The "Swiss Army Knife" of podcasting ...
For budgets under $750 …
- Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program) – Personalized coaching for indie podcasters to help you grow your podcast audience and build your authority, brand, and reputation
For budgets of $3000 or more …
We offer a range of podcasting services including:
- Full-service podcast production and marketing
- Podcast and radio hosting
- Podcast launch and development services