Do This One Thing to Attract More Listeners
Episode 256 | Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast | Courtney Elmer
Featured Guest: Alex Sanfilippo
Alex Sanfilippo is the founder of PodMatch.com, a software that automatically matches podcast guests and hosts for interviews. Alex is also the host of the top-rated podcast, Podcasting Made Simple, and a lead educator in the podcasting industry. Alex's sole focus is to serve independent podcast guests and hosts so they can grow their influence and revenue so they can better serve their listeners!
The “One Thing” Method for Growing a Podcast
Podcasting is a wild ride. You know it. I know it. And so does my good friend Alex Sanfilippo, the founder of PodMatch and a top-rated podcast host. In our recent chat, Alex dropped some wisdom that could change the way you approach growing your podcast. Spoiler alert: it’s not about doing more; it’s about doing one thing really well.
The Myth of “More is More”
How many times have you thought, “I’m doing everything right—sharing episodes to social media, emailing my list, even running ads. Why isn’t my podcast growing?!”
Maybe you’ve even looked around at other top podcasters and thought, “If I just do what they’re doing, I’ll get the same results.”
But today’s top podcasters didn’t become successful by doing the same things as everyone else. They found what worked uniquely well for their listeners and doubled-down on it. Because when it comes to growing a podcast, it’s not about doing everything — it’s about focusing on a few strategies and executing them exceptionally well.
Having the Courage to Focus
It’s tempting to think that the more you can do to help your podcast grow, the faster you’ll see results — but the opposite is true. There are plenty of podcasters who’ve found that focusing on just a few key strategies actually led to faster growth than trying to do everything at once.
Take Mel Robbins and Tim Ferriss. Both of them have seen impressive results by zeroing in on what really works for their audiences. Robbins concentrated on her core message and audience engagement, while Ferriss focused on high-impact interviews and content that deeply resonates. By zeroing in on your strengths, you'll often see faster (and more significant) results like increased listens and higher listener-to-lead conversions.
Stop Copying What Others Are Doing
When you listen to other podcast hosts or keep tabs on your competitors, you unconsciously start to mirror them — which causes you to blend in, not stand out. Your audience tunes in because they’re interested in your unique perspective and style. So instead of trying to replicate every successful strategy you see, make it your first priority to understand who specifically is listening in the first place.
To do this, you can use the Controlled Experiment approach. This lets you focus on mastering one or two strategies that align with your show’s vision and your strengths, instead of being tempted to follow every trend. Then track your progress and ask for real-time feedback (more on that below).
Know Your Listener Better Than They Know Themselves
Finding out what your audience wants is simple: talk to them. Invite them to hop on a 15-min zoom call with you, ask questions, and listen.
The quality of the response you get is determined by the quality of the questions you ask. -Alex Sanfilippo
Here are the four questions Alex recommends asking your listeners:
- How did you find out about the podcast? This helps you understand where you should be focused and where you shouldn't be focused.
- What is your favorite part about the show? This gives you clues into what your listeners like best so you can incorporate it more consistently.
- What can we do to make the show better for future listeners? The way you ask for feedback matters. Asking “What can I improve on?” can put listeners in an uncomfortable position because no one wants to offer feedback that could hurt your feelings. But asking how you can improve the show for new listeners encourages honest feedback that helps you and your listeners.
- What are you struggling with or working on right now? Their answer will give you a peek into the current frame of mind and help you tailor your content to better address their needs and offer hyper-relevant solutions.
When you review their answers, you’ll learn about the current challenges your audience faces and see trends emerge. These are the kind of trends you want to follow — to better tailor your content to your ideal listener and make your podcast one-of-a-kind.
Streamline Your Approach to Growing a Podcast
Growing a podcast isn’t as much about strategy as it is about discipline. When you know exactly who your ideal listener is and what they need, it’s easier to avoid distractions that would otherwise cause you to blend in, not stand out.
Be intentional about who you want to reach and how you want to connect with them. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the endless list of podcast growth tactics, concentrate on one thing, do it well for at least ninety days, track your results, adjust as needed, and repeat.
When you’re clear on your focus, your listeners will thank you. Focusing on one thing at a time won’t just simplify your efforts — it’ll drive real growth as you build a stronger bond with your audience.
Want more tips on how to make your podcast stand out? Follow Insider Secrets to a Top Podcast to learn how to turn your show into a bingeworthy show your listeners can’t get enough of.
Ready to start a podcast that turns listeners into leads? We’d love to help. Book a free strategy call to chat with our team and see if you’re a fit for PodLaunch.
Up Next:
Are you buried in podcasting tasks and tools that promise growth but only add to your workload? If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the constant push to do more with your podcast, the next episode is for you. Alex Sanfilippo joins us back to share why doing more doesn’t always equal more podcast growth (and why in most cases it just leads to more complications, more time spent, and more stress).
We’ll also uncover the hidden downside of many AI podcasting tools that actually create unnecessary work and show you how to streamline your processes by eliminating the tools that aren’t truly serving your show’s greater good. So if you’re ready to simplify your podcasting efforts (while maximizing your growth potential), don’t miss the next episode.
