Episode 263 | Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast | Courtney Elmer

Featured Guest: Hal Elrod
First and foremost, Hal Elrod is a family man. He is a loyal husband to his wife of 13 years, and a dedicated father to their two children. When he’s not with his family, he is sharing his message as a bestselling author and international keynote speaker. After surviving multiple near-death experiences and impacting millions of people through his books and speeches, Hal’s mission is to elevate the consciousness of humanity, one morning at a time. As the author of 12 books, most notably, The Miracle Morning—which has been translated into 37 languages and has sold over 2.5 million copies—he is doing exactly that. He has also appeared on The Today Show, he’s been featured in SUCCESS Magazine, and written for Entrepreneur.com. His latest project is The Miracle Morning Movie—a documentary that shows you how millions of people are transforming their lives, by simply changing how they start their day.

4:32 - The Biggest Mistake Most Podcasters Make in Their First Year
6:37 - The 6-Minute Morning Routine that Transformed Hal's Life
16:24 - How Hal Elrod Turned Failure into a Million Book Sales
19:26 - A Different Set of Metrics for Sustainable Podcast Growth
22:46 - The Power of Committing to the Process Over the Results

How to Crush Every Podcast Goal You Set

Did you know that only 8 out of every 10 podcasters stick with podcasting past their first year? If you're one of the committed few, you deserve a trophy. (Or a giant cookie. Definitely a giant cookie.) But let's be real — sticking with podcasting is one thing. Actually hitting the podcast goals you set, and measuring those podcast goals effectively? That’s a different story.

I recently sat down with multi-time best-selling author of The Miracle Morning, Hal Elrod, to unpack what causes some people to hit their podcast goals, and others to miss them altogether. Hal’s insights flip the script on everything we thought we knew about podcasting success — so, if you're tired of chasing vanity metrics and ready to make real progress, keep reading.

The Biggest Mistake Most Podcasters Make in Their First Year

You launched your podcast with big dreams and high hopes. But as the months roll on, you notice the downloads aren’t climbing like you expected. Panic sets in. You start obsessing over metrics, tweaking your strategy, and doubting your choices.

Buying into the belief that success in podcasting is all about numbers (downloads, followers, and chart rankings) is the biggest mistake podcasters make — and it comes from our culture’s obsession with visible popularity.

But like Hal Elrod points out, hitting big download numbers doesn't mean your audience is actually engaged or coming back for more. The real value of a podcast lies in the depth of listener engagement, the quality of your content, and the strength of your connection with the audience. Sure, they’re harder to measure – but they’re what truly matter for long-term success. Instead of obsessing over numbers, focus on becoming a better host, telling compelling stories, and providing real value to your listeners. That's how you build a loyal and meaningful audience that sticks around. So, what’s your real podcast goal? Is it to have a lot of followers, or is it to provide value and make an impact? (HINT: you can have both, but it’ll only happen when you commit to putting the latter before the former).

How Hal Elrod Turned Failure into Three Million Book Sales

After releasing The Miracle Morning, Hal had set a goal of selling a million copies in the first year. But despite his best efforts — appearing on over 150 podcasts, launching his own podcast, giving 36 speeches across the U.S. and Canada, and appearing on various TV shows — he sold only 13,000 copies that year. That was 987,000 short of his goal… a reality check if there ever was one.

So, how did he turn this initial “failure” into a massive success, eventually selling over three million copies? Hal didn’t let the numbers define him — instead he doubled down on the process. He continued to share his message from stage, through his podcast, and on other channels. He wasn't just selling a book or sharing a message; he was creating a movement.

The key takeaway? Don’t be discouraged if you don't hit your podcast goals right away. Keep delivering value, engaging with your audience, and trust the process. Just like Hal, your persistence and commitment will eventually pay off.

A Different Set of Metrics for Sustainable Podcast Growth

When it comes to podcast goals, metrics matter — but not the ones you’re probably thinking of. Hal Elrod suggests that instead of fixating on download numbers, you should focus on podcast goals that emphasize listener engagement, episode completion rates, and the quality of conversations with your audience because these are the real indicators of a successful podcast.

For example, Hal shared how he initially aimed to sell a million copies of his book in the first year but ended up focusing on the quality of his interactions and the impact of his message. He said, "I just kept giving it everything I had, and it took six years to surpass a million peoples’ lives impacted." This shift helped him build a loyal following over time. Measure success by how deeply your audience connects with your message. But how do you do that? Glad you asked.

Mastering Your Craft: The Key to Podcasting Success

Hal emphasizes that mastering your craft as a podcast host is more important than any metric. He believes that personal growth is directly linked to the growth of your podcast. Or in other words, Your audience will grow to the degree that you do.

As Hal puts it, "Your level of success will seldom exceed your level of personal development, because success is something you attract by the person you become."

This means investing time in improving your interviewing skills, refining your podcast messaging, and deepening your knowledge in your podcast's niche. By focusing on becoming a better host, you naturally create more engaging content. This engagement leads to a stronger connection with your audience, which in turn fosters loyalty and sustained growth to help you achieve your podcast goals over time. 

The Power of Committing to the Process Over the Results

One of the most impactful pieces of advice Hal shared is the importance of committing to the process. He learned this lesson during his sales days when he realized that focusing on daily actions rather than outcomes made all the difference. This applies perfectly to podcasting.

Set a podcast goal, but focus on the actions that will get you there. Whether it's consistently recording episodes, engaging with your audience, or experimenting with new formats, commit to the process. The results will follow.

Crushing every podcast goal you set isn’t about chasing numbers or comparing yourself to the top shows. It’s about focusing on personal growth, quality content, and genuine engagement with your audience. Take a page from Hal Elrod’s book and commit to the process. Stay consistent, be patient, and watch as your podcast evolves into what you’ve always envisioned it to be.

So, what's your next podcast goal? And more importantly, what will you focus on so you can hit it?

And if you need help reaching your goals in other areas of your life or business, be sure to follow Hal's podcast, download his app, or grab a copy of his book, The Miracle Morning.

And if you’re a coach, consultant, expert, or online business owner who wants to start a podcast that turns listeners into leads or if you need help defining your podcast goals, we’d love to help. Book a free strategy call to chat with our team and see if you’re a fit for PodLaunch.

Next Up:

In the next episode, we're diving deeper into mastering your craft as a podcast host with the iconic Jordan Harbinger, whose podcast garners over 10M downloads a month and was named Apple’s Best in 2018. We'll unpack the not-so-secret secret behind his success, so if you’re ready to learn the exact strategies that helped Jordan achieve millions of downloads and build a loyal audience, don’t miss it.