Episode 301 | Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast | Courtney Elmer

Why Your Podcast Listeners Aren’t Engaging (and How to Fix It Fast)

Ever feel like you’re podcasting into the void? You hit “publish,” throw in a heartfelt plea for reviews and follows, and… nada.. It’s frustrating, especially when you know your content is valuable. So why aren’t listeners engaging?

That’s exactly the question I tackled with Pat Chung, creator of FanList. He’s on a mission to help you turn passive podcast listeners into an engaged, active community of listeners who actually talk back. 

We're unpacking the real reason most listeners stay silent, why listener engagement is key (especially for small shows), and what to start saying inside your episodes to get your listeners talking back and taking action. 

So if you're ready to increase listener engagement and turn your audience into a community of raving fans who actually take the time to write positive reviews, share your show on social media, and tell you how grateful they are for the work that you do, read on.

Two Ways to Increase Listener Engagement (Especially if You Have a Small Show)

Listener engagement isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a need to have if you want a successful podcast. The problem? Podcasting, by nature, is passive. Listeners hit play and go about their day. And unless there’s a really, really compelling reason, they’re not going to pull over on the side of the road and write a review or download your free thing, even when you ask them nicely. Unlike social media (where interaction is baked in) podcasts require a little extra effort to activate your audience.

Here’s where most podcasters go wrong: They expect listener engagement without giving listeners a good enough reason to do anything other than, well, listen. 

So if you want more listeners taking action on your CTAs, leaving you positive reviews, and sharing your show with your friends, Pat suggests two simple fixes:

1. Make the First Ask Easy:  Asking for a review is a big leap. Instead, start smaller. Ask a simple question at the end of an episode and direct them to a specific place to answer (Instagram stories, a poll, your fan page, etc.). Lowering the barrier to participation increases the chances they’ll take action.
2. Reward the Bigger Asks: Not all engagement requests are created equal. Asking for a review? That’s a big ask—it takes time, effort, and a little emotional investment from your listener. Pat suggests making sure there’s a clear payoff for those bigger asks. “Listeners need to feel like there's a reason for them to take action,” he says. A simple way to do this? Publicly acknowledge those who engage—shout out a review, play a listener’s question on-air, or share their comment. When listeners see that engagement gets rewarded, they’re far more likely to step up and participate.
3. BONUS: Give Them a Place to Engage – Social media has comment sections, but podcasts? Not so much. That’s why a fan page or a community space (think Discord, Slack, or even a simple email list) is crucial. As Pat puts it, "Someplace where your fans can talk to you and maybe talk to each other." 

What to Start Saying Inside Episodes to Get Listeners Talking Back

If you want your audience to engage, you have to invite them into the conversation. But not just with a generic “please rate and review the podcast. (Yawn). Real engagement starts with psychology—via specific listener prompts inside your episodes.

Here’s what works:

• Speak to One Person – Instead of “Hey everyone,” or “our listeners,” or “for everyone listening right now,” try “Hey YOU.” The more your listener feels like you’re speaking directly to them, the more likely they are to respond. Speak to one person. After all, you might have many listeners, but there’s only one person on the other end of those headphones.
  
• Validate Their Participation – If someone engages, acknowledge it! Read a review, shout out a DM, or feature a listener question in an episode. When listeners see that engagement gets rewarded, more of them will want to jump in. (Plus it’s ultra cool to have your favorite podcast host say your name out loud on air. It makes them feel special and acknowledges them as a valued—and valuable—member of your audience).
  
• Use the “Because” Principle – Psych studies show that people are more likely to comply with requests when given a reason. Instead of “Leave a review,” say, “Leave a review so that I can shout you out on air. Or “so that together we can help more people find the show.” Tell them what’s in for them to do the thing you’re asking them to do. Small tweak. Huge difference.

Why Most Call-to-Actions Don’t Work (and How to Fix Yours)

Call-to-actions (CTAs) are where a lot of podcasters drop the ball. The biggest mistake? Making it about you—without realizing it. 

“Leave a review!”

“Follow me on Instagram!”

“Join my email list!”

Listeners don’t care about your goals. They care about how it benefits them. So flip the script:

❌ “Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.”

✅ “If this episode helped you, leave a review so I can keep creating content that supports you.”

❌ “Follow me on Instagram.”

✅ “Want to see some funny behind-the-scenes content from me recording this episode? Follow me on Instagram.”

See the difference? It’s subtle, but powerful.

The Secret to Building Listener Loyalty That Lasts

If you don’t make your listeners feel seen, heard, and valued, they’ll move on and find another host who does. The podcasters who build loyal followings do two things really well:

1. They create connection, not just content. It’s not just about the information you share—it’s about how listeners feel when they tune in. Does your show make them feel part of something bigger? Are they recognized? Encouraged? Entertained?
   
2. They give listeners a reason to keep coming back. Whether it’s interactive Q&As, a signature segment, or ongoing inside jokes, loyal listeners feel like they’re part of a club. They show up because they don’t want to miss out.
   

"Your audience is already a community—you just have to activate them," Pat says. "They want to engage. They just need a nudge."

Engagement doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a result of intentional strategies that invite listeners into the conversation. And once they’re engaged? That’s when your podcast stops feeling like a one-way broadcast and starts becoming a two-way conversation.

So, next time you hit “record,” don’t just talk at your audience—talk with them. And if you want to dive even deeper into the psychology of attracting engaged listeners from the start, hit “Follow” for Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you never miss a new episode.

Or if you’re an established coach, consultant, or creator who’s ready for a proven strategy to build a bingeworthy top podcast that grows your business with a full team of podcast experts in your back pocket to teach you how, book a free strategy call with our team to find out if you’re a fit for PodLaunch® — we’re here to help.

Up Next:

Think you’ve tried everything to grow your podcast? Then don’t miss the next episode. I’ve got an Emmy Award-winning media advisor joining me to show you four unconventional podcasting strategies most podcasters have never even considered. If you’re ready to stand out and grow smarter, don’t miss it.