Episode 302 | Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast | Courtney Elmer

4 Podcast Growth Strategies You Haven’t Tried Yet (But Should)

Think growing a podcast is all about pushing out more content, landing bigger guests, or sharing every episode on social media? Think again.

Emmy Award-winning media advisor Vinnie Potestivo has worked with everyone from Beyoncé to Ashton Kutcher, and in this episode, he flipped the script on podcast growth. Instead of doing more, he’s showing us how to do it differently—with four unconventional strategies most podcasters aren’t even considering.

If you’re tired of slow podcast growth and ready to make your podcast more discoverable, more impactful, and—dare I say—bingeworthy, here’s where to start.

1. Stop Holding Back—Put Your Best Stories First

You know how TV shows tease a big reveal at the end to keep you watching? Yeah, don’t do that with your podcast.

“I’ve listened to too many podcasts where I tune in, get distracted, and then 40 minutes in, boom, the gold finally drops,” Vinnie said. “But by then? It’s too late.”

Podcast listeners don’t have the patience to sit through fluff. If your best insights, juiciest stories, or biggest takeaways are buried halfway through your episode, most people will never hear them.

The fix? Start strong. Hook your audience right away, and give them a reason to stick around.

2. Fix Your Distribution—Because More Content Won’t Save You

Let’s be real: most podcasters think they’re distributing their content. In reality? They’re uploading a new episode to their hosting provider (i.e., Buzzsprout), hitting publish, sharing on social once or twice, and calling it a day.

Big mistake.

“Podcast growth isn’t about creating more content,” Vinnie said. “It’s about making sure the content you already have is getting in front of the right people.”

That’s why it’s critical to understand the difference between being discovered and being discoverable. The first happens by chance; the second happens by design. As Vinnie puts it, “You want listeners to find you when they’re looking—that’s the power of being discoverable.”

Instead of churning out more episodes and hoping for the best, take a look at where and how you’re distributing them. There are more podcast platforms today than when you launched your show, and if you haven’t revisited your distribution strategy, you’re leaving listeners on the table.

Pro Tip: Search for new or niche podcast directories that align with your audience. Platforms like Podchaser, Listen Notes, and Goodpods offer discovery opportunities beyond Apple and Spotify. Bonus: Many of them let you claim your show and optimize your profile for better search visibility.

3. Use IMDb and LinkedIn to Get Found in Search

Most podcasters are thinking about Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and maybe YouTube. But IMDb and LinkedIn? Not so much. And that’s exactly why they work.

“IMDb is owned by Amazon and trusted by Google,” Vinnie explains. “When your podcast is listed there, it helps your show rank in search—without you having to build an entire podcast website from scratch.”

And LinkedIn? It’s not just for job seekers. Your LinkedIn headline and profile bio tell the platform who to recommend you to—so if you’re not optimizing them with the right keywords, you’re missing an easy way to grow your podcast’s reach.

Optimize your LinkedIn headline and About section with searchable terms like Host of [Podcast Name] | Helping [Target Audience] with [Problem You Solve]. This ensures LinkedIn connects you with the right people. And if you’ve interviewed notable guests, share key insights from the episode and tag them to increase your visibility in their network and strengthen credibility with your audience.

The bottom line: Most podcasters focus only on podcast platforms, but search engines play a huge role in discovery. Put your show where others aren’t looking, and you’ll get found by people actively searching for content like yours.

4. Control the Narrative—Because If You Don’t, Someone Else Will

Ever feel like your podcast won’t be taken seriously until you have a massive audience? Vinnie says that’s backwards.

“I realized I didn’t need more experience to get ahead,” he said. “I needed to be the experience.”

Translation? Stop waiting for permission to position yourself as an authority. Instead of hoping an audience finds you, show up like the expert you are—on your podcast, on LinkedIn, on IMDb, and anywhere your listeners are searching for the solutions you provide.

Ask yourself: What do I want to be known for? Then audit your podcast description, social bios, and guest appearances to make sure they reinforce that positioning. Clarity builds credibility.

The Takeaway? Be Strategic, Not Just Consistent

If you’re posting and hoping for the best, it’s time for a new podcast growth strategy.

✔ Lead with your best stories
✔ Expand your distribution beyond the typical podcast platforms
✔ Use search-friendly tools like IMDb and LinkedIn to get discovered
✔ Own your narrative instead of waiting for recognition

Podcasting isn’t just about getting heard—it’s about getting heard by the right people. 

So the question isn’t if your podcast can grow. It’s how intentional about podcast growth you’re willing to be.

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, 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:

In the next episode, I’m tackling a listener's question about why great content alone won’t grow your podcast. I’ll walk you through the two biggest drivers of podcast growth and show you how to use Spotify’s analytics to pinpoint exactly where the problem is happening—so you can stop guessing and start seeing results.

Ready for a podcast that grows your audience and your business? Don’t miss the next episode!