Episode 282 | Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast | Courtney Elmer

3 Types of Podcasting Advice You Can Totally Ignore

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of terrible podcasting advice floating around about how to start and grow a podcast. Some of it’s outdated, and some of it was never even true to begin with. Yet, it keeps getting repeated like gospel, leading too many hosts down the wrong path — and causing many of them to quit by episode six.

In this episode, we’re calling out three common pieces of podcasting advice that aren’t actually helping you. From the myth that consistency alone will grow your show to why great content isn’t enough anymore, we’ll unpack what you really need to know to launch and grow a top podcast that turns listeners into clients. 

So if you’ve been following all the “rules” but still aren’t seeing the growth you hoped for, it’s time to switch up your strategy. Want to know what really works to create a show that attracts and converts new listeners every day? Read on.

Why Consistency Alone Won’t Grow Your Podcast

How many times have you heard, “Consistency is key in podcasting,” or, “If you build it, they will come”… and you’re like, “I’m the most consistent person I know! I’ve never missed a week. I share my episodes with my email list and all over social media… and still nothing!”

You’re doing everything the so-called podcasting “experts” say to do, yet the growth just isn’t there. And it’s not your fault. The podcasting landscape has changed a lot since 2003 when the first RSS feed was created — yet, somehow, we’re still hearing the same old podcasting advice that was never all that helpful to begin with. And too many podcasters are following it, wondering why their show isn’t growing like they hoped.

This misinformation is one of the biggest reasons why most podcasts give up by episode six. Not because of a lack of information, but because of a lack of relevant, current, podcasting advice. Anyone can Google “How to Create a Podcast” and get thousands of hits. But what you won’t find is the specific info you need to create a top podcast that stands out and brings in new leads for your business.

So what do we have right now? A new wave of podcast experts preaching the same old, worn-out podcasting advice that isn’t actually helping you grow. Let’s break down these myths and talk through why they aren’t helpful — and what you need to know instead to actually succeed as a podcast host and make your podcast a powerful marketing tool.

How Consistency Shapes Listener Habits

You’ve heard it a million times: "Consistency is key." But if that rote podcasting advice were true, wouldn’t every host posting episodes week after week have a top podcast? Consistency matters, sure — but not the way you've been led to believe.

Consistency doesn’t equal podcast growth. Instead, what it does is build trust. (You know, the kind of trust that’s a must-have if you want listeners to stick around long enough to eventually buy from you). That’s why consistency matters. Not because it will magically grow your audience, but because it shapes listener habits.

Think about it. You probably have products you buy out of habit — like your go-to coffee brand or the vitamins you have on auto-ship. Why? Because they work, they’re familiar, and you don’t want to waste time or money trying something new. The same goes for your listeners, because as humans, we like to stick to what’s familiar. Your listeners do the same. When they know you’re consistently showing up, your podcast becomes part of their routine and they hit ‘play’ without thinking twice.

So yes, consistency matters—but not because it magically grows your show. It keeps you top-of-mind with your existing listeners and shows potential new listeners that you’re reliable. It’s a cog in the wheel, not the whole machine. 

And while consistency builds trust, it’s not the only thing that keeps listeners coming back. Because the next big myth? That great content alone will make your podcast grow. Spoiler: It won’t.

Why Great Content Isn’t Enough

Back in the early days, having great content was enough to grow your podcast. There were way more listeners than shows, so good content was what helped shows like Amy Porterfield’s and Joe Rogan’s rise to the top. But today? Everybody has great content. So how do you make yours stand out?

With more options than ever to choose from, now listeners are more discerning about where they spend their time. They aren’t just looking for "good" content anymore — they’re looking for something they can’t get anywhere else. And if you want to win their attention, you’ve got to show them that before they even hit play. Otherwise they will never hear all the “good content” your podcast has to offer.

This kind of differentiation is the critical piece that most podcasters overlook. And it’s why most never get the chance to turn potential new listeners into loyal fans. 

The first impression your podcast makes — whether it’s through your podcast name, cover art, episode titles, or descriptions — is what convinces potential listeners to press play. That means these “Podcast Content Gatekeepers™” need to reflect exactly what problem your show solves for your listener, in a way they can’t get anywhere else. When a listener sees their specific needs mirrored back at them, they're way more likely to hit play, trust you have the solution, and stick around.

In today’s podcasting world, differentiation isn’t just about having a unique voice or perspective — it’s about making sure listeners know that your podcast is different and valuable, right from the first glance.

What Really Drives Your Podcast’s Revenue

There’s another common piece of podcasting advice out there that goes like this: “If I can just get more downloads, I’ll start making more money.” Makes sense on the surface, right? Bigger audience = bigger revenue. But not so fast.

In the early days of podcasting, sure, a bigger audience meant more potential for ad revenue, especially with CPM (cost per thousand) advertising. But the podcasting landscape has shifted, and downloads aren’t the only — or even the best — way to measure your podcast’s success.

Here’s why: More listeners don’t automatically equal more sales, because a bigger audience won’t fix a broken funnel. If the audience you already have isn’t converting, adding more listeners won’t change that. You’ll just have more people who aren’t buying.

Think of it like this: would you rather have 1,000 listeners with 10% converting into paying clients or 100,000 listeners who never take action?

Take our client Flora, for example. She was doing fine with her local referrals, but her podcast didn’t start bringing in clients from all over the world until she learned how to differentiate her message and attract the right listeners. Or Kathryn, whose small but engaged audience drives high-ticket $10K clients to her business with just a few hundred listeners a month.

A bigger audience might give you the illusion of progress, but unless that growth is converting into subscribers or clients, it’s just numbers on a screen. If your podcast doesn’t clearly communicate that you have the solution, listeners might passively tune in, but they won’t buy.

Adapt or Get Left Behind

The podcast industry is shifting, fast. What worked ten or even five years ago, doesn’t work anymore. Or said another way? The podcasting advice that got you here, won’t get you there. Here’s the bottom line:

• Consistency won’t grow your show, but it will make you the go-to expert for your listeners.
  
  
• While everyone says “content is king,” it’s differentiation that gets listeners to give your show a chance in the first place.
  
  
• A big audience won’t automatically make you money. But the right audience — and knowing how to attract them — will. 

At the end of the day, it’s not about doing more (no matter what the industry tells you). It’s about doing what actually matters—building trust, differentiating your show, and attracting the right listeners who take action. That’s what drives real growth.

And if you’re an established coach or consultant ready to launch or scale your podcast — and want a proven strategy to attract the right listeners who convert into clients — we’re here to help you make it happen. Book a free strategy call with our team to find out if you’re a fit for PodLaunch®. 

Or if you’re ready for more insider secrets on launching and scaling your podcast, hit follow on Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast on your favorite app so you never miss a new episode.

Up Next:

Thinking about launching a podcast or struggling to grow the one you’ve got? In the next episode, listen in as fellow host Flora McCormick and I unpack how shifting from social media to a strategically-positioned podcast helped her grow five times faster than the average show — and attract clients from around the world.

Whether you’re new to podcasting or an established business owner looking to use your show to grow your business, (and you’re ready to connect with more clients and make a bigger impact), don’t miss the next episode!