Episode 292 | Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast | Courtney Elmer

Why Your Podcast Description Could Be Costing You Listeners (and How to Fix It)

“Courtney, I don’t get it.” She sighed and leaned back in her chair. “The feedback I get on my podcast is amazing. People tell me it’s awesome, how much it’s helped them… but it’s just not converting.”

We were on a Zoom call, but I wanted to reach out and hug her. “I’ve published 50 episodes..." Her voice cracked. "It’s brought in maybe three new clients. My downloads are low, and I’m not seeing more followers or email opt-ins. I feel like I’m missing something, but I don’t know what.”

I leaned forward. I’d heard this before. This wasn’t just frustration — it was desperation. “I hear you,” I said. “And you’re not alone.”

This is where so many podcasters find themselves — 25 episodes in, 50 episodes in, 100 episodes in. They’re showing up week after week, pouring their expertise and energy into each episode, delivering insane value... yet it feels like listeners just don’t care.

While there’s rarely just one reason for this disconnect, there is one place I often look first: your podcast description.

Why Your Podcast Description Matters

When was the last time you thought about your podcast description? If your answer is “the day I wrote it,” you’re in good company. Most podcasters rarely give it a second thought. But if you’re aiming to stand out and become an exceptional podcaster, it’s time to revisit it.

Your podcast description isn’t just filler text. It’s your first opportunity to speak directly to your listener. If it doesn’t immediately say, This is for you. This is what you’ll gain. This is why it’s worth your time, they’ll move on to the next show.

Because if your description doesn’t stop a listener in their tracks and make them think, This is the podcast I’ve been searching for, it doesn’t matter how much value you pack into your episodes. They’ll never hear them. So let's fix it, shall we?

Why Most Podcast Descriptions Don’t Work

The harsh truth? Most podcast descriptions sound like everyone else’s. They’re vague, boring, and stuffed with buzzwords like “empowering,” “inspiring,” or “authentic.” These words might feel true to you, but they don’t tell your audience why your show matters to them.

Think of your podcast description like the back cover of a bestselling book. You wouldn’t pick up a novel that says, “This is a great story with characters who overcome challenges.” You’d want to know what makes it unique. Why is this story worth your time? Your listeners are no different.

What’s Really Stopping Listeners from Hitting Play

Listeners don’t have time to figure out what your podcast is about. With thousands of shows vying for attention, they’re skimming titles, artwork, and descriptions in seconds. Your podcast description needs to grab them immediately by speaking to their specific needs or desires.

The biggest mistake? Writing a description that talks about you instead of to them. Yes you want some social proof, but if your description only highlights your achievements, it won’t make listeners feel seen and understood, which is the key to getting their buy-in.

What Bestselling Books Can Teach You About Your Podcast

Imagine walking into a bookstore and scanning a row of books on the same topic. You scan a row of books on the same topic, and one cover catches your eye. You read the title, skim the summary, and think, This is exactly what I need.

Your podcast follows the same pattern:

1. Artwork grabs attention.
2. Title sparks curiosity.
3. Description seals the deal.

If your description doesn’t immediately and clearly communicate who your show is for and what they’ll gain by listening, it’s like a book summary that’s vague and unrelatable—or worse, sounds like AI wrote it. They’ll scroll right past and move on.

Podcast Description Makeover: A Real Client’s Before-and-After 

When I asked my client to read me her description, she hesitated. “Honestly, I threw something together when I launched and haven’t looked at it since.”

So, we pulled it up. Here’s an excerpt of what it sounded like:

“You don’t have to choose between your family or career. Whether you're a stay-at-home mom looking to find your identity outside of motherhood or an overworked corporate holdout, this podcast is for you. Join me to learn mindset shifts and marketing strategies that have helped me grow my business over the past five years.”

Here’s the problem:

• It’s vague.
• It’s confusing. 
• It sounds like every other business-mompreneur-mindset podcast.
• And it doesn’t answer the listener’s biggest question: What’s in it for me?

Oh, and by the way — this was a fitness podcast.

So, we rewrote it. But we didn’t just tweak the words. We shifted the focus entirely — from being about her to being about her listener. It was no longer about the tips she shared or the stories she told. It was about solving a specific problem her audience was desperate to fix.

Here’s a peek at how it sounds now:

In your twenties weight came off with cardio, skipping meals, or cutting calories. But after kids? Orange Theory, F45, even Pilates aren't cutting it. You’ve tried intermittent fasting, keto, paleo — maybe even thought about Ozempic! — but the scale won’t budge. And it’s not your fault.

Most health and fitness podcasts miss one key thing: you’re a mom. Between stress, unbalanced hormones, randomly sick kids, or a partner who’s out of town for work again, “prioritizing you” always falls last on your list.

So unlike podcasts that push strict meal plans or unrealistic workouts, here you’ll learn how to lose fat without feeling deprived, and build lean muscle you can see in a tank top. 

Because anyone can tell you how to diet, but they’re not juggling work, school drop-offs, laundry, and the mental load of motherhood. You need a strategy that works with your busy life, not against it. 

What changed? Specificity. By focusing on her listener’s real struggles and showing why her podcast was different, we created a description that stopped them in their tracks.

The result? Listeners immediately knew, This is the show for me.

How to Tell if Your Podcast Description Is Doing Its Job

Here’s a quick gut-check:

• Does your description clearly state who your podcast is for?
• Does it address a specific problem your listener is facing?
• Does it explain what makes your show different from others?
• Does it invite them to hit play in a way that feels personal?

If you’re reading your description and thinking, “Well, kind of,” it’s time to revisit it. The best podcast descriptions do five key things:

1. Hook + Differentiator: Start with a statement that grabs attention and sets you apart. (Think: a pain point, problem, or desire they deeply want.)
2. Agitate the Problem: Show them you understand their struggle.
3. Offer Relief: Give ‘em hope there’s a solution — and that your podcast has it.
4. Social Proof: Highlight why they should listen to YOU over someone else.
5. Call to Action: Tell them exactly what to do next (Hint: hit “play”).

But here’s the thing: listeners skim — they don’t read. Your first sentence has to hook them, and every word that follows should keep them reading.

And before you ask, “How long should my description be?” It’s not about length. It’s about relevance. If your podcast description isn’t doing its job, you’re missing out on connecting with cold listeners who don’t know you yet.

In a world where attention spans are shorter than ever, this is not the place to wing it.

Want to see more before-and-afters like this? I’ve put together a bonus resource with real examples from clients who’ve transformed their descriptions into listener magnets. Grab it HERE.

And if you want to hear more about turning your description into a listener magnet (plus tips on optimizing it for SEO), tune in to the episode.

And if you’re ready for a proven strategy to launch or scale a podcast that grows your business, book a free strategy call with my team to find out if you’re a fit for PodLaunch® — we’re here to help.

Or if you’re just here for the content and want more free advice on starting a podcast, growing a podcast, and turning listeners into clients, hit “Follow” on Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast so you never miss an episode.

Because your podcast description? It’s not just a box to check.  It’s the bridge between your brilliance and the people who need it.

Up Next:

Think your podcast idea is too niche? Or that your ideal audience doesn’t even listen to podcasts? In the next episode, we’ll explore why those might actually be your greatest strengths. So, if you’ve ever doubted your ability to start a podcast in a crowded space, this one’s for you. Don’t miss it!