Indie Founder #2.2 - From Stagnation to Success: Reviving User Engagement with Podsqueeze
I share the rollercoaster journey of my startup, Podsqueeze. I talk about our initial success, hitting a growth plateau, and the strategies we used to bounce back, like investing in SEO and launching new features. I dive into the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the importance of teamwork, and the challenges of maintaining motivation. I speak about the impact that ProductHunt and Backlinks had on our growth.
Mentions
Tools and Websites
- "Podsqueeze" (00:24:13) - https://podsqueeze.com
- "Product Hunt" (00:27:31) - https://www.producthunt.com
- "Indie Maker Merch" (00:37:51) - https://www.indiemakermerch.com
- "Tiago's Twitter" (00:36:38) - https://twitter.com/@wbetiago
Timestamps
Introduction to the Episode (00:00:01)
Tiago introduces the episode and its focus on overcoming challenges at Podsqueeze.
Background of Podsqueeze (00:02:20)
Tiago shares the journey of Podsqueeze, detailing initial success and past entrepreneurial attempts.
Initial Growth and Challenges (00:03:17)
The startup experiences rapid growth but soon faces a plateau in user engagement.
Berlin Conference Experience (00:04:26)
Tiago describes attending a podcasting conference in Berlin, highlighting co-founder stress.
SEO Strategy Implementation (00:06:40)
The team begins investing in SEO to improve website traffic and user engagement.
Hiring External Help for SEO (00:07:35)
Tiago discusses the decision to hire an SEO auditor to enhance their strategy.
Content Creation and Clusters (00:09:51)
The importance of keyword clusters and content creation for SEO is emphasized.
Hiring a Content Writer (00:10:51)
Tiago reflects on the positive impact of hiring a content writer for their team.
Launch of Video Clips Feature (00:11:51)
The team launches a new feature for creating video clips from podcasts.
December Decline (00:13:00)
Tiago notes a significant drop in user engagement during December.
New Product Launch (00:14:04)
A new product launch in January aims to revive interest and engagement.
Mixed Results from Product Launch (00:15:23)
The latest product launch brings in traffic, but not as much as hoped.
Continued Growth and Decline (00:16:25)
Despite initial recovery, the team notices another decline in user engagement.
Discovery of Domain Authority (00:19:56)
The concept of domain authority is introduced as crucial for improving SEO.
Building Backlinks for SEO (00:21:03)
The team focuses on acquiring backlinks to enhance their domain authority.
Summer Struggles (00:23:13)
The summer months prove challenging, with a notable decline in user engagement and morale.
The Initial Thoughts on Growth (00:24:13)
Tiago discusses his desire for more growth and the challenges of current earnings.
New Product Strategies (00:25:13)
Plans to start a new product while maintaining focus on Podsqueeze's development.
Traffic Insights from India (00:26:18)
Discovery of increased traffic from India but low conversion rates.
Impact of Product Launch on Rankings (00:27:31)
Analysis of how the product launch affected Google rankings and traffic.
Challenges with Indian Market Conversion (00:28:35)
Struggles to convert Indian users and advice received from industry friends.
August Struggles (00:29:46)
A tough month for Podsqueeze with low engagement and user activity.
September Growth (00:30:53)
A significant uptick in traffic and user engagement in September.
Domain Authority Improvement (00:32:01)
Efforts to enhance domain authority through strategic backlinks and exchanges.
Price Experiment Results (00:33:15)
Findings from A/B testing price changes and their impact on conversion rates.
Reflections on Podsqueeze's Journey (00:34:24)
Tiago reflects on the evolution and resilience of Podsqueeze over the past year.
Competitive Edge through Marketing (00:36:38)
Emphasis on the importance of marketing and SEO as a competitive advantage.
Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook (00:37:51)
Tiago expresses excitement for the future and invites audience engagement.