#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.