Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategy for Business Growth

Should you run paid podcast ads to grow your show? In this episode, we break down the ins and outs of podcast ads to help you decide if they're worth the investment. We'll cover the best types of podcast ads, the ones to avoid, and whether paid ads are right for you. Get the inside scoop on the most effective ad types, pros and cons of organic vs. paid growth strategies, and how to gauge the accuracy of targeting algorithms so you can track your ad performance. If you're considering paid podcast ads, this episode is chock-full of the clarity and practical advice you need. Oh, and your wallet will thank you. Hit play and let's make your business bingeworthy.0:12 - Should You Run Podcast Ads?3:22 - Organic vs. Paid Strategies: What's Better for Podcast Growth?6:48 - The Best Time to Start Running Podcast Ads10:40 - Types of Podcast Ads and Their Pros and Cons17:02 - Do This BEFORE Running Podcast Ads20:10 - Why Bigger Download Numbers Aren't Always BetterSpecial thanks to Laura, host of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, for submitting today's question!→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Want to get more of your listeners asking, “How can I work with you?!” If you’re nodding yes, then this episode is for you.We’re diving deep into listener psychology with three powerful language patterns that’ll help you communicate more effectively as a podcast host so you can drive more listener-to-lead conversions. (Master these and you'll have 'em hitting replay and coming back every week for more, too).The best part? These three language patterns aren’t just for your podcast. You can use them anytime you need to overcome objections and move people to action — on sales calls, from stage, on webinars, and more.If you’re ready to learn how to turn more listeners into clients so you can grow your business and expand your podcast's reach, hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.1:10 - Why Listener Psychology Is Your Secret Weapon for Turning Listeners into Clients6:05 - The Key to Positioning Yourself as the Go-To Expert for Your Audience9:18 - How to Skillfully Challenge Beliefs and Inspire Action12:34 - Three Language Patterns that Drive Podcast Conversions17:45 - Applying These Techniques Beyond Podcasting Episode Links: Sleight of Mouth book by Robert DiltsCheck out Brandon Lucero’s podcast: New Generation EntrepreneurCheck out James Wedmore’s podcast: Mind Your Business Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy: The Real Reason Your Podcast Isn’t Converting3 Ways to Hook Your Listener Before They Hit Play → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Are you buried in podcasting tasks and tools that promise growth but only add to your workload? If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the constant push to do more with your podcast, this episode is for you.Alex Sanfilippo is back in the studio to share why doing more doesn’t always equal more podcast growth (and why in most cases it just leads to more complications, more time spent, and more stress).We’ll also uncover the hidden downside of many AI podcasting tools that actually create unnecessary work and show you how to streamline your processes by eliminating the tools that aren’t truly serving your show’s greater good.Ready to simplify your podcasting efforts while maximizing your growth potential? Hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.0:01 - Why Less is More in Podcasting0:46 - How Simplifying Your Message Can Help Your Podcast Grow Faster3:17 - Why AI Isn’t Saving You as Much Time as You Think It Is7:18 - The Social Media Trap That’s Slowing Your Podcast Growth10:38 - Why Rebranding Isn’t a Sign of Failure, But of Growth Episode Links:Podmatch - Alex’s platform for connecting podcasters with guestsCheck out Alex's podcast: Podcasting Made SimpleConnect with Alex: Podcast | LinkedIn  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

It’s tempting to think that the more you can do to help your podcast grow, the faster you’ll see results — but the opposite is true. But when it comes to growing a podcast, it’s not about doing everything. It’s about focusing on a few strategies and executing them exceptionally well.In this episode, Alex Sanfilippo, founder of PodMatch, reveals why focusing on what really matters is the secret to skyrocketing your podcast growth.We also unpack why trying to replicate what other successful hosts are doing might be causing listeners to overlook your show, and how mastering a handful of key tactics can speed up your podcast’s success. Plus, Alex shares his powerful four-question approach to understanding your audience on a deeper level.Ready to streamline your efforts and unlock the strategies that will truly accelerate your podcast growth? Hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.0:01 - Why Doing More Doesn't Equal Faster Podcast Growth0:57 - The Counterintuitive Way to Hook Listeners and Keep Them Coming Back4:11 - Why Your Current Podcast Growth Strategy Might Be Working Against You7:22 - The Bold Move Most Podcasters Are Too Scared to Make14:10 - The Surprising Way to Turn Listeners Into Loyal Fans Episode Links:Podmatch - Alex’s platform for connecting podcasters with guestsCheck out Alex's podcast: Podcasting Made SimpleConnect with Alex: Podcast | LinkedIn  Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:How to Tell if Your Podcast Needs a RebrandThe Real Reason Your Podcast Isn’t Converting  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Did you know that the first eight weeks of your podcast are crucial for platforms like Apple and Spotify to determine your show’s initial potential? …but what if you miss that window?No worries — you can hit the reset button by relaunching your podcast. (PSST: it’s a strategy that works *especially* well if your podcast has been gathering dust or if you haven’t been releasing episodes consistently).In this episode, we’re diving into Dr. Reana Mulcahy's podcast relaunch, where she took her show from 35 downloads per episode to the Top 100 charts. We'll also tackle the common issue of podcaster burnout and give you actionable tips to breathe new life into your show.Whether you’re looking to increase downloads, reignite excitement among your current and new listeners, or gain serious momentum and visibility, this episode is a must. Hit play and let's make your business bingeworthy.0:45 - How a Podcast Relaunch Catapulted Reana's Show to the Top 10003:00 - Three Hidden Obstacles in Growing Your Podcast and How to Fix Them06:10 - From 35 Downloads an Episode to #71 in the Entrepreneur Category08:30 - Why Your Podcast Name Can Make or Break Your Show11:41 - Mastering The Five Podcast Content Gatekeepers™ to Drive Real Podcast Growth Episodes Links:Check out Reana's podcast: Breaking The Entrepreneur Burnout Cycle → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Challenging the norm of measuring podcast success based on downloads, this episode encourages setting new goals and measuring progress differently to stay motivated and true to your vision. Host discusses the limitations of traditional metrics and advocates for valuing engagement, creativity, and personal growth in podcasting.

Seth Silvers, Founder of Story On Media and strategist for industry-leading podcasts, unpacks the secrets to effective podcast guesting. He discusses why many guest appearances fail to yield results and the importance of selecting the right shows. Seth emphasizes serving the audience over self-promotion and building trust with hosts for genuine interactions. He shares strategies for impactful pitches and the necessity of aligning with a podcast's audience to foster meaningful connections.

Ever wish you could go behind the scenes with someone who oversees strategies for today's top podcasts like Alex Hormozi and Patrick Lencioni?Your wish is my command. Podcast expert Seth Silvers is here in the studio to teach you how to create a podcast that doesn't just capture attention, but dominates the conversation.We transparently discuss why the era of traditional interview-style podcasts is coming to an end. Seth also shares the step-by-step competitive analysis you can do to identify gaps in your niche and leverage them to your advantage so you can increase listener-to-lead conversions. Trust us — your listeners (and your stats) will thank you!If you’re serious about mastering your craft as a host and making your podcast your number one marketing channel, hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.0:04 – What’s Causing the Decline in Overall Podcast Quality3:28 – Why Interview-Based Shows are on the Decline8:43 – Practical Steps to Be a Better Podcast Host14:36 – How to Ace Interview Preparation and Guest Vetting20:06 – How Podcast Hosts Can Raise the Bar and Set New Standards  Episode Links:Connect with Seth’s team: Story On MediaCheck out Seth's podcast: The Small Business Storytellers    → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Ever wonder how a brand-new podcast can skyrocket to the top of the charts? There are two ways it can happen, and in this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of bestselling author and founder Jamie Kern Lima’s recent podcast launch to show you how.Find out the mechanisms at work that helped her claim the #1 spot in self-improvement, Top 20 on Spotify, and Top 20 of all podcasts in the USA, and learn how to leverage these same mechanisms for your show. You’ll also discover the key metrics that actually determine your podcast's success (and nope, it’s not downloads).If you’re ready to increase your podcast’s discoverability so more new listeners can find you, hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.0:02 - Jamie Kern Lima's Meteoric Rise to Podcast Stardom 1:43 - The Five Pillars for a Successful Podcast Launch6:58 - Comparing Niche Podcasts vs. Celebrity Podcasts11:11 - Why SEO and Intentional Launch Strategies are Crucial16:57 - Defining Your Own Measures of Podcast Success Other Episodes You'll Enjoy:Do Niche Podcasts Grow Faster?  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

If you have a podcast that’s not converting as many listeners to leads as you want, chances are it has nothing to do with the current size of your podcast audience and everything to do with the first impression you’re making on your listeners.Fellow podcaster Beth Schillaci joins me in this episode to break down the five key elements of your podcast that shape the crucial first impression on your listeners. By the time you finish listening, you’ll be armed with the know-how to make every new listener nod and go, “Finally! This is the show I’ve been looking for.”Is it time to rebrand your podcast? Or is your podcast already doing a great job of standing out in a crowded feed? Hit play to find out.0:00 - Why Your Podcast Audience Isn't Converting and How to Fix It1:40 - From Stagnant Podcast Growth to a Successful Relaunch3:40 - The Five Critical Podcast Content Gatekeepers™ for a Powerful First Impression6:43 - The Power of Specificity in Your Podcast's Name and Description12:21 - What Relaunching Your Podcast Could Mean for You  Episode LinksCheck out Beth Schillaci's podcast: Travel Beyond the Guidebook Other Episodes You’ll EnjoyDo Niche Podcasts Grow Faster?  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.