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

Ever had a podcast guest that seemed incredible on paper but turned out to be a total mismatch on air? In this episode, I asked my OBM and Guest Concierge, Tayler Neeley, to take you behind the scenes and share our exact system for choosing guests who don’t just fill a slot but actually elevate your podcast’s credibility.Plus, we’ll show you a foolproof way to turn down pitches kindly and professionally (without ghosting anyone) so you can protect your listeners’ time and build trust with every episode.So if you're ready to learn how to curate guests who will strengthen your show’s authority and keep your listeners coming back for more, hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.0:02 – Why a Perfect Pitch Doesn’t Always Mean a Perfect Guest1:39 – Our Top Mistakes (and What We Fixed) in Guest Vetting3:51 – The Exact Criteria We Use to Choose Standout Guests11:37 – Handling the "Thanks, But No Thanks" Pitch Replies14:49 – Deciding When Not to Air a Guest Episode Episode Links:Steal Our Guest Vetting Criteria ChecklistHow to Decline Guest Pitches That Aren't a FitHow to Decline Airing a Guest Episode Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:Why Guesting on Podcasts Won’t Grow Your Show (Unless You Do This)Exactly What to Say to Get Your Podcast Guests to Share Their Episode  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster! Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.Register for Courtney's Free Podcasting Workshop: How to 10x Your Business with a Podcast in 2025Schedule a 1:1 Podcasting Audit with Courtney. Curious about PodLaunch®? Book a Demo to see if our podcasting mentorship is the right fit for your business. Connect with Courtney: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunch HQ ©Ⓟ 2018–2025 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Ever had a guest on your podcast with a big audience, and you’re stoked for them to share the episode to help grow your show — only for them to do NOTHING once it airs?! (Hint: it’s not because they’re lazy or forgetful.) In this episode, podcast guesting expert Kelly Mosser explains the surprising reason most podcast guests don’t share their episode, and what’s REALLY going through their mind before, during, and after the interview (and why this matters more than you think).We’re sharing four strategies you can use right away to make your podcast guests feel comfortable and confident on air, and what to say BEFORE you hit record so that they give you their best content. Plus, we’ll talk about how to stop your guest from rambling (without making it awkward), and what you can do after the interview to make sure they’re hyped to promote the episode — even if it airs weeks later.So if you want to build stronger relationships with your podcast guests and turn them into advocates for your show, this one’s for you. Hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.1:21 - What’s REALLY Going Through Your Guest’s Mind Before the Interview4:53 - The Top Reason Your Podcast Guests Aren't Sharing Their Episode10:57 - The Most Effective Way to Prep Your Podcast Guests Before Their Interview12:41 - What to Say BEFORE You Hit Record So That Your Guest Gives You Their Best Content17:44 - Do This to Keep Your Guests From Rambling (and Keep the Conversation Flowing)Episode Links:Free Masterclass: The Profitable Podcast TourCheck out Kelly’s Podcast: Aligned SuccessConnect with Kelly: Website | Instagram | LinkedInOther Episodes You’ll Enjoy:Why Guesting on Podcasts Won’t Grow Your Show (Unless You Do This)→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster! Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.Register for Courtney's Free Podcasting Workshop: How to 10x Your Business with a Podcast in 2025Schedule a 1:1 Podcasting Audit with Courtney. Curious about PodLaunch®? Book a Demo to see if our podcasting mentorship is the right fit for your business. Connect with Courtney: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunch HQ ©Ⓟ 2018–2025 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Kelly Mosser, founder of Hell Yes Media and a podcast guesting expert, challenges the common belief that appearing on podcasts will automatically grow your audience. She uncovers why most guest slots yield little ROI and highlights crucial mistakes made before the interview even starts. Kelly shares strategies for crafting effective calls to action that convert listeners into followers. She also advocates for the concept of a 'podcast tour' to maximize results and make guesting efforts more impactful. Get ready for actionable insights!

Flora McCormick, a fellow podcast host and strategist, transitioned from social media marketing to create a rapidly growing podcast that attracts new clients monthly. She shares her journey of launching a podcast that soared to the top 20 in its category. Discover why podcast listeners are more likely to become loyal clients, and learn simple strategies to amplify your growth. Flora emphasizes the power of meaningful connections through podcasting and how a repeatable system can sustain your success—all while trading social media's chaos for podcasting's clarity.

This discussion sheds light on three persistent myths that may be hindering your podcasting journey. It challenges the idea that consistency alone guarantees growth and reveals why blending in can be detrimental. Great content isn’t sufficient anymore; engagement with listeners is crucial. The conversation emphasizes the importance of unique strategies to truly attract and convert your audience, ensuring your podcast stands out in a crowded space.

Podcast ads can be powerful for growing your show, but success isn't just about picking any ad strategy and throwing money at it. You need to be intentional: understand the different podcast ad types, know how to target the right audience, track your results, and refine your approach based on what’s working.In this episode, I’m back with Mike Wiston from MowPod to dive into the tactical side of using paid ads to grow your podcast. Mike breaks down the different types of podcast ads and explains why not all ads are created equal when it comes to listener growth, to help you decide which ads are right for your show.So if you want to make your podcast ads count and learn which ad strategies can help you reach more listeners, hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.0:01 - Why Podcast Ads Are Not One Size Fits All4:10 - Podcast Ad Fatigue and What It Means for Your Strategy7:10 - Choosing the Right Ad Targeting to Reach More Listeners11:15 - How to Track Retention and Tell If Your Ads Are Working15:45 - Why Your Ads Aren’t Converting and How to Fix It Episode Links:Want to save on your next MowPod ad campaign? Use our discount link Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy: The Biggest Mistakes Podcasters Make with Paid Ads  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster! Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.Register for Courtney's Free Podcasting Workshop: How to 10x Your Business with a Podcast in 2025Schedule a 1:1 Podcasting Audit with Courtney. Curious about PodLaunch®? Book a Demo to see if our podcasting mentorship is the right fit for your business. Connect with Courtney: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunch HQ ©Ⓟ 2018–2025 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Wondering if paid ads are the right move to grow your podcast, or if they’re a waste of your time and money? In this episode, I'm joined by Mike Wiston, co-founder of MowPod, to dive deep into the right (and wrong) ways to use paid ads to grow your show.We tackle why jumping into paid ads too soon can lead to wasted dollars and disappointing results, and how building a solid organic growth engine is the key to making your ad dollars count. Mike also shares insights on understanding your metrics, avoiding costly mistakes, and creating a listener-centric community that drives genuine engagement.So if you’re wondering when it’s the right time to invest in ads or how to turn paid traffic into a loyal podcast audience, hit play and let's make your business bingeworthy.0:26 - Why Running Podcast Ads Too Soon Is a Waste of Money2:05 - Know These Metrics Before You Spend on Podcast Ads4:54 - How to Tell When Your Show is Ready for Paid Growth8:34 - Why a Listener-Centric Show Equals a Higher Podcast Ad ROI10:42 - The Ethics of Running Ads for Your Podcast Episode Links:Want to save on your next MowPod ad campaign? Use our discount link Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:How to Know Which Paid Ad Strategies are Right For Your Show  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster! Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.Register for Courtney's Free Podcasting Workshop: How to 10x Your Business with a Podcast in 2025Schedule a 1:1 Podcasting Audit with Courtney. Curious about PodLaunch®? Book a Demo to see if our podcasting mentorship is the right fit for your business. Connect with Courtney: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunch HQ ©Ⓟ 2018–2025 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Should you script or outline your podcast? The choice can shape listener engagement and influence. Explore the balance between structure and authenticity, emphasizing how real connection trumps perfection. Discover the importance of delivering content with personality, and learn why engaging your listeners is key to driving sales. Uncover strategies to stay motivated and build a devoted fan base, ensuring your podcast resonates deeply with audiences eager to share.

Discover why some podcast titles snag attention while others fall flat. Uncover the psychology that makes episode titles irresistible and learn common mistakes to avoid. Explore the pitfalls of using AI for title creation, which can actually cost you listeners. Dive into strategies that make your titles hyper-relevant and engaging, and find out the key elements that compel listeners to click play. It's all about transforming your podcast journey and boosting audience engagement!

Michael Katz, an AI expert specializing in helping podcasters, shares transformative insights on using AI to reflect individual voices. He emphasizes the crucial process of training AI to avoid generic outputs, ensuring authenticity in content creation. Katz discusses the true meaning of quality in AI products and the importance of maintaining a personal touch. He offers practical tips for navigating voice training, revealing that the journey involves continuous refinement, much like onboarding a new team member in your creative process.