As a good friend of mine in podcasting says, 'If you build it, they won’t come.'

In this episode, I tackle a listener question about why great content alone doesn’t grow your podcast anymore and why pressing publish is just the beginning.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been podcasting for a while, I’ll walk you through the two biggest drivers of podcast growth and show you how to use Spotify’s analytics to pinpoint exactly where the problem is happening—so you can stop guessing and start seeing results.

Ready for a podcast that grows your audience and your business? Hit play, and let’s dive in.

0:04 - Why “If You Build It, They Will Come” Isn’t Working for Your Podcast

3:06 - The Two Big Questions Every Podcaster Should Be Asking

6:31 - What Your Messaging Is Really Saying to Potential Listeners

9:53 - The Spotify Analytics That Reveal Why Your Podcast Isn’t Growing (and How to Fix It)

14:38 - How to Get Clear on What’s Holding Your Podcast Back

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U [https://amzn.to/49HNJbj]

Have a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/406843/open_sms]

Liked this episode? Share it and tag @thecourtneyelmer [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer]!

Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a review.

Register for Courtney's Free Podcasting Workshop [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/workshop]: How to 10x Your Business with a Podcast in 2025

NEW! Schedule a 1:1 Podcasting Strategy Call [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/one-on-one-consult-with-Courtney] w/ Courtney (60-min paid session).

Curious about PodLaunch®? Book a Free Discovery Call [https://form.typeform.com/to/eNFsBbuE] to see if our podcasting mentorship is the right fit for your business.

Connect with Courtney: Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | Instagram [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer] | PodLaunch HQ [https://www.podlaunchhq.com]




Q + A | Why ‘If You Build It, They Will Come’ Isn’t Working for Your Podcast

Think you’ve tried everything to grow your podcast? Emmy Award-winning media advisor Vinnie Potestivo joins me to share four unconventional podcasting strategies most podcasters have never even considered.

From fixing hidden distribution mistakes to using tools like IMDb and LinkedIn to get discovered, Vinnie reveals how to create a podcast narrative that stands out and get your show in front of listeners who are already looking for a podcast like yours.

If you’re ready to stand out and grow smarter, hit play and let’s dive in.

2:15 - What Most Podcasters Get Wrong About Growth

8:40 - Why Your Best Stories Belong at the Top of Your Episode

15:25 - IMDb and LinkedIn: The Tools You’re Not Using (But Should Be)

22:50 - Discoverability vs. Being Discoverable

30:10 - How to Take Control of Your Podcast’s Narrative to Attract the Right Audience

Episode Links:

 * vpe.tv/gifts [http://vpe.tv/gifts]
 * vpe.tv/awards [http://vpe.tv/awards]
 * vpe.tv/fascinate [http://vpe.tv/fascinate]
 * ihaveapodcast.com [http://ihaveapodcast.com]
 * Connect with Vinnie: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinniepotestivo/] | Website [https://vpetalent.com/]

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U [https://amzn.to/49HNJbj]

Have a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/406843/open_sms]

Liked this episode? Share it and tag @thecourtneyelmer [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer]!

Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a review.

Register for Courtney's Free Podcasting Workshop [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/workshop]: How to 10x Your Business with a Podcast in 2025

NEW! Schedule a 1:1 Podcasting Strategy Call [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/one-on-one-consult-with-Courtney] w/ Courtney (60-min paid session).

Curious about PodLaunch®? Book a Free Discovery Call [https://form.typeform.com/to/eNFsBbuE] to see if our podcasting mentorship is the right fit for your business.

Connect with Courtney: Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | Instagram [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer] | PodLaunch HQ [https://www.podlaunchhq.com]




4 Podcast Growth Strategies You Haven’t Tried Yet | Vinnie Potestivo

Tired of asking your listeners to follow your show or leave reviews, only to feel like you’re talking to a wall? In this episode, I sit down with Pat Cheung, creator of FanList, to break down how to turn one-sided podcasting into a two-way conversation.

We're unpacking the real reason most listeners stay silent, why listener engagement is key (especially for small shows), and what to start saying inside your episodes to get your listeners talking back and taking action.

So if you're ready to increase listener engagement and turn your audience into a community of raving fans who actually take the time to write positive reviews, share your show on social media, and tell you how grateful they are for the work that you do, hit play and let's dive in.

0:05 - Why Your Audience Isn’t Engaging (and How to Fix It Fast)

2:10 - Two Ways to Increase Listener Engagement (Especially if You Have a Small Show)

6:30 - What to Start Saying Inside Episodes to Get Listeners Talking Back

9:00 - Why Most Call-to-Actions Don’t Work (and How to Fix Yours)

13:15 - The Secret to Building Listener Loyalty That Lasts

Episode Links:

 * Create a free Fan Page for your podcast fans with Fanlist [https://www.fanlist.com/]

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U [https://amzn.to/49HNJbj]

Have a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/406843/open_sms]

Liked this episode? Share it and tag @thecourtneyelmer [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer]!

Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a review.

Register for Courtney's Free Podcasting Workshop [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/workshop]: How to 10x Your Business with a Podcast in 2025

NEW! Schedule a 1:1 Podcasting Strategy Call [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/one-on-one-consult-with-Courtney] w/ Courtney (60-min paid session).

Curious about PodLaunch®? Book a Free Discovery Call [https://form.typeform.com/to/eNFsBbuE] to see if our podcasting mentorship is the right fit for your business.

Connect with Courtney: Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | Instagram [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer] | PodLaunch HQ [https://www.podlaunchhq.com]




Want More Engaged Listeners? Get Them Talking Back | Pat Cheung

300 episodes. 5 years. And more lessons than I can count.

In this milestone episode, I’m reflecting on the unexpected highs, the tough lessons, and the surprising ways podcasting has shaped my life, business, and personal growth.

From learning that consistency is about more than just showing up, to the one non-negotiable thing you need to make your podcast unignorable, I’m pulling back the curtain on what’s worked—and what hasn’t.

Plus, I’m challenging you to set two bold goals with me to make this your best podcasting year yet. You ready? Hit play, and let’s dive in.

0:02 - 300 Episodes Later: What I’ve Learned—and How It Can Help You
2:12 - Why Podcasting Is Hard Work (and Why It’s Worth It)
5:48 - The Biggest Misconception About Consistency
1035 -  How to Niche Your Podcast Without Limiting Your Creativity
19:15 - How Podcasting Changes You—and Why That’s Key to Success

This version sharpens the focus on listener takeaways while staying true to your tone. Ready to roll?

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U [https://amzn.to/49HNJbj]

Have a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/406843/open_sms]

Liked this episode? Share it and tag @thecourtneyelmer [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer]!

Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a review.

Register for Courtney's Free Podcasting Workshop [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/workshop]: How to 10x Your Business with a Podcast in 2025

NEW! Schedule a 1:1 Podcasting Strategy Call [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/one-on-one-consult-with-Courtney] w/ Courtney (60-min paid session).

Curious about PodLaunch®? Book a Free Discovery Call [https://form.typeform.com/to/eNFsBbuE] to see if our podcasting mentorship is the right fit for your business.

Connect with Courtney: Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | Instagram [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer] | PodLaunch HQ [https://www.podlaunchhq.com]




My Biggest Lessons (and Mistakes) from 5 Years and 300 Episodes of Podcasting

When it comes to growing a podcast, the common advice tells you to do more: guest on dozens of shows, post daily on social, run ads. But what if doing less could actually get you faster growth?

In this episode, we’re debunking outdated podcasting advice that’s slowing your progress (without you realizing it) and I’ll reveal what I’m *not* doing to grow my podcast — and how cutting back has led to up to 32% month-over-month growth.

By the time you finish this episode, you’ll know exactly how to apply the same approach to reach more listeners with your message and turn your podcast into a lead-generating machine — all while freeing up your time to actually enjoy the process of podcasting. (Spoiler: That’s Stephen Bartlett’s secret to 1 billion downloads.)

Ready to grow your podcast without adding more to your plate (and maybe even taking a few things off)? Hit play and let’s dive in.

0:04 - The Problem with Most Podcast Growth “Strategies”

2:10 - What's Really Sabotaging Your Podcast Growth

8:30 - What I’m Not Doing to Grow My Podcast

12:00 - The Real Reason Stephen Bartlett Hit 1 Billion Downloads

14:00 - 3 Steps to Find What’s Moving the Needle for Your Show

Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:

 * How to Grow Your Podcast Without Adding More to Your Plate [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/blog/minimalist-podcast-growth-alex-sanfilippo]

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U [https://amzn.to/49HNJbj]

Have a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/406843/open_sms]

Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer]

Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review [https://ratethispodcast.com/courtney]

Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call [https://form.typeform.com/to/eNFsBbuE]

Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/workshop]

Connect with Court: Instagram [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer] | Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | PodLaunch HQ [https://www.podlaunchhq.com]




Stop Doing This if You Want to Grow Your Podcast

If you’ve been putting off starting a podcast because you're not sure it’ll actually move the needle for your business, this one’s for you. Fellow podcast host and clinical psychologist Dr. Christine Li joins me to help you overcome the self-doubt, perfectionism, and procrastination that’s keeping you from getting started (hey, we’ve all been there).

From building authority right from the start to turning your show into a powerful audience-building tool, you’ll walk away knowing exactly how to crush those “Is podcasting really worth it?” fears — because every day you wait is another opportunity for someone else to launch the podcast your audience is searching for.

So if you're ready to stop overthinking and finally hit publish on your podcast (or if you just need a kick in the pants to get out of your own way), hit play and let's dive in.

3:30 - The Real Cause of Perfectionism and Procrastination in Podcasting

6:15 - Building Your Authority from Day One with Your Podcast

9:05 - Turning Your Podcast into a Powerful Client Acquisition Tool

12:00 - Why Waiting to Start a Podcast Limits Your Business Growth

14:40 - How to Stop Overthinking and Finally Press Publish on Your Podcast

Episode Links:

 * Check out Dr. Christine’s podcast: Make Time For Success [https://pod.link/1548504774]
 * Connect with Dr. Christine [https://www.procrastinationcoach.com/]

Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:

 * Achieving Goals with Ease: Embrace The “Be Do Have” Model [https://pod.link/1548504774/episode/36f574d176ac629a2ee58754d72a172e]

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U [https://amzn.to/49HNJbj]

Have a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/406843/open_sms]

Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer]

Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review [https://ratethispodcast.com/courtney]

Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call [https://form.typeform.com/to/eNFsBbuE]

Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/workshop]

Connect with Court: Instagram [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer] | Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | PodLaunch HQ [https://www.podlaunchhq.com]




Starting a Podcast That Builds Your Business (and Your Self Belief) | Dr. Christine Li

In this episode, James Cridland, editor-in-chief of Podnews, is back with his bold predictions about where podcasting is headed — and how you can stay ahead of the curve.

We’re unpacking why downloads might not hold the top spot as the industry’s gold standard for much longer, YouTube’s growing role in podcast discovery (and its limitations), and how AI is adding convenience but not the creativity needed to stand out. James also explains the growing challenge of defining what a podcast really is as platforms like Spotify and YouTube continue to blur the lines.

Whether you're starting a new show or scaling an existing one, you'll walk away from this episode with the know-how you need to stay ahead of industry trends and stay focused on what truly matters: creating content that connects and converts. Hit play and let's dive in.

18:00 - Why IAB Downloads Might Soon Lose Their Gold Standard Status

19:11 - The Role (and Limits) of YouTube in Podcast Discovery

21:41 - What *Actually* Makes a Podcast a Podcast

24:06 - Are AI Tools Saving Time or Killing Creativity?

33:39 - Adapt or Get Left Behind: How to Capitalize on the Latest Trends in Podcasting

Episode Links:

 * Podnews Daily [https://podnews.net/podcast/i8xe9] (Podcast)
 * Podnews.net [https://podnews.net/] (Daily Newsletter)
 * PodcastBroker.com [http://thepodcastbroker.com]
 * Buzzsprout.com/stats [http://buzzsprout.com/stats]
 * PodcastBusinessJournal.com/data [http://podcastbusinessjournal.com/data]
 * Make Noise: A Creator's Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling [https://amzn.to/4hXC7pb] by Eric Nuzum

Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:

 * What’s Changing in Podcasting and How to Stay Ahead

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U [https://amzn.to/49HNJbj]

Have a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/406843/open_sms]

Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer]

Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review [https://ratethispodcast.com/courtney]

Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call [https://form.typeform.com/to/eNFsBbuE]

Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/workshop]

Connect with Court: Instagram [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer] | Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | PodLaunch HQ [https://www.podlaunchhq.com]




4 Must-Know Podcasting Predictions to Capitalize On This Year | James Cridland, Podnews

In this episode, I’m joined by James Cridland from Podnews to explore the biggest changes shaking up the podcasting industry right now.

So whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been podcasting for years, James shares insights on what these shifts mean for your show and how to navigate them to stay ahead.

From the rise of niche podcasts to why video might not be as essential as you think, you’ll learn what it takes to create a podcast that lasts in today’s evolving landscape.

Ready to learn what’s working now to grow your podcast? Hit play and let’s dive in.

0:00 – What’s Driving the Biggest Shifts in Podcasting Today

2:30 – The Rise of Niche Podcasts and Why They’re Thriving

5:45 – Why Video Isn’t as Essential as Everyone Thinks

9:15 – Forget Downloads: Here Are the Numbers That Actually Indicate Growth

13:50 – Two Keys to Positioning Your Podcast for Long-Term Success

Episode Links:

 * Podnews Daily [https://podnews.net/podcast/i8xe9] (Podcast)
 * Podnews.net [https://podnews.net/] (Daily Newsletter)
 * PodcastBroker.com [http://thepodcastbroker.com]
 * Buzzsprout.com/stats [http://buzzsprout.com/stats]
 * PodcastBusinessJournal.com/data [http://podcastbusinessjournal.com/data]
 * Make Noise: A Creator's Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling [https://amzn.to/4hXC7pb] by Eric Nuzum

Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:

 * 4 Must-Know Podcasting Predictions to Capitalize On This Year

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U [https://amzn.to/49HNJbj]

Have a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/406843/open_sms]

Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer]

Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review [https://ratethispodcast.com/courtney]

Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call [https://form.typeform.com/to/eNFsBbuE]

Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/workshop]

Connect with Court: Instagram [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer] | Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | PodLaunch HQ [https://www.podlaunchhq.com]




What’s Changing in Podcasting and How to Stay Ahead | James Cridland, Podnews

If your podcast isn't showing up in search results on platforms like Apple and Spotify, your competitors are capturing the listeners you’re missing out on.

In this episode, you'll learn how to uncover the exact keywords your competitors are using, pinpoint the best ones for your show, and craft a podcast SEO strategy that helps your show stand out and get discovered by new listeners every day. Plus, I’ll share the latest tools you can use to track and refine your keyword strategy for even better results.

Ready to learn how you can dominate the search results for your specific podcast topic? Hit play and let’s dive in.

0:03 - Why Podcast SEO Matters Now More Than Ever

3:54 - Using AI to Find the Exact Keywords Your Competition is Ranking For

7:49 - How to Pinpoint the Keywords That’ll Attract Your Perfect-Fit Listener

12:08 - Where to Put Your Keywords for Maximum Impact

17:46 - Tools to Track and Refine Your SEO Strategy


Episode Links:

 * The PSO Dashboard: Ausha.co [http://ausha.co]
 * General best practices for finding new keywords [https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/9247190?sjid=3668128863840772120-NA] 


Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:

 * How to Hit the Top 5 in Apple and Spotify Search Results


→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U [https://amzn.to/49HNJbj]

Have a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/406843/open_sms]

Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer]

Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review [https://ratethispodcast.com/courtney]

Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call [https://form.typeform.com/to/eNFsBbuE]

Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/workshop]

Connect with Court: Instagram [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer] | Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | PodLaunch HQ [https://www.podlaunchhq.com]




The Exact SEO Keywords You Need to Get Your Podcast Found

What if you knew how to make your podcast pop up in the top five search results on Apple or Spotify?

In this episode, I’m showing you how to do it with an underdog discoverability strategy that’s quietly changing the game for podcasters. You’ll learn how to find the right keywords and use them to dominate search results — so you can get your show in front of the listeners already searching for a podcast like yours.

Ready for a bingeworthy top podcast that gets found by new listeners every day? Hit play and let’s dive in.

Episode Links:

 * The PSO Dashboard: Ausha.co [http://ausha.co]

Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:

 * How to Turn Your Podcast Description Into a Listener Magnet
 * The Exact SEO Keywords You Need to Get Your Podcast Found


0:05 - Why Your Podcast Isn’t Getting Found (Hint: It’s Not Your Content)

2:09 - The Proven Discoverability Strategy That’s Quietly Changing the Game (But Won’t Stay a Secret for Long)

5:08 - What You Need to Know About Using Keywords for Your Podcast

11:02 - How to Show Up Where Your Listeners Are Already Searching

18:46 - How Ranking in Search Results Builds Instant Credibility


→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U [https://amzn.to/49HNJbj]

Have a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/406843/open_sms]

Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer]

Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review [https://ratethispodcast.com/courtney]

Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call [https://form.typeform.com/to/eNFsBbuE]

Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/workshop]

Connect with Court: Instagram [https://instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer] | Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | PodLaunch HQ [https://www.podlaunchhq.com]




How to Hit the Top 5 in Apple and Spotify Search Results

Unlike other podcasts about podcasting that only cover the basics like tech and logistics, here you won't find the kind of podcasting tips you can get on Google.

Because if high-quality audio, publishing valuable episodes every week, and "staying consistent" was the secret to a profitable top podcast, then that would mean everyone who spent over $100 on a mic and gives their best stuff away for free in every episode would be ranking in the Top 100 every week — and we both know that's not the case.

So if you're a coach, consultant, or online expert who wants to start a podcast that actually gets noticed (or if you've already launched but you’re still getting less than 1k downloads per episode and aren’t converting as many leads as you want) you're in the right place.

As a Forbes-featured Top 1% podcast host who's been dubbed “The Podcast Whisperer'' by CEO Weekly, Courtney Elmer is known as the leading authority on the psychology behind what makes podcasts succeed (or fail). After spending more than four years studying what separates successful podcasts from the ones that go unnoticed, Courtney and her team have helped over 60+ business owners and experts rank their podcasts in the Top 100 and turn their show into their #1 source of organic leads by applying the science of human behavior and psychology to podcasting.

Ready to learn what separates today's top podcasts from the ones that go unnoticed so you can create a bingeworthy show that people are actually excited to listen to, rank your podcast in the charts every week, reach a global audience with your message, and convert more listeners into clients and customers? Hit play and let's dive in.

Courtney Elmer

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