Here are 5 ways to grow your podcast the simple way—strategies that actually move the needle without the headache.
1. Treat Your Episode Titles Like Headlines, Not Inside Jokes
Why it matters:
People scroll. Fast. If your title doesn’t tell them exactly what’s in it for them, they won’t click—no matter how great the episode is.
Make it work:
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Use keywords people actually search for
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Add numbers or power phrases (“5 Lessons from Failure”, “How to…”)
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Don’t bury the gold—put the main takeaway up front
Instead of:
Ep. 22 – Burned Out Again
Try:
How I Burned Out & Bounced Back Stronger: 3 Lessons You Need to Hear
2. Promote the Clip, Not Just the Link
Why it matters:
Attention spans are short. But a 15-second hook from your show? That can go viral. Posting audiograms, video clips, or quotes helps turn listeners into followers—and followers into fans.
Make it work:
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Use free tools like Headliner, Opus Clip, or Riverside’s Magic Clips
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Post on YouTube Shorts, IG Reels, TikTok, and X
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End each clip with: “Full episode in bio”
Pro tip: Focus on one jaw-dropping soundbite per episode. You’re not promoting everything—just the moment that makes people say, “I need more.”
3. Turn Show Notes Into SEO Gold
Why it matters:
Google can’t hear your podcast—but it can read your show notes. Use that space to get discovered on search engines and podcast apps.
Make it work:
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Write a short summary that includes keywords from your episode topic
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Add 3–5 bullet points about what listeners will learn
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Drop links to your site, guest socials, and newsletter
Bonus: Adding timestamps helps with YouTube and improves engagement for your audio listeners.
4. Make Every Guest a Collaborator, Not Just a Name
Why it matters:
A guest episode is more than a conversation—it’s a collaboration. When your guest shares the episode with their audience, you grow. If they don’t… you’re shouting into your own echo chamber.
Make it work:
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Send them a “promo kit” with clips, quotes, and easy-to-copy captions
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Tag them everywhere on socials
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Ask them what platforms they want to be featured on (some love LinkedIn, others prefer Stories)
The easier you make it, the more they’ll share.
5. Stay Consistent—Even If It’s Once a Month
Why it matters:
Consistency builds trust—and trust builds audience. You don’t need to release every week if it’s burning you out. Just be reliable.
Make it work:
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Set a release schedule you can sustain (weekly, biweekly, monthly)
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Batch record episodes ahead of time
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Let your audience know what to expect
Remember: It’s better to drop one great episode every 2 weeks than to burn out trying to keep up with daily content.
๐ง Final Thought:
Growth isn’t magic—it’s momentum. Start simple. Stay consistent. Make it easy for people to find, fall in love with, and share your podcast.
When you show up with real value and smart strategy, the audience will come.