Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategies for Growing a Podcast That Converts – Details, episodes & analysis

Should you put episode numbers in your podcast titles? Some podcasters swear it makes episodes easier to find. Others argue it kills discoverability. And this one podcasting decision can impact discoverability, bingeability, and whether listeners explore more of your episodes or leave after one.

I’m breaking down the pros and cons of episode numbers and showing you an easier way to help listeners find what they're looking for without wasting valuable title space or hurting your podcast search rankings. If you want listeners to discover more of your content (and see your podcast as professional and worth binging), hit play and let's dive in.

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1:02 – Do Episode Numbers Really Help Listeners?

4:11 – The Surprising Pros and Hidden Cons of Episode Numbers

8:39 – How Episode Numbers Affect SEO and Discoverability

13:56 – 2 Smarter Ways to Help Listeners Find Old Episodes

18:42 – One Simple Test to Know Whether Episode Numbers Are Right for Your Show

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Other Episodes You’ll Love:

• What It Really Takes to Reach 15M Downloads a Month with Jordan Harbinger

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Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

Get reviews for your show with PodLottery

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

After a year of following the industry’s favorite “just stay consistent” podcasting advice, Anne Rajoo was still trapped in 100-download jail no matter how many episodes or posts she put out. With limited time and zero desire to be on social media, she needed a smarter path to growing a podcast. 

In this Fix My Pod coaching session, you’ll learn how to test whether your podcast can attract strangers who don’t already know you, plus 3 high-leverage marketing moves to get your show in front of people already searching for content like yours.

If you don’t want to spend another year publishing episodes that never reach new listeners, hit play and let’s dive in.

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2:41 – Why Consistency Alone Keeps Podcasters Stuck in 100-Download Jail

7:55 – A Simple Test to See If Your Show Can Attract Strangers

12:03 – The Biggest Mistake Podcasters Make With Promotion (and What to Do Instead)

14:18 – 3 Smarter Podcast Marketing Strategies That Don’t Require Social Media

27:31 – The Overlooked Collaboration Strategy That Gets You in Front of New Listeners

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Episode Links:

• Meet Anne Rajoo: Website | LinkedIn
• Listen to Anne’s Podcast: The Productivity Sweet Spot

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Other Episodes You’ll Love:

• Why Your Podcast Isn’t Getting Found (and How to Fix It)
• Why Your Social Posts Aren’t Driving Podcast Growth

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Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

Get reviews for your show with PodLottery

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Taylor Swift’s engagement dominated headlines, but the real story was what it revealed about podcasting psychology. To outsiders, Swiftie behavior can look obsessive. In reality, it’s driven by the same listener psychology I use on this show to get you bingeing these episodes every week.

I'm about to break down five simple but powerful shifts that will help you turn casual listeners into die-hard fans of your show. Plus, three ways to build stronger listener connection both on and off the mic so your audience sees you as more than a host, but a trusted friend whose advice they follow with their wallet.

If you want to create the kind of loyalty that keeps listeners coming back, bingeing your show, and buying from you, hit play and let’s dive in.

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3:12 – Why Some Podcasts Feel Addictive and Others Get Forgotten

6:46 – 3 Ways Consistency Creates Fan Attachment (Like Swifties Waiting for a Ticket Drop)

12:38 – The Fastest Way to Turn a Stranger Into a Loyal Fan of Your Show

17:30 – How to Use Easter Eggs and Callbacks to Reward Listener Loyalty

23:15 – Why Listeners Follow Advice From Podcast Hosts They’ve Never Met

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Other Episodes You’ll Love:

• Why Taylor Swift’s Engagement Just Handed Us The Biggest Podcast Marketing Lesson Yet
• Why Your Social Posts Aren’t Driving Podcast Growth

...

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

Get reviews for your show with PodLottery

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

You’ve probably heard all about how to save time editing, uploading, and promoting — but the real time-suck for most podcasters? Planning the dang episode before you even hit record! But what if you could cut your episode prep time in half, reclaim that mental energy, and never stare at a blank screen wondering what to talk about again?

In this episode, podcast productivity guru Joe Casabona shares a simple framework that’ll help you capture ideas wherever you are (yes, even mid-shampoo) and streamline your episode prep time, free up your creativity, and create episodes that connect and convert — all without accidentally undermining your authority with AI.

If you’re ready to have more fun and enjoy podcasting again with a smarter, faster way to prep your episodes and position yourself as the go-to podcaster in your niche, hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

0:08 - Where Most Podcasters Waste Time Planning Podcast Episodes
2:28 - Stop Waiting for Inspiration to Strike (Do This Instead)
13:32 - The Simple Episode Planning Framework to Cut Your Prep Time in Half
19:45 - The Right Way to Leverage Your Content Across Platforms
22:39 - How to Know Your Content is Hitting the Mark

Episode Links:

• Save 12 Hours a week with Joe's Podcast Automation Planners
• Check out Joe Casabona’s podcast: The Streamlined Solopreneur

Other Episodes You'll Enjoy: 

• How to Grow Your Podcast Without Adding More to Your Plate
  
  
  

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

Get reviews for your show with PodLottery

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Getting on the podcast charts is like ranking on the first page of Google. It's an incredibly powerful way to get found by new listeners, and surprisingly? It's easier than you might think.

In this episode we're unpacking why charting is key for discoverability beyond word-of-mouth or organic search, and why it's not out of reach for you even if you're just starting out or have a small audience. You’ll also learn how to stop stressing over your download numbers and start using them as data points to build a growth strategy that keeps your listeners hooked and attracts new ones.

Ready to uncover the five key metrics Apple and Spotify use to rank podcasts — and how you can leverage them to get found by new listeners? Hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

0:00 - The Real Purpose of Podcast Charts
4:20 - Why Charting Is Like Getting on Page One of Google
7:14 - The Five Key Metrics That Determine Apple and Spotify Ratings
12:15 - Proven Strategies to Increase Your Ranking Potential
16:24 - Why It's Time to Stop Obsessing Over Downloads

Episode Links:

• Check out Zach Kristensen's podcast: Your Path to Publish

Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy: 

• Why You Don’t Need Big Numbers to Rank Your Podcast

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

Get reviews for your show with PodLottery

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Want to know how to keep your listeners hooked from start to finish? In this episode, we’re diving into the psychology of how platforms like Netflix and Hulu create bingeworthy content — and how to apply these same principles to your episodes to keep your listeners hooked and coming back for more. 

Learn how to open loops that leave listeners hanging (in a good way), the best way to tease future episodes, and how to increase that all-important listener consumption rate that signals to players like Apple Podcasts and Spotify that you have high listener engagement. Bonus: you can use these same techniques across your social media platforms and email newsletters, too.

Ready to learn exactly how to keep your listeners tuning in episode after episode? Hit play and let's make your business bingeworthy.

0:02 - How to Tell if Listeners Are Truly Hooked on Your Podcast

1:01 - What ACTUALLY Drives Listener Engagement

2:45 - The One Metric That’s Changing How to Measure Your Podcast's Success

4:55 - How to Find the Ideal Episode Length to Keep Your Audience Listening Longer

6:47 - The Technique Netflix and Hulu Use to Make You Binge Watch (And How to Use it For Your Podcast)

12:17 - The Simple Technique That Keeps Listeners Coming Back

15:26 - Using These Techniques Throughout Your Entire Content Strategy

 Other Episodes You'll Enjoy:

• The Down & Dirty Truth About Episode Length

Special thanks to Flora McCormick of Sustainable Parenting for submitting today’s question. If you have a question you’d like me to answer in an upcoming episode, shoot me a text below.

 
 → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

Get reviews for your show with PodLottery

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Think you need a massive number of downloads to rank your podcast? Think again. In this episode, fellow podcaster Zach Kristensen reveals how he relaunched his podcast and landed on the Apple Podcast charts with fewer downloads than you'd expect.

We’re unpacking the challenges that led him to rethink his show, the unexpected lessons he learned about crafting the right message, and the specific changes he made that helped him connect with the right listeners, convert them into leads, and redefine his show's success. So if you’re ready for your podcast to drive real business growth (without spending another minute obsessing over download numbers), hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

0:46 - How to Grow a Top Podcast Without a Big Audience
2:32 - How to Leverage Your Existing Episodes for Faster Growth
6:37 - The Surprising Launch Results That Prove Download Numbers Are Deceiving
9:14 - Why Rebranding Could Be Your Podcast's Game Changer
13:11 - Strategic Shifts That Keep Your Listeners Hooked (and Coming Back)

Episode Links:

• Check out Zach’s podcast: Your Path to Publish
• Connect with Zach

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

Get reviews for your show with PodLottery

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

If you want your podcast discovered by new listeners, you need three key things to stand out in today’s increasingly crowded space. In this episode, we’re unpacking what it really takes to attract new listeners daily  — and revealing the one growth metric most podcasters aren’t tracking (but should be).

Ready to learn how to get listeners choosing your show over the competition and go from unheard expert to binge-worthy thought leader in your niche? Hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

0:02 - Three Must-Haves for Getting Your Podcast Discovered

1:37 - The Real Reason Most Hosts Never Hit the Top Charts

4:20 - How to Attract Listeners Actively Searching for Shows Like Yours

14:29 - The One Differentiator You Need to Stand Out in a Crowded Podcast Category

20:00 - The Podcast Growth Metric You’re Probably Not Tracking (But Should Be)

 → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

Get reviews for your show with PodLottery

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Can you have a successful podcast without video? Short answer: Absolutely.

But are you missing out on podcast growth by sticking to audio only? It depends.

Podcasting hall-of-famer Dave Jackson is back to set the record straight on video podcasts. We’re tackling questions like: Is it worth putting a podcast on YouTube? What advantages are there to having a video podcast? Can you start with audio and add video later? When's the right time to add video? And is this video podcasting trend here to stay?

Whether you launched your podcast to avoid the camera or you're eyeing YouTube as the secret strategy for faster podcast growth, this episode has the answers you need. Hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

0:03 - Should You Follow the Video Podcasting Trend?

1:27 - Are You Ready for Video Podcasting? Here's How to Tell

5:43 - Audio vs. Video: Do You Really Need to Be on YouTube?

10:07 - Will the YouTube Algorithm Help or Hurt Your Podcast?

18:26 - What’s Coming Next for Podcast Advertising

 Episode Links:

• Profit From Your Podcast Book by Dave Jackson
• Check out Dave's Podcast: School of Podcasting
• Connect with Dave

 
 → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

Get reviews for your show with PodLottery

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

People often say that monetizing a podcast is all about growing your audience and landing sponsors and advertisers. But if it were that simple, then why are so many podcast hosts still struggling to make real money?

The truth is, there are over 20+ ways to monetize a podcast *without* sponsors or ads — yep, even if you have a small audience, don't have a business, or are just a few months into your podcasting journey.

Podcasting Hall-of-Famer Dave Jackson is in the studio with me to break down the do’s and don’ts of podcast monetization, as well as what you need to have in place before you can start monetizing so that your podcast can become a real source of profit (and not a money pit).

So if you’ve got a podcast that isn’t making money (or you’re looking to start one and turn it into a steady income stream) hit play and let's make your business bingeworthy.

0:22 - Why Your Podcast Isn't Making Money Yet

5:31 - What You Need Before You Can Successfully Monetize a Podcast

10:21 - The Secret to Turning Listeners into Loyal Customers

14:01 - How to Monetize a Small Podcast Without Sponsors

18:47 - The Underrated Key to Podcast Growth

 Episode Links:

• Profit From Your Podcast Book by Dave Jackson
• Check out Dave's Podcast: School of Podcasting
• Connect with Dave

 
→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help from me.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack

Get reviews for your show with PodLottery

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call for help to fix it.

Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.