Is Your Podcast Boring? How to Engage Listeners and Build Loyal Fans with Podcast Manager Adrienne Cruz
Point Of The Story
Season Planning and Format Changes
Sarah and Adrienne plan season structure: solo/guest alternation, intros, recurring season-end check-ins.
When I decided to launch a podcast, I had absolutely zero intention of editing it myself. Like, I cannot think of anything worse for someone with ADHD than planning, recording, editing, AND promoting a whole-ass show.
Enter Adrienne Cruz, who cold-pitched me so perfectly I wanted to kiss her on the mouth.
In this episode, I sit down with the woman who makes Point of the Story possible — my podcast editor, emo-Swiftie friend, and the reason I can just show up and yap while she handles literally everything else.
We're diving into the psychology of listener engagement, the three stages every podcast listener goes through, and why your marketing efforts mean absolutely nothing if your show is boring as hell.
TOPICS & TANGENTS
— Pattern interruption and why your brain loves surprises
— How to hook people in the first 60 seconds of your episode
— Me saying the only phrase I know how to say in Spanish and how I plan to use it against Side Character someday
— Why editing your podcast doesn't make it less authentic
— Adrienne not being able to find her mirror neurons
— Episode titles that actually make people click
— Adrienne audits her clients’ podcasts
— Season three planning happening live on the podcast
POINT OF THE STORY
Marketing can bring people to your show, but only your show can make them stay. Focus on that second stage (engagement) that everyone ignores, and you'll turn casual listeners into superfans who never miss an episode.
GIVEAWAY
Want a free order of bean water on me? Tag me @btlcopy and Adrienne @adriennecruzpod on your Instagram story while you’re listening, and one lucky winner will get TWO caffeine fixes on me!
AND — count how many times we drop the F-bomb in this episode. DM me the number, and you could win a prize!
Love you, mean it. 🖤
ADRIENNE LINKS
— Follow Adrienne on Instagram and Threads
— Check out her website and services
— Subscribe to her newsletter Sounds Like Brunch
— Adrienne’s walkout songs: girly pop option + emo option
BTL LINKS
— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.
— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.
— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.
— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.
— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.
— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.
— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.
OTHER LINKS (all podcasts, of course!)
— Modern Agent Marketing Girls
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:23 Meet Adrienne, My Podcast Manager!
08:02 Rapid-Fire Squirrel Brain Questions
20:19 Marketing Can't Make People Love Your Show
26:02 Why Your Brain Loooves Being Surprised
30:14 Your Listeners Should Want to Hang Out With You
40:29 Mirror Neurons and Why Enthusiasm Is Contagious
42:41 Keeping People on the Edge of Their Seats
48:19 Vulnerability Without Trauma-Dumping Your Audience
52:52 Honoring the Squirrel Brain (Why Editing Matters)
57:49 What to Do Outside Your Episodes to Keep People Listening
01:05:20 Point of the Story Season Three Planning Session
01:08:48 Closing
This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.
Mentioned in this episode:
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