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

Most podcasters think the problem is low downloads. But do you know what actually causes low downloads? When people can’t tell—within seconds—why your show is for them.Fellow podcaster Desiree Petrich shares the messy, emotional (and ultimately empowering) process of rebranding her show—from trying to be everything for everyone to creating a bingeworthy podcast that speaks directly to first-time managers. You’ll hear what happened when she finally narrowed her focus, brought more of her real voice to the mic, and stopped being afraid to ask for help.What you’re about to hear isn’t a story about overnight success. It’s about choosing to keep podcasting when you love it too much to quit. So if you want to create a podcast you’re proud of—and one your listeners can’t wait to learn from—hit play and let’s dive in.1:04 – The Moment Desiree Realized Her Podcast Wasn’t Helping Her Business (or Her Audience)8:38 – How Rebranding Gave Her Permission to Finally Say What She Meant11:15 – The Naming Strategy That Helped Her Stand Out in a Saturated Category16:13 – What Listener Feedback Sounds Like When Your Message Finally Hits20:14 – The Gut-Check Question to Ask Yourself at the End of Every Episode—and Why It Changes Everything Episode Links:Check out Desiree Petrich’s Podcast: You’re The Boss. Now What? Other Episodes You’ll Love:How to Make Your Podcast Worth Every Second You Spend on ItQ + A | Can’t Break 200 Downloads? Let’s Fix That  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Got Podcasting Questions? Send 'em! We'd love to answer your question in an upcoming episode.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so that it gets found by the right listeners 24/7.On-Air Coaching: Get on the waitlist for a chance to get podcasting coaching on air with Courtney....Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.comSpecial thanks to our sponsor, Resonate Recordings: the exclusive implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If you’re putting out episodes but not seeing listeners, leads, or sales, ...

You’re second-guessing your content. Overthinking your numbers. Wondering if podcasting is even worth it. And it’s not because you’re doing it wrong—it’s because you’re doing it alone.In this episode, I’m joined by longtime podcaster and founder of the New England Podcasters Group, Andy Lyons, to expose the hidden costs of podcasting in isolation—and why plugging into a room of serious podcasters could be the thing that finally gets your show the numbers it deserves.So if you’ve been white-knuckling your way through this podcasting thing, hoping that if you just stay consistent it’ll all click soon, this episode will show you why that hasn’t worked—and what to do instead. Hit play and let's dive in. Episode Links:Check out Ande Lyon’s podcast: Don’t Be Caged By Your Age Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:The One Thing Podcasters Should Track Instead of DownloadsStarting a Podcast That Builds Your Business (and Your Self Belief)  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Got Podcasting Questions? Send 'em! We'd love to answer your question in an upcoming episode.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so that it gets found by the right listeners 24/7.On-Air Coaching: Get on the waitlist for a chance to get podcasting coaching on air with Courtney....Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.comSpecial thanks to our sponsor, Resonate Recordings: the exclusive implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If you’re putting out episodes but not seeing listeners, leads, or sales, ...

If you’re still airing interviews you wouldn’t listen to yourself—just because you feel obligated toward your guests—you’re not building trust with your listeners. You’re breaking it. And once your audience feels like their time isn’t valued? They won’t complain. They’ll just stop listening.If you want a podcast that builds authority and drives loyalty, you need to lead interviews that earn attention. In this episode, you’ll learn how to ask questions your guest hasn’t answered a dozen times, pull out insights your audience can *actually* use, and create one-of-a-kind conversations that make your show worth returning to, following, and sharing.So if you’re done settling for polite interviews that don’t convert (and ready to lead ones that earn trust and ultimately grow your show) hit play and let’s dive in. 📘 My Go-To Books on Leading Better Interviews:Talk to Me by Dean NelsonStop Asking Questions by Andrew WarnerWant to save time on your podcast production workflows? Reach out to Joe Casabona and mention you heard about him here! Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:The 3 Biggest Reasons Your Listeners Tune Out During Your Guest EpisodesSteal This Episode Planning Framework to Cut Your Prep Time in Half  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Got Podcasting Questions? Send 'em! We'd love to answer your question in an upcoming episode.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so that it gets found by the right listeners 24/7.On-Air Coaching: Get on the waitlist for a chance to get podcasting coaching on air with Courtney....Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.comSpecial thanks to our sponsor, Resonate Recordings: the exclusive implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If you’re putting out episodes but not seeing listeners, leads, or sales, ...

If your guest could’ve given the same answers on five other podcasts, you didn’t lead the interview—you hosted a rerun. And when every guest episode sounds the same? Listeners don’t blame the guest. They stop trusting you. In this episode, you’ll learn the three host mistakes that quietly erode your authority, why “just letting the convo flow” leads to copy-paste content your audience has already heard, and how to stay in control of the conversation without sounding stiff or losing rapport. Because great interviews don’t just happen, and they’re what separates podcasts that get skipped from the ones that get shared. So if you want to lead interviews that hook your listeners and keep them coming back (without sounding scripted or stiff), hit play and let’s dive in.  📘My Go-To Books on Leading Better Interviews:Talk to Me by Dean NelsonStop Asking Questions by Andrew Warner Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:🎙 How to Lead Guest Interviews That Make Listeners Want to Binge Your Show🎙Exactly What to Say to Get Your Podcast Guests to Share Their Episode  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Got Podcasting Questions? Send 'em! We'd love to answer your question in an upcoming episode.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so that it gets found by the right listeners 24/7.On-Air Coaching: Get on the waitlist for a chance to get podcasting coaching on air with Courtney....Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.comSpecial thanks to our sponsor, Resonate Recordings: the exclusive implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If you’re putting out episodes but not seeing listeners, leads, or sales, ...

Most podcasters know they need a website. But the wrong kind of site can bury your show in search and cost you the listeners, leads, and visibility you're working so hard to earn.In this episode, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about podcasting websites—from what to include (and what to avoid), to where it should live, to the one mistake that could be sending all your search traffic (and Google authority) to someone else’s site instead of yours.So if you’ve ever Googled “Does my podcast need its own website?” or “Should I buy a domain for my podcast?”—and you’re podcasting to grow your brand and want your show to get found online—hit play and let’s dive in.0:07 – Do You Really Need a Website for Podcasting?2:15 – Can You Use the Free Website From Your Podcast Host?3:50 – What’s the Best Way to Set Up a Website for Podcasting?5:43 – Do You Need a Domain Name for Your Podcast?8:12 – What Should You Include on Your Podcast Website?12:45 – Should Your Podcast Live on a Separate Site or Your Main Brand Site?14:08 – When Third-Party Podcasting Sites Like PodPage Make Sense (and When to Avoid Them) Episode Links:See our podcast blog in action: PodLaunchHQ.comIf you meet the criteria I shared in the episode for using PodPage, click here to choose a plan (and tell Brandon and Dave that Courtney @ PodLaunch sent you!) Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:4 Podcast Growth Strategies You Haven’t Tried Yet (But Should)  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Got Podcasting Questions? Send 'em! We'd love to answer your question in an upcoming episode.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so that it gets found by the right listeners 24/7.On-Air Coaching: Get on the waitlist for a chance to get podcasting coaching on air with Courtney....Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.comSpecial thanks to our sponsor, Resonate Recordings: the exclusive implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If you’re putting out episodes but not seeing listeners, leads, or sales, ...

Krissy Bold launched a parenting podcast with a confusing name, hour-long episodes no one finished, and a message no one was clicking on.Then she made a few key changes and hit #3 in Parenting—outranking Big Bird, Blippi, and Frozen in under a week—and she’s been ranking on the top podcasting charts ever since.What changed?In this episode, we’re unpacking the key differences between a podcast people scroll past and one they binge, share, and rave about. Even better? You'll learn how to apply this to *your* show so you can stop refreshing your stats like it’s going to change something and start building a podcast listeners want to support and shout from the rooftops.So if you’ve been wondering what your podcast is missing, this episode has your answer. Hit play and let’s dive in.0:07 – What to Look for When Your Podcast Isn’t Working (and You’re Doing Everything Right)4:52 – Why Listeners Aren’t Finishing Your Episodes (Even If the Content Is Good)6:40 – The Messaging Fix That Finally Got Krissy’s Audience to Lean In10:28 – The Relaunch Plan That Took Her to the Top Parenting Charts19:30 – Why Most Podcasters Overlook the Easiest Way to Reach Their Audience Episode Links:Check out Krissy Bold Bold’s Podcast: Mom’s Guide to Finding HerselfLearn More from Krissy: MomIdentityProject.com Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:How to Make Your Podcast the One Listeners Can’t Ignore  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Got Podcasting Questions? Send 'em! We'd love to answer your question in an upcoming episode.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so that it gets found by the right listeners 24/7.On-Air Coaching: Get on the waitlist for a chance to get podcasting coaching on air with Courtney....Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.comSpecial thanks to our sponsor, Resonate Recordings: the exclusive implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If you’re putting out episodes but not seeing listeners, leads, or sales, ...

Still waiting to feel “ready” before you start pitching the guests or sponsors you really want?In this episode, HuffPost contributor and media expert Alice Draper is back to show you the exact process she uses to turn rejection into a measurable growth strategy for your podcast. You’ll learn how to build your “rejection muscle,” set rejection goals that lead to more yeses, and use data from ignored or declined pitches to refine your messaging and land bigger and better opportunities.So if you’ve been overthinking your pitch or convincing yourself you need a bigger audience before you can pitch bigger guests or sponsors—and you’re ready to be the kind of host people say yes to without hesitation—hit play and let’s dive in.1:08 – The Surprising Growth That Can Happen When You Treat Rejection as a Strategy, Not a Setback6:24 – How to Use Pitch Rejections to Improve Your Messaging 9:17 – A Simple Way to Make Your Pitches More Specific (and Stand Out) 12:24 – What it Really Means When No One Replies to Your Pitch (and How to Handle It) 14:15 – If Pitching Feels Intimidating Right Now, Here’s How to Take the Pressure Off Episode Links:Steal Alice’s pitch templates—the same ones that have helped her clients land interviews on 500+ top shows like WorkLife with Adam Grant.Check Out Alice Draper’s Podcast: My Rejection StoryLearn More from Alice: hustlingwriters.com Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:The Real Reason You’re Still Sitting on That Guest or Sponsor Pitch  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Got Podcasting Questions? Send 'em! We'd love to answer your question in an upcoming episode.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so that it gets found by the right listeners 24/7.On-Air Coaching: Get on the waitlist for a chance to get podcasting coaching on air with Courtney....Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.comSpecial thanks to our sponsor, Resonate Recordings: the exclusive implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If you’re putting out episodes but not seeing listeners, leads, or sales, ...

You know that pitch you *almost* sent? Or that big guest or sponsor you’re telling yourself you’ll reach out to “once you’re ready”? That idea you keep researching but haven’t acted on yet? This episode is about that moment—when you're stuck between wanting more for your podcast and actually going after it.HuffPost contributor and media expert Alice Draper has helped clients land guest spots on 500+ podcasts, including WorkLife with Adam Grant and UnF*ck Your Brain. She joins me to unpack the psychology behind rejection, why your brain sees “no” as a survival threat, and how this fear keeps you from the visibility, credibility, and growth you deserve.So if you’re tired of watching other people land the guests, sponsors, and traction you want—and you're ready to start pitching bigger names and getting your show into the rooms it deserves to be in (even if it scares you a little)—hit play and let’s dive in.1:36 – The Real Fear Behind “My Show Isn’t Big Enough Yet”6:15 – How Visibility Triggers Imposter Syndrome (and What to Do About It)9:09 – “They’ll Probably Say No Anyway”—And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves15:46 – Why You Don’t Need More Downloads to Pitch Big Guests or Sponsors17:58 – The One Thing You’re Not Doing That Could Actually Grow Your Show Episode Links:Steal Alice’s pitch templates—the same ones that have helped her clients land interviews on 500+ top shows like WorkLife with Adam Grant.Check Out Alice Draper’s Podcast: My Rejection StoryLearn More from Alice: hustlingwriters.com Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:How to Train for Rejection and Use It to Grow Your Podcast Faster   →This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Got Podcasting Questions? Send 'em! We'd love to answer your question in an upcoming episode.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so that it gets found by the right listeners 24/7.On-Air Coaching: Get on the waitlist for a chance to get podcasting coaching on air with Courtney....Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.comSpecial thanks to our sponsor, Resonate Recordings: the exclusive implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If you’re putting out episodes but not seeing listeners, leads, or sales, ...

You’ve heard “niche down” is the key to podcast growth. But what if your niche is actually too narrow to scale? In this live coaching session, I walk Dennis through why his podcast wasn’t attracting the audience he really wanted—and the simple repositioning moves we made to fix it.We're breaking down how his show's branding was confusing listeners instead of converting them, and how these core podcast content gatekeepers will either earn the click or cost you the download. So if you’re tired of seeing single-digit downloads on episodes you spent hours producing (or you’ve been publishing weekly but your numbers haven’t budged in months) this episode will show you exactly what to change. Hit play and let’s dive in.Want my expert eyes (and ears) on your show? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).0:04 – When “Niche Down” Backfires and Stops Your Podcast From Growing1:12 – What You Think Your Podcast Is About vs. What Listeners Actually See3:18 – Why Your Podcast Name Might Be Turning the Right Listeners Away5:26 – Why Listeners Aren’t Clicking (Even If You Know Your Content Is Valuable)9:03 – The Fix: How to Reposition Without Losing the Heart of Your Message...Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Got Podcasting Questions? Send 'em! We'd love to answer your question in an upcoming episode.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so that it gets found by the right listeners 24/7.On-Air Coaching: Get on the waitlist for a chance to get podcasting coaching on air with Courtney....Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.comSpecial thanks to our sponsor, Resonate Recordings: the exclusive implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If you’re putting out episodes but not seeing listeners, leads, or sales, ...

You’ve got the mic. You’ve got the mission. So why isn’t anyone listening?That’s the question Dennis—high school athletics coach turned podcaster—was asking when he came to me for help. He knew who he wanted to serve, but a few months in, he was still struggling to get people to notice his show.In this first-ever Fix My Pod on-air coaching session, we’re breaking down the gap between knowing your audience and actually getting them to click play—because nothing kills momentum faster than showing up every week and still getting ignored.So if you’ve launched (or you’re about to) and want to get more of the right listeners hitting play on the episodes you’re working hard to create, hit play and let’s dive in.Want my expert eyes (and ears) on your show? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).0:05 – Why Your Podcast Isn’t Getting Clicked (Even If Your Content Is Great)2:15 – Why Your Podcast Might Be Clear to You, but Confusing to Listeners6:40 – How to Find Your Angle in a Crowded Podcast Niche10:28 – How People Actually Decide If Your Podcast Is Worth Their Time14:08 – 5 Things That Make or Break Your Podcast’s First Impression14:46 – What Your Cover Art, Title, and Description Are Actually Saying to Your Listeners→   This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U...Liked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends!Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review.Got Podcasting Questions? Send 'em! We'd love to answer your question in an upcoming episode.Podcast Health Score™: See exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan to fix it.Podcast SEO Mastery: Learn how to optimize your show so that it gets found by the right listeners 24/7.On-Air Coaching: Get on the waitlist for a chance to get podcasting coaching on air with Courtney....Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.comSpecial thanks to our sponsor, Resonate Recordings: the exclusive implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If you’re putting out episodes but not seeing listeners, leads, or sales, ...