Hey everyone and welcome back for another deep dive.
Always exciting to be back.
This time we're diving into some,
let's say unconventional wisdom for growing a podcast.
Yeah, definitely unconventional.
Which let's face it is something we all want.
Absolutely.
Growth is the name of the game, isn't it?
And the source we're looking at today
really digs into those strategies
you don't hear every day, you know?
Right, right.
It's not just the typical post consistently engage
with your listeners advice.
We're talking next level stuff here.
Exactly.
The stuff that makes a podcast truly stand out.
It's about what makes a podcast truly stand out, you know?
Okay, so let's unpack this.
The first thing that jumped out to me was
this whole idea of having a strong value proposition.
What about the bat, yeah.
Like, it's not enough to just exist
in the podcasting world, is it?
Definitely not.
This source makes it crystal clear
just hitting that record button,
that's not gonna cut it.
You gotta give people a reason to tune in.
So it's about more than just having great content.
Content is crucial, don't get me wrong.
But it's bigger than that.
This source uses this really interesting example,
a true crime podcast.
And it totally blew up, right?
Okay, I'm intrigued.
But it wasn't the stories themselves,
it was the delivery.
Super dry, almost like weirdly deadpan,
totally unexpected for the genre.
Oh wow, I can see how that would be captivating though,
right? Exactly.
People were drawn in because it was so different,
you know, made you lean in and go, wait, what is this?
Just like, what's this all about?
I'm intrigued, you've gotta create that intrigue.
Bang on, and that intrigue,
that's what sets the successful podcasts apart, right?
This source is all about figuring out that unique angle,
the thing that makes your podcast yours, and then owning it.
And that, I think, leads perfectly into the next point,
creating those captivating teasers.
Oh yeah, the art of the teas.
And I don't just mean like announcing a new episode,
this is about making people really feel like
they need to listen to this.
It's about building anticipation,
like a movie trailer for a huge blockbuster.
Yes, I love that analogy.
You're not giving the whole plot away,
but those little hints, those cliffhangers.
You've gotta leave them wanting more.
And you know what, this source takes it even a step further,
suggesting you bring those unexpected twists and cliffhangers
even to the shorter content,
like, you know, your Instagram reels, TikTok, all that.
Oh, interesting, keep them guessing,
even in those bite-sized pieces.
Exactly, little taste to keep them coming back for more,
right?
That makes it really resonated with me.
Strategic partnerships.
Ah, the power of collaboration.
And before you roll your eyes,
because I know we hear collaborate more all the time,
this source goes deeper.
It's not just about partnering with anyone,
it's about finding collaborations
that really make sense for both people involved.
Synergy, that's the key word.
This source actually gives a really interesting example.
A business podcast, partnering with,
get this, a finance podcast.
I mean, at first glance, you'd think,
those are way too similar, right?
You would, but there was just enough overlap
in their audience, but with a slightly different focus
in their content that it created this perfect storm
of growth for both.
That's amazing.
So it's like thinking outside the box,
finding those unexpected partnerships,
it can lead to some wins.
Absolutely, you don't wanna limit yourself
by only sticking with podcasts that are exactly like yours.
Okay, so we've got this great foundation now,
a strong value proposition.
We're creating anticipation with these killer teasers,
and we're on the lookout for those power partnerships.
What else does this unconventional wisdom
have in store for us?
Well, let me tell you, there's a lot more to unpack here.
Well, next up on our list of unconventional wisdom,
we've got conquering the social media beast.
Ah, yes, the social media beast.
And the source, oh, it does not sugarcoat it.
Oh, really?
It straight up says, just posting your episode link
and calling it a day.
Yeah, not gonna cut it.
Yeah, that's not enough.
I think we've all seen those new episode up
link and bio posts get buried in the scroll.
It's like talking to a brick wall sometimes.
It really is.
So what's the secret then?
How do we actually make social media work for us?
Well, this source is all about, you know,
going beyond those surface level interactions, right?
It's about building a community around your podcast.
Okay, so it's about more than just numbers.
Way more.
It's about engagement, real conversations.
It even suggests, you know,
maybe share some behind the scenes stuff.
Those relatable moments, you know, like, oh, what was it?
Like the time your co-host accidentally deleted
an entire episode.
Okay, maybe not that, but you get what I mean.
Those funny mishaps, the struggles,
it makes the whole thing feel more human.
Oh, for sure.
Like pulling back the curtain, letting listeners see
that you're just, you know, figuring things out as you go.
Precisely.
It shows that you're just like them, you know,
dealing with tech glitches and last minute panics
and all that.
Who hasn't had a microphone completely die mid-recording.
Been there.
Okay, now this next bit I'm really curious about,
and it's something I personally struggle with.
Data.
Data, the double-edged sword of podcasting.
It really is, because it's like,
on one hand you need it, right?
But then it's so easy to get caught up in the downloads
and the charts and start making decisions
based solely on the numbers.
Oh, I totally feel you.
Analysis paralysis is real, my friend.
But this source actually suggests a more balanced approach.
Okay, I like the sound of that already.
Yeah, it's not about ignoring the data,
but it's also not about letting it completely dictate
everything you do.
It's about letting it inform your decisions,
but not rule them, you know?
So like, it's okay to trust your gut sometimes,
even if the numbers aren't necessarily saying
that's the right move.
Exactly.
Sometimes your instincts know something the numbers don't.
And in fact, the source even talks
about taking calculated risks.
Like, even if it goes against what conventional data-driven
wisdom might say.
Oh, really?
Did they give any examples of that?
Because I feel like that could be
a tough sell sometimes, you know?
The numbers say no, but my gut says.
They do.
They talk about this fiction podcast
that was doing, you know, pretty good.
Not amazing, but good.
And they decided, on a whim almost,
to completely change their format.
They went from these really long episodes
to these shorter, punchier ones.
Wow, that's a big change.
Huge.
And you know what?
Their listenership skyrocketed.
See, I love hearing that, because I
feel like it's easy to get so caught up in,
this is the right way to do things.
The podcasting rulebook, right?
Which, spoiler alert, doesn't really exist.
Exactly.
That's what this whole source is about.
Embracing the unpredictable, remembering that this industry,
it's constantly changing.
And the most successful podcasters, they change with it.
Adaptability.
I love it.
So it's okay to break the rule sometimes,
or maybe rewrite them.
Exactly.
Don't be afraid to experiment, to try something new,
even if it scares you a little bit.
Because sometimes the biggest risks
lead to the biggest rewards.
I'm feeling inspired.
So we've got to be adaptable, not be afraid to take risks.
And remember that data is a tool, not a dictator.
What else?
What's the final takeaway from all of this?
The big aha moment.
You know, when I think about everything
we talked about today, it kind of boils down to this.
This source really challenges us to rethink
what success in podcasting really means.
It's not just about the numbers, right?
It's so easy to get caught up in the download numbers
and the charts and all that stuff.
But this source reminds us that true success,
it's about staying true to your vision,
even when things get tough.
Even when those download numbers dip,
or you're not sure what's working.
Exactly.
It's about trusting your gut, taking those risks,
and creating something you're truly proud of.
So it's kind of like that old saying,
be a first rate version of yourself,
not a second rate version of someone else, but for podcasting.
100%.
And it goes beyond just finding your niche, right?
It's about believing in what you're doing,
even when it feels like no one else does.
Because at the end of the day, it's
about connecting with your listeners
on a deeper level, creating something meaningful.
Absolutely.
And that takes guts, you know, and takes putting yourself
out there, being vulnerable, and being OK with not always
getting it right.
And I think that's a really important message, especially
for new podcasters who might be feeling overwhelmed
or discouraged.
Comparison is the thief of joy, right?
So focus on your own journey, your own voice,
your own vision.
Well said.
So there you have it, folks.
Another deep dive in the books.
Always a pleasure, my friend.
We've covered a ton today, from crafting that killer value
proposition to conquering the social media beast,
all while embracing the unpredictable nature
of this ever-evolving podcasting world.
And hopefully inspired you to break some rules along the way.
Yes, break the rules, take some risks, trust your gut,
and never stop experimenting.
Until next time, happy podcasting.