In this post, I’ll share with you how to grow your podcast and make money podcasting by building a highly successful show that turns your audience into raving fans and paying customers through effective podcast marketing strategies

I’ll reveal the three blind spots that keep most podcasters stuck, why you may not be getting as many downloads as you hoped, and why you’re not yet making money from your show. I’ll also lay out my proven step-by-step framework for podcast success.

But first, a little about me. I’m Juliana, a top 0.5% podcaster globally. I own a very successful podcast marketing and production agency. Close to 90% of our clients are in the top 5% of podcasters worldwide. I grew my own show from scratch with zero audience to where it is today – my main lead generator for my business and I’ve cracked the code on leveraging podcasting as a marketing tool!

Now that you understand a bit about my background and the success I’ve achieved, let’s first dive into the common mistakes that many podcasters make that keep them from going big.

The 3 Biggest Blind Spots Holding Podcasters Back

Blind Spot #1: Relying on Social Media to Grow Your Podcast

The first major blind spot is focusing on social media to grow your podcast. It seems like a good idea, since it’s what most people do. But what if your account gets hacked or shut down? Do people actually leave social media to go listen to your episodes?

I learned this the hard way. I built up Instagram followers over years. But when I took a break and tried to reactivate my account 12 months later, it was deactivated by IG for suspicious activity, even though I had not been in my account in ages. So all that work, gone. This proves you can get banned anytime for any reason.

Relying on rented land like social media to build your podcast is very risky.

When you stop making this mistake, your business can grow while you sleep. Your evergreen podcast content is always available on-demand. You can eventually outsource or leave social media entirely, since it’s not your main podcast growth engine.

Blind Spot #2: Getting Distracted Instead of Having Podcast Growth Focus

The second blind spot is getting distracted because you lack a clear strategy that works for you. You focus on the latest shiny objects and tactics that don’t actually grow your podcast. You try to mix advice from too many experts and end up with a Frankenstein monster of a plan.

If you keep making this mistake, you’ll have minimal podcast downloads, engagement and income from your show. But with a focused plan, your fans become your biggest marketers, you attract the perfect listeners, and you become the go-to expert in your niche.

Blind Spot #3: Not Leveraging Podcast SEO for Discoverability

The third blind spot is not optimizing your show for search and discoverability. Now, if you believe you are SEO optimizing your show and not seeing results, you’re either not doing keyword research correctly or not using the right keywords in your titles and descriptions.

Ignoring podcast SEO is a huge waste of effort. You spend so much time creating great content, but no one finds it because you’re not telling the algorithms what it’s about. Your show never reaches its full potential.

When you optimize strategically, you capture that organic search traffic. People find you when they’re searching for answers your podcast content provides. You can grow your podcast on autopilot and become an incredibly powerful marketing funnel.

For a detailed guide on how to optimize your podcast for SEO, snag my SEO Secrets For Podcasters mini course. You’ll find step-by-step instructions and tips to grow your podcast’s downloads and visibility.

Understanding these blind spots is crucial. To help you navigate these challenges, I’ve developed a simple but effective 3-part framework.

Proven 3-Step Framework for Successful Podcasting:
Grow, Optimize, Monetize!

1. Foundation: Strategic setup and podcast SEO to make your show highly discoverable

2. Optimization: Data-driven iteration to double down on what’s working 

3. Monetization: Turning listeners into leads and customers, even with a small audience

This is the exact blueprint I’ve used to grow my show and many of my clients’ shows. We focus on the highest-leverage activities that produce real results.

Pillar 1: Building a Solid Foundation for Podcast Success

In this crucial first step, we focus on setting a strong foundation for your podcast’s success. This includes:

• Nailing your podcast’s positioning and unique value proposition
• Conducting thorough keyword research to find the exact phrases your ideal listeners are searching for
• Optimizing your podcast title, description, and episode titles to rank highly for those targeted keywords
• Developing a podcast content strategy that showcases your expertise and attracts your perfect audience
• Utilizing proven podcast planning and podcast templates to streamline your workflow

I’m a big believer in the power of podcast SEO, and I’ve seen firsthand how implementing the right strategies can lead to explosive podcast growth. By making your podcast easily discoverable by the right people, you’ll be able to build your listenership organically without relying on social media or other platforms.

Caroline’s Quick Win: More Than Doubling Her Podcast Downloads!

Caroline came to us with a decent following, averaging about 400 downloads per week. Despite her engaging content, she struggled to broaden her audience reach. By refining her SEO strategy and optimizing her podcast’s visibility across platforms, we saw an immediate uptick in her metrics. In just a few weeks, Caroline’s downloads more than doubled to 1,000 per week. This quick win not only boosted her podcast’s profile but also significantly increased her influence.

Here’s a breakdown of the steps we took:
– Conducted thorough keyword research to identify high-volume, low-competition keywords relevant to her niche
– Optimized her podcast title and description to include these keywords
– Revised her episode titles and show notes to incorporate the targeted phrases

Pillar 2: Data-Driven Podcast Optimization Techniques

Once your podcast is set up for success, it’s time to optimize based on real data and feedback. This is where many podcasters get stuck, either because they’re overwhelmed by the numbers or they’re not sure what levers to pull to improve their results.

In my framework, we take a systematic approach to optimization, including:  

• Regularly reviewing key metrics like downloads, listener retention, and conversion rates
• Identifying your highest-performing episodes and dissecting what made them so successful 
• Continuously refining your podcast content strategy based on what’s resonating most with your audience
• Split testing different titles, descriptions, and calls-to-action to optimize for clicks and conversions
• Soliciting listener feedback and using it to inform future podcast content ideas and product decisions

By treating your podcast like a serious marketing channel and making data-driven improvements, you’ll be able to grow your podcast much faster than if you were just winging it. Even though podcasting is a long-term game, you can achieve meaningful results relatively quickly by focusing on the right things.

Pillar 3: Effective Strategies for Monetizing Your Podcast Audience

Finally, we get to the most exciting part – actually making money from your podcast! So many podcasters get stuck here because they think they need huge download numbers or sponsorships to monetize. But the truth is, you can start generating revenue almost immediately if you have the right podcast monetization strategy. 

My proven approach to podcast monetization centers around:

• Developing a compelling call-to-action that drives listeners to take the next step with you, whether that’s joining your email list, booking a call, or purchasing a product
• Creating an automated funnel that nurtures listeners into customers by providing consistent value and building trust
• Promoting your offers naturally and authentically within your episodes so it doesn’t feel salesy or pushy
• Leveraging your podcast to attract high-ticket clients, sell digital products, or launch a membership community- Continuously optimizing your funnel and refining your offers based on listener feedback and conversion data

Marta’s Success Story: How Strategic Podcasting Propelled Her Beyond the Top 0.5%

Marta was already a top 0.5% podcaster when she approached us, seeking to leverage her podcast for more than just downloads—she wanted tangible financial results. After applying our targeted strategies over just 12 episodes, Marta saw a 167% growth in her audience, secured sponsors effortlessly, and received applications for her high-end mastermind. These accomplishments not only elevated her podcast’s profitability but also solidified her status as a leading voice in her niche.

Here’s how we helped her monetize her podcast:
– Developed a clear call-to-action promoting her high-end mastermind program
– Created a new funnel to monetize her podcast with
– Incorporated authentic mentions of her program into her podcast episodes

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that you need a massive audience to make money podcasting. But in reality, you can build a highly profitable show with just a small group of dedicated, engaged listeners. It’s all about attracting the right people and presenting them with the right offers.

I’m living proof of this. By the time my business first crossed six figures, I had less than 300 email subscribers. But because I had a clear podcast monetization strategy and I was laser-focused on providing value to my ideal clients, I was able to turn my tiny audience into a full-time income.

If you can avoid the common blind spots and implement this 3-step framework, you’ll be miles ahead of most podcasters. Growing a profitable show doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. By focusing on the fundamentals – discoverability, optimization, and monetization – you can achieve incredible results in less time than you might think!

The Profitable Podcast Blueprint

That’s why I’m excited to open enrollment for my new program, The Profitable Podcast Blueprint. It’s everything you need to know about how to start a podcast, grow your podcast, and monetize your podcast in one place. No more cobbling together conflicting advice or getting overwhelmed by endless tactics. 

We’ll nail your positioning, map out your podcast content strategy, optimize your show with podcast SEO to be found by your ideal listeners, and build an automated funnel to convert fans into paying customers. Whether you’re starting from scratch or already have a show, this is your step-by-step roadmap to a profitable podcast.

You’ll also get podcast templates, podcast content ideas, and a customized podcast launch strategy to set you up for success from day one. Plus, ongoing support and podcast tips to help you stay on track and overcome any challenges along the way.

Join our exclusive community for group coaching, accountability and support. Get templates, resources, and live workshops to shortcut your podcast success. I’ll be there to guide you every step of the way.

If you’re ready to finally harness the power of podcast marketing to grow your business, I’d be honored to be your coach. Enrollment is open for a limited time. If it feels aligned, I hope you’ll join us inside The Profitable Podcast Blueprint!

To recap, we’ve uncovered the three major blind spots that might be hindering your podcast’s growth: over-reliance on social media, distractions from a clear strategy, and inadequate SEO practices. By addressing these areas through our proven 3-step framework—laying a solid foundation, optimizing based on feedback, and strategically monetizing your audience—you can transform your podcast into a powerful and profitable platform.

What will your podcast look like once you’ve implemented these strategies? Imagine the possibilities and start your journey to a more successful and sustainable podcast today.

Are you ready to take your podcast to the next level? Join the exclusive community of successful podcasters by enrolling in The Profitable Podcast Blueprint today. Let’s turn your podcast into profit together!