Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategies for Growing a Podcast That Converts - TopPodcast.com

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Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategies for Growing a Podcast That Converts — Business
Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategies for Growing a Podcast That Converts

Named the best podcast on podcasting, this isn’t another “share great content and stay consistent” show doling out generic podcasting advice. We’re breaking down 30,000+ hours of study into what today’s top hosts do differently to create bingeworthy podcasts that convert.

Hosted by Forbes and Rolling Stone–featured podcasting psychology expert, Webby Awards judge, and PodLaunch® founder Courtney Elmer, you’ll get the podcasting tools and strategies other shows won’t dare to share (backed by 70+ Top 100 podcast launches).

Expect unfiltered podcasting insights, behind-the-scenes breakdowns, and “why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?!” advice so you can master growing a podcast that listeners can’t stop bingeing (and buying from).

When you’re ready to break out of less-than-200-download-per-episode jail and stop settling for downloads that don’t reflect your effort…

Or if you want a podcast launch strategy that positions you as the authority in your category and drives revenue…

Welcome to the podcast that’s about to change the game for you. Hit follow and let’s dive in.

…

Popular Guests Include: Adam Adams, Alex Sanfilippo, Dave Jackson, James Cridland, James Wedmore, Jeremy Enns, John Lee Dumas, Jordan Harbinger, Kevin Chemidlin, Seth Silvers, Tom Rossi, and more.

Popular Episode Topics Include: Podcast Messaging, Podcasting Psychology, Podcast Marketing, Creating Bingeworthy Podcast Content, Listener Engagement Strategies, Podcasting Mistakes to Avoid, Podcasting Tools, Podcasting Trends, Growing a Podcast, How to Monetize Your Podcast, Podcast Listener Conversion, Video Podcasting, Ranking Your Podcast in the Top 100, How to Start a Podcast, Podcast Launch Strategy

Copyright: © 2024 PodLaunch®

Latest Episodes:

Three (Under the Radar) Ways to Use Your Podcast as a Powerful Lead-Gen Tool Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

You already know that podcasting is KEY when it comes to growing your authority and thought leadership. But if every time you check your podcast analytics and want to chuck your mic garbage because only four people listened to your episode, you’re not alone. The thing is, when it comes to publishing high-quality podcast content, you’ve got it DOWN.

You’re already giving your best stuff away for free.

You publish an episode every week like the experts tell you.

And people tell you all the time that they love your podcast.

So… why are you still struggling to convert your listeners to leads?

This maaay come as a shock, but trying to convert listeners is the slowest path to podcast monetization. CAN it work? Of course. But are there other ways to leverage your podcast as a lead-gen tool for podcast monetization that you might not be thinking about? One hundred percent yes.

First, though, you need to stop looking to your podcast for leads, and start looking through it. (Don’t worry, explanation incoming). So, if you’re ready to turn your podcast into your numero uno source of organic leads, hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

Other Episodes You'll Enjoy…

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

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

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

...

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.

Why Podcasting Is Changing Online Business as We Know It | Josh Elledge Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

You get a new review every month or two. People tell you they love listening to your show. But… you’re still getting nowhere NEAR the number of leads you thought you’d be getting by now from your podcast. (And for the ridiculous amount of time and energy podcasting takes, you want to be reaching thousands of people — not talking to yourself in an empty room!)

^^ If you don’t have a podcast yet? This is basically your worst nightmare.

The podcasting industry has changed a lot in the 4+ years I’ve been podcasting. The question is, are you changing along with it? This is why I invited Josh Elledge to join me inside this episode to talk about the biggest mistakes to avoid when it comes to integrating a podcast in your marketing strategy, and the number one thing you need to be doing with your podcast right now if your goal is growth.

And surprisingly? It’s not at all what you’d expect — but it’s going to be more important than ever so you don’t get left behind as the podcasting landscape continues to evolve and grow. Hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

0:54 - The Real Reason Successful Entrepreneurs Are Shifting to Podcasting

3:40 - Don't Make This Rookie Mistake if You Want Your Podcast to Get Noticed

5:07 - How Podcasting Opens Doors to High-Level Networking

6:05 - Think Being a Podcast Guest Will Grow Your Biz? Think Again

8:50 - How Hosting a Podcast Grants You Access to Anyone You Want to Connect With

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

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

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

...

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.

How to Speak Your Listener’s Language So They Choose Your Podcast Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

You know when you listen to a podcast episode and you’re like, “This is creepy. It’s like they made this just for me. How did they know I needed this?! Are they in my brain?! Woah. HOW DID THEY KNOW?!"

Well. It’s me, hi. I’m doing it again. If you're wanting to know how to get more listeners to your podcast, this is going to help you BIG TIME.

That’s because ~THE~ secret to a Top 100 podcast is knowing how to get inside the mind of your ideal listener and solving the very real problems that they have.

Simple, yes. Easy? well, let's just say thiiis is the part that trips most people up.

I call it learning how to speak your listener's language — and mastering this is what separates the Top 100 hosts from the wannabe podcasters who DIY'd their cover art, hit record, and called it a day.

So to save you 4+ years of figuring this out the hard way like I did, here's how to grab the attention of your listener like it's your FREAKING JOB. (Get ready to pay attention and take some notes. I'm talking pens and pencils, people!)

Attracting more listeners to your podcast boils down to three simple-but-unconventional things. Ready to find out what they are? Hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

0:02 - The Simple Strategy Top 100 Podcasts Use to Stand Out

1:47 - The Surprising Truth About Why Most Podcasts Fail

4:15 - The 5-Minute Exercise That Helps You Attract the Right Audience

8:03 - The Key to Crafting Compelling Episodes

9:14 - How Solving Specific Problems Turns People into Binge-Listeners

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

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

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

...

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.

When is the Best Time to Start a Podcast? Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

If you’ve toyed with the idea of starting a podcast but haven’t started yours yet, maybe you’ve also wondered if there's a best or better time to start it.

Then again, if you ask any top podcaster they’ll all tell you the same thing: I’m SO glad I started my podcast when I did.

So ~is~ there a best time to start a podcast? Sure, there IS some strategy that goes into launching your show effectively and I’m breaking all that down for you inside this episode.

But even more importantly, you’ll also learn the three things that determine podcast success (and why ‘right timing’ isn’t one of them).

Ready to stop overthinking and start podcasting? Hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

Episode Links:

How to Rank Your Podcast in the Top 100

-

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

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

...

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.

Peek Inside My Latest Voice Coaching Session to Improve Your Listener Engagement Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

In our last episode, we talked about how if you’re struggling to convert listeners to leads from your podcast, it *could* be that you're unknowingly pushing people away with your number one tool for building trust as a podcaster — your voice.

So in this BONUS episode, I'm sharing a peek into a recent session with my own voice coach, Katherine Beck. She's got an ear for calling out the subtle voice habits, and you’ll immediately be able to hear the impact that nonverbal communication has on your listener engagement in real-time.

As you listen to this episode, notice where you pay attention and where you start to tune me out — and get ready to take some serious notes so you can apply what Katherine teaches me to your own podcast, too.

Ready to uncover the secret sauce to being a Top 100 podcaster? Hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

0:00 - A Peek Behind the Scenes Into My Latest Voice Coaching Session

1:46 - Why Relying on a Script Can Make Listeners Tune You Out

3:21 - How to Build Trust Through Your Voice

7:20 - When to Ditch the Script and Let Your Instincts Lead the Way

15:00 - How to Keep Listeners from Dropping Off Mid-Episode

Episode Links:

Check out Katherine Beck's podcast: Speak on More Stages

-

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

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

...

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.

Why Your Podcast Isn’t Converting Listeners to Leads Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

SPOILER ALERT: A fancy mic won't make you a successful podcaster. (Okay, fine, maybe that’s obvious.)

But if you're currently not seeing the conversions you want from your podcast, it might have absolutely nothing to do with how good your microphone is or the quality of your content or how consistently you release episodes.

It *could* be that you're unknowingly pushing people away with your number one tool for building trust as a podcaster — your voice.

I don't mean that you somehow got forgotten at the back of the line the day God was handing out angelic voices. I'm talking about how your audience might be tuning you out because of something they're picking up on in your God-given voice.

Anxiety? They can sense it.

Self doubt? They can hear it.

Apologizing when you ask them to take any kind of action? Yup, you guessed it.

In this episode, you’re going to learn:

The impact of nonverbal communication on your listener engagement
How unconscious sounds in your voice can repel listeners without you realizing it
Why your beliefs and thoughts can impact the way your voice is received
A behind-the-scenes look at my own journey from struggling to hit six figures to being named among the top 1% of all podcasts globally simply by learning how to use my voice more effectively (and how you can do the same)
If you want a podcast that's worthy of being in the Top 100 and make meaningful change in the world through your voice, hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

0:54 - The 93% Rule: How You Say It Matters More Than What You Say

1:50 - How Your Voice Can Build (or Break) Trust with Your Listeners

5:29 - The Hidden Impact of Your Voice on Listener Conversions

7:50 - Why It's About More than Cutting Out Filler Words...

20:15 - How to Assess and Adjust Your Voice for Better Listener Engagement

Episode Links:

Check out Tracy Goodwin's podcast: Captivate the Room
Check out Katherine Beck's podcast: Speak on More Stages

-

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

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

...

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.

Running Out of Podcast Episode Ideas? Here’s What to Do. Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

You know that feeling when it's the day before your next podcast episode is supposed to air and you find yourself staring at the keyboard wondering "Omg... what on earth am I going to talk about?!"

I used to HARDCORE STRUGGLE with coming up with fresh content ideas on my topic when it felt like I'd already talked about everything under the sun — multiple times.

I had no clue that I was approaching it totally the wrong way, though.

Too often, podcast hosts (our clients included) think they have to resign themselves to the fact that coming up with content ideas after you've spent 142 episodes talking about everything there is to know about your topic is gonna be a soul-sucking slog from there on out.

When, really, your case of podcaster's block is actually caused by something else altogether (and once you realize what it is, you're gonna be like "Oh OKAY I can't believe I didn't see it before.”)

Trust me: creating a podcast that's FUN for you + interesting for your listener is about to get a whoooole lot easier. And once you see it, you'll be cranking out podcast episodes like the Energizer Bunny on steroids. Or with the peak energy of my six year old at 5:30 am every morning.

If you want to know my secret sauce for obliterating podcaster's block anytime it tries to rear its ugly head, hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

0:02 - Not Sure What to Talk About Next On Your Podcast? Here’s Why.

1:52 - What to Do When You’ve Got Zero Episodes Batched

4:42 - Why Even Top Podcasters Get Bored with Their Content

7:01 - The Unexpected Upside of a Podcasting Rut

11:00 - Three Questions to Spark Fresh Podcast Episode Topics

-

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

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

...

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.

Why You Don't Need a Big Audience to Have a Profitable Podcast Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

“Do I need a big audience to be successful with a podcast?”

It’s the question that keeps every aspiring podcaster up at night, and I get why — they see all these top podcasters with hundreds of thousands of followers on social media (and an email list worth envying) and assume that to be successful with a podcast, they need that too.

In fact most people think that people like Amy Porterfield and Tim Ferris and heck, Joe-freakin-Rogan are successful podcasters because they had a big audience when they started their show.

But nope. It's actually the other way around.

Being ultra-successful with a podcast isn’t about how big your audience is when you start. It's about knowing how to differentiate yourself to attract the right audience *so that*you can grow.

If you have a podcast right now that's not growing like you expected it to (OR) if you’re someone who wants to start a podcast this year and make sure it's successful from the jump...

You’re going to need to know what levers to pull to make sure your show stands out and gets the attention it deserves.

And in this episode, I'm breaking down the first step to doing exactly that. Hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

0:03 - Starting a Podcast? Why You Don't Need a Big Audience to Succeed

1:25 - Social Media is Dead: Here’s Why

4:25 - Build Relationships Over Numbers When Starting a Podcast

7:48 - Why Every Top Podcaster Started from Zero When Starting a Podcast

11:36 - Learning How to Speak Your Listener’s Language

-

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

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

...

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.

From 30 to 1000+ Podcast Downloads in One Day With This Simple Podcast Launch Strategy Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

Is your podcast still bringing in fewer than 1000 downloads per episode? Do you want to start a podcast and avoid hitting the painful plateaus most podcasters hit by Episode 6?

I hate to break it to you, but waiting around to hit that 1000+ downloads-per-episode milestone is the very thing keeping your podcast stuck.

Most hosts think, “As long as I’m consistent, my show will grow in time.”

But if the average show only brings in ~2000 total downloads per year, the REAL question is: how many years are you willing to work to finally start seeing the results you want? (No wonder most hosts quit after Episode 6.)

In this episode, we’re going behind the scenes of a recent client launch to show you one surprisingly simple shift that took this client from averaging ~30 dnl/episode to over 1000+/dnl per episode in a single day (and how you can too). Hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

0:03 - From 30 to 1,000+ Downloads with One Simple Shift

1:40 - Avoiding the Biggest Podcast Launch Mistake

5:41 - The Secret to Climbing Apple’s Charts

9:50 - Why Buying Downloads Is a Bad Idea

10:46 - The Surprising Timing Strategy to Increase Your Podcast’s Reach

-

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

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

...

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.

How to Choose a Bingeworthy Name for Your Podcast Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

Choosing a podcast name that helps you stand out is the worst thing you can do for your podcast. (Wait, what?) Yep…

When most people try to find a podcast name that stands out, they unknowingly make one of four major mistakes that causes them to blend right in with everyone else.

If you really want to know how to choose an effective show title for your podcast that will attract new listeners on repeat, hit play and learn…

What no one tells you about naming a podcast
The 4 biggest mistakes people make when choosing a podcast name
Why you should NOT name your podcast after yourself (this is a BIG problem)
Why “having fun with it” and “incorporating your brand personality” won’t work when it comes to creating a podcast name
…and other common blunders to avoid when naming a podcast

By the time you finish this episode, you’ll know ~exactly~ how to choose a name for your podcast that gets more listeners clicking play (and whether it’s time to rename yours). Hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.

0:00 - Why Your Podcast Name Matters More Than You Think

2:07 - The Psychology Behind a Bingeworthy Podcast Name

6:58 - The Secret to a Podcast Name That Demands Attention

13:13 - The Critical Element Your Podcast Name Might Be Missing

20:25 - Merging Strategy and Creativity When Naming Your Podcast

-

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Support the show

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

...

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.

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