Episode 216 | Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast | Courtney Elmer

0:00 - Why You’re Still on the Fence About Starting a Podcast (and How to Get Off It)
3:38 - What Really Drives Podcast Success (Spoiler: It’s Not Good Content)
5:29 - Crafting Podcast Messaging That Hooks Listeners from the First Second
9:48 - Choosing the Perfect Podcast Category to Get Noticed (and Why It Matters)
14:48 - The Key to Podcast Growth That Consistency Alone Won’t Deliver

Is There a Right Time for Starting a Podcast? Here’s the Real Answer

If you've been dreaming about starting a podcast but keep putting it off because of thoughts like — “What if I don’t have time to keep up with it?” or “What if the tech is too complicated?” or “I don’t even know where to start!”— you’re not alone.

And I get it. You want to do it right. You want your show to be successful. (Nobody wants to spend all their time starting a podcast no one listens to). But here’s the bottom line: No amount of procrastination or perfectionism will get you where you want to go. Like the old Chinese proverb says, the best time for starting a podcast was 20 years ago. The next best time? Now.

The Myth of the "Right" Time

You might be thinking, "I can't start yet because my audience isn’t big enough," or "I need more experience," but here’s the reality:

The longer you wait to start a podcast, the more crowded the podcasting space will get and the harder it will be to stand out.

So if you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast and you want your podcast to be successful, the question to ask isn’t “When is the best time to start a podcast?“ The question you need to ask is, “What actually determines podcast success?” Is it timing? Strategy? Some magical talent that only a rare few have? Let’s break it down.

Three Ingredients You Need for Starting a Successful Podcast

After spending over 15,000 hours studying what separates top podcasts from the ones that go unnoticed, I’ve found that starting a successful podcast boils down to three key factors: messaging, positioning, and early momentum.

1. Messaging: Make Your Podcast Worth Listening To

Podcast messaging isn’t what you say, but how you say it. It’s not just about the topic you cover or the guests you invite. It’s about knowing how to clearly communicate why your podcast matters and why listeners should care — and it starts before they hit play.

Think of your podcast messaging like the invisible backbone of starting a podcast. It's what gives your show purpose and direction. Without strong messaging, even the best content will get overlooked, because your listeners won’t understand why it’s relevant to them.

Strategic podcast messaging doesn’t just help you stand out from the competition, it gets listeners choosing your show over the competition by speaking directly to your audience’s needs, challenges, and desires — making them feel like your podcast was made just for them. Without a solid messaging foundation, even your most impressive guest appearances, or high-profile interviews won’t grow your podcast audience. Your podcast messaging needs to be clear, compelling, and laser-focused on what your audience truly needs.

2. Positioning: Get Your Show in Front of the Right People

Once you’ve nailed your messaging, the next crucial step before starting a podcast is your show’s positioning — making sure your show gets discovered by the right people. Two of the top ways to get discovered by new listeners are through search and by ranking on the podcast charts. To maximize your podcast’s discoverability, you need to optimize for both.

Getting on the charts requires strategic moves like choosing the right category, which can help to give you a competitive edge — especially if you have a small audience. But that’s just one of many aspects that help get your show in the feed of listeners who need to hear it.

Starting a successful podcast isn’t just about creating great content; it’s about making sure that content is seen and heard by the right people.

Because what good is your podcast if nobody hears it?

3. Early Momentum: Don’t Start From Zero

You wouldn’t spend a year writing a book only to tell no one, hit publish on Amazon, cross your fingers, and hope it becomes a bestseller, would you? Of course not. You’d build a launch campaign, create buzz, and make sure that book gets the attention it deserves. Starting a podcast is no different.

The problem? Most hosts don’t realize there’s a world of difference between simply hitting publish and actually launching a podcast. Hitting publish is just that — uploading your episode and hoping it somehow finds its way to listeners. (Kinda like tossing a message in a bottle into the ocean and waiting for someone to find it).

Launching a podcast, on the other hand, is a deliberate, strategic process. It’s about creating momentum from day one, to help make sure your podcast gets noticed, builds an audience, and gains traction right out of the gate. This difference is critical because, without a proper podcast launch strategy, even the best content will get lost in the noise.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Wait

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to start your podcast, here’s the good news: the perfect time is now, and it’s easier than you think. Focus on the three key factors that truly determine success when starting a podcast: messaging, positioning, and early momentum. When you get these right, your podcast won’t just sit there waiting to be discovered — it will actively draw in the listeners who need what you have to offer.

And if you want to guarantee your podcast can build a loyal audience, and convert listeners into clients out the gate, join me for my upcoming live workshop where I’ll break down the next steps you can take to apply these principles to your show, so you can create a podcast that stands out, gets noticed, and drives real results.

(Or if you’re wondering, “Can you just do it for me?!” Yes, we can, and we’d love to help. Book a free strategy call with our team to find out if you’re a fit for PodLaunch, and get the blueprint you need to start a binge-worthy podcast that not only entertains but also converts your listeners into clients.)

Next Up:

Attracting more listeners to your podcast boils down to three simple-but-unconventional things. If you want to find out what they are, don’t miss the next episode.