Episode 268 | Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast | Courtney Elmer

0:02 - Three Must-Haves for Getting Your Podcast Discovered
1:37 - The Real Reason Most Hosts Never Hit the Top Charts
4:20 - How to Attract Listeners Actively Searching for Shows Like Yours
14:29 - The One Differentiator You Need to Stand Out in a Crowded Podcast Category
20:00 - The Podcast Growth Metric You’re Probably Not Tracking (But Should Be)

Why Your Podcast Isn’t Getting Found (and How to Fix It)

You’ve put in the work, the time, the energy — but somehow, new listeners just aren’t finding you.

Standing out as a podcaster is like being at a packed farmer’s market where every vendor is shouting about their organic tomatoes. You’ve got the juiciest heirlooms at your booth, but no one’s stopping by because they can’t tell what makes yours different. If that’s how it feels trying to get your podcast noticed right now, you’re not alone.

Ten years ago, you could start a podcast on “business tips” or “money mindset,” and that was niche enough to draw a crowd. But now, with over three million podcasts out there, standing out and knowing how to grow your podcast can seem harder than — unless you understand the psychology behind grabbing your listeners’ attention.

So if you want new listeners to choose your podcast over all the others, there are three things you’re going to need to cut through the noise in today’s crowded space. In this post, we’ll unpack what it really takes to attract new listeners daily. You’ll also learn the one growth metric most podcasters aren’t tracking (but definitely should be). 

So, if you’re ready to stop being the unheard expert and start being seen as the go-to thought leader in your niche, keep reading to learn how to grow your podcast.

The Real Reason Most Hosts Never Hit the Top Charts

I get asked this all the time: “How do I get my podcast noticed?” “How do I make my podcast more discoverable?” “How do I get more listeners to find and listen to my podcast?”

The first step to learning how to grow your podcast and getting your podcast discovered isn’t blasting your episodes on social media, mass emailing your list every time a new episode drops, or guesting on other podcasts. And it’s definitely not about crossing your fingers that Apple or Spotify will magically recommend your show.

The first step to podcast discoverability is differentiation.

Podcast hosts often come to me saying, "Courtney, I've been podcasting for a year or so. I’m getting 100-ish downloads per episode, but I want more. What do I need to do to grow?" Sure, there are dozens of growth strategies we could try. But unless you know, with absolute certainty, that you have the right positioning and the right differentiation from the other podcasts out there like yours, none of them will work. You’ll still face the same problem: people might discover your podcast, but they won’t stick around to listen. (And if you’re stuck under 100 downloads and haven’t seen significant growth in the last three months, chances are this is exactly what's happening.)

How to Attract Listeners Actively Searching for Shows Like Yours

If you want your podcast to get discovered by new listeners, you can’t just be another voice saying the same thing as everyone else. You need a unique angle that speaks directly to a real and specific problem your ideal listener is facing. Without that, your chances of being found — and more importantly, chosen — are slim.

The problem? Most hosts think they have a unique angle. In fact, you might be thinking, “But Courtney, I think my message and positioning are pretty solid. I’m in the right category, I’ve put thought into who my ideal listener is, and I know my topic inside and out.”

But if you’re seeing any of these signs, it’s a clear indicator that your show is getting overlooked:

• Your downloads are inconsistent — up some weeks, down others, but never showing steady growth.
• Listeners tell you they love your show, but none of them are asking how to work with you or take the next step.
• You’ve got CTAs in your episodes, but the conversions are barely there (or non-existent).
• You see other podcasts on similar topics ranking higher and getting more reviews.
• You ask for reviews in nearly every episode, but you’re hearing crickets.
• You’ve never ranked on the charts, or maybe you’ve ranked once or twice, but without any rhyme or reason. 

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s a sign your positioning and message aren’t as clear as they could be.

To set your show apart, you need a Convincing Core Concept.

“Marketing for online business” is not a convincing core concept. “Money mindset” is not a convincing core concept. “Mental, spiritual, and physical health for men who want to become the best version of themselves” is not a convincing core concept. “A podcast for moms of school-aged children who want to feel calmer, less overwhelmed, and more in control without being controlling”? Better, but if every other parenting podcast is saying the same thing, how does that make you different? It doesn’t. We need to go deeper.

The One Differentiator You Need to Stand Out in a Crowded Podcast Category

A Convincing Core Concept is an idea that’s so clear, so compelling, it makes people take action without even realizing it. Listeners aren’t thinking, “Wow, this podcast has amazing cover art; I’m definitely tuning in.” No. They’re clicking through, hitting play, and returning week after week because your message is so strong, it’s grabbing their attention on an unconscious level. They’re engaging with your show because something about it feels irresistible — even if they can’t quite put their finger on why.

Think about how you scroll through social media late at night: you pass by some posts without a second thought, but others make you stop, watch, like, save, and comment. You don’t always know why you’re drawn to certain content — you just are.

That’s what you’re aiming for with your podcast: messaging and positioning so powerful that you naturally draw listeners in, keep them hooked, and turn them into raving fans. This is the key to how to grow your podcast effectively.

Outsmart Your Competition and Get Noticed

Once you've got your Convincing Core Concept dialed in, you need to make sure the right listeners can find you. This means optimizing your show to attract people actively searching for content like yours. The first step? Knowing your competition. Head to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for keywords related to your niche. Check out the shows that come up — what do they do well? Where do they fall short?

Think of it like shopping on Amazon: if you’re looking at two identical products, you typically trust one that has more reviews, right? Your podcast needs to show its value at a glance, so listeners choose you over the competition.

Find the gaps only you can fill in the marketplace. What makes your show the only one of its kind? What do you offer that listeners can’t get anywhere else?

The Podcast Growth Metric You’re Probably Not Tracking (But Should Be)

Many podcasters obsess over retention rates, download numbers, and audience demographics, but they’re overlooking one crucial metric: new daily followers. This metric directly impacts how discoverable your podcast is. If you want to consistently rank on the charts, focus on attracting new listeners every day. Understanding this metric is another critical piece of the puzzle for learning how to grow your podcast.

What are you doing daily to drive new traffic to your podcast? It’s not enough to just publish episodes and share them to social media and your email list. Are you engaging in relevant groups, sharing episodes directly, or reaching out to potential listeners? Setting a goal to reach one new listener each day can make a huge difference over time.

The Bottom Line

There’s no secret sauce to podcast growth. It comes down to three things: standing out with a clear and compelling message, taking daily, specific actions to reach new listeners, and being willing to do the work that most people won’t.

Many podcasters fall in love with the idea of being a top host—they want the recognition, the downloads, the Top 100 status—but aren’t committed to doing the work it actually takes to get there. If you’re serious about getting discovered, ask yourself: Are you truly all in? Because if you’re not fully committed, your audience won’t be either.

If you’re not getting the results you want, it might be time to re-evaluate where your podcast stands, how you’re positioning yourself, and what steps you’re willing to take today, tomorrow, and every day after that to get your show discovered.

And if you want more free advice on how to grow your podcast and create a bingeworthy show that converts your listeners to clients, be sure to follow Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you never miss a new episode.

Or if you’re ready to scale your podcast growth and want our proven strategy to help you reach more new listeners and turn those listeners into leads and sales, book a free strategy call with our team to find out if you’re a fit for PodLaunch® — we’re here to help.

Up Next: 

Think you need a massive number of downloads to rank your podcast? Think again. In the next episode, we’ll break down why it might not take as many downloads as you think to rank on the charts and how to leverage the audience you already have in order to do it. Don’t miss it!