If you want your podcast to grow in 2025, it all starts with being open to feedback. In this episode, I explain why podcast feedback from your audience is the secret to unlocking your podcast’s potential. Staying stagnant guarantees the same results, so let’s discuss how to embrace advice, take honest feedback, and use it to resonate with your listeners.
I’ll share stories, including the rise and fall of Theranos, lessons from the XFL, and my experiences as a podcaster and consultant. You’ll learn why feedback is critical and how to use it effectively to make your show stand out. Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your podcast to the next level, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you grow.
Your Podcast Starts With Understanding Your Audience and What They Need
When it comes to making choices for your podcast, it all comes down to what your audience wants. This is where you start. While we ALWAYS want to serve our audience, we also need to make sure we are achieving our WHY. “If we don't achieve the goal of the podcast, we will burn out and quit.
So many people spend a lot of time determining what they will talk about. This is not a bad idea – if it's based on an understanding what the audience wants, and what you look to get out of the podcast.
But Are You Ready For Feedback?
I get it. I do. You spent 29 hours creating your first episode (and WAY more than that if you're doing video). You are thinking, “I JUST WANT THIS OUT!” I get that. But you want to get feedback BEFORE you publish the episode. That makes sense, right? You wouldn't open a restaurant without having people sample your food, would you? And yet, when I talk with clients, it seems like everyone skips this step, and everyone has one question, “How do I grow my podcast?” I don't think that is a coincidence. The two or directly related.
Moving On To Promotion Too Soon.
So many podcasters skip getting feedback and move on to promoting their show. NO AMOUNT OF PROMOTION will save lousy content. See the XFL, and Theranos. The CFL thought they could fix a bad product with promotion, and Theranos ignored all feedback and lost their integrity.
Ready To Start and Grow Your Podcast?
Are you looking to start your own podcast but don't know where to begin? Look no further than the School of Podcasting. Our comprehensive online courses and one-on-one coaching will teach you everything you need to know, from equipment and editing to marketing and monetization. With our proven methods and expert instructors, you'll create high-quality, engaging content in no time. Say goodbye to the frustration and uncertainty and hello to a successful podcasting career with the School of Podcasting. Click here for more information.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
Why audience feedback is critical for podcast growth- How to prepare mentally to receive and implement advice
- Real-world examples of what happens when feedback is ignored
- Practical steps to conduct an audience survey (and why it matters)
- Being open to audience feedback is essential for podcasters to improve their content.
- If you ignore audience advice, you risk repeating the same mistakes year after year.
- Feedback is critical to podcasting success; embrace it to grow your show.
- Creating an audience survey can provide valuable insights into what your listeners want.
- Understanding your audience's needs can lead to more engaging and resonant content.
- Ignoring expert advice, as seen in the case of Theranos, can lead to failure.
- With a CLEAR understanding of your WHY and your audience, you can decide which advice to accept and which to dismiss.
Links referenced in this episode:
- schoolofpodcasting.com
- schoolofpodcasting.com/survey
- jordanharbinger.com (on taking advice)
- thepharmacistvoice.com (Kim Newlove's show)
- perrysburgpodcast.com (Kim Newlove's show)
- podpage.com
- schoolofpodcasting.com/960 (on media hosting)
- Welcome to Earth Stories
- Apple's Dashboard podcastsconnect.apple.com
- Spotify's Dashboard podcasters.spotify.com
- Episode on Using UTMs to track marketing results. I use Fathom stats for my website (aff).
