Before You Chase Sponsors to Monetize Your Podcast, Listen to This | Jordan Blair, Buzzsprout

Before You Chase Sponsors to Monetize Your Podcast, Listen to This | Jordan Blair, Buzzsprout

Sponsorships aren't the revenue dream most podcasters think they are. In fact, they can be one of the least reliable forms of income from your podcast, and Jordan Blair, Buzzsprout's Podcast Producer and host of Dreamful Bedtime Stories (13M+ downloads), is here to expose why. After landing major sponsors like BetterHelp and HelloFresh, Jordan found a more reliable way to monetize your podcast that doesn't require a massive audience, constant sponsor outreach, or waiting until your show is "big enough" to start generating revenue. She shares how to make money before you launch, why your first episode may be your most valuable asset, and one underutilized podcast monetization strategy you can use today with fewer than 100 downloads per episode. Want to monetize your podcast sooner rather than later? Hit play and let’s dive in. … 0:30 – Why Sponsors Aren't the Dream Most Podcasters Think They Are 5:44 – How to Get a Sponsor Before You Launch Your Podcast (or with Fewer Than 100 Downloads per Episode) 12:07 – Why Your First Episode May Be Your Most Valuable Asset 18:53 – The Revenue Stream That Survives When Sponsorships Don't 20:19 – The Monetization Strategy That Lets Creators Take a Break … Episode Links: Meet Jordan Blair: Buzzsprout [https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=348511] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-blair-a7124231b/] Listen to Jordan’s Podcast: Dreamful Bedtime Stories [https://pod.link/1476007966] Listen to Buzzsprout’s Podcast: Buzzcast [https://pod.link/1446336657] … Other Episodes You’ll Love:  Why Your Next Dollar Should Come From Your Last Episode … Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/406843/fan_mail/new] Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends. Podcast Health Score™ [https://forms.clickup.com/10634360/f/a4h3r-9471/8CECOLK4LIGPEIMVAS] See exactly where your show is losing listeners. Podcast SEO Mastery [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/offers/3opSEytT/checkout?coupon_code=TOP100] Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7. Apply for a spot on the show [https://forms.clickup.com/10634360/f/a4h3r-9491/P3N1T2G2SM83S2EN28] to get live podcasting help from me. Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack [https://courtneyelmer.substack.com] Get reviews for your show with PodLottery [https://www.podlottery.com/join/courtneyelmer] ... Special thanks to Resonate Recordings [https://resonaterecordings.com/book-call/], our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call [https://resonaterecordings.com/book-call/] for help to fix it. Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | PodLaunchHQ.com [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/] ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

The Biggest Podcast Growth Mistake You're Probably Making

The podcast industry has convinced you that podcast growth comes from choosing the right marketing tactic. Yet every day, thousands of podcasters are spending time on strategies they can't tell are helping, hurting, or doing nothing at all. In this rapid-fire Q&A, I'm answering how to move your podcast to #1 in search results, the two factors that matter more than any single growth tactic, and the simplest way to determine which marketing strategies deserve your attention (and which ones don't). If you're serious about growing your podcast and want a better way to evaluate what's working, hit play and let's dive in. … 2:03 – How to Move Your Podcast From #2 to #1 in Search Results 5:41 – The 3 Most Important Places to Optimize for Podcast SEO 9:08 – How to Choose the Right Podcast Marketing Strategy 13:41 – The 2 Factors That Matter More Than Any Single Growth Tactic 22:01 – The Hidden Skills Behind Every High-Performing Podcast … Episode Links Think you've cracked today's mystery word? Go to PodLaunchHQ.com/mysteryword and enter your guess. Get it right, and you'll unlock a mystery prize hand-picked to help you improve your podcast's growth and performance. … Other Episodes You’ll Love:  Why Podcast SEO Makes It Easier Than Ever for Niche Shows to Get Discovered [https://podlink.com/1478171085/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xNzg4NTUxMA] 3 Podcast SEO Strategies That Increased My Downloads 41% [https://podlink.com/1478171085/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xODc0MzI2Mw] 3 Signs Your Podcast SEO Strategy Is Working [https://podlink.com/1478171085/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xNzk2ODc1OQ] … Special thanks to Eve Hall, Host of Please Me [https://pod.link/1699817680], and to the anonymous listener who submitted today’s questions. … Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/406843/fan_mail/new] Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends. Podcast Health Score™ [https://forms.clickup.com/10634360/f/a4h3r-9471/8CECOLK4LIGPEIMVAS] See exactly where your show is losing listeners. Podcast SEO Mastery [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/offers/3opSEytT/checkout?coupon_code=TOP100] Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7. Apply for a spot on the show [https://forms.clickup.com/10634360/f/a4h3r-9491/P3N1T2G2SM83S2EN28] to get live podcasting help from me. Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack [https://courtneyelmer.substack.com] Get reviews for your show with PodLottery [https://www.podlottery.com/join/courtneyelmer] ... Special thanks to Resonate Recordings [https://resonaterecordings.com/book-call/], our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call [https://resonaterecordings.com/book-call/] for help to fix it. Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | PodLaunchHQ.com [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/] ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

The 0.5 Second Decision That Makes Listeners Hit Play (or Not)

Whatever problem your podcast solves, it’s competing against every other show that promises to help listeners solve it.  I’m breaking down the 4 signs listeners are overlooking your podcast and the split-second decision that determines whether a new listener clicks play or picks another show to listen to. I’ll also share the five Podcast Content Gatekeepers® listeners judge before they ever hear your voice, why great content still gets ignored, and what to change so listeners stop scrolling past your show. Hit play and let’s dive in. … 2:04 – The 4 Signs Listeners Are Overlooking Your Podcast Right Now 6:20 – Why Publishing Every Week Still Isn’t Growing Your Podcast 7:12 – The 0.5 Second Decision That Gets Listeners to Choose Your Show 9:03 – The 5 Podcast Content Gatekeepers Every New Listener Judges First 11:46 – The Competitor Analysis Exercise That Reveals Your Podcast’s Differentiator … Episode Links: Get your editing off your plate so you can focus on growing your podcast: Book a call with Resonate Recordings [https://resonaterecordings.com]  … Other Episodes You’ll Love:  What Makes a Podcast Feel Addictive [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/blog/5-podcast-messaging-strategies-that-make-your-show-feel-instantly-bingeworthy] … Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/406843/fan_mail/new] Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends. Podcast Health Score™ [https://forms.clickup.com/10634360/f/a4h3r-9471/8CECOLK4LIGPEIMVAS] See exactly where your show is losing listeners. Podcast SEO Mastery [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/offers/3opSEytT/checkout?coupon_code=TOP100] Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7. Apply for a spot on the show [https://forms.clickup.com/10634360/f/a4h3r-9491/P3N1T2G2SM83S2EN28] to get live podcasting help from me. Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack [https://courtneyelmer.substack.com] Get reviews for your show with PodLottery [https://www.podlottery.com/join/courtneyelmer] ... Special thanks to Resonate Recordings [https://resonaterecordings.com/book-call/], our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call [https://resonaterecordings.com/book-call/] for help to fix it. Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | PodLaunchHQ.com [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/] ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Steal This 3-Part Framework to Keep Your Listeners Engaged | Jimi Gibson

Most podcast hosts focus on teaching something valuable, but valuable content isn't what keeps listeners listening. And when attention drops halfway through an episode, listeners stop caring about what you say next.  TedX speaker and professional magician Jimi Gibson is breaking down why listeners mentally check out of episodes (even when you’re giving great info), the common mistakes that make people skip ahead or click away from your episode, and the psychological framework behind opening hooks, vocal delivery, and CTA transitions that keeps listeners hanging on for what comes next. If you want listeners staying locked into your episodes from your opening hook to your CTA, hit play and let’s dive in. … 2:35 – The 3-Part Hook Formula That Makes Listeners That Makes Listeners Stay Past The First 30 Seconds 6:16 – The Hyper-Specific Opening That Sounds Like You’re Reading Your Listener’s Mind 10:52 – The Curiosity Loop Structure That Keeps Listeners Listening Longer 19:29 – The CTA Transition Framework That Keeps Your Pitch From Feeling Salesy 22:42 – The Simple Vocal Shifts That Pull Distracted Listeners Back Into the Conversation … Episode Links: Meet Jimi Gibson: Website [http://www.thriveagency.com] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimi-gibson/] Watch Jimi’s TEDx Talk: You Have Magic Power: Use It For Good [https://www.ted.com/talks/jimi_gibson_you_have_magic_power_use_it_for_good] Get your editing off your plate so you can focus on growing your show: Book a call with Resonate Recordings [https://resonaterecordings.com] … Other Episodes You’ll Love:  The Podcasting Psychology Behind Shows Listeners Can’t Stop Listening To … Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/406843/fan_mail/new] Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends. Podcast Health Score™ [https://forms.clickup.com/10634360/f/a4h3r-9471/8CECOLK4LIGPEIMVAS] See exactly where your show is losing listeners. Podcast SEO Mastery [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/offers/3opSEytT/checkout?coupon_code=TOP100] Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7. Apply for a spot on the show [https://forms.clickup.com/10634360/f/a4h3r-9491/P3N1T2G2SM83S2EN28] to get live podcasting help from me. Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack [https://courtneyelmer.substack.com] Get reviews for your show with PodLottery [https://www.podlottery.com/join/courtneyelmer] ... Special thanks to Resonate Recordings [https://resonaterecordings.com/book-call/], our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call [https://resonaterecordings.com/book-call/] for help to fix it. Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | PodLaunchHQ.com [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/] ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

The Podcasting Psychology Behind Shows Listeners Can’t Stop Listening To | Jimi Gibson

If “good content” were enough to grow a podcast, more shows (including yours) would have listeners bingeing every episode the second it dropped. Instead, plenty of podcasts with valuable content struggle to hold attention long enough to grow, build trust, or drive action. TEDx Speaker and professional magician Jimi Gibson conducts a live experiment here on the show to explain why some podcasts feel impossible to turn off, the 3 brain chemicals that influence whether listeners stay engaged or tune out. If you want to create episodes listeners stay glued to instead of mentally checking out halfway through, hit play and let’s dive in. … 3:06 – The Live Experiment That Explains Why Some Podcasts Feel Impossible to Turn Off 11:21 – The 3 Brain Chemicals That Create a Satisfying Listening Experience 13:59 – How Curiosity Loops Keep Listeners Mentally Present in an Episode 15:02 – Why Contextual Details Keep Listeners Emotionally Engaged 19:56 – The Psychological Differences Between Content That Feels Immersive vs. Forgettable … Episode Links: Meet Jimi Gibson: Website [http://www.thriveagency.com] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimi-gibson/] Watch Jimi’s TEDx Talk: You Have Magic Power: Use It For Good [https://www.ted.com/talks/jimi_gibson_you_have_magic_power_use_it_for_good] Get your editing off your plate so you can focus on growing your show: Book a call with Resonate Recordings [https://resonaterecordings.com] … Other Episodes You’ll Love:  Steal This 3-Part Framework to Keep Your Listeners Engaged  … Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/406843/fan_mail/new] Love this show? Leave a review to say thanks in true podcasting style, or share it with your podcasting friends. Podcast Health Score™ [https://forms.clickup.com/10634360/f/a4h3r-9471/8CECOLK4LIGPEIMVAS] See exactly where your show is losing listeners. Podcast SEO Mastery [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/offers/3opSEytT/checkout?coupon_code=TOP100] Optimize your show so it can get found 24/7. Apply for a spot on the show [https://forms.clickup.com/10634360/f/a4h3r-9491/P3N1T2G2SM83S2EN28] to get live podcasting help from me. Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing on Substack [https://courtneyelmer.substack.com] Get reviews for your show with PodLottery [https://www.podlottery.com/join/courtneyelmer] ... Special thanks to Resonate Recordings [https://resonaterecordings.com/book-call/], our implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If your podcasting efforts aren't bringing you the listeners or sales you expected, book a strategy call [https://resonaterecordings.com/book-call/] for help to fix it. Follow for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/] | PodLaunchHQ.com [https://www.podlaunchhq.com/] ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.