PRESS PLAY PODCASTING

If you’ve made it to 10 podcast episodes, first of all — congratulations. That’s a big milestone, and you should absolutely be proud of yourself.In this episode of Press Play, I walk you through what I call the 10 Episode Checkpoint. This is the point where you pause for a moment, look at what you’ve created so far, and evaluate a few important things about your podcast strategy.Now let me be clear: 10 episodes is not the time to decide your podcast isn’t working. It’s way too early for that. This checkpoint isn’t about quitting — it’s about learning, adjusting, and fine-tuning your podcast so it can keep growing.After 10 episodes, you finally have a little bit of experience and some early data. You’ve gotten a feel for recording, publishing, and how much time everything takes. That makes this the perfect moment to reflect and make small improvements.Here are four things I recommend evaluating at the 10 episode mark.1. Your Podcast PositioningFirst, look at the clarity of your podcast positioning.Ask yourself:Can someone describe what your podcast is about in one sentence?Are your episodes clearly focused on one core topic or problem?Are your episode titles aligned with what you want to rank for in podcast SEO?Sometimes the content is great, but the titles could be stronger or more searchable. This can be a great time to refine your episode titles or descriptions so they better attract your ideal listener.2. Your Publishing ConsistencyNext, evaluate how consistent your publishing schedule has been.Did you release episodes when you planned to?Did recording feel rushed or stressful?If your current schedule feels overwhelming, this is the time to adjust it. Maybe you need to batch record, or maybe you need to move from weekly episodes to biweekly. The most important thing is choosing a schedule you can maintain consistently.3. Your Podcast ContentNow look at the content itself.Are your episodes focused on solving the same core problem for your audience? Or are you experimenting with too many different topics?At this stage, repetition is actually a good thing. Reinforcing your main topic helps strengthen your positioning and build authority with your listeners.You can also start checking your consumption rates to see if people are listening through your episodes. This gives you early insight into whether your content is resonating.4. Listener Feedback and EngagementFinally, pay attention to early feedback signals.This isn’t just about downloads. Look for signs that people are engaging with your podcast, such as:Messages or DMs from listenersReviews on your podcastPeople responding to your call-to-actionListener numbers slowly increasingThese are early indicators that your podcast is connecting with the right people.Celebrate the MilestoneThe most important thing at this stage is recognizing that you’ve already done something many people never do: you actually started and published 10 episodes.That’s huge.Now it’s time to make a few tweaks, keep going, and continue building momentum with your podcast.If you are ready to create a podcast that pays for your business, come join the 7 day accelerator over on my Skool community! It's free for the first 7 days. Head over to www.podcastthatpays.comFollow me on TikTok @podcastlaunchbestieMusic credit: Mavericks by Harrison Amer. A Podcast Launch Bestie production

One of the questions I hear all the time is this: Can you grow a podcast without social media?And honestly, I get why people ask this. A lot of podcasters start their show because they want a marketing channel that doesn’t rely on the constant grind of social media.So let’s talk about it.The short answer is yes — but it depends.It really comes down to your goals and where you’re starting from. Ideally, the goal of your podcast should be organic growth outside of social media. That means people finding your podcast through search engine optimization (SEO), podcast apps, and Google searches. When your podcast is optimized correctly, listeners can discover you even if they’ve never followed you on social media.That’s one of the biggest advantages of podcasting. Your podcast can become a standalone marketing channel that brings in new listeners through search instead of relying on social media algorithms.However, there is one big caveat.If you already have a social media audience, it makes sense to leverage that audience when you launch your podcast. Those people already know you, trust you, and are more likely to support your show in the beginning.If you don’t have a social media following, you can still grow your podcast. It will just take longer because you’re starting from zero visibility.In that case, your strategy needs to focus heavily on things like:Podcast SEO and keyword optimizationGuest podcast appearancesCollaborations with other creatorsEmail list partnerships or newsletter featuresAdvertising on other podcastsGoogle or YouTube adsYou can absolutely grow a podcast without social media, but you need a clear strategy to get your podcast in front of new listeners.The key is remembering that social media isn’t the only way to grow. SEO, collaborations, podcast guesting, and paid promotion can all bring new listeners to your show.So if you hate social media or simply don’t want to rely on it, you still have options.Your podcast can grow — you just have to be intentional about how people discover it.If you are ready to create a podcast that pays for your business, come join the 7 day accelerator over on my Skool community! It's free for the first 7 days. Head over to www.podcastthatpays.comFollow me on TikTok @podcastlaunchbestieMusic credit: Mavericks by Harrison Amer. A Podcast Launch Bestie production

In this episode of Press Play, I want to give you permission to do something that a lot of podcasters struggle with: changing your mind.When you start a podcast, it’s easy to feel like every decision you make is permanent. You might stress about the name of your podcast, the format, whether you should do interviews or solo episodes, or how long your episodes should be. All of those choices can feel really heavy at the beginning.But the truth is, the only guarantee in the podcast journey is that you will change.You’ll grow.Your ideas will evolve.Your content will shift.And your podcast will likely change right along with you.Maybe you start a 30-day podcast series and realize halfway through that it doesn’t feel aligned anymore. Maybe you launch your podcast thinking it’s going to focus on one topic and later realize you want to pivot. That’s completely normal.Changing direction doesn’t mean you’re flaky or not committed. It means you’re learning. Podcasting is something you figure out by doing, not by planning everything perfectly ahead of time.You won’t know what format you enjoy, what topics resonate most, or what workflow works best for you until you actually start creating episodes.So if you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to make the “perfect” decisions before launching your podcast, I want you to take the pressure off. You don’t need to have everything figured out right now.Start where you are.Learn as you go.And give yourself the space to evolve.Being committed to your podcast doesn’t mean locking yourself into decisions forever. It means showing up, learning through the process, and adjusting as you grow.Your podcast will evolve because you will evolve — and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to work.If you are ready to create a podcast that pays for your business, come join the 7 day accelerator over on my Skool community! It's free for the first 7 days. Head over to www.podcastthatpays.comFollow me on TikTok @podcastlaunchbestieMusic credit: Mavericks by Harrison Amer. A Podcast Launch Bestie production

If you’re wondering how long it takes for your podcast to grow, here’s the realistic answer.After about six months of consistently publishing, you should start to see steady growth. Not viral growth. Not overnight success. But consistent increases in downloads, followers, and unique listeners.By the six-month to one-year mark, you should be able to track month-over-month progress in:Unique listenersFollowersDownloadsIf you’re not seeing growth by then, it’s usually a positioning, SEO, or promotion issue — not that podcasting “doesn’t work.”But here’s the bigger truth: growth isn’t just about numbers. If your podcast is clearly positioned and solving one real problem, you may start converting listeners into clients even before your downloads skyrocket.Podcast growth takes time. Six months for traction. A year to see patterns. Long-term consistency to see real results.Keep going — and keep tracking your data.If you are ready to create a podcast that pays for your business, come join the 7 day accelerator over on my Skool community! It's free for the first 7 days. Head over to www.podcastthatpays.comFollow me on TikTok @podcastlaunchbestieMusic credit: Mavericks by Harrison Amer. A Podcast Launch Bestie production

If you’ve been wondering how often you should release a podcast episode to grow your show, make money, or see real results in your business, this episode is for you.In this episode of Press Play, I’m answering one of the most common podcasting questions: How often should I publish podcast episodes?Here’s the honest answer — it depends. But also… it doesn’t.Podcasting can absolutely be a numbers game. The more episodes you release, the more opportunities you create for downloads, discoverability, and algorithm momentum. More content means more entry points into your show. It can increase your downloads and make your podcast look more established and active.But frequency only works if you can stay consistent.If you’re asking me for a minimum, I recommend releasing at least one episode per week. Once a week should be your baseline if you want steady podcast growth and real traction.Could you release two episodes per week? Absolutely.Could you do daily episodes? Sure — I do.But that only works if it fits your capacity and your content strategy.If you love interviews but also want to build authority with solo content, you could release:One solo episode per weekOne interview episode per weekThat’s a simple, powerful strategy that keeps your show active and diverse.But here’s what matters more than frequency: consistency.If you can only manage one episode every other week, then commit to that and stick to it. I would rather you release consistently every two weeks than burn out trying to post weekly and quit entirely.Podcast growth, podcast monetization, and podcast success all rely on momentum. And momentum comes from consistency.So if you want the best results:Aim for once a week minimumIncrease frequency only if you can sustain itBuild a content system that supports your scheduleDon’t overcommit and disappearThe best release schedule is the one you can maintain long term.Start there.If you are ready to create a podcast that pays for your business, come join the 7 day accelerator over on my Skool community! It's free for the first 7 days. Head over to www.podcastthatpays.comFollow me on TikTok @podcastlaunchbestieMusic credit: Mavericks by Harrison Amer. A Podcast Launch Bestie production

If you want to launch a Top 10 podcast, I’m going to give you the real truth about what it actually takes to rank in the top charts — especially if you want to hit the Top 10 in your category.In this episode, I break down exactly how I launched my podcast and reached #3 in the United States in Marketing, and what you need to consider before you set that goal for yourself.Let’s start here: yes, it’s possible. But it’s not accidental.If you want to rank a podcast in the Top 10, here’s what you need to understand.1. You Need an Existing Audience (Even a Modest One)If you want to launch high in the charts organically, you need an audience already paying attention to you.When I launched, I had around 6,000–7,000 combined followers across email and social platforms. That’s not massive, but it wasn’t zero. More importantly, they were engaged.If your audience is ghosted or disengaged, you won’t see the traction you need. A Top 10 podcast launch relies heavily on leveraging your current audience to drive downloads quickly.If you don’t have an audience yet, build that first.2. You Need a Strategic Podcast Launch PlanRanking in the charts is a numbers game. You can’t casually launch and hope for the best.You need:A clear launch strategyA structured rolloutA coordinated push during launch weekDropping multiple episodes at once is critical. The more episodes you publish on launch, the more downloads you generate per listener.For example:If someone finds your show and you’ve released 10 episodes, that’s 10 downloads.If you’ve released 1 episode, that’s 1 download.Minimum recommendation? Launch with at least 10 episodes and continue releasing consistently.3. You Must Create a Lot of Content UpfrontIf you want to launch a Top 10 podcast, you cannot drip content slowly in the beginning. You need momentum.Be prepared to:Batch record episodesPublish multiple episodes on launchMaintain consistent release cadenceThe first 6–8 weeks matter more than almost any other period.4. You Need Reviews, Shares, and Direct OutreachReviews matter during launch.Ask everyone:FriendsFamilyClientsColleaguesEmail subscribersCreate a giveaway. Personally message people. Drop the link in DMs. Be proactive.You cannot be passive and expect chart results.5. Your Podcast Content Must Be GoodNo launch strategy can save weak content.If your positioning isn’t clear…If your niche isn’t tight…If your episodes don’t deliver…You won’t sustain ranking even if you spike early.A Top 10 podcast launch requires:Clear niche positioningStrong episode titlesCompelling, valuable contentA defined target audienceThe Bottom LineLaunching a Top 10 podcast isn’t magic. It’s leverage + strategy + volume + execution.If you want to rank, you need:An engaged audienceA structured launch planMultiple episodes at launchAggressive promotionStrong contentIt’s doable. But it’s intentional.If you want the step-by-step launch plans I use, I break those down inside my school community, including the traditional launch strategy that helps you build momentum and rank higher in your category.Now you know what it takes. The question is — are you willing to do it?If you are ready to create a podcast that pays for your business, come join the 7 day accelerator over on my Skool community! It's free for the first 7 days. Head over to www.podcastthatpays.comFollow me on TikTok @podcastlaunchbestieMusic credit: Mavericks by Harrison Amer. A Podcast Launch Bestie production

If you want to know how to convert your podcast listeners into clients faster, this episode is for you.In this episode of Press Play, I break down the one thing you must do if you want your podcast to actually generate sales, leads, and real business results — not just downloads.And it comes down to this:You have to focus on solving one clear problem.I talk all the time about niching down your podcast, having a clear angle, and tightening your positioning. And I know it feels hard. I know it feels restrictive. But if you want to grow your podcast and convert listeners into buyers, clarity wins every single time.If your content feels scattered…If you’re talking about five different topics…If your listeners enjoy your show but aren’t taking action…This is likely why.When you want to convert podcast listeners into clients, you have to:Identify the one core problem your audience desperately wants solvedUnderstand what they currently believe about that problemCreate episodes that shift those beliefsConsistently highlight your expertise as the solutionThat’s it.You don’t need more random content ideas.You don’t need to reinvent the wheel every week.You don’t need to stop repeating yourself.Marketing is repetition. Converting faster means drawing a straight line from problem → belief shift → solution → your offer.Inside your podcast episodes, you should be:Telling stories that show transformationBreaking down myths and misconceptionsDemonstrating how you’ve helped others solve the same problemClearly connecting the dots to how you helpWhen you focus your content around one urgent, relevant problem, everything gets easier. Your messaging tightens. Your authority grows. Your listeners start seeing themselves in your stories. And that’s when conversions happen.If you’re not seeing clients from your podcast yet, I want you to pause and ask:Am I solving one clear problem consistently?If not, go back and rebuild your next two months of content around that one thing.Clarity converts.Repetition builds trust.Focused content drives sales.And that’s how you convert your podcast listeners faster.If you are ready to create a podcast that pays for your business, come join the 7 day accelerator over on my Skool community! It's free for the first 7 days. Head over to www.podcastthatpays.comFollow me on TikTok @podcastlaunchbestieMusic credit: Mavericks by Harrison Amer. A Podcast Launch Bestie production

If you’re a business owner, you don’t have time to waste. So if you’re podcasting, you want to know it’s actually giving you a return on your time and energy.In this episode, I break down the fastest way to get instant ROI from your podcast — and it’s not about waiting for sponsors or downloads to grow.It’s about turning your podcast into your marketing system.Instead of creating content from scratch every day, you start with one podcast episode and let it fuel everything:Record it on video.Pull clips for Reels, TikTok, and Shorts.Turn the main points into carousel posts.Use the transcript for written content.One episode can easily become 15–20 pieces of content.That means your podcast becomes the anchor of your content marketing strategy. It saves you time, brain power, and energy — and that alone is immediate ROI.Before your podcast ever signs a client, it should already be making your marketing easier.If you want your podcast to feel worth it, this is how you do it.If you are ready to create a podcast that pays for your business, come join the 7 day accelerator over on my Skool community! It's free for the first 7 days. Head over to www.podcastthatpays.comFollow me on TikTok @podcastlaunchbestieMusic credit: Mavericks by Harrison Amer. A Podcast Launch Bestie production

If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast but haven’t recorded anything yet, this is your sign. In this episode, I’m breaking down the exact first three podcast episodes you can record right now so you can stop planning and actually launch your show.If you’re stuck wondering what to talk about on your podcast, how to structure your first few episodes, or how to position your show clearly from the start, this is for you.Let’s keep it simple.Here are the first three podcast episodes I want you to record.Episode 1: Why This Podcast ExistsYour very first episode should answer a few core questions:Why does this podcast exist?Who are you?Who is this for?And honestly… why should we care?This is your positioning episode. This is where you clearly state the purpose of your podcast, the audience you’re speaking to, and the transformation or result you’re here to help create. If someone lands on your show for the first time, they should instantly understand what your podcast is about and whether it’s for them.When you’re starting a podcast, clarity is everything. This episode sets the tone.Episode 2: The Core Problem You SolveIf you want to grow your podcast and eventually monetize it, you need to be known for solving one clear problem.In this second episode, I want you to talk about that core problem.What is the main struggle your ideal listener is dealing with?Why does that problem exist?What have they already tried?What’s not working for them?Then start positioning yourself as the person who understands this problem deeply and can guide them toward a solution.This episode builds authority. It shows your expertise. It tells your listeners, “I see you. I understand this. And I can help.”If you want better podcast growth and stronger conversions, this is not optional. This is foundational.Episode 3: A Quick Win for Your ListenerYour third episode should give your audience a quick, actionable win.This could be:A simple strategy they can implement todayA mindset shift that changes how they see their problemA practical tip that relieves pressure immediatelyA journal prompt, exercise, or small action stepThe goal is to create momentum and build trust. When someone listens to your podcast and gets a tangible result right away, they think, “Okay, she knows what she’s talking about.”That’s how you build credibility fast. That’s how you create engagement. And that’s how you turn listeners into loyal fans (and eventually clients).If you’ve been stuck in planning mode, overthinking your podcast launch, or waiting for the “perfect” idea, these three episodes are your starting point.Why this podcast existsThe core problem you solveA quick win for your listenerGo record them. Keep it simple. Take action.Your podcast doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be clear.Now go press play.If you are ready to create a podcast that pays for your business, come join the 7 day accelerator over on my Skool community! It's free for the first 7 days. Head over to www.podcastthatpays.comFollow me on TikTok @podcastlaunchbestieMusic credit: Mavericks by Harrison Amer. A Podcast Launch Bestie production

In this episode, I’m answering a question that almost every podcaster has asked at some point: How do I know if my podcast content is actually good?Because here’s the truth — podcasting doesn’t give you instant validation. You don’t get a flood of likes. You don’t get constant comments. Most of the time, it feels like you’re talking into the void. You check your downloads and see one episode got 10 listens and another got 3… and you’re left wondering: does that mean it’s better? Worse? What does it even mean?So let’s break this down.First, downloads alone do not tell you if your podcast content is good. A catchy episode title and strong positioning can absolutely get people to click. But clicks don’t equal quality. Someone could press play and drop off five seconds later. That’s not a content win — that’s just a good hook.If you really want to know whether your podcast content is working, you need to look at your consumption rates.Go into Apple Podcasts Connect (yes, you need an Apple account), and look at how much of each episode people are actually listening to. For solo episodes, you should consistently be seeing 80% or higher consumption rates. If you’re not? That’s a signal.Now, that signal could mean one of two things:You have a content problem.You have a positioning problem.If your consumption rates are low, maybe you’re rambling. Maybe you’re taking too long to get to the point. Maybe your episodes are too long. Maybe you’re not clearly telling people what they’ll get by the end. All of that affects retention.But sometimes it’s not the content itself — it’s who you’re attracting.I’ve made this mistake before. When I marketed something under the name “Podcast That Pays,” I attracted people who wanted to start a podcast and make money directly from sponsorships — not business owners who wanted to use podcasting as a marketing tool. Wrong audience. Great content. Bad fit. Bust.If you’re attracting the wrong people, your consumption rates will suffer even if your content is solid.The other major indicator of whether your podcast content is good? Action.Are people clicking your call to action? Are they joining your email list? Are they booking calls? Are they buying your offers?If no one is taking action, then your content isn’t compelling enough yet. That’s not a judgment — it’s just data. And data is power. It tells you what to tweak.So here’s the bottom line:If you want to know whether your podcast content is good, stop obsessing over downloads and start paying attention to:Consumption ratesAudience positioningCalls to actionConversionsYour analytics are telling you a story. You just have to look at the right numbers.Go check your data. Be honest with yourself. Make the tweaks. And then keep going.That’s how you build a podcast that actually works.