Launching a Top Podcast in an Unlikely Niche | Laura Brazan

In this episode, James Cridland, editor-in-chief of Podnews, is back with his bold predictions about where podcasting is headed — and how you can stay ahead of the curve.We’re unpacking why downloads might not hold the top spot as the industry’s gold standard for much longer, YouTube’s growing role in podcast discovery (and its limitations), and how AI is adding convenience but not the creativity needed to stand out. James also explains the growing challenge of defining what a podcast really is as platforms like Spotify and YouTube continue to blur the lines.Whether you're starting a new show or scaling an existing one, you'll walk away from this episode with the know-how you need to stay ahead of industry trends and stay focused on what truly matters: creating content that connects and converts. Hit play and let's dive in.18:00 - Why IAB Downloads Might Soon Lose Their Gold Standard Status19:11 - The Role (and Limits) of YouTube in Podcast Discovery21:41 - What *Actually* Makes a Podcast a Podcast24:06 - Are AI Tools Saving Time or Killing Creativity?33:39 - Adapt or Get Left Behind: How to Capitalize on the Latest Trends in PodcastingEpisode Links:Podnews Daily (Podcast)Podnews.net (Daily Newsletter)PodcastBroker.comBuzzsprout.com/statsPodcastBusinessJournal.com/dataMake Noise: A Creator's Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling by Eric NuzumOther Episodes You’ll Enjoy:What’s Changing in Podcasting and How to Stay Ahead→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7UHave a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text!Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop Connect with Court: Instagram | Linked In | PodLaunch HQ

In this episode, I’m joined by James Cridland from Podnews to explore the biggest changes shaking up the podcasting industry right now.So whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been podcasting for years, James shares insights on what these shifts mean for your show and how to navigate them to stay ahead.From the rise of niche podcasts to why video might not be as essential as you think, you’ll learn what it takes to create a podcast that lasts in today’s evolving landscape.Ready to learn what’s working now to grow your podcast? Hit play and let’s dive in.0:00 – What’s Driving the Biggest Shifts in Podcasting Today2:30 – The Rise of Niche Podcasts and Why They’re Thriving5:45 – Why Video Isn’t as Essential as Everyone Thinks9:15 – Forget Downloads: Here Are the Numbers That Actually Indicate Growth13:50 – Two Keys to Positioning Your Podcast for Long-Term SuccessEpisode Links:Podnews Daily (Podcast)Podnews.net (Daily Newsletter)PodcastBroker.comBuzzsprout.com/statsPodcastBusinessJournal.com/dataMake Noise: A Creator's Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling by Eric NuzumOther Episodes You’ll Enjoy:4 Must-Know Podcasting Predictions to Capitalize On This Year→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7UHave a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text!Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop Connect with Court: Instagram | Linked In | PodLaunch HQ

If your podcast isn't showing up in search results on platforms like Apple and Spotify, your competitors are capturing the listeners you’re missing out on.In this episode, you'll learn how to uncover the exact keywords your competitors are using, pinpoint the best ones for your show, and craft a podcast SEO strategy that helps your show stand out and get discovered by new listeners every day. Plus, I’ll share the latest tools you can use to track and refine your keyword strategy for even better results.Ready to learn how you can dominate the search results for your specific podcast topic? Hit play and let’s dive in. 0:03 - Why Podcast SEO Matters Now More Than Ever3:54 - Using AI to Find the Exact Keywords Your Competition is Ranking For7:49 - How to Pinpoint the Keywords That’ll Attract Your Perfect-Fit Listener12:08 - Where to Put Your Keywords for Maximum Impact17:46 - Tools to Track and Refine Your SEO StrategyEpisode Links:The PSO Dashboard: Ausha.coGeneral best practices for finding new keywords Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:How to Hit the Top 5 in Apple and Spotify Search Results→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7UHave a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text!Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop Connect with Court: Instagram | Linked In | PodLaunch HQ

What if you knew how to make your podcast pop up in the top five search results on Apple or Spotify?In this episode, I’m showing you how to do it with an underdog discoverability strategy that’s quietly changing the game for podcasters. You’ll learn how to find the right keywords and use them to dominate podcast search results, so you can get your show in front of the listeners already searching for a podcast like yours.Ready for a bingeworthy top podcast that gets found by new listeners every day? Hit play and let’s dive in.Episode Links:The PSO Dashboard: Ausha.coOther Episodes You’ll Enjoy:How to Turn Your Podcast Description Into a Listener MagnetThe Exact SEO Keywords You Need to Get Your Podcast Found0:05 - Why Your Podcast Isn’t Getting Found (Hint: It’s Not Your Content)2:09 - The Proven Discoverability Strategy That’s Quietly Changing the Game (But Won’t Stay a Secret for Long)5:08 - What You Need to Know About Using Keywords for Your Podcast11:02 - How to Show Up Where Your Listeners Are Already Searching18:46 - How Ranking in Search Results Builds Instant Credibility→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7UHave a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text!Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop Connect with Court: Instagram | Linked In | PodLaunch HQ

Worried your podcast idea is too niche, or that maybe your ideal audience doesn’t really listen to podcasts? Those might just be the signs you need to take the leap.In this episode, I’m joined by fellow podcast host Laura Brazan who launched a show in a niche that doesn’t typically listen to podcasts — and crushed it.Breaking into the Top 100 across the US, UK, and Australia, Laura shares how she turned a personal need into a movement while tackling every tech challenge along the way.If you’ve ever doubted your ability to start a podcast from scratch but believe you have a message worth building a movement around, hit play and let’s dive in.0:04 - Can Your Podcast Thrive in an Unlikely Niche?6:35 - How to Break into the Top 100 (Even Without a Big Audience)8:35 - How to Turn Your Podcast into a Community (Even if You’re Not Selling Anything)13:20 - Why the Tech Side of Podcasting is Easier Than You Think16:25 - The One Thing Keeping You From Getting Bigger Results with Your Podcast Episode Links:Check out Laura’s Podcast: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7UHave a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text!Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop Connect with Court: Instagram | Linked In | PodLaunch HQ

Your podcast description isn’t just a box to check — it’s the moment that makes or breaks whether someone scrolls past or hits play.In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of a real client audit to show you why her podcast description was causing listeners to overlook her show, the exact tweaks we made to fix it, and how to put listener psychology to work to create a description that grabs attention, communicates your show’s value, and gets your show found in search results.Ready to get more listeners tuning into your show over the competition? Hit play and let’s dive in.0:05 - Why Most Podcast Descriptions Don’t Work (and How to Fix Yours)1:03 - What’s Really Stopping Listeners from Hitting Play on Your Show6:18 - What Bestselling Books Can Teach You About Your Podcast12:56 - How We Turned a Bland Podcast Description Into a Bingeworthy Hook18:34 - How to Tell if Your Podcast Description Is Doing Its Job  Episode Links:BONUS: PodLaunch® Before/After Show Descriptions with Examples  Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:3 Ways to Hook Your Listener Before They Ever Hit PlayHow to Stop Losing Listeners to Your Competition   → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7UHave a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text!Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop Connect with Court: Instagram | Linked In | PodLaunch HQ

If you’ve been obsessing over your podcast download numbers (or lack thereof?) this episode is for you. I’m back with Tom Rossi, co-founder of Buzzsprout, and we’re diving deep into how we should really be measuring podcast success. Spoiler: it’s not just about downloads.Tom shares why the industry’s hyper-focus on numbers can steal the joy of podcasting and the mental shift that will completely change how you measure your podcast’s success. He also drops some key stats (ever wonder how many downloads it *actually* takes to be in the top 10% of podcasts?) and reveals the one key question to ask yourself to see the true impact your podcast is making, no matter how many downloads you’re currently getting.If you’ve ever felt like quitting because your numbers aren’t where you want them to be, hit play and let’s dive in.0:48 - Why Video Isn’t the Lead Actor in Podcasting1:36 - Why Downloads Don't Tell the Whole Story3:31 - The Most Powerful Way to Stay Motivated in Podcasting6:25 - The Real Stats Behind Today's Top-Performing Podcasts10:13 - The One Question to Ask Before You Quit Podcasting Episode Links:Buzzsprout.com/statsNew to podcasting? As a bonus for our listeners, you can get a $20 Buzzsprout credit when you sign up through this link, thanks to Tom and the team over at Buzzsprout.   → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7UHave a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text!Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop Connect with Court: Instagram | Linked In | PodLaunch HQ

With all the buzz around video podcasting, is audio being left behind? In this episode, I sit down with Tom Rossi, co-founder of Buzzsprout, who pulls back the curtain on why audio-only podcasting still has unique strengths that video can’t match. From deeper listener connections to just saying no to the high pressure of video production, Tom shares why focusing on what works best for *you* is ultimately your smartest move.So if you’ve been wondering whether you're missing out by not going all-in on video or if you want to keep podcasting without adding more to your plate, this episode is for you. Hit play and let's dive in.0:02 – Why Video Could Be a Threat to Podcasting4:28– How to Decide if Adding Video Fits Your Podcasting Goals7:16 – What Audio Podcasts Have that Video Can't Compete With10:00 – How to Leverage Video Without Losing Focus on Your Audio Podcast13:28 – When Audio-Only Might Be the Smarter Choice for Your Podcast Episode Links:New to podcasting? As a bonus for our listeners, get a $20 Buzzsprout credit when you sign up through this link, thanks to Tom and the team over at Buzzsprout.  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7UHave a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text!Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop Connect with Court: Instagram | Linked In | PodLaunch HQ

Thinking about adding YouTube to your podcasting strategy? Hold up — before you dive in, let’s make sure you’re doing it right so you don’t waste your time.In this episode, I’m back with YouTube strategist Erika Vieira to unpack why simply uploading your podcast videos won’t cut it, how to grab your audience’s attention from the start, and what kind of podcast content YouTube viewers *actually* want to see. If you’re tired of minimal engagement or ready to get serious about video and turn YouTube into a growth tool for your podcast, hit play and let's dive in.0:02 – The Biggest Mistake Podcasters Make with YouTube1:33 – Why Your Backlog of Podcast Videos Might Not Be as Useful as You Think6:46 – Should You Upload Your Podcast Videos or Create Original YouTube Content?11:07 – The Key Differences Between Podcast and YouTube Content15:37 – How YouTube Insights Can Elevate Your Podcast Strategy Episode Links:Erika’s Masterclass: Zero to InfluenceCheck out Erika’s Podcast: The YouTube Power Hour PodcastConnect with Erika: Website | Instagram Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:The Pros and Cons of Using YouTube for Your PodcastCan You Have a Successful Podcast Without Video?  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7UHave a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text!Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop Connect with Court: Instagram | Linked In | PodLaunch HQ

Ever wonder if YouTube could be the missing piece to getting your podcast in front of more people? With its massive user base and undeniable searchability, it sounds tempting — but is it really worth the extra effort?In this episode, I’m joined by Erika Vieira, who’s coached thousands of business owners and podcasters to build profitable YouTube channels. Together, we dig into the upsides of this search engine powerhouse (hello, 2.9 billion users) and the downsides that come with it, because spoiler: it’s not as simple as connecting your RSS feed or uploading the lightly edited video from your latest interview and hoping for the best.If you’re ready to find out whether YouTube is worth the effort for your podcast, hit play and let’s dive in.0:02 - Why YouTube Has Gained Increasing Popularity for Podcasters1:28 - How YouTube Can Increase Discoverability for Your Podcast4:52 - The Challenges of Transitioning From Audio to Video8:19 - The Downsides of Video Podcasting No One Talks About12:14 - The Single Most Important Factor You Need to See Results From YouTube Episode Links:Erika’s Masterclass: Zero to InfluenceCheck out Erika’s Podcast: The YouTube Power Hour PodcastConnect with Erika: Website | Instagram Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:Can You Have a Successful Podcast Without Video?The Right and Wrong Way to Start YouTube for Your Podcast  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7UHave a question about launching or growing a podcast you want me to answer on air? Shoot me a text!Liked this episode? Share it! and tag me @thecourtneyelmer Love this show? Say thanks by writing a review Ready for a top podcast that converts listeners to clients? Book a strategy call Join me for our next Live Podcasting Workshop Connect with Court: Instagram | Linked In | PodLaunch HQ