// decide where to spend your time
Where should you focus next on podcast growth?
There's so much you could be doing to grow your podcast. Too much. But let's find a way to be realistic. See below for a quiz to help you decide where to spend your time. Scroll further to discover a decision-making framework.
// 5-question quiz
Question 1 of 5
20%What's your biggest gap right now?
// decision heuristic
If listeners don't stick → work on Craft. If they stick but there aren't enough of them → work on Audience growth. If there are plenty of listeners but little or not enough dollars → focus on Money. If any of it is quietly burning you out → focus on Momentum, before anything else.
Learn more about Craft, Audience, Money, and Momentum below.
// the framework
Decision-making framework
Craft
Sharpen the thing itself.
If new listeners drop off or existing ones drift, marketing won't fix your problems. Let's get the craft dialed in so that the product is solid.
- → Choose 5 other shows in your niche. Audit them. What works? Where do you get bored? How can you apply your findings to your own show?
- → Audit your cover art. Share it with a friend / colleague who has never seen it before. Ask them what the show is about based on the artwork alone.
- → Listen to your own show. Go for a walk with your podcast in your ears as if you are your own audience member. Make this a regular practice.
Audience
Get in front of new people.
You have a good show and existing fans, but growth has plateaued. Distribution is now the constraint — not quality.
- → List 10 shows in your size range. Pitch three cross-promos this week.
- → Pitch yourself as a guest to 5 podcasts whose audience overlaps yours.
- → Submit your show to 3 newsletters and listening apps in your niche.
Money
Turn the audience you have into revenue.
You have consistent downloads and an engaged audience. The next leg isn't necessarily more listeners, but figuring out how to monetize with your existing audience.
- → ✓ Build (or rewrite) a one-page sponsor sheet. Develop your bigger pitch deck (time-permitting).
- → ✓ Send 5 targeted sponsor outreach emails this week.
- → ✓ Add one low-friction listener-support offer (paid feed, membership, tip jar) and start talking about it.
Momentum Upkeep
Make it sustainable so you don't quit.
Let's get strategic so you don't burn out.
- → Batch-record or outline your next 4 episodes in one go.
- → Write down your publishing workflow. Delete, automate, or de-prioritize three steps.
- → Put next quarter's episodes on a calendar. Fill in guests, topics, and publish dates.
// go deeper
Every tip, in one place
We've published a month of tips across all four focuses — craft, audience, money, and momentum. Browse them and pick what actually fits your show.
Browse all tips →Want a daily version of this? The 30-Day Podcast Power-Up walks you through all four focuses, one prompt at a time.