Segments Will Grow Your Podcast (Insider 234)

Why you need podcast segments, what happens when you DM every fan, the power of 30-day challenges, smarter ad reads, and the secret to building deeper listener relationships in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...

Why You Should Listen

• How to harness the power of podcast segments to multiply your audience and keep them hooked—no matter your experience level

• The “lazy podcaster’s curse”—are you guilty of killing your own growth with long, rambling episodes?

• The irresistible secret to creating podcast episodes people devour—without burning out

• Why the Tim Ferriss “4-hour podcast” approach might be making your listeners secretly hate you

• The absolute shortest episode length proven to trigger instant downloads (and why size really does matter)

• The simple 30-day challenge that will have your listeners begging for more—and evangelizing your podcast everywhere

• When to say “NO!” in podcasting—and why mastering this tiny word can skyrocket your reputation and income

• How to turn a fleeting social media “like” into a hardcore fan, loyal friend, and raving evangelist

• The DM experiment: what REALLY happens when you personally message every fan—and how it can unleash a tidal wave of attention

• The “DIY Dumb Phone” trick—how to hack your productivity, outwork your competition, and get your life back (while everyone else is still doomscrolling)

• Why most podcast interviews are disasters—and how to never bore, frustrate, or lose your audience again

• The bulletproof method for attracting sponsors who beg to give you money (and keep coming back for more)

• How to make advertisers crave your podcast—even if you don’t have a giant audience

• The three insider rules that keep top sponsors obsessed with your show (and your bank account overflowing)

• The ugly truth about feedback: why taking advice from the wrong people will destroy your podcast (and how to protect yourself with one simple question)

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Episode Timestamps

• [04:37] Why most podcasters’ interviews are “just thrown up conversations”—and how this could be killing your growth

• [06:53] 30-day podcast challenges: The trick that builds listener loyalty, compelling stories, and community—with examples for every niche

• [09:58] What really happens when you DM every single person who likes your social media post (this guy actually tried it—and made money)

• [12:39] The “drive-by comment” method: How a simple follow-up turns your social media lurkers into lifelong podcast listeners

• [14:56] The “DIY dumb phone” challenge: What happens when you give your smartphone a lobotomy—and why your listeners might thank you for it

• [16:05] The American Idol problem: Why taking podcast feedback from the wrong people will derail your show (and the hilarious test you should use instead)

• [18:59] No more boring sponsor reads: How to turn ads into must-hear content—and the three secrets that keep those sponsorship dollars flowing

Big Ideas in This Episode

• Shorter episodes steal more listeners, guaranteed

• Four-hour podcasts: Tim Ferriss’s secret regret

• Tempt your audience with irresistible 30-day challenges

• DM everyone who likes your posts—get rich?

• Your “dumb phone” controls you—flip the power

• Feedback is gold… unless it’s fool’s gold

• Why generic ads kill your sponsor money dreams

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Weekly Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode of Build a Big Podcast is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 234 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

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