Hard Truths About Podcast Coaching, Ads, and Growth
Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
Release Date: 11/09/2025
Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
Can podcast awards really boost your reputation, and what happens when you return to podcasting after years away? David Hooper shares stories, listener letters, and hard-won insights in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode Game podcast awards for envy-inducing credibility Micro-fame: win an award with only 50 votes Awards hype: open doors, but hollow inside Quit for years? Return with even more power Feel like a beginner again ... and win Old podcast kings return: threatened or inspired? Your fans crave glory too ... give it to them Why You Should...
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Can paying for podcast awards actually help you grow your audience, or is your money better spent elsewhere? Why most trophies aren’t worth chasing in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode The ugly truth behind paid podcast awards Trophy chasing: envy fuels empty victories Sponsors don’t care about your shiny award Award-winning? Listeners don't care Judge panels: old, out of touch, easily bought Why $300 is better spent on gear, not glory Make your podcast irresistible Why You Should Listen Why “award-winning” bragging rights could mean less...
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Turning casual listeners into loyal podcast fans and building true community, plus how shorter episodes, punchy hooks, and connecting with your audience can grow your show in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode Hook listeners with stolen cowboy boots mystery Shorter episodes: save time, boost completion envy Secrets to building real podcast community revealed Tease your best stories ... ignite listener curiosity Audiograms that actually convert: the three-bullet fix Turn guests into trusted insiders, gain listener loyalty Are you the host no one...
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Cutting through overwhelming noise, building real connections, and using grassroots strategies to grow your podcast, plus the surprising lessons learned from a local political campaign, in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode Grassroots hustle beats big-budget political noise Viral fame fades, relationships anchor true power Forget algorithms ... "door-knocking" builds real loyalty Annoying or helpful? Your marketing’s razor’s edge Neighborhood influence trumps paid ads, every time Listeners lust for connection, not more email Envy the...
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Audacity 4 is here (sort of), and David takes you inside the alpha version, sharing why it's a game-changer for podcasters and how you can help shape its future in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode Audacity 4: the free DAW pros will envy Upgrade your workflow, unlock hidden podcast power Take control, shape your tools Sound like a pro ... minimal gear, maximum impact Get inside: break, report, and shape Podcasters influencing software ... how your wish becomes reality Why You Should Listen How switching your podcast workflow can shatter your...
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What really makes a podcast guest great (and why it's not just about filling out forms, sharing tips, or being a great speaker) in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode Your story’s impact: would your audience miss you? Does vulnerability really trump selling in interviews? The secrets behind unforgettable guest energy Famous guests: does likability even matter? Reinvent your story? Or bore with “greatest hits”? The red light effect: overcoming instant stage fright Celebrity interviews: don’t expect a glowing review Why You Should Listen The...
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Want to know what really makes a podcast host great? David Hooper breaks down the secrets to setting the space, guiding guests, and running unforgettable interviews in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode The truth about co-author interviews Guests that kill episode momentum How big-name guests hog all attention Insider secrets for making podcast guests shine Why publicists ruin unforgettable interviews Good hosts aren’t born, they’re made Why You Should Listen The secret weapon to making your podcast unforgettable (even your mom will brag about...
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Why spending big money on ads, chasing viral fame, or following every new platform isn’t the answer (and what really builds a podcast audience that matters) in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode Luck, ads, or fame: podcast growth myths exposed Viral moments: why fame doesn’t equal loyalty $15,000 spent, only 178 downloads ... now what? Famous parents, forgotten children Coaches promising millions Build longing: make a podcast worth missing Small hinges, big doors Why You Should Listen How podcasters burn thousands on ads Why “famous”...
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After nearly 700 episodes, David Hooper made the bold decision to change this podcast's name. Why he did it, how it impacts his listeners, and what you should consider before a rebrand in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode Change your name, change your momentum The grass is greener: podcasters crave novelty Big mistakes: don’t buy your own hype Sunk cost: abandon your old podcast identity? Relentless rebranding: how Shaq forced my hand Scud Busters ... why trendy names die fast Your audience isn’t loyal (they barely notice) Why You Should...
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Ever wonder if you should really pay attention to your instincts—or if chasing excitement will only burn you out? David Hooper breaks down the final step to finding your podcasting voice (and what NOT to do with your flaws) in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ... Big Ideas in This Episode Change your podcast name, ignite listener curiosity Exploit your flaws ... but don’t overshare your failures Dopamine addiction: how podcasts spiral into extremes Most podcasters sabotage themselves with fake “voice” Data-driven shows: fun-killers or growth hacks? Show up relentlessly;...
info_outlineWhy spending big money on ads, chasing viral fame, or following every new platform isn’t the answer (and what really builds a podcast audience that matters) in this episode of Big Podcast Playbook ...
Big Ideas in This Episode
- Luck, ads, or fame: podcast growth myths exposed
- Viral moments: why fame doesn’t equal loyalty
- $15,000 spent, only 178 downloads ... now what?
- Famous parents, forgotten children
- Coaches promising millions
- Build longing: make a podcast worth missing
- Small hinges, big doors
Why You Should Listen
- How podcasters burn thousands on ads
- Why “famous” is worthless (and what really drives listener obsession)
- The jaw-dropping viral video contract
- The real reason coaches push “the basics” (and why the lazy are secretly drawn to them)
- When $15,000 in ads only gets you 178 listeners
- How podcast consultants charge $7500
- The seductive power of a giant antenna (and why you’ll never buy your way to the top)
- What social media “gurus” won’t tell you about YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and podcast growth
- Why unlocking listener loyalty unleashes total control over your audience (and their wallets)
- The envy-fueled drama behind working with “competitors” (and why it’s no real competition)
- How churches and religious groups quietly dominate media ... and the secrets you can steal
- What Fox News-style audience swapping reveals for hungry podcasters
- The lazy podcaster’s shortcut: Think you can survive without changing? Think again
- How “air checks” from the pros create radio envy ... and a path to dominating your niche
- Why the “small hinges, big doors” formula can make power, greed, and loyalty swing YOUR way
Episode Timestamps
- [00:02] The letter from a frustrated podcaster: Is there really very little you can do to grow a show unless you’re lucky or famous?
- [06:05] “Viral moments won’t get you loyal listeners” ... the Nashville Hawk Tuah girl story and the myth of overnight success
- [07:18] Spending $15,000 on ads for 178 downloads per day: Is audience growth really for sale?
- [09:16] Why even the daughter of the King of Rock and Roll can’t leverage fame into real influence ... and what that teaches us about podcasting
- [13:16] The hard truth about religious and niche shows: why your topic might get you ignored no matter how much you spend
- [15:06] The $4000 guitar mistake: Why buying the fanciest tools won’t make your podcast sing if you skip this one thing
- [22:24] The secret to becoming a better podcaster that most will never try ... what SiriusXM jocks do that you probably don’t
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