20 Years in Radio (Insider 238)
Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
Release Date: 06/27/2025
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_outlineTime-bending interview moments, 20 years in radio, using Cameo for podcast promotion, growing your email list with giveaways, and why your audience is your invisible co-host in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...
Big Ideas in This Episode
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Celebrate podcast milestones—what 20 years brings
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Tap celebrity power: Cameo for podcast buzz
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Forget the crowd, seduce listeners one-on-one
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Make your audience your secret co-host
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Grow your email list—get greedy with giveaways
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Want clout? Invest in stories, not gear
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Burnout or “rust-out”—hustle wins every time
Why You Should Listen
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How “being present in the moment” can make your interviews fly by—and your listeners lust for more
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The 20-year secret to podcast longevity most podcasters don’t want you to know
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The “one to one method” proven to turn every listener into a passionate fan hanging on your every word
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Why celebrating your wins (even if you hate celebrating) gives you unstoppable momentum
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How a Hollywood celebrity can promote your podcast—without blowing your budget or your mind
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A D-list hack: Let forgotten stars lend you their fame and turn envy into audience growth
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The invisible co-host trick that makes your audience feel like they control your podcast (and love you for it)
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The “audience as puppet master” principle for harnessing feedback and steering your show straight to profit
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How to build a cult-like following by getting listeners to connect, collaborate, and crave each other’s attention
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The single easiest way to supercharge your email list … with contests so addictive people beg to get in
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The ruthless email-gathering secret no major podcaster will talk about in public
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How to cut promotion effort in half by riding the power of giveaways and instant gratification
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The tools you need to conquer your niche and devour your competitors—without spending a fortune
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Why obsessing over the perfect mic is a sucker’s game—and where the real riches are created
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The $60 setup that makes you sound like a broadcasting god while lazy podcasters waste thousands on gear
Episode Timestamps
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[00:03] Why time speeds up (or slows down) on memorable podcast interviews—and how being “present in the moment” changes everything
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[04:03] The accidental moment that launched David Hooper’s 20-year podcasting career and what you can learn from it
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[05:23] How celebrating milestones—or not—can secretly impact your podcast longevity and mindset
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[06:59] Lessons from joining SiriusXM: Why jumping into live national radio after years of syndication is a game-changer
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[08:13] How to use celebrity shout-outs from Cameo to instantly boost your podcast’s credibility and listener buzz
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[11:56] The “one to one method”—why podcasts fail when hosts talk to a ‘crowd’ instead of an individual listener (and how to fix it)
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[17:58] The truth about spending money on your podcast—why upgrading your microphone probably won’t get you more listeners or credibility
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The Newsletter for Podcasters
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About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:
This is the audio companion to Issue 238 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.
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