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How to Avoid Copycat Podcasting

Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters

Release Date: 10/28/2025

Returning After a Long Break: What Happens? show art Returning After a Long Break: What Happens?

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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The Truth About Podcast Awards show art The Truth About Podcast Awards

Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters

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 One-Time Listeners Into Loyal Podcast Fans show art Turning One-Time Listeners Into Loyal Podcast Fans

Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters

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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Grassroots Podcast Growth: Cutting Through the Noise show art Grassroots Podcast Growth: Cutting Through the Noise

Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters

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: The Big Upgrade show art Audacity 4: The Big Upgrade

Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters

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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Unlocking Better Interviews: What Makes a Great Podcast Guest show art Unlocking Better Interviews: What Makes a Great Podcast Guest

Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters

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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How to Become a Great Podcast Host show art How to Become a Great Podcast Host

Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters

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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Hard Truths About Podcast Coaching, Ads, and Growth show art Hard Truths About Podcast Coaching, Ads, and Growth

Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters

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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Why I Changed the Name of this Podcast After 700 Episodes (and How You Can Too) show art Why I Changed the Name of this Podcast After 700 Episodes (and How You Can Too)

Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters

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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Avoiding Failure Porn and Focusing on Your Authentic Podcast Voice show art Avoiding Failure Porn and Focusing on Your Authentic Podcast Voice

Big Podcast Playbook - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters

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;...

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More Episodes

Should you copy what other successful podcasters do, or blaze your own trail—and does paying attention to others really help you find your unique voice? David breaks it down in this episode of Build a Big Podcast ...

Big Ideas in This Episode

  • How “pay attention to others” triggers creative envy
  • Ignore the rules ... why breaking them brings power
  • Don’t copy Rogan: fame’s unfair advantage exposed
  • Secret signal: Why listeners follow the herd
  • The hidden danger of “famous microphone” obsession
  • Seduced by conversation: media events as social status
  • Elevate your voice by understanding audience desires

Why You Should Listen

  • The hidden shortcut top podcasters use to “find their voice” and leave silent competitors choking in the dust
  • Why copying what celebrity podcasters do kills your growth ... and a trick for using their moves to your advantage
  • How to piggyback on what the world’s already obsessed with so your podcast instantly commands attention
  • The dirty little secret about the “status quo” nobody tells podcasters ... and how ignoring it lets you break out of obscurity
  • The simple listening habit that quietly separates six-figure hosts from the wannabes scrambling for scraps
  • Why blindly imitating best practices from the radio elite could sabotage your show ... unless you spot this ONE glaring flaw
  • The jaw-dropping mic blunder major TV hosts make ... and how fixing it gives you the irresistible sound of authority
  • How to “read the crowd” like a showbiz king, so your episodes tap into the primal urges listeners can’t resist
  • The TRUTH about why people listen to Joe Rogan ... and how to lure their audience without selling your soul
  • How to tap into the envy and herd mentality swirling around trending topics ... and ride it to effortless downloads
  • The sneaky marketing tactic to find out exactly what the world wants (and shove your podcast to the front of the line)
  • Why listening to conversation leaders is your backdoor to mass influence (and how to worm your way into the talk of the town)
  • The shocking reason great podcasts fail to get noticed ... and what you must do differently, starting today
  • How to spot whether a “pro” podcaster is faking it (and the secret power move that makes you bulletproof)
  • The power play for turning casual listeners into die-hard fans who’ll gladly spend money to enter your world

Episode Timestamps

  • [00:01:14] Why paying attention to others might be overrated ... and David’s challenge to the status quo for podcasters
  • [00:02:12] The surprising truth about what it really takes to “speak to the world” through your podcast
  • [00:03:03] The ESPN sports channel mic mistake: How broadcast pros get it totally wrong (and what podcasters can learn)
  • [00:03:34] Why copying famous podcasters’ techniques could hurt you ... instead of help you
  • [00:04:22] The hidden advantage of reality TV and traditional media for creators (and what you can do if you don’t have it)
  • [00:05:12] The real reason people join trends even when the content doesn’t interest them
  • [00:05:31] Why “Atlas Shrugged” is a masterclass in conversational marketing (despite its flaws)

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