We're going to go into the weeds on this episode in terms of podcasting growth . If you have been frustrated with your podcast growth , if you have been confused , if you have been misled no , maybe not misled , I don't know , maybe you're just like the whole podcast growth game seems confusing to you , this is for you . Now we're going to go into the weeds on podcast growth and I'm going to explain to you as simply as I know how , uh , or clearly I should say , it's not exactly simple , but again , we're going deep into the weeds . If you're brand new to podcast growth , this will probably be a little bit too much for you . I would go back and listen to a different episode on podcast growth or podcasting in general , that I've published . This is for those who are more on the intermediate side of things . Let's dive into this whole system to win with podcasting .
Speaker 1Now , the purpose of this episode is to help you align your strategy with your primary objective . Here's some examples of a primary objective for your podcast . It could be something like build a loyal listener base , or networking and relationship building , or content creation for social media , or monetization . Those are just a few examples . It could be something I didn't list , but notice . I say primary objective . This is the one thing that you're going after with your podcast , because if you have multiple objectives , how will you know what's the most important one ? And if you hit it ? Only if you write it down and you list it and you know what it is , if you can say Dylan , this is the primary objective with my podcast . Most people never take the time to do this on their own and they wonder why their podcast doesn't work out . You can either have me ask you what your primary objective is like in the creator club or on like a one-on-one coaching call , or you can do this on your own . I know for myself I struggle doing this type of stuff on my own . I need somebody to like ask me the question , or else I will never do it . Somebody to like ask me the question , or else I will never do it . So , when it comes to the primary objective of your podcast , what is that Now ? We want to align your strategy with your primary objective . Your strategy would be something like for building a loyal listener base . It would be . The strategy would be like focusing on high quality content , incorporating strong storytelling , having in-depth discussions that provide consistent value to the listener Note . All of these things probably sound like objectives . This is the strategy that's supporting the objective of building a loyal listener base . Watch how this changes . Watch how the strategy changes . For another example , if your primary objective was for networking and relationship building with your podcast , the strategy would be prioritize booking high-profile guests and structure interviews in a way that builds rapport and showcases their expertise , leading to deeper connections .
Speaker 1Subtle shift in strategy . Right , if you've been podcasting for a while , you might already start to see like huh , I could see how that strategy also maybe would work for something else . Or maybe you've been running too many primary objectives for your podcast . Another example would be if your primary objective was content creation for social media , because a lot of people use podcasts as the main engine that then makes all of their other content for organic social media and paid social media work . The strategy for content creation for social media would be structuring your episodes for clip worthy moments , focusing on high energy peaks , possibly controversial or contrarian topics , and then you're going to design the content visually that works well so that it formats for clips . So you got to think about how the camera is set up , the lighting , all of these things .
Speaker 1Another example of a primary objective is monetization . So the strategy for monetization could be optimizing your show format for advertiser-friendly content . It would be building a large and engaged audience . It could be creating a membership model with exclusive episodes . And I don't know about you , but as I'm sharing these strategies that would align with a primary objective , I start going like , but I want to do all of those things right . I know I'm like , yeah , but I want to make clips and I want to do the networking and relationship building .
Speaker 1This is why podcasting is so difficult , because if you don't have a primary objective , that you're working towards , trying to run all the strategies dilutes your podcast impact and your goal is never really reached . I mean , you could say it is because you're the one really calling the wins and losses . So you could say it is reached right If you've networked and you've been doing relationship building . But again , this , everything I'm sharing here , is not for , like , your absolute beginner podcaster . This is for someone that's been going for a while . So , yes , I will give you on one hand , like , if you are creating content using your podcast for social media , that is a win right . Like it's not like a win or loss . It's not so extreme . Thankfully , this is a podcast that can explain the nuances here . But if you really want to excel with your podcast , just like anything else , you need a primary objective .
Speaker 1Using the gym analogy because I've been in the gym really only three days a week . But a similar thing goes like , let's say , with the gym right , if I was thinking about weight loss as my primary objective . But I'm like if a trainer was like okay , and I'm going to go superficial here , I'm not concerned about my arm muscles or my biceps and triceps , but I'm going to use that as an analogy If a trainer was like Dylan , what is your goal in the gym ? I want to lose weight and I want to have bigger arms , and trainer goes OK , great . Like , a good trainer will know that We'll focus on one at a time . We'll lose the weight and then we'll build up the arms . You know you can do both at the same time . Like you could grow your arms and lose weight . But the primary objective , like what would make this a win at the end of the year ? In the training case It'd be like lose weight OK , great . So we'll know it was a success if we lost a weight weight , and then how much weight ? Right , you could get super specific with it . I'm not going to go that there with this analogy , but you would define it right . You would do , and you can look up smart goals For more on that you probably have already heard about about . For more on that you probably have already heard about about smart goals . That's how you would set a smart goal is by first clarifying what your primary objective with your podcast is . Tony robbins said it best where your focus goes , energy flows . So when you follow what I'm going to lay out here , this is how you'll achieve measurable success with your podcast and this is how your podcast will start to grow beyond where you may have plateaued .
Speaker 1Thriving podcasts haven't engaged audience in the right arenas . Right , and it's 2024 . Certain people think that podcasts are just clips on social media . That's fine . Certain people think that podcasts are just clips on social media that's fine . Certain people could actually care less about people listening to whole episodes of their podcast , like their podcast downloads as a whole , and they're more concerned with getting views on clips on social media . That's totally fine If that's your primary objective . I know for a few podcasts in particular maybe you listening to this , you would rather have 200,000 views or more on an Instagram reel or a TikTok video than get 2,000 extra downloads a month for your podcast , totally fine . I know other people who'd be like I way rather have 2 000 downloads for my podcast episodes than a 200 000 view real , and that's fine . It's up to you . You're in the driver's seat there .
Speaker 1If you don't clarify this , that's when the overwhelm starts to come in of conflicting advice , strictly from having multiple podcast goals , too many primary objectives , and I've always found that hard as someone who creates content and tips like I'm sharing here around podcasting and content creation . Content creation in general is because it's not a one size fits all Like . There's certain things that I'll explain where it's like one plus one equals two , but sometimes it's just way more nuanced than that . Right , and there's nuance to everything . But really , when it comes to podcasting , there's a bunch of different strategies you could incorporate . Are they the best strategies for you ? It depends on what your primary objective is . What your goal with your podcast is Doesn't mean that you don't get secondary benefits from that . You can get secondary benefits from and just getting super clear on your podcast primary objective . Running the strategy doesn't mean that you won't network doesn't mean that you won't get social media followers , all those things but those are secondary benefits . So here's the simplified three-step approach to really nailing your podcast primary objective and aligning your strategy to support that primary objective .
Speaker 1Step one clarify that primary objective . Step one clarify your primary goal . That's when you want to ask yourself what do I really want out of this podcast . Ask yourself do I want more listeners ? Do I want to build a loyal listener base ? Do I want to meet and connect with other experts or peers in my field ? Do I want to just create content for social media and just blow up my social media ? Step two develop a strategy that aligns with your primary goal . Once you have a clear goal , decide how you're going to get there . Put your destination in the GPS . Next , the strategy is going to be the routes . That's going to decide how you get there . If your goal is more listeners , your strategy might involve crafting compelling stories and then having consistent release schedules , giving your listeners more and more and more . If your goal is networking , your strategy might focus on inviting super influential guests and then having really in-depth interviews and having a really slick follow-up process . I know I've been on podcasts where they've sent me stuff afterwards . Now , these podcasts didn't have some crazy budget . Their goals were just simply the networking and meeting other people in the space .
Speaker 1Step three recognize secondary benefits , but don't get distracted . This is just as important as the other two , but I see it's where people fall off the hardest . So you have to have some way of like reminding yourself , because we get distracted , especially with social media , with people saying you know shiny things that are like yeah , I'm going to go in that direction . You got to understand that there may be like yeah , I'm going to go in that direction . You got to understand that there may be other positive outcomes . But you have to keep your eye on the prize . If your goal is to build a listener base , a secondary benefit might be that you generate good clips for social media . But don't let the pursuit of those clips take away from the quality of your episodes , because your primary goal is to build a listener base and it's a subtle shift . But when you really optimize for content creation for social media , your whole show format should shift then as a strategy to align with that purpose-filled goal , right ?
Speaker 1Another analogy think of your podcast like a road trip . Your goal is where you want to end up . Your strategy is the route that you're going to take to get there and the benefits are the fun little surprises you find along the way . But you wouldn't plan your whole trip around those surprises . You plan it to reach your destination . Where is the destination that you're going Now
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Speaker 1I want to end this episode with some questions for you . If you're still not totally sure , or if you really want to just get concrete in this and like , really just blow up the next six months and have a laser-like focus by getting super clear on your podcast primary objective and starting to align your strategy . Here's some questions you can answer . Number one what's your ultimate podcasting objective ? Number two how does your current content align with this goal ? Number three what metrics would indicate success for your primary podcasting goal ? Number four how can you refine your strategy to better serve your main objective ? Number five are there any secondary goals distracting you from your primary focus ? I think I'm on number six or seven six what's one immediate change you can make to align with your primary goal ? And number seven how will you measure progress towards your podcast main objective ? Answer those and watch the next six months on your podcast , completely transformed from the previous six months . I'm telling you I'll catch you in the next one .