Why 20 Downloads Isn’t a Total Fail (Seriously!)
So, someone on Reddit wrote, “My podcast stinks,” and I think we should talk about it.
Spoiler alert: just because your download numbers are low doesn’t mean your podcast is a total flop—like, it’s not the end of the world if you’re not raking in those big numbers. We chat about how it’s not just about the content but also the delivery, because if your audio sounds like it’s coming from a tin can, uh, good luck with that! We also throw around some ideas on getting feedback, practicing your craft, and remembering your “why” behind podcasting. So, grab your headphones and let’s chat about how to make sure your podcast doesn’t suck—unless that’s your goal, in which case, carry on!
Reddit is a wild place, huh? So, some poor soul decided to air their podcast grievances and proclaimed, 'my podcast stinks!' Cue the collective gasp from the podcasting community. But instead of spiraling into despair, we examine what this actually means for podcasters everywhere.
I mean, who defines success anyway? Our conversation kicks off by flipping the script on the typical podcasting narrative. We chat about how every download counts, even if it's just your mom and your dog tuning in. If you’ve ever thought about throwing in the towel because your download numbers look like the score of a bad baseball game, we’ve got some comforting truths for you. Your show could be a massive success if it brings you joy, which is really what matters, right?
Your Podcast Is A Journey
Then we tackle some serious podcasting wisdom. If your audience is only a handful of people, that’s still a gathering! It's like playing to a room full of friends who actually want to hear what you have to say. We argue about the importance of content and delivery, because let’s face it, you could have the most riveting subject matter, but if it sounds like you recorded it in a tin can, good luck keeping anyone around. I offer some tips on spicing things up, like practicing your delivery (yes, even if it feels like talking to yourself in the mirror). Let’s be honest, we all need to keep sharpening our skills.
And naturally, we can’t resist discussing the age-old podcasting dilemma: why are you even doing this? If your goal is to have fun, then congratulations! You’re winning! But if you’re in it for fame and fortune without a plan, well, you might want to rethink your strategy. The episode wraps up with some encouragement to get feedback and engage with your audience—because who knows, they might just love that thing you think is a total flop! So tune in and let’s redefine success together.
Takeaways:
- Just because your podcast isn't on the charts doesn't mean it’s a flop; success looks different for everyone.
- If you’re podcasting for fun and enjoying the process, then congratulations, you’re winning at life!
- Your show might be reaching just a handful of listeners, but hey, those are still real humans tuning in, right?
- Feeling like your podcast stinks? Maybe it’s time to ask for some honest feedback from friends or fellow podcasters.
- Tired of low download numbers? Remember, it takes time to grow an audience; patience is key, my friend!
- Practicing your delivery is like stretching before a workout; it makes all the difference for your podcasting game.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
Mentioned in this episode:
Is Your Podcast Not Growing?
Struggling to grow your podcast beyond friends and family? You're not alone. I've been there too. That's why I created "10 Proven Strategies to Grow Your Podcast Audience" - a free guide packed with actionable techniques that have helped countless podcasters expand their reach and build loyal listener communities. Stop guessing what works. These are battle-tested methods used by top podcasters who speak to engaged audiences every week. Head to schoolofpodcasting.com/10tips now and download the free guide because your podcast deserves to be heard.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Is your podcast LAUNCHED but not growing as fast as you want? CLICK HERE to ignite your passion!
00:00 - Untitled
00:07 - Introduction to Podcasting
01:50 - Improving Your Podcast: Key Ingredients for Success
03:17 - The Importance of Practice in Skill Development
05:33 - The Importance of Passion in Podcasting
06:49 - Understanding Podcast Monetization Strategies
08:24 - Becoming Your Podcast Consultant
Speaker A
Someone just made a post on Reddit that says, my podcast stinks.
Speaker A
Let's talk about it.
Speaker B
Welcome to youo Podcast Consultant.
Speaker B
Small lessons with big Value.
Speaker B
With more than a decade of experience and millions of downloads, this hall of fame podcaster is a featured speaker, author, and mentor to thousands.
Speaker B
Now he wants to work with you.
Speaker B
He's your podcast consultant, Dave Jackson.
Speaker A
So I see a post on Reddit and it says, I've been podcasting for four years now and I'm averaging about 20 downloads a show.
Speaker A
I've had a few spikes here and there, but nothing to write home about.
Speaker A
I've tried tweaking my format to, you know, for a bit and to see if that would work, but still no success.
Speaker A
I thought about giving up on podcasting a more.
Speaker A
That's what he says a more than a few times, but always find myself back making an episode.
Speaker A
Today I admitted to myself that my show is just not that good.
Speaker A
And there's more to this, but I'm going to stop there.
Speaker A
The first thing I would ask is take podcasting out of the mix.
Speaker A
If this was a restaurant, if this was a guitar player, you know, a musician, and you're singing in a club and everybody that's in the room gets up and leaves, wouldn't the first thing you do go, wait, maybe I need to change the music.
Speaker A
Maybe I'm off key.
Speaker A
You would need somebody to go, can you listen to me sing and give me honest feedback?
Speaker A
If it was a restaurant and everybody that came in and ate your food left, wouldn't you go, hey, can you taste this for me and tell me if it's good?
Speaker A
So that would be the first thing I would do because it comes down to this.
Speaker A
Your episodes really have two main ingredients, and that is the content and the delivery.
Speaker A
And you can have the best content, but if it sounds like it was recorded in a fishbowl, that's not going to work.
Speaker A
And you could have the best equipment.
Speaker A
But if you're using the same as everyone else generated AI script, that's not going to stand out.
Speaker A
And so some things you might want to focus on is how will this benefit the audience.
Speaker A
So this episode is hopefully going to get you to think about doing an audience survey and to also contemplate what makes a good episode.
Speaker A
So then whatever it is, whatever that benefit is, get to the topic as quickly as possible.
Speaker A
I hear so many people just ramble at the beginning of the show.
Speaker A
That's your first impression.
Speaker A
And then something else you can do is practice.
Speaker A
What do you mean, Dave?
Speaker A
Like Record something and don't release it.
Speaker A
Just practice talking into a microphone.
Speaker A
Practice getting words to come out of your mouth.
Speaker A
Practice being entertaining while being educational or just being entertaining or whatever it is.
Speaker A
Practice.
Speaker A
I play the guitar and I'm.
Speaker A
I'm no slouch.
Speaker A
Why?
Speaker A
Because when I was, I don't know, 11 years old, I would play about four hours a day, and I did that for about seven years.
Speaker A
I can hold my own.
Speaker A
Why?
Speaker A
Because I practiced.
Speaker A
I would go downstairs, I would put on whatever album my brothers and sisters had, and I learned to play along.
Speaker A
So also, now I realize he said he's been doing this for four years.
Speaker A
It does take years to build an audience.
Speaker A
And those who have the passion, and we'll talk about that subject for free because they love it.
Speaker A
They want to serve their audience.
Speaker A
They push through, but those that don't, don't.
Speaker A
But he had one more line here.
Speaker A
He says, I'm okay with it because I'm doing something I like to do.
Speaker A
I was thinking about bringing on a co host or collaborating with fellow podcasters.
Speaker A
Do you have any advice?
Speaker A
Well, here's the thing.
Speaker A
Why are you doing your podcast?
Speaker A
That is the first question you have to answer.
Speaker A
You have to answer that, because if you don't get what you want, you burn out.
Speaker A
And so if his goal is to have fun, I would say, well, congratulations, your show is a massive success.
Speaker A
I'll give you an example again.
Speaker A
Take podcasting out of is spring here in Ohio.
Speaker A
As I record this, and as soon as it starts getting into the 70s, I'm going to be riding my bike.
Speaker A
Why?
Speaker A
Because I love to ride my bike.
Speaker A
I strap it on the back of my car, I drive out to parks where they have lanes made for bikes, and you ride them out in the trees, and it's pretty and it's nature and it's good exercise.
Speaker A
So why do I do that?
Speaker A
Because I like to ride my bike in the trees, in the forest and get some exercise.
Speaker A
Consequently, that's a huge success.
Speaker A
Now, I've never had a single person as I'm putting my bike on my car, go, hey, bike rider, huh?
Speaker A
Yep.
Speaker A
You making any money at that?
Speaker A
No, it's a hobby, yet I have fun doing it.
Speaker A
And I think I'm going to do an episode about this in the future.
Speaker A
So many people think that the only way that a podcast is recognized or legit is if they have a sponsor.
Speaker A
And I couldn't disagree more.
Speaker A
And I get it.
Speaker A
When a boxer wins a gold medal, that is recognition.
Speaker A
However, if they were doing it to get on the Wheaties box and they're not on the Wheaties box, they feel rejected.
Speaker A
So you have to know your why and then focus on that.
Speaker A
How are you going to do that?
Speaker A
So many people say, oh, I want to start a podcast and make money.
Speaker A
Great.
Speaker A
Are you going to sell your own product and services?
Speaker A
No, don't have one.
Speaker A
Okay.
Speaker A
Are you gonna sell like affiliate stuff?
Speaker A
Well, it's kind of hard because I'm all over the place.
Speaker A
Okay.
Speaker A
Are you gonna do donations or crowdfunding knowing that only 3% of your audience is gonna donate?
Speaker A
Yeah, I might try that.
Speaker A
Put a PayPal button on my website, but never talk about it.
Speaker A
Well, that's not gonna work, you know.
Speaker A
And then I go, well, if you're, you know, what are your strategies to make money up?
Speaker A
You don't really have any.
Speaker A
And so consequently you're not going to make any money.
Speaker A
What do you want the podcast to do?
Speaker A
And make sure you're doing steps that lead the podcast to do that.
Speaker A
And in this case, it looks like this guy's doing it for fun.
Speaker A
Now he's judging it by looking at other shows.
Speaker A
40 downloads is two full classrooms that could be watching Netflix or any other streaming service, listening to the radio, listen to satellite, playing video games, walking in a park, bike riding, whatever, but they're listening to your show.
Speaker A
There is no spam in podcasting.
Speaker A
And if you were in a room with 40 people listening to you, 40 people is a full medium sized room.
Speaker A
A lot of people forget that there's no spam in podcasting.
Speaker A
If I don't want to listen to your show, I just swipe left and delete.
Speaker A
So maybe your show isn't bad, but it never hurts to get some feedback and always determine why are you doing this.
Speaker A
If you need help with this, I would love to help.
Speaker A
That's what I do.
Speaker A
I've been doing this for 20 years.
Speaker A
Come over and visit me at the school of podcasting.
Speaker A
Just go to schoolofpodcasting.com you can use the coupon code listener when you sign up and that will save on either a monthly or yearly subscription.
Speaker A
That comes with a 30 day money back guarantee, unlimited coaching, amazing courses, and a super amazing community.
Speaker A
Check it out.
Speaker A
SchoolOfPodcasting.com use the coupon code listnr.
Speaker A
I'm Dave Jackson.
Speaker A
I help podcasters.
Speaker A
It's what I do.
Speaker A
And I can't wait to see what we're gonna do together because I want to be your podcast consultant.
