How to Know If Your Podcast Is Actually Successful

Hey Friend!

Consistently each week, you record your podcast and publish episodes, but how do you know if your podcast is successful without relying only on downloads? You sit behind the microphone and create great content, but still wonder if listeners are engaged and get value from your show. You’re not alone. Every podcaster wants to grow a successful podcast that resonates with people and helps them. Spoiler! Download numbers alone don’t tell you if your podcast is actually successful and resonates with people.

In my six years as a podcaster, I have learned to evaluate how successful my podcast is by more than just download numbers even though I love to look at the numbers! I look at podcast growth from a holistic approach much like looking at your health from a holistic perspective. We know that measuring health isn’t just by the number on the weight scale. You look at blood work and muscle mass. You evaluate how you feel and if your mind is clear and focused. How are you sleeping? What do the whites in your eyes look like? All of these pieces tell the story of your health.

In the same way, download numbers aren’t the only way to determine if your podcast is successful. There are three other metrics besides download numbers that you can use as successful podcast indicators.

SUCCESSFUL PODCAST INDICATOR #1: LISTENER METRICS

The first successful podcast indicator is listener metrics. If you like numbers and data, most likely the first place you look to gauge the success of your podcast are the listener metrics. While data isn’t all there is to know if your podcast is actually successful (we’re going to talk about 3 more key podcast performance indicators), the numbers are super important for evaluating the impact your podcast has. The metrics will guide you in making wise decisions in how to grow your show and create content.

WHY YOU CAN’T RELY ON DOWNLOAD METRICS ONLY

If you have been podcasting for several years, your downloads may be lower now than they were years ago. This is due to an iOS17 update Apple made in September 2023 when they stopped auto-downloading podcast episodes. In the past, if a listener subscribed to a podcast show it downloaded each episode even if they never listened. These downloaded episodes were recorded in the metrics. This hyper-inflated download numbers. After the iOS17 update, true downloads when people actively click on an episode to listen, was recorded.

Read this Blog to learn more about the iOS17 update and its influence on the download numbers:

Is iOS17 Causing Podcast Downloads to Tank? (YEP!) Everything You Need to Know!

OTHER LISTENER METRICS TO CONSIDER

Another place to see your podcast analytics is the Apple Podcasts Connect Dashboard. While this data only represents listeners tuning in through Apple Podcasts, it is still the largest platform for listenership, so it will give you a great idea as to how your show is performing.  

Log into Apple Podcast Connect Dashboard, click on your podcast, and then click on Analytics. Inside Analytics, look at each month’s engaged listeners to see metrics such as the number of unique devices that played at least twenty minutes or 40% of an episode within a single session.

You can look at average consumption. You have engaged listeners if the majority of your episodes are consumed at over 70-80% rate. Try sorting by the lowest consumption. If you see 70% or higher you know your audience really loves the show and stays listening longer. If your listeners are consuming your episodes for 50% or less, consider these few questions:

1) Are my shows too long?

2) Is the content not engaging or interesting to them?

3) Am I grabbing their attention at the start of the show and keeping them engaged with stories or helpful tips?

Regardless of how many are listening, how long they listen and how often they return to listen to a new episode are key podcast performance indicators that you want to pay attention to because that means your podcast is actually successful and you have a dedicated audience.

SUCCESSFUL PODCAST INDICATOR #2: LISTENER FEEDBACK

The second successful podcast indicator is listener engagement and feedback. In the Apple Podcasts Review section, read your show’s reviews. Whether you have two or 2,000 reviews, read them because those reviews came from people you have touched with your podcast.

A podcast is successful when you help other people grow and improve their lives through the teachings or tactical things you share on your show. Reviews help you know you are making an impact! Besides, in today’s fast-paced life, it’s a big deal that someone took sixty seconds out of their hectic, distracted day to leave you a review. So, read your reviews and feel blessed by them because you are reaching people with your voice and message.

Another way to get listener feedback is when people reply to your emails or comment on your social media posts. How many people engage inside your Facebook community? Is your Facebook community growing? This listener feedback helps you know if your podcast is successful.

SUCCESSFUL PODCAST INDICATOR #3: IMPACTFUL CONTENT

The third successful podcast indicator is impactful content. Remember your podcast isn’t about talking to people, but teaching them and giving them tangible things they can implement to have a breakthrough in their marriage, parenting, finances, health, business, time management and more. As you prepare for each episode, ask yourself, What is the one takeaway I want each listener to get from this episode? What is the one change I want them to make in their life today?

Then ask, Are my listeners applying what they learn? Are they getting results in their life? Ask your email list or your Facebook community: “What is the most impactful thing my podcast has helped you with?” Hearing back from your listeners helps you understand the content your listeners need and want to hear.

SUCCESSFUL PODCAST INDICATOR #4: RESULTS OF PODCAST

The fourth successful podcast indicator is the fruit or results of your podcast. Are you getting clients from your show? Is your podcast generating leads or attracting new email subscribers? Is your podcast generating revenue for your coaching and courses?

Are networking opportunities and speaking engagements opening up for you because of your podcast? Is your show gaining recognition? Are you asked to be interviewed as a guest on other shows? Are partnerships and sponsorships opening up for you? Is your show attracting great guests? These results indicate your show is getting noticed.

Your Podcast Is Meant to Be Successful

Remember, audio consumption is the number one way to sell something in today’s culture. Podcasting is the number one long-form method to gain new leads and sell that is not based on an algorithm or requires being distracted on a phone. Audio learning is the best avenue to get to someone’s heart. It is where clients come to know, like, and trust you and sales happen. Consider all four successful podcast indicators when evaluating the success of your podcast.  

I encourage you to keep going. Your podcast matters. God called you to a microphone to carry out your purpose work. You have a story to share, something to teach, and a difference to make in this world. Do not allow limiting beliefs or excuses to get in the way of God’s purpose work for you.

If you feel held back by any limiting beliefs or excuses around growing your successful podcast, I encourage you to check out my 6-month group coaching podcast program called Podcast to Profit Mastermind. Inside the program, you can come on private Zoom calls, unmute, and ask your questions. Learn how to grow podcast super fans who listen to all your episodes, share feedback, and engage in your Facebook communities. Learn how to build a show that opens doors for networking, speaking opportunities, and guest interviews.

I pray this blesses you!

Xo,

Stef

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