Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategies for Growing a Podcast That Converts

The One Metric Podcasters Should Track Instead of Downloads | Tom Rossi, Buzzsprout

Courtney Elmer | PodLaunch Episode 291

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 15:54

If you’ve been obsessing over your podcast download numbers (or lack thereof?) this episode is for you. I’m back with Tom Rossi, co-founder of Buzzsprout, and we’re diving deep into how we should really be measuring podcast success. Spoiler: it’s not just about downloads.

Tom shares why the industry’s hyper-focus on numbers can steal the joy of podcasting and the mental shift that will completely change how you measure your podcast’s success. He also drops some key stats (ever wonder how many downloads it *actually* takes to be in the top 10% of podcasts?) and reveals the one key question to ask yourself to see the true impact your podcast is making, no matter how many downloads you’re currently getting.

If you’ve ever felt like quitting because your numbers aren’t where you want them to be, hit play and let’s dive in.

0:48 - Why Video Isn’t the Lead Actor in Podcasting

1:36 - Why Downloads Don't Tell the Whole Story

3:31 - The Most Powerful Way to Stay Motivated in Podcasting

6:25 - The Real Stats Behind Today's Top-Performing Podcasts

10:13 - The One Question to Ask Before You Quit Podcasting


 Episode Links:


 
 → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

Got Podcasting Questions? Send them to me here.

Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review or share it with your podcasting friends.

Podcast Health Score™ See exactly where your show is losing listeners.

Podcast SEO Mastery Optimize your show so that it gets found 24/7.

Apply for a spot on the show to get live podcasting help for your show.

Want more podcasting advice? See what I’m testing right now on Substack

...

Special thanks to Resonate Recordings, our exclusive implementation partner for PodLaunch® Accelerator. If you’re podcasting but aren’t seeing listeners, leads, or sales from your show, book a free strategy call to find out what’s not working and how to fix it.

Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights:  LinkedIn | PodLaunchHQ.com

©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.