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- Stop Chasing Guests—Start Growing Your Podcast 🎙️
Stop Chasing Guests—Start Growing Your Podcast 🎙️
Video Is Your Podcast’s Growth Hack 🎥
Chloe Harper
April 29, 2025
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Hey there!
If you’ve ever hit “publish” on a killer podcast episode only to hear crickets… you’re not alone. This week, we’re diving into the hard truths (and hot strategies) about growing your show the right way in 2025.
From why big-name guests won’t grow your audience (ouch) to how video is secretly your podcast’s best growth engine, we’ve rounded up the latest insights and tools to help you actually get seen—and heard.
So whether you’re a podcaster with a mic and a dream or just curious about taking your content to the next level, let’s dig in.
📰 Upcoming in this issue
Why Podcast Guests Won’t Grow Your Audience (and What Actually Will) 🎙️
The Best Video Podcast Platforms to Elevate Your Show in 2025
🎥
From Mic to Millions: Why Video Is the Secret Growth Engine for Podcasts in 2025 🎥
📈 Trending news
Why Podcast Guests Won’t Grow Your Audience (and What Actually Will) 🎙️ watch the full 15-min video here
Video published: April 15, 2025
I tuned into Grow the Show by Kevin Schmidland expecting tips on podcast guest booking—and instead got a reality check. If you’ve been cramming guest interviews into your show hoping their followers will boost your numbers, this episode might sting a little (but in the best way).
Kevin breaks down a hard truth: the guest gets the audience, not the host. Even your dream guests—big names who promise to share the episode—usually don’t. Why? Because promoting a smaller podcast doesn’t elevate their status. Oof.
But there’s hope. Kevin lays out a smarter guest strategy: only interview people you genuinely want to learn from or whose insights benefit your audience. That’s the magic filter.
Key Takeaways:
🚫 Big names ≠ big growth: Famous guests rarely promote small shows. It doesn’t serve their status.
🎯 Use guests with purpose: Interview only if you or your audience will learn something valuable.
🎨 Leverage their likeness: Use their face or name in thumbnails or social posts to spark curiosity.
🔁 Try podcast swaps: If the guest has a similar-sized audience, suggest interviewing each other.
The Best Video Podcast Platforms to Elevate Your Show in 2025
🎥 read the full 2,165-word article here
Article published: April 10, 2025
Video podcasting isn’t just trendy—it’s transformational. I dove into Near Stream’s latest guide on 2025’s top hosting platforms, and wow, it’s more than a comparison—it’s a blueprint for leveling up your entire show.
From the unlimited reach of YouTube, to Vimeo’s polished professional edge, to podcast-native tools like Libsyn and Podbean, this piece breaks down who should use what—and why. It even goes beyond platforms to spotlight equipment that separates the amateur from the extraordinary.
What caught my eye? The gear recs and the tip that a famous face only works if your thumbnails and clips actually pop.
Key Takeaways:
📺 YouTube = massive reach but crowded space and little control over algorithm.
🎨 Vimeo = polished, ad-free, customizable player—but it’ll cost you.
🎙️ Podbean & Libsyn = solid for audio-first podcasters venturing into video.
💡 Lighting, sound, and post-editing are make-or-break for keeping viewers hooked.
📲 Promote smart: Collab clips, website embeds, social media shorts. Not just "post and hope."
From Mic to Millions: Why Video Is the Secret Growth Engine for Podcasts in 2025 🎥
Let’s be real: podcasting has changed.
If you’re still hiding behind the mic and treating your show like a secret audio club, you’re missing the biggest opportunity to scale in 2025.
Because video is the new front door to your podcast.
No, that doesn’t mean you need a studio with RGB lights and a Rodecaster Pro. But it does mean showing your face—or at the very least, creating visual content—if you want to stand out.
Why Video? Because It’s Where the Ears (and Eyes) Are
YouTube has officially surpassed Spotify and Apple Podcasts as the #1 platform for podcast discovery. And it’s not just for Gen Z. Everyone—from CEOs to casual listeners—is discovering new shows via YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Reels.
So what’s working?
1. Start with Short-Form
Clips are king. If you’re not slicing your episodes into 30-90 second highlights with punchy hooks and captions, you’re leaving growth on the table.
The best-performing clips aren’t just excerpts—they’re micro-stories. Think: “The moment I almost quit” or “This advice changed my business.”
💡 Tip: Use tools like OpusClip, Vizard, or Descript to auto-clip and caption your best moments.
2. You Don’t Have to Be Joe Rogan
Long-form episodes on YouTube work when they’re search-optimized. Think evergreen titles like:
“How I Built My 7-Figure Business from Scratch”
“How to Start Freelancing with No Experience”
“5 Habits of Ultra-Productive People”
YouTube is the second-largest search engine. Treat your podcast titles like headlines.
3. Add Personality, Not Just Production
Yes, good lighting and sound help. But what hooks people? Authenticity.
Behind-the-scenes moments, guest banter, and unscripted reactions—these are what make a video podcast binge-worthy.
Think less “news anchor,” more “FaceTime with a smart friend.”
4. Repurpose Like a Pro
One episode = 10+ content pieces. Post a short on TikTok. Drop a quote carousel on LinkedIn. Run a teaser on Instagram Reels. Include a clip in your newsletter. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing once and distributing smarter.
5. Invite the Algorithm to Your Show
YouTube’s algorithm rewards consistency. Start with 1 upload a week. Build your library. Optimize your titles and thumbnails. And most importantly—create for the platform.
A viral audio-only clip is rare. A great 20-second visual hook? Gold.
Why It Matters
In 2025, podcasting is no longer just about audio—it’s about visibility, connection, and strategy.
The old “guest = growth” formula doesn’t cut it anymore. Smart creators are shifting to high-impact video, short-form clips, and platforms that meet audiences where they scroll. The good news? You don’t need a fancy studio—just a clear strategy and the willingness to show up.
Because at the end of the day, the difference between a hidden gem and a hit show isn’t content—it’s how you deliver it.
Until next time,
Chloe Harper
Editor-in-Chief
Podfluence
P.S. – Don’t let your podcast blend into the noise. With Audiencelift, you’ll connect with the right audience and see real growth. Ready to amplify your voice? Click here to start your first campaign today! 🎙️
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