How to Grow Your Podcast From 0 Listeners (25-Year Pro Reveals His Secrets!)—Carl Richards | Ep 24

What if I told you your podcast could be quietly sabotaging your growth—even if you’re posting consistently? In this power-packed episode, I sit down with Carl Richards—TEDx speaker, ex-radio host, and CEO of Podcast Solutions Made Simple—to uncover the marketing hacks most creators miss.

With 25+ years behind the mic, Carl spills:

• The #1 mistake new podcasters make (Hint: It’s not about audio quality) (Timestamp: 15:09)

• How to use SEO like a pro (Even if you hate tech stuff) (Timestamp: 18:38)

• Why you don’t need a huge audience to monetize (Real example: $30K/client from 40 listeners!) (Timestamp: 40:42)

• The "Green Room" strategy to turn listeners into paying clients (Timestamp: 47:35)

If you’re tired of shouting into the void, this episode is your playbook to get discovered, grow an engaged audience, and turn your podcast into a lead machine.

Key Quotes to Share

• “The #1 way to grow your podcast? Tell people you have one.” – Carl Richards (15:09)

• “Stop chasing 10,000 downloads. 100 engaged listeners are worth 10x more.” (40:42)

• “Your podcast isn’t a microphone—it’s a marketing engine.” (47:35)

Final Note

If you take one thing from this episode, let it be this: Your podcast won’t grow unless you ask people to listen. Stop hiding your show—share it like it’s the next big thing (because it is!).

• Connect with Carl: PodcastSolutionsMadeSimple.com

  P.S. Loved this? Carl’s giving away a free checklist on 10 Podcast Marketing Hacks—grab it at PodcastSolutionsMadeSimple.com. If you enjoyed this episode with you’ll love my newsletter. Every week, I share:

  ✨ Exclusive insights from top creators and entrepreneurs

  ✨ Unfiltered lessons from my own content journey (failures included!)

  ✨ Actionable tips to grow your audience and income

  No fluff—just real strategies to help you win. Subscribe now and let’s build something epic together!

  👉 Join Here - https://wisdom.beehiiv.com/

  P.S. Subscribers get first access to new episodes, tools, and surprises. Don’t miss out!Timestamped Chapters

  • 00:04 – Welcome Carl: From Radio to Podcasting Empire

  • 04:01 – Carl’s Origin Story: 25 Years in Broadcasting (And Why Podcasting Wins)

  • 15:09 – The Biggest Mistake: Why Your Podcast Isn’t Growing (Spoiler: You’re Not Telling People!)

  • 18:38 – SEO Secrets: Titles, Show Notes & Transcripts That Get You Found

  • 27:01 – Pre-Launch Marketing: How to Promote Your Podcast Before Episode 1 Drops

  • 34:15 – “I Have No Followers!” – How to Grow an Audience From Scratch

  • 40:42 – Small Audience, Big Results: How 40 Listeners = $30K Clients

  • 47:35 – The “Green Room” Strategy: Turn Listeners Into Buyers

  • 52:24 – Quality Content Framework: What Makes Listeners Stay (Beyond Audio Quality)

  • 58:49 – Where to Find Carl & Final Takeaways

  If you’re enjoying the podcast and want to support what I do, you can now buy me a coffee! It’s a simple way to show your love and help keep the episodes coming. Just head over to https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhq — every little bit means a lot. Thanks so much for being here!