80. Podcast Growth Hacks: How I Actually Grew My Podcast in 2025

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Hey hey, friend—welcome back to another post from Soul Podcasting, the space where passion, purpose, and podcast strategy collide to help you amplify your voice—without the burnout. I’m Demetria Zinga, founder of the Soul Podcasting Collective, a podcast production agency where I help solopreneurs launch and grow their podcasts confidently. I’m also a podcast coach and strategist, and today, we’re diving deep into something every podcaster wants: podcast growth.

Not just the flashy, overnight-download kind of growth—but the intentional, sustainable growth that actually moves your mission forward. If you’ve been following along, you know we’ve talked about finding your podcast voice in Episode 79, which is foundational before you think about scaling. Today, we’re taking it a step further with actionable strategies and personal insights from my 2025 journey.

What's In This Post

Podcast Growth Strategies That Actually Work

Let’s start by being real: there’s no magic button for instant growth. Anyone telling you otherwise is selling something. What actually works is layering strategies, showing up consistently, and paying attention to both numbers and impact.

Here are the growth strategies I’m leaning into right now:

1. SEO: The Long Game

Your podcast episode isn’t just a conversation—it’s content that can live forever, or it can vanish into the algorithm void. That’s why SEO matters.

I’ll admit: I used to slap on catchy titles and move on. But lately, I’ve been revisiting my back catalog, rewriting episode titles, and updating show notes to include keywords people actually search for. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s powerful.

For example, a title like “Episode 57: My Thoughts on Branding” is invisible in search. But “How to Build a Soulful Brand That Attracts Your Ideal Client”? Now you’re searchable. That’s discoverability. That’s growth.

AI has become a helper here—I run transcripts through AI tools, pull out key phrases, and brainstorm titles. But I always make sure the final title still feels true to my voice. This balance between tech efficiency and soul is where podcast growth really thrives.

2. Choosing Your Platforms—With Intention

We’ve all been told, “be everywhere.” But here’s the truth: spreading yourself too thin is a growth killer.

In 2025, my main platform is Instagram. It’s where my audience hangs out, and where I feel comfortable showing up consistently. LinkedIn? Sometimes. But I’m not trying to be a LinkedIn thought leader.

YouTube deserves a shout-out here too. Earlier this year, I experimented with a few Shorts. Even without total consistency, my channel began to grow, which reminded me that YouTube rewards even small, consistent contributions. It’s a long-term strategy for discoverability and reach.

So stop chasing every shiny platform. Ask yourself: Where do I want to show up consistently? Where will my energy make an impact? That’s the start of intentional podcast growth.

3. Guesting as Growth

Guest appearances are one of the most underrated ways to grow your podcast. You’re not just borrowing someone else’s audience—you’re building relationships with other hosts, opening doors for collaborations, referrals, and unexpected opportunities.

This summer, I did a “mini podcast tour,” hopping on a few shows in my niche. No pressure, no production stress—just connection and sharing. And guess what? Listeners followed me back to my show. Guesting is a growth multiplier that pays off in ways you can’t always measure with downloads.

4. AI as Your Assistant, Not Your Identity

Let’s clear this up: AI isn’t the enemy, and it’s definitely not a replacement for your voice. Think of it as a tool for efficiency, not creativity.

I use AI to outline episodes, draft show notes, and mine transcripts for key phrases—speeding up admin so I can focus on the creative work that actually moves my podcast forward. The soul of the show? That’s still 100% human. That’s still you.

Layering these four strategies—SEO, intentional platforms, guesting, and AI support—has been the backbone of my growth strategy this year. They’re not flashy, but they work.

Why Downloads Aren’t the Only Metric That Matters

If you’re fixated on download numbers, I get it. We all log in and check stats—it’s a natural reflex. But here’s the truth: downloads don’t tell the whole story.

I know podcasters with thousands of downloads per episode who aren’t making money or building meaningful relationships. And I know podcasters with a few hundred loyal listeners who are landing speaking gigs, coaching clients, and truly thriving.

Here’s how growth manifests beyond numbers:

Speaking Opportunities: A single episode led to a panel invitation for me. One episode. Not my downloads, but the clarity of my message.
Client Trust: Coaching clients have discovered me through a single episode, knowing right away that we were a fit.
Thought Leadership: Every episode is a brick in your credibility house. Your audience starts quoting you, sharing your ideas, and recommending you to others.
Life Impact: Sometimes your podcast changes someone’s day—or their life. That doesn’t need to go viral to be meaningful.

If you’re feeling stuck because your stats seem low, take a deep breath. Consistency, clarity, and alignment are the true measures of podcast growth.

Real-Life Podcast Growth Wins from My Journey

I want to get personal here for a moment. A few years ago, I looked at my podcast stats and realized I had multiplied my audience by over 7000%—from just a handful of listeners to over 200. That moment was a wake-up call: small beginnings compound over time.

Since then, growth has been steady because I focus on:

SEO: revisiting older episodes and updating titles (Episode 70 is a great example of a reworked, discoverable title).
Platforms: showing up consistently where it feels natural—Instagram and YouTube Shorts mainly.
Guesting: connecting with other creators.
Community: fostering meaningful relationships through emails, voice notes on Speakpipe, and personal replies.

These little actions stack up. Even when it feels slow, every listener is a real person investing time in your content—and that foundation is invaluable.

Podcasting in the News: Why Persistence Pays

According to PodMatch’s 2025 Podcast Industry Report, only about 10% of independent podcasters are “actively established.” But that 10% produces 95% of all podcast listening.

Translation? Most people quit too soon. Growth requires persistence. Even if you take breaks, rebrand, or pivot, consistently showing up is what moves the needle.

Community plays a huge role too. I still see it in action through your replies, emails, and voice notes on Speakpipe. For example, Sylvie from France left me a voice note sharing her podcast plans and encouragement—and that connection made my week. That’s the kind of growth you can’t measure with downloads alone.

What This Means for Your Podcast Growth

Here’s the bottom line:

Consistency beats ubiquity: Don’t try to be everywhere; show up consistently where it counts.
Strategic actions matter more than trends: SEO, guesting, and intentional platform use compound over time.
Impact beats downloads: Focus on the relationships, opportunities, and transformations your podcast creates.
Community is your superpower: Your audience, fellow podcasters, and listeners who reach out—these are your growth allies.

Extra Tools for Intentional Growth

If you’re ready to accelerate your podcast growth, here are some resources I personally recommend:

Launch Confidently Podcasting Checklist – the ultimate prep guide for starting strong.
Podcast Audit – a free review to see where your show can level up.
My Interviews – see real examples of guesting that drives growth.
Leadership and Success resources to help you translate your podcast into authority in your niche.

All of these are designed to help you grow your podcast intentionally, without losing your energy or soul in the process.

Take Action: Your Podcast Growth Checklist

Here’s a simple checklist for immediate podcast growth:

Revisit older episodes for SEO updates.
Commit to one platform consistently.
Schedule one guest appearance per month.
Leverage AI to free up time for creative work.
Engage with your community through emails, voice notes, or social media.
Focus on impact metrics—not just downloads.

Each step compounds over time. These aren’t hacks that guarantee overnight virality—they’re strategic moves that lead to sustainable growth.

Let’s Keep the Momentum Going

If you’re serious about podcast growth in 2025, I’ve got some resources to help you take the next step:

Leave me a voice note on Speakpipe—I love featuring listener messages.
Sign up for my newsletter to get the Launch Confidently Podcasting Blueprint for free.
Consider a free Podcast Audit to identify opportunities to level up your show.

Remember: growth isn’t about chasing downloads or comparing yourself to others. It’s about showing up, building relationships, and amplifying your message with purpose.

Keep showing up. Keep creating. And most importantly—keep podcasting with soul.

Ready to lighten the load and podcast with more soul?

Let’s work together. Learn more about our services at Soul Podcasting Collective or book a discovery call to see how we can support you.

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Demetria

Demetria is the founder and CEO of podcast agency,Soul Podcasting Collective, and has been a podcast coach and digital marketing consultant for 20 years. She helps businesses and entrepreneurs turn their profitable passions into a plan of action with podcasting, blogging, content strategy and more! Join her and her team and begin your podcasting journey today.