How I can increase downloads of The James Quandahl Show

Downloads have been dropping each month and the trend is currently down 20% over the average downloads per month.

1. Post each episode on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn

I stopped doing this and the downloads have dropped... Get back into a rhythm of posting each podcast episode on each platform twice? One link directly to the show with a brief description of the most important takeaways and another with an AudioGram right from the show.

2. Be a guest on other podcasts

John Lee Dumas says that the best way to grow your podcast is to be a guest on other podcasts... I've been a guest on four(?) podcasts total. Need to try to be a guest on more podcasts maybe one per week? Is that a reasonable goal?

Separate idea list of the dream podcasts to be on... To do this I need to know myself and what I love to talk about the most.

3. Attend podcast movement

Need to network with other podcasters and go where other podcasters are.

4. Pay for advertising on targeted shows

Shows that I can't become a guest on, but are full of my ideal tribe member I can offer to advertise on the show. What would be a good show to do a test on this ASAP and see what it does to my podcast listenership? Another idea list.

5. Get back to writing

I haven't published an article on my website in six months and have noticed a drop in traffic. I stopped writing to focus on podcasting, but my website traffic has stayed about the same... What would happen if I did the podcast AND wrote one article per week? My click through on my newsletter has cut in half since I stopped publishing articles... People aren't clicking the podcast links... down to a 3.59% average last 6 months compared to 6.7% before I stopped writing.

6. Average downloads tell me something about stand outs?

What does the average downloads tell me about my top episodes? These four episodes are 50% better performing than all other episodes... After reviewing them and writing notes on them it is hard for me to see any trend. Fact is, I just don't have enough reach for good data here.

International Chess Master Eric Rosen Reveals Risks Inherent in Combining Passion With Career... This was shared on Eric's Twitter page and got a ton of impressions and engagement... 764 engagement on this tweet.

Overcoming Loneliness, the Number One Enemy of Our Time with Dr. John Delony... John Delony's audience has grown huge in the past 12 months and it was my first episode.

The Seven "F's" Which are Key to Living a Joyful and Fulfilling Life, How and Where to "Log Off", How the Last Supper Plates Have Grown 67% and Much More w/ Dry Dock CEO Tim Schmidt... This is a bit surprising that it is continuing to do well because at first launch it was my underperforming episode... Why are people downloading this one still? Where is it being found?

The Under the Radar Supplement That is Changing the Way We View Brain Health, Beauty, Longevity and Much More!... This was a surprise for me. My only in person podcast episode and the company did a ton of promotion for it. When a guest is willing to promote a show the show does a lot better. I can't control that, but it sure helps.

7. Guest sourcing-- read books-- invite guests

The show has been dropping in downloads and I have been scrambling to find guests. I was doing a lot better job of reaching out and inviting folks onto the show at first and have relaxed on this. I had also stopped reading as many books.

I need to continue reading books (which I'm doing 2 hours of reading per day) and then invite the authors onto the show.

Lean into the different PR companies that I have relationships with for ARC copies and then invite the guests during their podcast tour. I've been told multiple times by authors how different my podcast is compared to the others they have been on and how it is a breath of fresh air that I actually read their books (wow!)... Let's lean into that. But also continue to read older books that aren't "popular" right now and invite those authors on.

8. Get a Podcast mentor?

Two shows I've seen do well in the past year that came from nowhere are Danny Miranda Show and All The Hacks Show... Are there others? I think on JLD's book he mentioned being willing to connect people with a podcast mentor.

How did they grow their show in this environment. I could learn a lot from them versus many of my friends with larger shows that started years and years ago.

9. Video

I haven't done any video for my podcast, but a lot of people are consuming and finding new podcasts on YouTube... I haven't wanted to do video because I record in my laundry room closet, but Phillip Stutts said who cares? Put a background blur on and stop making excuses.

I could start by uploading the full episodes to YouTube.. Easy, but probably get low engagement. I could upgrade by doing clips like Dave Ramsey/Joe Rogan Shows by using the show notes and having a video editor cut these sections out and re upload them. Wouldn't be that expensive.

10. Niche my podcast in a certain way?

What does my podcast stand for? What is my niche? I don't like niches because it feels like I'm restricted when I have dozens of passions and interests and I like to read from many genres, connect with different people, and learn new things each year. But how do people know if they want to listen to my show if they don't know who James Quandahl is and they don't know what my podcast is about... Emily suggests maybe focusing on how much I like to read and continue to interview authors? Not sure... This is a tough one.

James