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April 15, 2025 9 mins

If you’ve been thinking the only way to grow your podcast is to go viral, rack up thousands of downloads, and master the almighty algorithm… this episode is your wake-up call.

The biggest lie in podcasting is that high download numbers = success. In reality, a huge audience that doesn’t convert, engage, or align with your goals isn’t helping you grow. It’s just inflating your ego, and your burnout.

This week, we’re busting the biggest myth in the podcasting world and shifting your focus to what actually matters: traction, alignment, and impact.

In this episode, we’re covering:

  • The real metrics that matter more than download numbers
  • Why tiny, dialed-in audiences convert better than stadiums full of strangers
  • The difference between virality and visibility, and which one actually helps your business
  • What to track instead of downloads to see sustainable growth
  • How to tighten your content strategy so your podcast works for you
  • Why your call-to-action might be sabotaging your growth (and how to fix it)

Episode Resources:
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Journal Prompts from this Episode:

  • What do I actually want my podcast to do for me in this season?
  • What topics do I want to be known for?
  • Who is my podcast really speaking to? Am I still excited about that person?
  • What’s working (and what isn’t) about my podcast right now?
  • If I had 100 more of the right listeners, what would I want them to know or do?

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
DM me on Instagram or Threads: @soniviastudios
Email me: rue@sonivia.com

You don’t need to go viral. You need to go deeper.

Music Credit: Up An Octave Theme by Rue Spence with additional vocals provided by Darnell Spence

Up An Octave is hosted by Rue Spence of Sonivia. Up An Octave is a podcast for women and nonbinary people who are ready to take up space in podcasting to share their voices with the world.

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