150. What If Not Having a Lot of Podcast Downloads Is Actually a Good Thing?
Mon Feb 02 2026
You do not need a "big" podcast for it to be successful or for it to make money. I know that goes against literally everything you've probably been told about podcasting...the download goals, the chart-topping metrics, the milestones, etc, but I'm here to tell you about a different way, and it's not the popular advice.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the lie we've been told about podcast success, why having a smaller audience might actually work in your favor, and what to focus on instead of chasing downloads. I also get into the sponsorship trap and why selling your own offers is so much more powerful than working on somebody else's clock inside your own show (and give you some tangible tips on if you want to sponsor your own show).
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why the download focused model was built for influencers and media companies...not small business ownersHow a small, aligned audience can be more profitable than thousands of random downloadsWhy podcasting is more intentional than almost any other platform and what that means for your businessThe sponsorship trap and why you're essentially working for someone else inside your own showHow to sponsor your own podcast with your own business and offersWhat to focus on instead of download numbersThe metrics that actually matter for a business-aligned podcastWhy podcast success looks different for every single person
Links mentioned in this episode:
Book Your Strategy Call
Start or Grow Your Podcast With Me:
Join the FREE Moms Who Podcast Community: https://skool.com/podcasters/Ready to launch your podcast?: https://pamelakrista.com/podcast-launch/Need help with editing and/or managing your podcast? I’ve got you covered: https://pamelakrista.com/podcast-management
Connect with Pamela:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pamelakrista/Website: https://www.pamelakrista.comInstagram: @pamelakristaEmail: pamela@pamelakrista.com
Mentioned in this episode:
• Join the FREE Fix My Podcast...
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You do not need a "big" podcast for it to be successful or for it to make money. I know that goes against literally everything you've probably been told about podcasting...the download goals, the chart-topping metrics, the milestones, etc, but I'm here to tell you about a different way, and it's not the popular advice. In this episode, I'm breaking down the lie we've been told about podcast success, why having a smaller audience might actually work in your favor, and what to focus on instead of chasing downloads. I also get into the sponsorship trap and why selling your own offers is so much more powerful than working on somebody else's clock inside your own show (and give you some tangible tips on if you want to sponsor your own show). In this episode, you'll learn: Why the download focused model was built for influencers and media companies...not small business ownersHow a small, aligned audience can be more profitable than thousands of random downloadsWhy podcasting is more intentional than almost any other platform and what that means for your businessThe sponsorship trap and why you're essentially working for someone else inside your own showHow to sponsor your own podcast with your own business and offersWhat to focus on instead of download numbersThe metrics that actually matter for a business-aligned podcastWhy podcast success looks different for every single person Links mentioned in this episode: Book Your Strategy Call Start or Grow Your Podcast With Me: Join the FREE Moms Who Podcast Community: https://skool.com/podcasters/Ready to launch your podcast?: https://pamelakrista.com/podcast-launch/Need help with editing and/or managing your podcast? I’ve got you covered: https://pamelakrista.com/podcast-management Connect with Pamela: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pamelakrista/Website: https://www.pamelakrista.comInstagram: @pamelakristaEmail: pamela@pamelakrista.com Mentioned in this episode: • Join the FREE Fix My Podcast...