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79. The Podcast SEO Mistakes Hiding Your Show From Ideal Listeners · Podcast Growth, Podcast SEO, and Podcast Launch Strategies for Mom Entrepreneurs | Podcasting for Moms

• 0:45
  SPEAKER_01: Picture this.
• 0:46
  SPEAKER_01: You've been podcasting for six months.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_01: You're showing up every single week.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_01: You're recording, editing, and publishing.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_01: You genuinely love your topic.
• 0:55
  SPEAKER_01: Your content is solid.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_01: And the listeners you do have, they absolutely love you.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_01: But your downloads are flatlined.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_01: You're getting maybe 40 to 50 listens per episode.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_01: And it feels like no matter what you do, you can't crack through to new listeners.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_01: You're posing on Instagram, throwing your episodes into Facebook groups, and yet crickets from anyone who doesn't already know that you exist.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_01: Here's what most podcasters in that situation do.
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_01: They assume that their content isn't good enough.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_01: They second guess their niche.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_01: They consider switching their format, interviewing guests, and maybe going back to grab a better mic.
• 1:25
  SPEAKER_01: But what if the content is actually fine?
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_01: What if the problem has nothing to do with what's inside your episodes and everything to do with how they're labeled on the outside?
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_01: That's what we're digging into today because podcasters who grow are not always the best podcasters.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_01: They're the most findable ones.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_01: And there's a real fixable strategy gap between those two groups.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_01: It's called Podcast SEO, and most of us are getting it wrong.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_01: Let's talk about it.
• 1:49
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to Podcasting for Moms, the show for moms in business ready to start, grow, and scale a podcast that turns their listeners into buyers.
• 1:57
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Jenny Summerson, a podcast strategist and fellow mom entrepreneur.
• 2:01
  SPEAKER_00: You're in the right place if you want to learn how to start and grow a podcast that attracts your ideal clients and really does the heavy lifting for you when it comes to selling your offers, all while balancing life as a busy mom.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: Are you ready to create a podcast that grows your income, impact, and influence?
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_00: Let's make podcasting work for you.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: Because as moms, we know how to get things done.
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_00: All right, let's jump into the episode.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_01: Hey, hey, and welcome to Podcasting for Moms, the show for mom entrepreneurs who are wanting to use our podcast as their main marketing channel.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_01: I'm Jenny Sunnison, podcast strategist and producer, and every week I'm here to help you build a podcast that doesn't just sound good but actually works as a business tool.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_01: Let's get into it.
• 2:41
  SPEAKER_01: Okay, so today's episode is one of the ones that I wish existed when I first started because podcast SEO is one of those topics that sounds technical and maybe a little bit boring, but I promise you it's not.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_01: It's actually the most straightforward lever that most podcasters have never pulled.
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_01: We're talking about the specific mistakes that are making your show invisible to the exact people who need it.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_01: And by the end of the episode, I want you to have one clear action step that you can take today.
• 3:06
  SPEAKER_01: All right, let's go.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_01: So the first mistake is that you're writing episode titles for your current listeners, not for new ones.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_01: So here's the thing about episode titles.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_01: When you've already built an audience, you can get a little bit cute with them.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_01: Your community knows you, they trust you, they'll click on almost anything that you put out.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_01: But when you're still growing, your titles are the first and sometimes only thing a stranger sees before deciding whether to hit play or not.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_01: And here's where it gets painful.
• 3:35
  SPEAKER_01: Most podcasters write titles that sound great to the people who already know them, but mean absolutely nothing to someone who's searching for their help.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_01: So let me give you an example here.
• 3:43
  SPEAKER_01: Say you're a health coach for moms, and you title your episode My Journey to Feeling Like Myself Again.
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_01: That is a wonderful title.
• 3:51
  SPEAKER_01: It's emotionally resonant.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_01: Your current audience will totally click it.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_01: But a mom who's typing in how to lose weight after having a baby into places like Apple Podcasts or Spotify, she's never gonna find that episode.
• 4:02
  SPEAKER_01: The title doesn't match anything that she's currently searching for.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_01: Let's compare that to How to Lose the Baby Weight Without Giving Up the Foods That You Love.
• 4:11
  SPEAKER_01: Now we're talking.
• 4:12
  SPEAKER_01: That title answers a search query.
• 4:15
  SPEAKER_01: It puts the results in the title and it uses the exact language someone is typing into a search bar.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_01: That is what podcast SEO optimized titles do.
• 4:25
  SPEAKER_01: They meet your ideal listener in the language she's already using to search for answers.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_01: So the first mistake.
• 4:31
  SPEAKER_01: So the first mistake is naming your episode based on how they feel rather than how they'll be found.
• 4:37
  SPEAKER_01: Ask yourself, I want you to ask yourself this.
• 4:39
  SPEAKER_01: If my ideal listener typed her biggest struggle into Apple Podcasts right now, would my episode title show up?
• 4:45
  SPEAKER_01: Would it even come close?
• 4:47
  SPEAKER_01: If the answer is no, then that's something we need to work on.
• 4:49
  SPEAKER_01: The second thing is that your episode descriptions are a summary, not a search tool.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_01: And this is something I see all the time.
• 4:56
  SPEAKER_01: Someone puts real thought into their episode, they record a great conversation or just a great solo episode, and then their episode description reads something like this.
• 5:04
  SPEAKER_01: In this episode, I talk about burnout and why it happens.
• 5:07
  SPEAKER_01: We also cover tips for managing your energy.
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_01: That description tells me what happened in the episode, but it doesn't do anything in terms of discoverability.
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_01: Podcast platforms use your episode title and your description to understand what your episode's about and when to surface it in search results.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_01: So if your description isn't keyword rich, then you're essentially invisible in search.
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_01: But here's the nuance keyword rich does not mean keyword stuff.
• 5:33
  SPEAKER_01: So you don't need to so you don't need to cram in 30 different keywords and make it unreadable.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_01: What you need is intentional language.
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_01: So I want you to think about specific phrases your ideal listener is Googling.
• 5:46
  SPEAKER_01: Things like podcast marketing strategy for moms, or how to grow a podcast without social media, or podcast monetization tips for beginners.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_01: Those are all things people would be searching for and finding my people, those are all things people would be searching for if they were looking to find a show like mine.
• 6:02
  SPEAKER_01: Those phrases should be living inside your episode descriptions, woven naturally into a description that still reads like a human wrote it.
• 6:09
  SPEAKER_01: Your description also needs to do double duty.
• 6:11
  SPEAKER_01: It needs to get your episode found, but it also needs to compel someone to actually hit play once they find it.
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_01: Those are two very different jobs, and your description needs to do both.
• 6:21
  SPEAKER_01: So I want you to structure it like this.
• 6:23
  SPEAKER_01: Open with a hook that speaks directly to the problem that the listener is searching for.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_01: Then you want to include two to three specific searchable phrases naturally within the body of the content.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_01: Then you want to close with a clear statement of what they'll walk away with learning from the episode.
• 6:40
  SPEAKER_01: A great description is between 150 to 250 words.
• 6:44
  SPEAKER_01: Enough to be substantive, but not so long that it loses people.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_01: And then we have the third thing.
• 6:49
  SPEAKER_01: You're treating your show name and podcast category like afterthoughts.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_01: Okay, so this one might sting a little bit because it's one of those things that most people set up once and then they never touch again.
• 6:59
  SPEAKER_01: Your show name and your podcast category are SEO real estate, and a lot of people are wasting them.
• 7:04
  SPEAKER_01: So let's start with your show name.
• 7:05
  SPEAKER_01: If your show is called the Sarah Thompson podcast, you are leaving an enormous amount of discoverability on the table.
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_01: Names that include relevant keywords, your niche, your audience, or your transformation get found at higher rates than personality-based names, or, you know, your general first and last name with no descriptive context.
• 7:24
  SPEAKER_01: So for example, my podcast is called Podcasting for Moms, and Podcasting for Moms works because it tells you exactly who it's for.
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_01: A mom who's looking for podcasting content can find it.
• 7:33
  SPEAKER_01: Someone searching for business podcasts for moms can find it.
• 7:36
  SPEAKER_01: The name does the SEO work for me.
• 7:39
  SPEAKER_01: If you already have an established show name, then this doesn't mean that you need to rebrand, but it does mean that you should look at your subtitle, which is basically a second shot at an SEO rich description.
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_01: Use it.
• 7:51
  SPEAKER_01: Now let's talk categories.
• 7:53
  SPEAKER_01: So when you set up your podcast on your hosting platform, you select a category.
• 7:57
  SPEAKER_01: Most people pick the broadest one that feels vaguely relevant and then move on.
• 8:02
  SPEAKER_01: But your category affects which charts you appear on, how you show up in platform browsing and how Apple Podcasts and Spotify understand your show.
• 8:09
  SPEAKER_01: So in my opinion, it's important a niche down here.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_01: If there's a subcategory that fits you better than the parent category, use it.
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_01: It's less competition and it's a more accurate signal to the algorithm about who should be shown your show.
• 8:22
  SPEAKER_01: Okay, so before we do the recap, I want to call out one specific thing that I want you to stop doing immediately.
• 8:28
  SPEAKER_01: So I want you to stop writing episode titles that would make sense at a dinner party, but make zero sense in a search bar.
• 8:34
  SPEAKER_01: You know what I mean?
• 8:35
  SPEAKER_01: The titles that are super clever, a little cryptic, maybe a little poetic.
• 8:40
  SPEAKER_01: They feel right when you're in the creative headspace of making content.
• 8:43
  SPEAKER_01: But here's the reality: no one is searching for something like episode 47 when you finally stop hiding.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_01: They're searching for things like how to show up confidently on social media or how to stop playing small in your business.
• 8:56
  SPEAKER_01: The transformation goes in the title.
• 8:58
  SPEAKER_01: The searchable outcome goes in the title.
• 9:00
  SPEAKER_01: Clever is great, but only when it's in addition to clear.
• 9:03
  SPEAKER_01: It cannot replace clear.
• 9:05
  SPEAKER_01: If you're and if you're not sure if your titles are findable, go open Apple Podcasts or Spotify right now and search for the topic your last three episodes covered.
• 9:13
  SPEAKER_01: Did your show come up?
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_01: If the answer is no, then you have a title problem.
• 9:17
  SPEAKER_01: If the answer is no, then that means you have a title problem.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_01: All right, so let's bring it all home.
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_01: The three podcast SEO mistakes hiding your show from ideal listeners.
• 9:27
  SPEAKER_01: Number one, writing episode titles for your current audience instead of for search.
• 9:32
  SPEAKER_01: Your titles need to use the language that your ideal listener is already typing into the search bar, not language that only lands if they're already a part of your existing audience.
• 9:43
  SPEAKER_01: The second mistake is using your episode description as a summary instead of as a search tool.
• 9:47
  SPEAKER_01: Descriptions need keywords, they need a hook, and they need to give someone a reason to hit play once they find the episode.
• 9:53
  SPEAKER_01: And then the third mistake is treating your show name and category as one-time decisions.
• 9:57
  SPEAKER_01: Your show name and subtitle are SEO real estate, and your category determines your discoverability within the platform.
• 10:03
  SPEAKER_01: Both deserve a second look.
• 10:05
  SPEAKER_01: All right, here is your one action step from today's episode.
• 10:09
  SPEAKER_01: I want you to go into your podcast hosting platform right now and pull up your last five episode titles.
• 10:15
  SPEAKER_01: Read them like a stranger would.
• 10:17
  SPEAKER_01: Better yet, go to Apple Podcast or Spotify and type in the topic of each episode and see if your show shows up anywhere in the result.
• 10:25
  SPEAKER_01: If it doesn't, then that's your homework.
• 10:27
  SPEAKER_01: Rewrite those titles with searchable keywords.
• 10:30
  SPEAKER_01: Put the outcome in the title.
• 10:31
  SPEAKER_01: Use language your ideal listener is already using when she goes looking for help.
• 10:35
  SPEAKER_01: And if you want eyes on your full podcast strategy, including your titles, descriptions, show name, and everything else that's either helping or hurting your discoverability, I do podcast audits and it's literally one of my favorite things.
• 10:46
  SPEAKER_01: You can grab yours by going to podcastingformoms.co slash audit.
• 10:51
  SPEAKER_01: I will also leave the links in the show.
• 10:53
  SPEAKER_01: I will also leave the links in I will also leave the link in the show notes for you as well.
• 10:56
  SPEAKER_01: All right, that is it for today's episode.
• 10:59
  SPEAKER_01: If this episode was helpful for you, will you do me a favor and share it with a fellow mom podcaster?
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_01: Word of mouth is still the best algorithm, in my opinion.
• 11:06
  SPEAKER_01: I'll be back next week with more strategy to help you build a podcast that actually works for your business.
• 11:11
  SPEAKER_01: Until then, take care of yourself, keep showing up, and I'll talk to you soon.
• 11:15
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you for tuning in to Podcasting for Moms.
• 11:18
  SPEAKER_00: I hope today's episode gave you the tools and inspiration you need to make your podcasts work smarter, not harder.
• 11:24
  SPEAKER_00: If you love what you heard, be sure to subscribe and leave a review.
• 11:28
  SPEAKER_00: It means the world and helps other moms in business find the show.
• 11:31
  SPEAKER_00: For more tips, resources, and support, head to podcastingformoms.co.
• 11:36
  SPEAKER_00: Remember, you're not just building a podcast, you're building your legacy.
• 11:40
  SPEAKER_00: Until next time, friends.