If marketing jargon makes your eyes glaze over, this episode is for you! I'm breaking down the two types of marketing I use to grow my podcast and make money, no funnels, no KPIs, no marketing bro speak. Just real, simple strategies that actually work.

Hey, I'm Andi Smiley, podcast coach for women and host of the Friendly Podcast Guide. I've spent the past year using Pinterest as my main growth strategy, and my podcast has grown by 74% and gained over 200 email subscribers…all without Instagram. I'm here to share what's actually working so you can grow your podcast sustainably too.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

The two types of marketing every podcaster needs to know about
Why I deleted Instagram and didn't see a drop in downloads
How Pinterest fits into my podcast marketing strategy
My favorite "get people in the door" marketing tools (Pinterest, Threads, podcast guesting, and SEO)
Why my email list is where almost all of my business income comes from
How my podcast serves my audience without being a hard sales tool
How to grow a podcast without social media in 2026
Why you don't need to be everywhere, just strategic

Key Takeaways

You need at least two types of marketing: one to get people in the door and one to help them buy from you
Pinterest is one of the most sustainable, low-effort ways to grow a podcast without showing up daily
Your email list is your most powerful tool for actually making money
You don't have to use every platform, pick what works for your audience and your life
Sustainable podcasting strategies beat burnout-inducing ones every single time

Timestamps

(00:00) Welcome

(00:49) How Pinterest fits into my growth strategy

(02:14) My favorite "get people in the door" marketing tools

(03:02) Why my email list is where the money comes from

(03:44) How my podcast fits into the bigger picture

Links & Resources