Every week, someone new launches a passion-driven podcast and immediately has the same fear: “I published 5, 8, 12 episodes… and barely anyone is listening. What am I doing wrong?” If that’s you, take a breath. You are not failing. You are not unusual. And you certainly aren’t alone. Your numbers are normal.
A podcaster on Reddit recently described this exact situation:
- 8 episodes released
- A monthly publishing schedule
- A thoughtful theme (self-development + psychology + a touch of business)
- About 26 total Spotify plays
- Some light sharing on social media and Reddit
- Uncertain whether the low numbers mean the content is bad
If that sounds familiar, you’re right in the middle of the normal early-podcast phase. Let’s break down what’s actually happening, and what you can do next.
Your Numbers Are Normal. Painfully Normal. Beautifully Normal.
Here’s the truth most podcasters never hear early on: The majority of podcasts never exceed 100 downloads total. Not per episode. Total. On average:
- Most new shows have fewer than 30 downloads in their first 60 days.
- Many take a year to break 100 downloads per episode.
- The top 25% of all podcasts? Only 72 downloads in the first week.
So your 26 listens after eight monthly episodes is not failure. It’s the standard baseline before any real audience-building begins. You aren’t behind. You’re early.
Monthly Releases Make Growth Much Slower
Imagine your podcast is a campfire. Every episode is a log. A weekly show throws logs on regularly. A monthly show throws one log on, then waits. You can grow monthly, but each episode has to work much harder, and the listener re-engagement cycle is much slower. If you can’t publish weekly, try:
- Shorter bonus episodes
- “In-between minisodes”
- Seasonal bursts (e.g., 4 episodes in 4 weeks)
The more frequently you appear in feeds, the faster the algorithm understands who your show is for.
Your Content Might Be Excellent, But Your Positioning Might Be Too Broad
Your topics are smart, thoughtful, and meaningful. For example:
- Risk-taking
- Fear as a growth tool
- Future anxiety
- Psychology + self-development + business
But here’s the problem: everyone makes this type of content. When your niche is broad, listeners can’t instantly answer: “Why THIS show? Why THIS host?” Try sharpening your angle:
- Are you approaching self-development through personal storytelling?
- Through science and research?
- Through cultural analysis?
- Through business experience?
- Through philosophical reflection?
Clarity makes discovery easier.
Your Friends Aren’t Your Audience, and That’s a Good Sign
If your friends say: “I’m not the target audience, but I like what you’re doing,” that’s actually the best possible outcome. It means:
- You’re creating for your niche, not your social circle.
- Their feedback is polite but not market-relevant.
- Your real listeners are strangers who share your worldview.
Your podcast will grow the day it leaves your personal network and reaches people who don’t know you at all.
Promotion Isn’t Optional
Posting one story, one tweet, or one Reddit comment won’t do anything. Podcasts don’t spread by accident. Try these instead:
- Post 30-second audiograms on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube Shorts.
- Participate meaningfully in Reddit subcommunities (Not self-promo. Real discussions.).
- Write a short blog version of each episode.
- Cross-promote with 1–2 podcasts of similar size.
- Ask strangers, not friends, for honest feedback.
Podcast discovery is a marathon, not an upload schedule.
Your Content Probably Isn’t Bad, But You Need Data to Know for Sure
The only trustworthy indicators are:
- Retention (Do listeners stay past the first 3–5 minutes?)
- Completion rate
- Episode-to-episode consistency
If people who start the episode finish it, your content is good. If they drop off early, something in the intro pacing or clarity needs adjusting. Platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify for Podcasters give you this data for free.
Why Your Numbers Are Normal
Unless you already have a large social following or an advertising budget, podcasts grow slowly. Your goal right now is not to blow up. Your goal is to:
- Improve your craft
- Build consistency
- Refine your niche
- Build 1 listener at a time
- Make something you’re proud of
Eight episodes is nothing. You are just getting started.
Don’t Quit Before the Breakthrough
Most podcasts podfade around episode 7. See my earlier blog called Ten Episodes, which speaks a little more about this. You made it to episode 8. That alone puts you ahead of the curve. Your growth isn’t a sign of failure; it’s a sign that you’re in exactly the phase every long-term podcaster goes through before things click.
Keep going. Keep improving. Keep sharing.
The audience comes after the repetition. Not before.
Contact The Podcast Wizard
Need a little more guidance? That’s what Podcast Wizardry is here for. Drop us a DM on our LinkedIn page. We’re happy to help you make the most of your production.