It’s The Little Things: 4 Subtle Things That Will Make You an Undeniable Force In Podcasting

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The Little Things That Separate Great Podcasters From Everyone Else

If you’re looking for a flashy trick or viral hack to grow your podcast, this blog post isn’t it.

What you’re getting instead? Practical, repeatable actions that make you better at what you do—and make your podcast better for everyone who interacts with it.

In this episode that you can watch and/or listen to above, I’m digging into small moves that have a big payoff. These are the things too many podcasters ignore or overlook. But when they’re done right, they instantly elevate your credibility and deepen your relationships with guests and listeners.

Because the secret isn’t in doing more. It’s in doing the little things that actually matter.

Respect Starts With a Name

Let’s start with something so simple, it’s embarrassing how often it gets skipped:

Learn how to pronounce your guest’s last name.

Sounds obvious, right? Yet podcasters screw this up all the time. Even I’ve done this…which is what taught me to never make the same mistake again.

Getting a guest’s name right tells them:

You prepared for the conversation.
You respect their identity.
You give a damn.

And if you’re not sure? Ask them before you hit record. That small gesture sets the tone for everything that follows.

End the Interview. Don’t End the Relationship.

The moment you press stop doesn’t have to be the end of the conversation.

If the interview went well – and especially if there’s mutual value in a continued connection – set up a follow-up call.

This isn’t about being transactional. It’s about being intentional.

Relationships matter in this space (and in every aspect of life). And some of the best collaborations, referrals, and content ideas come after the mic is turned off.

So:

Suggest a follow-up within a week or two of your interview (without the task of recording a podcast).
Keep the follow-up call non-salesy. It’s designed to discover ways you and your new connection can help each other (and that may lead to a sale without even trying).
Keep the momentum going with a quick video message or email.
Don’t just thank them—ask how you can support what they’re doing.

Ditch the Bio. Get to the Point

Nobody pressed play to hear you read someone’s LinkedIn profile.

Skip the long-winded guest bios and get right into the good stuff.

Let your guest’s story unfold naturally through the conversation. If they’ve done cool things, it’ll show.

When you lead with curiosity, not a script, the conversation flows better.

That means:

Ask follow-up questions based on what they just said.
Don’t interrupt with your pre-planned bullet points.
Let the guest surprise you (and your listeners).

Active Listening Is a Competitive Advantage

You’re not a good interviewer because you ask good questions.

You’re a good interviewer because you actually listen.

Active listening is your superpower as a host. It’s what helps you:

Pick up on important nuances in your guest’s answers.
Avoid sounding robotic or overly rehearsed.
Create a more dynamic, back-and-forth conversation.

And believe it or not, your audience can hear the difference.

Podcasting That Actually Connects

If you want to grow your podcast and build something meaningful, stop trying to manufacture every moment.

Focus instead on creating real connections—one guest, one episode, one interaction at a time.

To recap:

Learn and pronounce your guest’s name correctly.
Follow up after the episode. Keep building the relationship.
Skip the overproduced bios. Start the conversation.
Listen more than you speak.
And, in addition…show up with intention every single episode.

When you start stacking these habits, things shift. Guests will want to come back. Listeners will stick around. And you’ll stand out in a sea of shows that are still phoning it in.

There are a number of things you can do to stand out as a podcaster. Get the most expensive equipment, invest in a professional studio space, drop a ton of money into paid ad campaigns, etc, etc. Believe me, there’s nothing wrong with any of these items…but mastering the little things will position you for more long-term success with this medium.

The podcast medium presents big gains for you, your brand, and your communication skills. But don’t try to eat the whole elephant in one bite. Build a solid foundation by mastering the things that stand out and let the big results come naturally.