The best collabs are the ones where you show up as you.
You can make money with your Substack podcasting strategy, even if you do not host your podcast on Substack.
I consider Substack my first ever opportunity with a blue ocean strategy. The platform is the most hospitable place for entrepreneurs to grow and support each other.
This week’s newsletter illustrates why I’m celebrating not swimming with getting eaten alive by the sharks in the red ocean.
For new listeners and longtime OGs of the Substack Podcast Studio: don’t try to fix everything at once.
Every podcast needs three things to become a real business asset:
Memorable: people remember the idea and who you are
Referable: people know who to share it with.
Profitable: the show has a clear path to ROI.
Let’s take a look at each of these so you know which one to choose today.
🔥 Memorable — Turn your podcast into a point of view.
The internet is drowning in expert content. Anchor each episode in a clear point of view, not another pile of tips your listener could have found in a carousel.
🔥 Referable — Turn listeners into bringers.
On Substack, the win is not just that someone listens. The win is they forward, comment, restack, reply, and invite the right people into your world. Design episodes that make the bringers bring.
🔥 Profitable — Turn your podcast into an owned-audience asset.
Substack Podcasting is the blue ocean most entrepreneurs are still ignoring. Use it to connect your voice, your email list, your thought leadership, and your premium offer pathway so your podcast supports revenue without depending on viral clips or sponsor checks.
xoxoxo,
Jen
Become Memorable
Collaborate with likeminded creators - and learn from them!
Your podcast does not become memorable because you published another episode.
It becomes memorable when your ideas start traveling without your mouth and your pages sharing them all by yourself.
This week, I went Live with Jennifer Blake Gluckow, author of The Money Faucet Files, and this is exactly why I keep talking about curated collaboration inside Substack Podcast Studio.
Not random networking.
Not “let’s pick each other’s brains.”
Not “maybe this will get me visibility.”
I’m talking about aligned collaboration with people who make your ideas sharper, your audience richer, and your podcast easier to remember.
Because when you’re in the right rooms with the right creators, your message has more places to land.
🎬 Teeny Tiny Action: Make sure you’re sending the right message with your Substack Bio.
Small update.
Big potential.
Use this template to iterate:
1. Who you help + what result you help them get
I help [who] [get what result].
2. What they get to stop doing + what they get instead
Bye-bye [pain point]. Hello [desired result].
3. Your edge / point of view
My [experience/brain/background] is allergic to [wasteful strategy].
P.S. If your bio on Substack is not as clear as the two Jen examples you see below, it needs an update. Keep your bio outcome focused, engaging and clear.
Our next Studio Event is happening Monday, June 19th!
The Ultimate Substack Podcast Guide for Beginners - LIVE with Jen🎤︎︎ June 19th
Become Referable
Lives are not just content.
This week, I also went live with Jim Chianese of The Encore Society.
Lives are network-building, trust-building, audience-sharing opportunities — when you do them with the right people.
Do not go Live with someone just because they asked.
You have a responsibility to protect your brand, your audience, and the room you’re building.
Your podcast becomes more referable when people trust you.
Yes, and…
That includes your guests.
Your collaborators.
Your Lives.
Your recommendations.
Your Substack ecosystem.
The goal is not more exposure.
The goal is meaningful connection with the right adjacent audiences.
That’s how OPAs — other people’s audiences — work. Not by grabbing attention, but by mutual trust building.
🎬 Teeny Tiny Action: Find 3 next collaborators to go live with. You’ll know them by their fruit Substack profile.
Don’t know how to find your collaborators?
Click on explore on the left side of your Substack main page. Then, click keywords in the “Search Substack” box on the right.
Write down three people you would be proud to go Live with.
Not just because they have an audience.
Because their values, audience, message, and energy make sense next to yours.
Then choose one and pre-connect before you pitch anything.
Inside the Substack Podcast Studio, we’re collaborating for our mutual success. Come on inside!
Become Profitable
Listen, I ranted in the last episode…politely of course…about your CTAs.
There’s a CTA that converts and a CTA that’s a bunch of hot air.
The non-converter: Subscribe to my show, leave a review on my podcast, share it with a friend!
Listen. “Leave a review” is not the CTA move that builds your premium pipeline.
Your podcast needs to direct people to the next logical step.
Not the easiest CTA.
Not the default CTA.
Not the “every podcaster says this at the end” CTA.
The next logical step.
That could be joining your Substack.
Registering for a Studio Event.
Booking a Mic Drop Mastery Power Hour.
Becoming a paid subscriber.
Starting a consult.
Entering your premium pipeline.
Your podcast must not leave people stranded.
An inspirational podcast episode is not a converting episode.
(Case in point: a you tube podcaster I know with more than 150,000 views of her inspirational content and zero dollars in the bank.)
If your people are listening and leaning in, give them somewhere to go.
🎬 Teeny tiny action: Listen to episode #9 of the Substack Podcast Studio to reframe how to sell on your podcast.
You’ll hear Why “Rate and Review” is Killing Your Podcast Conversions (And The 3-Part Framework to Use Instead)
Join us during JUNE inside the Substack Podcast Studio. Let’s get your premium pipeline built so you can go play.
Links & Resources:
Need a game plan? Book a 1:1 Mic Drop Mastery Power Hour with me to get your strategy locked in.
Ready to go all-in? If you’re at the level where you’re ready to invest $2k+ in a full-scale system build-out, start by booking a complimentary consult here. Let’s ensure your business model and your podcast are speaking the same language. https://thevirtualpodcastschool.com/consult.
SUBSCRIBER Tiers are open! As I write this on Friday, there are four 3 spots left!!! Make sure you are subscribed to my Substack! June’s my birthday month, and I just launched an exclusive, private paid tier with some sweet surprises along the way!
