Episode 187

Why Growing Your Audience Can Be a Trap!

Published on: 9th April, 2026

Growing your audience is often seen as the primary goal for podcasters—but it’s not enough on its own to build a successful business.

In this episode, Gordon Firemark challenges the common advice to “just grow your audience” and explains why that approach can lead to frustration, burnout, and stalled income if it’s not paired with a clear business model.

Many creators find that as their audience grows, so do their demands—more content, more pressure, more time investment—without a corresponding increase in revenue. This episode explores why that happens and what creators should be focusing on instead.

In this episode:

  1. Why audience growth alone doesn’t create a business
  2. How growth can amplify existing weaknesses in your strategy
  3. The risks of relying on platforms instead of owning your audience
  4. The hidden costs of chasing growth without a monetization plan
  5. Why more attention doesn’t always mean more income
  6. What creators should build alongside their content to create sustainability

If you’re working to grow your podcast, this episode will help you think more strategically about what that growth is actually for—and how to turn it into something that supports your long-term goals.

Resources & Links:

Book a strategy call with me: https://firemark.com/strategy

Join the waitlist for the Media Mogul Method Masterclass: https://waitlist.makeamogul.com

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About the Podcast

Legit Podcast Pro
Exploring Podcasting through the legal and business lens from The Podcast Lawyer™, Gordon Firemark
Take your podcast to new levels of professionalism and profit. Join The Podcast Lawyer™ Gordon Firemark for tips, strategies, advice and Q&A with top podcasters. Learn how to grow and profit from your podcast like a pro.

About your host

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Gordon Firemark

Gordon Firemark (gordonfiremark.com) has practiced media and entertainment law in Los Angeles since 1992. Widely known as The Podcast Lawyer™ (ThePodcastLawyer.com), he has spent his career helping creative industry professionals make deals that make sense, and that get their productions developed, financed, produced and distributed. His practice also covers copyrights, trademarks, business transactions, and corporate matters for clients in media and entertainment.