Stop Chasing CPMs: How Community, Feedback, and Newsletters Future‑Proof Your Podcast

Stop Chasing CPMs: How Community, Feedback, and Newsletters Future‑Proof Your Podcast

From School of Podcasting: Expert Tips for Launching and Growing Your Podcast by Dave Jackson

July 20, 2026 · 30 min · Episode 1045

About this episode

This episode discusses how to future-proof your podcast by focusing on community, feedback, and newsletters instead of relying on ad revenue.

When your CPMs start shrinking and programmatic ads feel like a losing game, it’s easy to wonder if podcasting is still worth it. In this episode, I want to show you a different path—one that doesn’t depend on ad tech behaving itself. I’m going to walk you through why community beats downloads, how smart feedback (like what Jack Rhysider does) can radically improve your show before it ever launches, and how simple tools like newsletters and Podpage can help you build a deeper relationship with your audience so your podcast is future‑proof, no matter what happens to ad rates. Don't Take My Word For It I heard it from on the Podbiz Show. Hall of Famer Leo Laporte shares a bit of history with ads, and Podfather Adam Curry explains how to future-proof your podcast. Brian Barletta explains how we need to move on from trying to get stats that are not possible, and focus on growing the industry. Get Your Head Straight I also talk about how I was inspired by writer Talyor Sheridan cold care less about the critics. He write the way he wants to write, about what he wants to write about and now his audience has found him and he is making a killing. Get Your Content Straight Geddy Lee has…

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