Stop Guessing—Start Measuring. Turn Every Podcast Interview into Real Business Results
If you’ve ever invested time and energy into being a guest on a podcast and walked away wondering, “Was that actually worth it?”—you’re not alone.
One of the most common questions we hear from podcast guests is: How can I better track the impact of my podcast interviews?
So our Founder Tom Schwab and Operations Manager Jessica Morgan sat down for a candid and insight-packed discussion about this exact challenge.
Here five key takeaways from their honest, strategic examination on how businesses can move beyond vanity metrics and start tracking what really matters.
Why Vanity Metrics Fall Short
It’s tempting to chase big shows with huge download numbers or well-known hosts, but as Jessica pointed out, “Bigger isn’t always better.” Metrics like downloads, subscribers, or even social media likes can be misleading if they’re not tied to tangible business outcomes. Instead of measuring what looks good on paper, focus on what actually moves the needle for your business.
Success looks different for everyone. A coach promoting a new book, a SaaS founder looking for leads, and a university professor building thought leadership all have different definitions of success—and their metrics should reflect that.
It Starts With SMART Goals
It’s tempting to chase big shows with huge download numbers or well-known hosts, but as Jessica pointed out, “Bigger isn’t always better.” Metrics like downloads, subscribers, or even social media likes can be misleading if they’re not tied to tangible business outcomes. Instead of measuring what looks good on paper, focus on what actually moves the needle for your business.
Success looks different for everyone. A coach promoting a new book, a SaaS founder looking for leads, and a university professor building thought leadership all have different definitions of success—and their metrics should reflect that.
A New Solution
One of the most exciting developments discussed in the episode is the Podcast Authority Score, a new metric Interview Valet is developing in partnership with a leading AI firm. Unlike traditional reach-based metrics, the Podcast Authority Score will assess shows based on relevance, engagement, niche influence, and business alignment.
This tool will allow guests to evaluate a podcast’s true business value—not just its popularity. As Jessica explained, being a guest on a small, highly targeted podcast like The Financial Advisor Masterclass could yield far better ROI than appearing on a massive general-audience show.
Track Both Quantitative and Qualitative Impact
Tracking success isn’t just about numbers. Yes, tools like welcome pages and UTM links help measure traffic, conversions, and lead quality—but there’s also value in qualitative indicators. Did a host introduce you to a new opportunity? Did you receive follow-up invitations for interviews or speaking gigs? Did the episode help close a sale faster?
Jessica emphasized the power of podcast interviews to act as social proof, strengthen brand authority, and improve conversion rates. Clients often report that one high-value podcast interview was worth the entire campaign—because it landed the right client at the right time.
Give It Time - And Trust The Data
Podcast Interview Marketing isn’t a quick win. From scheduling to air dates to audience impact, results take time. According to Interview Valet’s research, the average time from initial outreach to a podcast going live is 83 days. That’s why it’s critical to play the long game, trust the process, and allow your strategy to evolve based on real feedback and data—not just gut feelings.
Podcast interviews are more than PR—they’re strategic marketing assets that, when tracked properly, can drive real business growth. By setting clear goals, focusing on meaningful metrics, and using tools like the Podcast Authority Score, you can finally answer the question: Was it worth it?
Spoiler alert: When done right, the answer is almost always yes.
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