The "Reverse Skyscraper" Podcast Method: How I'm Building a Content Empire One Episode at a Time (And You Can Too)

Let me tell you about the day I realized I'd been doing podcasting completely backwards.

There I was, recording my 47th episode about "general marketing tips" - you know, the kind of vanilla content that tastes like cardboard and disappears faster than free donuts at a startup meeting.

My download numbers? Flatliner. My website traffic? Tumbleweed city.

Then I stumbled onto Brian Dean's Skyscraper Technique and had an epiphany: What if I flipped this entire strategy on its head for podcasting?

The result? In 90 days, my podcast downloads tripled, my website traffic jumped 487%, and I built an email list that actually responds to my emails (I know, shocking).

Let me show you exactly how I did it - and how you can steal this playbook for your own podcast.

What the Hell is the "Reverse Skyscraper" Method?

Brian Dean's original Skyscraper Technique is simple:

1. Find content that's already ranking

2. Create something 10x better

3. Promote it

But here's the problem: Everyone's already doing this for blog posts. The competition is brutal.

The Reverse Skyscraper flips the script for podcasting:

Instead of finding great podcast content and making it better, you find topics with high search demand but mediocre podcast coverage (because there's hunger for deep content but nobody's delivering), and then you absolutely demolish the competition with a comprehensive, definitive podcast episode.

Think of it like this: You're not trying to build a taller skyscraper in Manhattan. You're finding empty lots in growing neighborhoods and building the first skyscraper there.

The 4-Step Reverse Skyscraper Formula for Podcasters

Step 1: Hunt for "Goldilocks Gaps" in Podcast Content

You're looking for topics that have:

• ✅ High search volume (10K+ monthly searches)

• ✅ Commercial or problem-solving intent (people want solutions)

• ✅ Weak existing podcast content (surface-level episodes, outdated info, or no comprehensive coverage)

• ✅ Perfect for deep-dive format (complex enough for 60-90 minutes of valuable content)

My secret weapons:

• Ahrefs Content Gap tool

• AlsoAsked.com (for question variations)

• Reddit/Quora threads with lots of engagement but no good podcast recommendations

• YouTube comments saying "I wish there was a podcast episode that explained X better"

• Apple Podcasts reviews complaining about shallow coverage

Real example from my journey:

I found "how to repurpose podcast content" had 8,900 monthly searches. When I searched Apple Podcasts and Spotify? Only three episodes existed, all under 25 minutes, all superficial advice from 2020-2021.

Opportunity? MASSIVE.

Step 2: Create the Definitive Podcast Episode

This is where most podcasters wimp out. They create a 20-minute "quick tips" episode.

Wrong.

You need to create the masterclass episode that makes every other podcast episode on this topic obsolete.

My 90-minute podcast episode framework:

Minutes 1-10: The Hook

• Tell a story that illustrates the problem

• Share a shocking statistic or insight

• Preview the transformation they'll get by listening

• Make a bold promise you'll deliver on

Minutes 11-70: The Deep Dive

• Cover EVERY angle of the topic comprehensively

• Include case studies, examples, and real data

• Interview an expert guest (adds authority and different perspectives)

• Address common objections and mistakes your listeners make

• Share your own failures and lessons learned (builds trust)

• Break down complex concepts into actionable steps

Minutes 71-85: The Implementation Blueprint

• Step-by-step action plan listeners can follow immediately

• Tools and resources they'll need

• Realistic timeline and expectations

• Common pitfalls to avoid (save them time and money)

Minutes 86-90: The Call to Action

• Recap the key insights in 60 seconds

• Give them ONE next step to take today

• Invite them to continue the conversation in your community

🎯 Want to see the exact templates, scripts, and AI prompts I use to create these killer episodes? Join 2,000+ podcasters inside The Evolved Influence Academy - our free community where we're rewriting the rules of podcasting with AI, systems, and strategies that actually work. (No fluff, just actionable stuff.)

Step 3: Multiply That Podcast Content Like a Boss

Here's where the magic happens. That single 90-minute podcast episode becomes 23 pieces of content:

Written Content:

1. Full transcript (3,500+ words, SEO-optimized for your website)

2. Ultimate guide blog post (expanding on the podcast episode)

3. LinkedIn article (podcast insights formatted for LinkedIn)

4. Medium post (reaching new audiences)

5. Twitter thread (10-15 tweets with key takeaways)

6. Email sequence (5 emails nurturing your podcast listeners)

Visual Content: 7-16. 10 short-form videos (Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts with audiograms) 17-20. 4 quote graphics (shareable soundbites from your episode) 21. Carousel post for LinkedIn/Instagram (episode breakdown) 22. Infographic summarizing key points from your podcast

Audio: 23. Audiogram clips for social promotion (driving traffic back to full episode)

Each piece links back to your podcast. Each piece targets different keywords. Each piece reaches different audiences who prefer different formats.

This is how you dominate as a podcaster.

Step 4: Strategic Podcast Promotion (The Secret Sauce)

Most podcasters hit "publish" and pray. That's not a strategy - that's a slot machine.

Here's my 48-hour podcast launch sequence:

Hour 0: Episode goes live on all podcast platforms Hour 1: Email my list with the episode link + show notes Hour 2: Post full transcript to website with embedded player Hour 4: YouTube video version goes live Hour 6: Share 3 audiogram clips on Instagram/LinkedIn Hour 24: Post Twitter thread with timestamp links Hour 36: Submit episode to relevant Reddit communities and Facebook groups Hour 48: Reach out to 5 influencers mentioned in the podcast episode

The result? Immediate download spike, social shares, podcast reviews, and backlinks starting to flow.

The Real-World Podcasting Results (No BS)

Let me show you what happened when I applied this to my own podcast:

Episode #52: "The Complete AI Podcasting Workflow"

• 89 minutes of pure podcast value

• Published: March 2024

• Results after 90 days:

  • 12,400 podcast downloads

  • 847 website visits from show notes

  • Ranked #3 podcast on Apple Podcasts for "AI podcasting"

  • 94 new email subscribers from podcast listeners

  • 6 consulting inquiries worth $18,000 (from podcast listeners)

Episode #58: "Podcast SEO: The 2024 Definitive Guide"

• 76 minutes

• Published: May 2024

• Results after 60 days:

  • 8,900 podcast downloads

  • 1,243 website visits from show notes

  • Ranked #5 podcast on Spotify for "podcast SEO"

  • Featured in 3 industry newsletters

  • 2 guest podcast invitations from listeners

The pattern? Deep-dive podcast episodes on topics with mediocre existing coverage consistently outperform my "quick tip" episodes by 400-600%.

Why This Works for Podcasters (The Psychology)

1. You're solving real problems: High search volume = real demand from potential listeners 2. You're filling a podcast void: Mediocre content = opportunity to become THE authority 3. You're building podcast authority: Comprehensive episodes = trustworthy expert status 4. You're creating shareable content: Quality podcast episodes get recommended, shared, and linked to

Plus, in an age of 3-minute TikToks and "listicles," going DEEP in your podcast is a competitive advantage.

People are starving for substantive podcast content.

Your 30-Day Reverse Skyscraper Podcast Challenge

Want to test this method? Here's your podcaster roadmap:

Week 1: Research Your Podcast Topic

• Identify 10 Goldilocks Gap topics for podcast episodes

• Validate search volume and existing podcast competition

• Choose your first podcast topic

Week 2: Podcast Preparation

• Create detailed podcast episode outline

• Book expert guest for your podcast (if applicable)

• Prepare interview questions and talking points

• Set up recording equipment and test audio quality

Week 3: Podcast Production

• Record the podcast episode

• Edit for quality audio

• Create transcript

• Design podcast cover art and audiograms

Week 4: Podcast Multiplication & Launch

• Write show notes (2,000+ words)

• Create video version for YouTube

• Prepare social content from podcast clips

• Execute podcast launch sequence

Sound overwhelming? It's not when you have the right podcast systems and AI tools doing the heavy lifting.

💡 Inside The Evolved Influence Academy, we've got:

• AI prompts that write your podcast show notes in 5 minutes

• Podcast content multiplication workflows

• Weekly coaching calls where we troubleshoot your podcast strategy

• A community of podcasters who actually get it

Did I mention it's completely free? Yeah, no credit card, no upsells, just pure podcasting value. Click here to join us.

The Biggest Podcasting Mistakes I See (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake #1: Choosing Too Broad a Podcast Topic ❌ "How to Market Your Business" (way too general for a podcast) ✅ "How to Use LinkedIn Carousel Posts to Generate B2B Leads in 2024" (specific, actionable podcast content)

Mistake #2: Skimping on Podcast Quality Your goal is to make every other podcast episode on this topic obsolete. If you're not prepared to do that, choose a different podcast topic.

Mistake #3: Forgetting the Podcast Content Multiplication The podcast episode is just the beginning. If you're not repurposing your podcast into 20+ pieces of content, you're leaving 90% of the value on the table.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Podcast SEO Your podcast show notes should be 2,000+ words, keyword-optimized, and structured with H2/H3 headers. Podcast timestamps are non-negotiable. Your podcast needs to be discoverable.

Mistake #5: Publishing Your Podcast and Ghosting Podcast promotion is 50% of the work. Budget time for it.

The Podcasting Tools That Make This Possible

You don't need a massive budget, but you do need the right podcast stack:

Podcast Research: Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest Podcast Recording: Riverside.fm or SquadCast Podcast Editing: Descript (AI podcast editing is a game-changer) Podcast Transcription: Descript or Otter.ai Podcast Repurposing: OpusClip, Headliner, Canva, ChatGPT Podcast SEO: Yoast, Rank Math, or Surfer SEO Podcast Analytics: Chartable, Podtrac, Spotify for Podcasters

Pro tip: Most of these podcast tools have free tiers or trials. Start there.

And if you want to see exactly how I use AI to cut my podcast production time from 8 hours to 90 minutes per episode, join us inside the Academy - I break down my entire podcast workflow in a free training.

The Podcast Content Multiplier Effect

Here's what happens when you consistently apply this method to your podcast:

Month 1: You publish 4 Reverse Skyscraper podcast episodes

• = 92 pieces of content from your podcast

• = 4 podcast topics ranking for major keywords

• = Podcast foundation being built

Month 3: You've published 12 podcast episodes

• = 276 pieces of content from your podcast

• = Podcast topic clusters forming

• = Backlinks to your podcast starting to flow

• = Podcast downloads increasing 200-400%

Month 6: You've published 24 podcast episodes

• = 552 pieces of content from your podcast

• = Authority podcaster status

• = Passive podcast discovery machine

• = Consistent lead generation from podcast

• = Podcast downloads up 600-1000%

Month 12: You've published 48 podcast episodes

• = 1,104 pieces of content from your podcast

• = Industry thought leader via podcast

• = Compound podcast growth effect

• = Podcast downloads up 1000-1500%

This isn't theory. This is the exact podcasting trajectory I followed.

The Truth About Overnight Podcast Success

Spoiler alert: Building a successful podcast takes about 6-12 months.

I know that's not sexy. I know you want the "get 100K podcast downloads in 30 days" headline.

But here's the thing: those podcast shortcuts don't exist. The podcasters who blow up overnight either:

1. Had an existing audience before podcasting

2. Got incredibly lucky

3. Are lying about their podcast numbers

The Reverse Skyscraper podcast method is different. It's:

• ✅ Sustainable for long-term podcasting success

• ✅ Predictable podcast growth

• ✅ Scalable as your podcast grows

• ✅ Algorithm-proof podcasting strategy

You're building a genuine podcast asset, not chasing viral podcast moments.

What Happens Next for Your Podcast?

You have two choices:

Choice 1: Bookmark this post, think "that's interesting," and go back to creating mediocre podcast episodes that get mediocre downloads.

Choice 2: Pick ONE Goldilocks Gap topic this week for your podcast, block out time to record a killer episode, and start building your podcasting empire.

I can't make you choose #2. But I can tell you that every successful podcaster I know chose #2 at some point.

They stopped dabbling with podcasting and started dominating their podcast niche.

🚀 Ready to go all-in on your podcast? Join The Evolved Influence Academy and surround yourself with 2,000+ podcasters who are doing the work, sharing their podcast wins, and helping each other level up. We've got:

• Weekly "Reverse Skyscraper Podcast Topic Brainstorms"

• AI workflow libraries for podcasters that'll save you 20+ hours per month

• Guest expert trainings on podcast SEO, content strategy, and podcast growth

• A community that actually gives a damn about your podcast success

Zero cost. Maximum value. Click to join now.

My Podcasting Challenge to You

Create ONE Reverse Skyscraper podcast episode in the next 30 days.

Just one.

See what happens to your podcast downloads.

Track your downloads, your website traffic from show notes, your email signups from podcast listeners.

Then come back and tell me if this podcast method works.

Spoiler: It will.

And when you're ready to scale your podcast from one episode to fifty? You know where to find me. See you inside the Academy.

Now stop reading and start recording your podcast. Your podcasting empire is waiting.

P.S. - The "Evolved Influence" Difference for Podcasters

Look, I could sell you a $2,000 podcasting course on this stuff. Plenty of people do.

Instead, I built The Evolved Influence Academy as a completely free community because I believe the best podcasting strategies spread when they're accessible to everyone.

Inside, you'll find:

• The exact templates and workflows I use for Reverse Skyscraper podcast episodes

• AI prompt libraries that do 80% of your podcast production work

• Live weekly coaching where we optimize YOUR podcast strategy

• Case studies from podcasters who've 10xed their downloads

• A judgment-free zone to ask "dumb podcast questions" (there are no dumb questions)

The catch? There is none. It's free because I want to raise the bar for the entire podcasting industry.

Join 2,000+ podcasters who are building smarter, not harder. Click here to get instant access.

How to Build Backlinks from Authority Websites to Your Podcast

Now that you have this killer podcast content, here's your 90-day backlink building strategy to get your podcast featured on major websites:

Strategy #1: The Data-Driven Podcast PR Play

Action: Turn your Reverse Skyscraper podcast results into a case study with hard data.

Pitch your podcast to:

• Entrepreneur.com

• Forbes.com (Contributor program)

• HubSpot Blog

• Content Marketing Institute

• Social Media Examiner

• Podcast Insights

• The Podcast Host

Email Template:

Subject: Case Study: 487% Podcast Download Increase Using "Reverse Skyscraper" Method

Hi [Name],
I noticed your recent article on [related topic] and thought you might be interested in a unique podcasting case study.

I've developed a podcasting method that consistently delivers 400-600% download increases by targeting high-demand topics with mediocre existing podcast coverage. I call it the "Reverse Skyscraper" podcast technique.

The podcast results:
- 487% podcast download increase in 90 days
- Episodes averaging 8,000+ downloads
- Consistent #3-5 podcast rankings on Apple Podcasts for competitive keywords

Would this be interesting for [Publication]'s podcasting audience? I can provide:
- Exclusive data and screenshots from my podcast analytics
- Step-by-step breakdown of the podcasting method
- Expert commentary on podcast growth

I've written a detailed breakdown here: [Your Blog URL]
Let me know if you'd like to discuss this podcasting strategy further.
Best,
[Your Name]

Strategy #10: The Strategic Podcast Partnership

Action: Partner with complementary podcast tools/platforms

Potential podcast partners:

• Descript (podcast editing tool)

• Riverside.fm (podcast recording platform)

• Headliner (podcast audiogram tool)

• Buzzsprout (podcast hosting)

• Podchaser (podcast discovery)

• Transistor (podcast hosting)

• Captivate.fm (podcast hosting)

Offer: Feature them in your blog as recommended podcast tools, ask for reciprocal link in their resources/blog

Podcast Backlink Results Timeline

Weeks 1-2:

• 5-10 backlinks from quick wins (HARO, broken links)

Weeks 3-6:

• 10-20 backlinks from podcast guest posts and roundups

Weeks 7-12:

• 20-50 backlinks as podcast articles get published, research shared

Target: 50-100 quality backlinks to your podcast content in 90 days

Tools You'll Need for Podcast Link Building

• Ahrefs or SEMrush - Backlink research for podcast content

• Hunter.io - Find email addresses of podcast editors

• HARO - Media opportunities for podcasters

• BuzzSumo - Podcast content research

• Pitchbox or Mailshake - Outreach automation for podcast pitches

The bottom line for podcasters: Great podcast content gets links, but great podcast content + strategic outreach gets way more links, way faster.

Want help executing this podcast backlink strategy? Join The Evolved Influence Academy where we have podcast outreach templates, accountability partners, and weekly link-building sprints specifically for podcasters. See you inside! 🚀