Podcast Audit Case Study: How The Small Nonprofit Grew Downloads 60% and Hit #1 Rankings
Client: Maria rio | Small Nonprofit
niche: Nonprofit leadership + fundraising
Service: podcast audit + execution package
375% increase in Youtube views
Maria Rio, host of The Small Nonprofit (Top 2% podcast worldwide), helps nonprofit organizations tackle big challenges with practical strategies that are community-centric. She came to us looking for growth and alignment.
Check out one of her episodes:
"Since the podcast audit, we’ve seen a 60% increase in downloads over the last 30 days.” — Maria Rio
the challenge
Maria had already built The Small Nonprofit into a respected show, but she wasn’t satisfied with its performance. Despite consistent publishing, she felt her podcast wasn’t fully aligned with her business goals, nor was it generating the level of engagement she knew was possible.
She wanted clarity on:
→ How to better position her podcast for growth.
→ How to optimize discoverability on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
→ How to make episodes resonate more deeply with her target audience.
→ How to turn the podcast into a stronger driver of visibility and authority for her brand.
the audit
Maria booked a Podcast Audit, which included:
✓ A full two weeks of review across her podcast, website, social media, and YouTube channel.
✓ Keyword research (20–30 terms) to identify opportunities for ranking.
✓ A written 10–12 page SWOT report with insights and recommendations.
✓ A video walkthrough explaining every section of the report.
the execution package:
Maria chose to move forward with the Execution Package so the Ideablossoms team could implement the recommendations inside her Podcast Audit Report. This included:
SEO & Content Optimization:
✓ Optimized 50 episode titles and show notes on Buzzsprout and YouTube.
✓ Researched and applied targeted keywords to improve discoverability.
Brand & Creative Updates
✓ Designed a new podcast cover and updated description.
✓ Designed 50 new YouTube thumbnails to stand out in feeds.
✓ Updated podcast settings on Buzzsprout and YouTube for better performance in Apple Charts.
Marketing Strategy Enhancements
✓ Built a simple framework for story-driven LinkedIn posts and newsletter content.
✓ Replaced “new episode” announcements with messaging that positions the podcast as a solution to problems, encouraging more engagement and action.
✓ Created a new podcast workflow + updated SOPs to reflect changes
Content Strategy
✓ Identified opportunities for new episode segments that spotlighted Maria’s own expertise and business, instead of primarily highlighting guests.
✓ Provided editing recommendations to increase retention and watch time (shorter intros, stronger hooks, more engaging visuals).
Exposure Strategies
✓ Suggested ad opportunities outside her existing audience “bubble.”
✓ Highlighted ways to leverage podcast analytics for smarter content decisions.
and since the podcast audit we've seen:
APPLE PODCASTS & YOUTUBE
Apple Podcasts Rankings:
- Small Nonprofit is now in Top 5 search results for 12 of 33 researched keywords.
- And it gets better! It’s the #1 search result for high-impact keywords, such as: “nonprofit,” “nonprofit fundraising,” “nonprofit capacity building,” “community-centric fundraising,” and “fundraising ideas for nonprofit organizations.”
YouTube Analytics:
- 375% increase in views
- 324% increase in watch time
- 240% increase in subscribers
before and after
Before the Audit, The Small Nonprofit’s YouTube Thumbnails all looked similar—using the same template, small text, and little visual variety. They blended into the feed instead of standing out.
As part of the Execution Package, we designed 50 new thumbnails aligned with Maria’s refreshed branding. Each design highlights important keywords, bold visuals, and clear messaging to capture attention, reflect authority, and drive organic traffic from YouTube search and recommendations.
Along with optimizing 50 past episodes to enfuse keywords from our SEO research, we also redesigned the podcast cover and rewrote the show description. The goal was to create a look and message that not only reflected Maria’s updated branding, but also improved organic discoverability on podcast apps. A strong visual identity paired with a keyword-rich description helps attract new listeners, stand out in crowded feeds, and drive steady traffic over time.
podcast audit testimonial
Thanks to the execution package, we were able to optimize 50 episode titles and show notes within 90 days, allowing The Small Nonprofit Podcast to dominate certain keyword searches as you can see in the screenshots to the right.
"I feel excited about what's to come with the podcast. I know the direction that I'm heading in, and this clarity has greatly been because of working with Rosa."
Maria’s story shows how a Podcast Audit paired with strategic execution can transform a show from plateaued growth to top rankings and measurable results. By aligning her podcast with her audience’s needs and optimizing discoverability, Maria is now reaching more listeners, driving stronger engagement, and building her authority in the nonprofit sector.
our impact
We’re very proud to be a part of the B1G1 Business for Good Initiative.
B1G1 is a certified B Corp that helps small businesses like ours give back and do more for the world.
commonly asked
questions
Our package starts at $1,200. You can see all that’s inlcuded here as well as optional add-ons.
Yes! Part of the audit is dedicated to looking at Charts and your podcast settings to ensure we increase your chances of being featured higher in your category chart inside Apple Podcasts. Our clients have been featured in the top 200, top 100, and even top 10 in their categories in The US and abroad.
Yes. If you already have a podcast but you’re more than ready to outsource, we’re here for you. Keep scrolling down to see our podcast management packages 👇
We use Dubsado to manage clients and projects, so you’ll be able to choose the payment method best fit to you once we send you the invoice. Right now, you have the option of paying in full, or in 2 or 3 installments depending on the level of investment. If you need something else, please don’t be shy and tell me when we have our first call. Maybe I can give you what you need.
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