Building Authority-Driven Podcasts Using Perplexity Research
Written by Fred Ferguson – GeezerWise on Substack at www.geezerwise.com #Perplexity
Most podcasts fail because they’re just conversations — no clear takeaway for the listener.
Hosts talk about whatever’s on their mind, invite whoever says yes, and hope people stick around for the banter. But “interesting” isn’t enough to build real authority in your space.
The truth? Too many business podcasts are designed for the host’s benefit — not the audience’s.
Networking. Practice speaking. Self-promotion.
Meanwhile, listeners get no consistent value… and they don’t come back.
Perplexity changes the game
With Perplexity, you can uncover:
Topics your audience wants but can’t find
Questions no one else is answering
Perspectives missing from the conversation
Fill those gaps, and your podcast stops being noise — it becomes a trusted source.
Step 1: Find unmet content needs
What’s missing from existing shows?
What topics deserve deeper coverage?
Unmet needs are your entry point for high-value content.
Step 2: Study authority models
What do respected podcasts in your field do right?
What formats make them credible?
Model their success — avoid their mistakes.
Step 3: Book guests your audience actually wants
Find the thinkers, practitioners, and voices they already respect.
Your guest strategy should reflect their wish list, not just your personal network.
Step 4: Match their preferred format
Interviews, solo deep-dives, panels, case studies — choose based on what fits their listening habits and time constraints.
Step 5: Make it actionable
Go beyond “interesting.”
Deliver steps they can take, tools they can use, and results they can track.
Step 6: Add timeliness
Research seasonal spikes, trending topics, and current events. Drop the right episode at the right time.
Step 7: Spot the competitive gaps
Find the audiences, angles, and depths that other shows overlook. Fill them.
Step 8: Create shareable moments
Find insights that make people say, “You’ve got to hear this.” These become clips, quotes, and organic marketing fuel.
Step 9: Build credibility
Know what credentials, experience, or proof your audience expects from an authoritative host — and make sure you meet them.
Step 10: Nail distribution and retention
Know where your audience discovers podcasts and why they subscribe. Build for return listeners, not just one-time plays.
Authority-driven podcasts aren’t about more episodes or bigger guest names. They’re about consistent, specific value that your audience actually needs.
With Perplexity as your research engine, you don’t just host a show… you become the voice people trust in your field.
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