How to build a profitable podcast.
This post will show you EXACTLY how to establish a podcast and monetise it.
The days of broadcasting solely through radio are long gone…
The world is craving something more… Fortunately, podcasts came at the right time with different genres and more speakers than you can ever imagine.
You’ve heard of the hit podcast Serial, right? The popular true-crime show has broken records and has captivated millions of listeners worldwide.
Or one of the top talk podcasts worldwide, the Joe Rogan Experience, and the amount of fame it has gathered since podcasts came into existence.
Podcasts are experiencing a massive surge in popularity. They are an engaging medium that allows you to develop your expertise, differentiate yourself from the competition, and offer another way to interact with your audience.
But it seems like everyone has jumped on the bandwagon to get their show off the ground and make money with it.
With so many options and opportunities in podcasting, it can be challenging to figure out where to start when you’re looking at creating your podcast and making money from it.
Thankfully, this comprehensive guide on starting a podcast and making money will help you with everything from hosting providers and equipment to distribution methods and monetisation strategies to understand better how the modern podcasting industry works.
Think about what a podcast can offer if you’re thinking about starting a podcast but aren’t sure if it will be worth your time.
By starting a podcast, you can:
These things can translate into more business for you, so many people start podcasts.
Now that we know why people start podcasts let’s quickly talk about how they get started.
These steps are the method that successful podcasters have used to carve out a name for themselves in the podcasting world.
Please, follow along…
How do you start a podcast?
The first thing you need to do is develop a topic you want to discuss on your show.
It could be anything from sports (if you’re passionate about sports) to cooking (if food is something that interests you).
Once you know what type of content you want to produce, it’s time to decide if you wish to host your show or join someone else’s show as a guest.
You can find shows by searching Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts by keyword, checking out online forums for specific topics (like Reddit), looking at other podcasts in your niche, joining Facebook groups related to those topics, and even asking friends who might be interested in creating their shows.
Coming up with a name can be an arduous task, especially if you aren’t sure what kind of podcast you’re looking to create.
Consider your niche and how it relates to your potential audience.
If that doesn’t help, look to your interests—if you love gardening, then NurturePod could work for a gardening podcast.
Finally, think about your title in search engine optimisation (SEO).
For example, The Smart Gardener is likely to rank higher than Gardening Tips From The Top Gardeners In The Country.
Also, keep in mind that names are protected by copyright law and should not infringe on someone else's trademarked name or brand.
Before we get into how to make money from your podcast, you’ll need to start a few things up.
First, you’ll need a host. You could pay for hosting out of pocket, but it will cost about $15-$25 a month (or more).
For that price, there are several options; however, you should be spending so much when you can get a freemium package on bCast.
As time goes on, you can upgrade your package, and the good thing is that you don’t need to have any tech skills, and if something goes wrong, you can chat with our engineering team and get that problem fixed.
After choosing a host, you can select which microphone or recording device works best.
There are tons available online and at electronics stores like Best Buy or Walmart.
Just be sure that whatever you buy has good reviews.
Don’t just go with what everyone says is the best mic because it might not work well with your voice or personality.
Once you have a mic, you can use software to record onto your computer. Audacity is free and does most of what other paid software does.
It also comes with tutorials, even if you don’t know much about technology.
The good news is that podcasting isn’t expensive.
You can get started as long as you have a computer (or two) and some essential equipment.
You can even use your phone if you want to, although the audio quality may suffer.
The key things to consider when setting up your studio are:
These questions are essential because you don’t want to spend money on something you won’t use.
It might seem overkill at first, but it’s better to buy once than buy twice!
Here are some great options for getting what you need if you're just starting.
I recommend starting with a USB microphone such as Blue Snowball ($70), Blue Yeti ($100), or Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ ($135).
These mics plug directly into your computer via USB and require no additional hardware other than a cable.
You’ll also need it if you plan to use your phone to record audio.
You can also get started with an inexpensive desktop mic like Samson Q2U ($50) or MXL 990 Condenser Microphone ($80).
While these microphones are more expensive, they provide higher-quality audio for those who are serious about podcasting.
The only downside is that you’ll need an interface to connect them to your computer, which can add another $50-$200 depending on what you choose.
Oh, lest I forget, I also recommend having a pop filter between your mouth and mic; they come in various shapes and sizes, but all do essentially the same thing: keep pops of air out of your recordings.
Once you have your gear together, it’s time to find somewhere quiet to record.
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy; just make sure there aren’t any windows nearby or loud fans whirring away!
Most people start by recording in their bedroom but don’t feel like you have to go there. Anywhere that gets soundproofed will work fine.
What matters most is that you won’t be distracted by outside noises during your recording session.
Finally, you need editing software—even if it’s only essential video-editing software like Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, Audacity, or GarageBand.
Edit for flow, and be sure to record more than you need.
Often, you'll use only a tiny portion of your recording, but it's better to have extra in case you need to do some cutting.
Also, make sure that your audio is clear and free of static or pops.
If you're working on an iPhone or iPad with headphones, try switching out for a better set.
You can also use software like iZotope RX Elements to clean up unwanted noise.
It will ensure that listeners aren't distracted by background noises while enjoying your podcast.
Be sure to listen back to your episode before publishing to hear if there are any significant issues.
The last thing you want is for people to start listening and then quickly click away because of bad sound quality!
Lastly, get feedback from others who will give you honest criticism about how well you've performed as a host and whether or not there are significant errors in what you've said.
After completing all pre-production, you can finally publish your episodes on a podcasting platform.
Create an account with bCast to host your podcasts and get a custom link for sharing.
You can even register a custom RSS Feed URL for your podcast to make it easy to remember and share across social media platforms.
From there, it’s just a matter of hitting publish whenever you want to release new content. (Make sure to update your feed regularly.)
It’s that simple!
Starting a podcast is no different from starting any other business; you need to create something of value to get people interested in your product.
If you start a podcast, it’s crucial that you immediately reach out to bloggers and media outlets interested in podcasts and willing to give them some free advertising.
It’s also vital that you reach out to listeners on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
Once you have listeners coming in, they will help spread the word about your podcast by telling their friends about it.
The more listens you get, the more advertisers will want to advertise on your show, making some serious money!
You should consider a few key marketing steps when starting a show where you want to make money.
First, start an email list. It’s free and easy to set up.
Then, create some social media accounts for your podcast: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
You can even use these channels to drive people back to your website or other online properties where they can sign up for your email list.
Once you have these things in place, it’s time to drive traffic back to your website using all of these channels.
Create engaging content on your website that will keep people coming back—and hopefully sharing with their friends!
When you’re thinking about starting a podcast, one of your biggest questions might be: How do I get people to listen?
The simple answer is through promotion.
Your strategy will depend on what your goals are for your show.
If you’re looking to make money with it, then you’ll want to focus on getting featured in places where others can see it and maybe even download it or subscribe.
On the other hand, if you just want to create something that allows you to share your voice with others, promoting it yourself will likely suffice.
Here are some tips for both scenarios
You should start by leveraging any connections you have to promote it.
It could mean calling up an old friend who has a large following on Twitter and asking them to retweet an episode summary for you and include a link back to whatever website you use as your landing page for new listeners.
You can also try reaching out to podcasts similar to yours or that similar cover topic and ask if they’d be willing to feature you as a guest on their show.
You can also partner with companies or other podcasters interested in cross-promoting with you.
Another way to promote your show is through Google, YouTube, and social media ads. These ads will get your show to the right audience.
Once people find your show, it’s essential that they can easily subscribe, so they don’t miss anything when you release new episodes!
The first step to monetising your podcast is to figure out what you want from it.
Once you’ve figured that out, consider how much time and effort you’re willing to put into your show.
Those questions will help shape how we move forward.
The longer you wait to start trying to monetise your podcast, the more you’re missing out on potential revenue that could come your way.
There are many ways to monetise a podcast, and it doesn’t have to be super tricky.
From my experience, there are three primary forms of revenue I like: affiliate income, product sales, and premium content membership.
Now let’s look at some ways to make money with your podcast.
Below we’ll go over some vital information about each one so you can decide what works best for you!
Most podcasts are free to listen to, but many podcasters earn money by soliciting sponsorships or advertisements for their show.
If you have a large enough audience, you can earn extra money by directly working with brands and businesses or through ad networks that specialise in podcasts.
You can also create your product or service to sell directly from your podcast. (We will talk more about that.)
Keep in mind that when it comes to monetising your podcast, you’ll need to work hard at it for a while before making significant income. But if you build an engaged audience, ads and sponsorships will eventually be worth it.
In terms of monetisation methods, advertising will likely be your most significant source of income... If you have other streams producing substantial income, they can help subsidise or even replace ad revenue as your primary source of income.
The three main types of advertising are display ads, audio ads, and video ads.
Affiliate programs are a great way to monetise your podcast.
Many podcasters offer affiliate programs on their websites or share a link with their affiliate code, such as TikTok affiliate program, with their audience.
Using an affiliate program, you can earn a commission when someone buys a product through one of your links.
You can also get a small commission for each person who clicks on one of your links and purchases something at that retailer's website.
It’s not just about money!
Another advantage of affiliate programs is getting traffic from different sources to visit your website and show.
If someone has already purchased from an online retailer, they might be interested in checking out other products available from that same company.
In addition, if you have enough traffic on your site, these visitors may eventually become listeners too!
Podcast affiliate marketing works by having a merchant promote, or push, an affiliate’s product. In exchange for promoting a merchant’s product, affiliates are paid a commission each time that item is purchased.
Affiliate marketing can be accomplished in different ways.
The most common way to do it is through links on websites. If your podcast has a website, you can add links to products you want to sell and then get paid when customers purchase those items through their link.
Another way to do it is for you to speak about it as a podcaster. Here, you would share the link to the products at the end of your show or as an advert in the middle of the show. When someone goes to the merchant website with your link and purchases something from that website, you make money.
Finding an affiliate program for your podcast is a great way to make money and one of your best options to get new listeners.
Affiliate programs are designed to help you get more traffic and conversions by partnering with relevant companies that can introduce potential customers to your product.
The ideal affiliate partners will have products relevant to your audience, be easy for people to buy from, and pay you well for driving sales their way.
If you're interested in finding out which companies offer affiliate programs, check out ShareASale or FlexOffers. You can search these directories by category or keyword to find potential affiliates for your podcast.
If you’re thinking about starting a podcast to build an audience, affiliate links can provide an easy way to make money while you focus on building your listener base.
In addition to using affiliate links in podcasts, be sure to use them on social media, YouTube videos, and any written content you produce.
Affiliate Offers: Some podcasts have affiliate links within their show notes or descriptions to earn commissions from products sold through those links.
If you’re a business owner or a writer, you might consider creating an online course for your podcast listeners.
You can charge for access to courses and use them as lead magnets to attract new customers.
Courses don’t have to be lengthy – they can be as short as one lesson or even a single video if you’re looking to monetise quickly.
Your audience will likely come from your existing content, so think about what would be most valuable to them when designing your course(s).
Here are some examples of successful podcasts that also sell online courses: Smart Passive Income (passive income), The Tim Ferriss Show (life hacking), Entrepreneur on Fire (entrepreneurship) CreativeLive (creative careers).
Crowdfunding might be an option if you’re starting a podcast with a specific goal, such as raising money for charity or funding your next big adventure.
While not technically advertising, it’s still a way to monetise your podcast.
Patreon is one of the most popular crowdfunding platforms for podcasters.
It allows fans to support their favourite creators by making monthly pledges and offers rewards based on how much they pledge.
Your listeners can also donate directly via PayPal if you have a link set up on your website.
If you have expertise in a specific area, you might consider offering coaching services.
For example, if your podcast is about fitness and nutrition, you could offer one-on-one coaching sessions to listeners who want help getting started on their fitness journey.
You can also create packages of multiple sessions or group coaching opportunities.
It is easy to monetise your podcast because it piggybacks off what you’re already doing.
The most important thing when considering monetising your podcast, the most important thing is that it adds value to your audience.
Whatever option(s) you choose, make sure they’re relevant and helpful, so they continue listening long after any initial monetary incentives are gone.
Another way to monetise your podcast is by offering premium content, such as bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes footage, or interviews with other experts.
You can offer these perks through a membership site or give them away for free on YouTube and SoundCloud.
If you have products and services that you sell online, you can use your podcast to promote those items – whether it’s a membership site or a physical product(s) like cloth, stationery, equipment, etc.
For example, if you run a fitness website and want to promote your new ebook about getting in shape over 40, consider recording an episode of your podcast dedicated to just that topic. You can visit ebook maker.
You’re uniquely positioned to host live events, if you have a podcast,
Whether it’s a meet-up at your local coffee shop or an event at a large venue, live events are an opportunity to interact with your listeners and build even more of a community around your show.
Make sure you invite some great speakers to build your audience's interest. With that, you can ask your listeners to buy tickets to these events, and you can make some money.
They are getting a good return for their money with the guest and programmes you’ll have at the event.
You can also promote products and services related to your podcast during these live events, which is another way to monetise your podcast.
If you have a podcast, you’re already an expert in your niche.
So why not get paid for sharing that expertise?
Many conferences, festivals, and events are looking for speakers on topics related to your podcast topic.
If you can put together a good presentation, it could be an easy way to make some extra money from your podcast.
Consulting can help bring your podcast to another level by providing listeners with detailed information about who you are and your podcast.
We suggest consulting deals from other podcasters in your industry to better connect with people who want to learn from and emulate what you’re doing.
With this consultation, you can help other podcasters advertise products for their clients and get a percentage from their earnings.
If you have an audience already, reach out to them! They might have some questions or advice for you before proceeding.
Also, when they find value in the collaboration, they will still share your content on social media and introduce you to their friends—or even become a guest on your show!
Either way, it’s worth considering.
One of my favourite ways to monetise a podcast is by selling digital products.
Whether it’s a workbook, eBook like we mentioned before, or something else entirely, you can create and sell your digital product(s) related to your podcast topic.
You don’t need much more than a landing page and some sales copy (which you can quickly write yourself), but some tools make it even easier to get started promptly.
One of my favourite ways to monetise a podcast is by offering paid downloads.
You can sell audio or video files related to your podcast topic, downloaded directly from your website or sent via email.
The best part about paid downloads is that you don’t need any fancy tools – all you need is an email list!
It is one of my favourite ways to monetise a podcast.
Live events are great for building community, but they’re also a great way to make money!
Instead of charging people to attend your event, charge them a small fee (or ask for donations) in exchange for access to your live recording.
Then you can sell that recording as an audio or video download, use it as a paid download on your website, or do whatever else you want with it.
One of my favourite ways to monetise a podcast is by partnering with other companies.
It can be as simple as promoting another company’s product on your show, or it could be something more involved, like a full-on partnership.
The best part about partnerships is that you don’t need to give up any of your profit – you just need to find someone who wants to partner with you!
There you have it…
How to start a podcast and make money from it…
In this post, we have taken the time to share a short description of how to start a podcast, and then we proceeded to shared 14 ways you can make money from your podcast easily without going through all that unnecessary stress in the process.
Follow up-to letter and enjoy!
If you have any questions about this process, feel free to reach out to our resident podcast experts: support@bcast.fm... we would be more than happy to advise ;)
Where you learn how to start and grow a profitable podcast.
