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Online business
33 min read

How to make money podcasting in 20 simple, practical steps (An easy guide)

Discover the best ways to make money podcasting, from sponsorships and affiliate marketing to selling courses, memberships, and digital products. Learn how beginners and experienced podcasters can turn their audience into income.

Reviewed by
Katarzyna Chmielniak
Updated on
May 27, 2026
Published on
May 26, 2026

So you’ve thought about starting a podcast. You’ve even recorded a few episodes that are on your phone or laptop.

But you’re wondering if that’ll be worth it!

Well, you should know that there are currently over 584.1 million podcast listeners, and by the end of 2026, the number is expected to reach 619 million.

statistics on podcast listeners

And making money podcasting is directly tied to your listeners. So, the fact that podcast listeners are growing shows that the industry is promising.

All that’s left is for you to find effective ways to make money podcasting.

If that’s what you want to do, then this guide is for you. I’ll show you 20 ways to make money podcasting.

I’ll also discuss how to choose the best podcast monetization method.  

Let’s go!

TL;DR

You can make money podcasting through:

  • 1. Sponsorships
  • 2. Affiliate marketing
  • 3. Sell digital products
  • 4. Offer services (consulting, coaching, freelancing)
  • 5. Crowdfunding (Patreon, memberships)
  • 6. Premium/paid podcast content
  • 7. Sell online courses
  • 8. Host paid webinars or workshops
  • 9. Sell merchandise (T-shirts, mugs, etc.)
  • 10. YouTube monetization (repurpose podcast videos)
  • 11. Licensing your content to media platforms
  • 12. Speaking engagements and events
  • 13. Build and monetize an email newsletter
  • 14. Sell ad slots directly (without networks)
  • 15. Create a paid community (Discord, Slack, Circle)
  • 16. Offer exclusive interviews or bonus episodes
  • 17. Promote your own SaaS or business
  • 18. Sell books or audiobooks
  • 19. Listener donations (Buy Me a Coffee, PayPal)
  • 20. Become a brand ambassador (long-term partnerships)
  • Now, to choose the best ways to make money podcasting, you should consider the niche, check the content type, and assess your strengths as a creator.

How to make money podcasting

1. Sponsorships

Getting sponsorship deals can help you make money podcasting.

A study by Acast revealed that 62% of listeners said they had made a purchase after hearing a host-read sponsorship. And 72% had visited an advertiser’s website after hearing a host-read sponsorship.

study by acast

Brands understand it. That’s why they pay podcasters like you to promote their products or services during your episodes.

Now, just because you have a podcast doesn’t mean you will automatically get sponsorship deals.

Most brands require 5,000 to 10,000 monthly downloads before they can get into business with a podcast.

It’s not something you can achieve overnight. But once you do so, you will easily get deals from brands. And it can be highly profitable.

In one of her blog posts, Liz Drury discussed how she started offering brands the opportunity to sponsor her podcast, the Small Business Big Network.  So far, she’s had 5 different sponsors.

What’s more, she charges £99 for a package to sponsor two episodes.

blog post story by lizy drury

Jordan Blair, the creator of the Dreamful Bedtime Stories podcast, reached out to GoKidGo, a children’s storytelling network, for sponsorship since her podcast was doing well. She got a deal worth $3,525.  

jordan blair sponsorship story

Then there’s John Lee Dumas, creator of the Entrepreneur on Fire podcast. He always shares his annual income breakdown.

In 2024, he made about $120,570 from sponsorships alone.

podcast annual income breakdown

Now, if you want to keep it legal and ethical, consult the FTC Endorsement Guides. You will see sponsorship guidelines to help you be safe.

For instance, you should always disclose your connection to the sponsor. If you receive a sponsorship deal to market a product, you should let the public know about it.

excerpt from ftc endorsement guides

That’s why, most of the time you see or hear this line: “This episode is sponsored by” or “This podcast is brought to you by.” This shows there’s a sponsorship deal.

It keeps everything transparent and trustworthy, which protects both you and the listeners.  

With all this in mind, once your podcast starts doing well, you can reach out to brands for sponsorship deals. Podcast audiences are often highly engaged and easily trust the host’s recommendations.

You can take advantage of it, but only with brands that best fit your audience.

2. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is a very popular way for people to make money podcasting.

As a podcaster, you can recommend products and add affiliate links, then earn commissions every time a listener makes a purchase. It can also be a promo code or referral partnership.

For example, Jordan Blair, creator of the Dreamful Bedtime Stories podcast, discovered that a certain company she loved had a referral program.

She found a way to include the affiliate link in the show notes and started earning around $100.

jordan blair income from affiliate ad

She went a step further and created an affiliate ad, earning over $1,000. A few months later, she was receiving steady payouts between $500 and $700.

jordan blair revenue from referral program

Jenny Kutcher, creator of the Gold Digger podcast, also earns about $15,000 monthly in affiliate commissions.

jenny kutcher earnings from affiliate commissions

The good news is that with affiliate marketing, no product creation is required, it is easy to start, and it works even with small audiences.

Listeners hear your voice every week, spend hours consuming your content, and build a strong relationship with you.

That’s exactly the reason why your recommendations are powerful.

Pro tip: Recommend products you actually use because authenticity matters heavily in podcasting.

3. Sell digital products

You can also make money podcasting by selling digital products. If you are a podcaster with some expertise in a specific field, you can monetize it.

Here’s a table of different digital products, their definitions, and the common podcast niches best suited to each.

Digital product What it is Common podcast niches
E-books Downloadable books or guides Business, self-improvement, finance
Online courses Structured educational programs Marketing, fitness, entrepreneurship
Templates Ready-made systems or documents Productivity, design, business
Checklists Step-by-step actionable resources Productivity, podcasting, health
Swipe files Pre-written examples or frameworks Copywriting, marketing, sales
Notion templates Productivity or workflow systems Creator economy, business
Worksheets Interactive exercises or planners Coaching, education, wellness
Presets/LUTs Editing styles for photo or video Photography, videography
Audio packs Sound effects, intros, or music Podcasting, media production
Webinars Recorded or live training sessions Business, education, marketing
Prompt packs AI prompts or creative frameworks AI, writing, productivity
Spreadsheets Financial trackers or business tools Finance, entrepreneurship
Private resource libraries Collections of tools and downloads Creator and educational podcasts
Mini-guides Short focused tutorials Fitness, career, freelancing
Printables Printable planners, trackers, or forms Lifestyle, productivity, parenting

With digital products, you can turn your audience into a scalable business opportunity.

Liz Drury, creator of the Small Business Big Network podcast, understands that. She has an entire shop section displaying all her digital products, from e-books to digital downloads.

liz drury online shop

Her e-book, “A Guide to Getting Started in Voiceover,” costs £4.99.

liz drury e-book checkout page

If you want to sell an e-book or a Notion template, you can easily do that using a platform designed to help you sell digital products.

Say I want to create a habit tracker on Easytools.

The first step is to choose “Digital download” from the homepage.

easytools homepage

Then name the template, add a description, and an image.

add product name and description on easycart

After that, choose a price type, specify the price, and specify how the taxes should be handled.

select price type on easycart

Then simply upload the file. If it is a link, you can add it as well.

click upload area and add file

You can also add a “Cross price.” If enabled, it displays the old price as crossed to boost conversions by +6%.

select cross price on easycart

That’s pretty much it. You have your beautiful habit tracker ready.

product on easycart

After publishing, go to “Share” in the top-right corner of the window and copy the checkout link. This is the link your podcast listeners will use to purchase the product.

copy and share link to checkout page

Remember to sell a digital product that solves one specific problem. That converts better than those generic solutions.

Also, you don’t need to rush into it. Just start simple and upgrade with time.

4. Offer services

Offering services through your podcast is a practical way to make money while podcasting and build authority.

You can use your show to attract customers for high-ticket services such as consulting, coaching, or freelancing.

For example, podcaster Liz Drury also offers other freelancing services, such as voiceover work.

liz drury other offers to make money podcasting

She even has demos to validate her expertise.

liz drury voiceover demos to make money podcasting

Now, when offering services, one thing that can help you is a professional website. It shows your online presence.

easypage edit window

You can easily add your different plans for the service(s) you offer.

pricing section on website

Your podcast will become a lead-generation system or a trust-building platform. Once you've built that trust, you can direct your listeners to your website.

5. Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a reliable option for creators who want to make money podcasting. It allows podcasters to earn recurring income directly from listeners who want to support the show.

Your audience can fund your content through monthly memberships on popular platforms like Patreon.

The American socialist political comedy podcast Chapo Trap House is a perfect example of a podcast offering membership options.

chapo trap house podcast landing page

The only membership they offer costs $5 per month.

chappo trap house podcast checkout page

But the Minimalist Podcast offers three membership options:

  • Audio only is $5/month
  • Audio + video is $10/month
  • True fan is $20/month
the mininalist podcast checkout page

That shows you can have a single or multiple membership options. What matters the most is your audience loyalty.

If you have a loyal audience, they will definitely support you.

[fs-toc-omit]6. Premium/paid podcast content

Offering premium or paid content can really help you make money podcasting. It’s a growing trend among podcasters.

Here, you charge listeners for exclusive episodes or ad-free experiences. For premium podcast content, you may expect:

  • Ad-free listening
  • Extended interviews
  • Exclusive series
  • Early access episodes

For instance, the Dr. Hyman Show costs $9.99/month and $99.99/year. This lets you listen Ad-free and get Dr. Hyman+ exclusives.

dr hyman show checkout pop-up window

The Daily Wire does the same thing. It has the Insider plan costing $8/month and the All Access plan at $13/month.

daily wire paid plans

There is also the Dreamful Bedtime Stories podcast that comes with Dreamful Premium. You either pay $3.99/month or $39.99/year.

jondan blair podcast checkout pop-up window

One thing you should remember is that only your loyal listeners are most likely to pay for premium content.

With that in mind, you shouldn’t add all your best content behind paywalls. Even your free content should still provide value.

[fs-toc-omit]7. Sell online courses

Selling online courses is another profitable way to make money podcasting with expert knowledge.

You monetize your expertise by creating online courses related to your podcast topic.

Take Jay Clouse, the podcaster behind the Creator Science podcast, for example. He offers many courses ranging from $49 to $599.

They are all about podcasts and memberships because this is where he excels.

Pat Flynn, creator of the Smart Passive Income podcast, also sells online courses. He shared that his courses have helped over 50,000 students so far.

number of students helped by pat flynn

Some of his courses include Power-up Podcasting, 1-2-3 Affiliate Marketing, Community Business Blueprint, and Email Marketing Magic.

list of online courses by pat flynn

The same is true for John Lee Dumas, creator of the Entrepreneur on Fire podcast. He sells the Mastery Journal, an online course that helps people master productivity, discipline, and focus in 100 days.

the mastery journal course by john lee

The course costs $30.

checkout page of the mastery journal course

They all understand the power behind selling online courses.

And your podcast type or niche doesn’t really matter. It can be:

  • Business podcasts
  • Marketing podcasts
  • Fitness podcasts
  • Educational podcasts
  • Creative industry podcasts

The most important thing is expertise. What do you know and can package as an online course?

Once you answer that question, you can go ahead and use an online course platform to help you organize your lessons.

On many of them, you’ll be able to name your course, add a description, specify the duration, choose a file type, and add a file source. If the course is on YouTube, you can simply add the URL.

easyplayer edit window

Easytools, for example, even lets you gate your content so that only those who purchase the course can access it.

paywall option on easyplayer

If you are just starting, you don’t need a huge curriculum. You can start with a simple course that solves one specific problem.

[fs-toc-omit]8. Host paid webinars or workshops

Hosting paid webinars or workshops is another way to make money podcasting while engaging your audience directly.

The famous podcaster Amy Porterfield would agree with me. She said in a podcast with Matt Byrom that, “A well-done webinar can make you money over and over.”

There are even published articles by other podcasters, like Matthew Gira, discussing how Amy built a $100 million business through webinars.

matthew gira discussion of amy porterfield

Now, here are the common webinar formats:

  • Live trainings
  • Q&A sessions
  • Group coaching
  • Skill workshops
  • Industry masterclasses

Webinars or workshops are rewarding because they provide direct interaction with your audience, hands-on learning, and higher perceived value.

As a podcaster, you can, for example, monetize live teaching, training, or interactive experiences.

You will be surprised by the strong conversions and the quick authority you build.

[fs-toc-omit]9. Sell merchandise

This is a creative and popular strategy to make money podcasting. Podcasters monetize their audience by selling branded products.

Popular merchandise includes:

  • T-shirts
  • Hoodies
  • Hats
  • Mugs
  • Stickers
  • Posters

Take Tiny Meat Gang, a popular comedy podcast. They have a dedicated page for all their products, including T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and more.

tiny meat gang podcast product page

Also, H3 Podcast has a whole brand called Teddy Fresh. This is where they sell their merchandise.

teddy fresh product page

In fact, they sell both apparel and accessories. Customers can browse and choose what they want.

This is something that you can also do.

For instance, you already have a podcast and want to create a hoodie. Don’t waste your time on every detail.

Simply use a platform that lets you upload an image of your hoodie, add a name, description, and price.

physical product on easycart

And if you want to sell more than one product, you should have your own online storefront. It helps you display all your products, allowing customers to browse and purchase what they want.

storefront on easytools

Merchandise works best for podcasts because listeners often feel connected to the host and the community.

It’s that emotional connection that makes them buy those products.

[fs-toc-omit]10. YouTube monetization

You will notice that many podcasters now publish video versions or clips of their podcasts to generate additional revenue.

In other words, a single podcast episode can become:

  • Full YouTube videos
  • Short clips
  • Highlight compilations
  • Social media content

That content can generate YouTube ad revenue, sponsorships, or affiliate sales.

To monetize a YouTube channel, you need to have at least 1,000 subscribers. You also need 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months or 10M Short views in the last 90 days.

youtube partner program eligibility

That’s exactly why podcasters like Steven Bartlett, creator of The Diary Of A CEO, repurpose podcast videos.

On each episode listed on his landing page, his audience can listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and watch it on YouTube.

doac list of most popular episodes

One episode, for example, has over 17M views on YouTube. He definitely made some money from that episode alone.

doac podcast episode view number on youtube

The Minimalists Podcast also offers something similar. You can subscribe to its channels on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or Patreon.

the minimalists podcast subscribe button

Besides subscribing to different platforms, the creators have also repurposed the episodes. So, a click on episode 532, titled "Love Life," and you could choose to watch it on YouTube.

love life episode on the minimalists podcast

Repurposing podcast videos is really popular among podcasters.

With that approach, they can reach new audiences, increase discoverability, monetize through ads, and create viral short-form clips.

[fs-toc-omit]11. Licensing your content to media platforms

Licensing your content to media platforms can open new opportunities for making money podcasting.

This method means allowing another company or platform to distribute your podcast content in exchange for payment.

You can use podcast and audio platforms like:

  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
  • Audible
  • SiriusXM

The Joe Rogan Experience, for example, signed a multi-year exclusive licensing deal with Spotify.

joe rogan experience and spotify licensing deal

The same thing happened with Alex Cooper, creator of the Call Her Daddy podcast. She had a $60 million licensing deal with Spotify for about 3 years.

alex cooper and spotify licensing deal

When her deal ended, she signed another one with SiriusXM worth $125 million.

alex cooper and siriusxm agreement

You could also use podcast networks and media companies like Wondery, iHeartMedia, Acast, and PodcastOne to:

  • distribute your show
  • sell ads
  • buy exclusivity
  • adapt content into other formats

Creator of the Armchair Expert podcast, Dax Shepard, once signed an $80M distribution deal with Wondery.

dax shepard deal with wondery

Some podcasters also license their content to schools, companies, training platforms, and streaming services.

But for you to get all these deals, you need to build audience leverage first. The truth is, licensing opportunities usually come after audience growth.

The more recognizable and loyal your audience becomes, the more valuable your podcast becomes as a media asset.

[fs-toc-omit]12. Speaking engagements and events

Speaking engagements and live events are great ways to make money podcasting while growing your personal brand.

The thing is, podcasting creates authority and visibility. This is something that leads to paid speaking opportunities.

Jenna Kutcher said it herself that she’d booked over $150,000 in speaking gigs thanks to her podcast.

With the success of The Diary of A CEO podcast, it’s no surprise that Steven Bartlett sells tickets for his speaking engagements and events.

steven bartlett speaking tour

Jordan Blair also shared that she spoke at events like PodConf 2023 and Podcast Movement 2025.

jondan blair skeaks at podconf and podcast movement

Speaking opportunities are many. That’s why, as a podcaster, you should develop a clear niche, use your podcast as a portfolio, and record and share speaking clips.

You will, without a doubt, attract event organizers.

[fs-toc-omit]13. Build and monetize an email newsletter

You should understand the power of building an email newsletter if you really want to make money podcasting.

Unlike podcast platforms, an email list is an audience you fully own.

There’s a reason creators like Pat Flynn take newsletters seriously. He has accumulated over 100,000 subscribers.

pat flynn newsletter sign up

John Lee Dumas also invites people to subscribe to his newsletter, promising to help them start something special in 50 days.

john lee newsletter subscription and offer

Jenna Kutcher also has a newsletter.

jenna kutcher newsletter sign up

They all have that because they know they can monetize that audience. Newsletters are one of the most valuable long-term creator assets.  

That’s why Easytools has a feature that helps you build an email list.

You have access to your audience anytime, which means you can send them direct emails, sell other digital products, nurture them, or simply keep them engaged.

email campaign to make money podcasting

When you launch a campaign, you can track its performance, from the number of clicks to the revenue.

use campaigns feature to make money podcasting

With your newsletter, you can:

  • Build community: engage readers through  surveys, polls, and event invitations
  • Share content: promote your podcasts, YouTube videos, blog posts, or online courses
  • Promote offers: announce digital product launches, run promotions, and share exclusive discounts on products or podcast subscriptions
  • Drive revenue: monetize your newsletter through ad placements, affiliate links, or sponsorships
  • Generate leads: attract potential customers by showing expertise, using strong calls to action (CTAs) that encourage sign-ups or purchases

The key to growing your newsletter is to simply give your listeners a reason to subscribe. You should mention it regularly on your podcast and social platforms.

Lastly, make sure your emails stay valuable, engaging, and consistent.

[fs-toc-omit]14. Sell ad slots directly (without networks)

Selling ad slots directly to businesses and brands is a profitable method to make money podcasting.

The reason is that it gives creators:

  • More control
  • Higher profit margins
  • Better brand alignment

This is how it works. The podcaster finds advertisers, negotiates pricing, and manages the sponsorship directly.

No need for a middleman.

On YouTube, for example, there’s a video of Steven Bartlett explaining how he makes $1.2 million a year from his podcast.

He disclosed that he reached out to five major brands to ask whether they could sponsor his podcast. He would promote them and receive payment in exchange.

Huel, a British-founded company, was the first brand to accept the offer immediately. In the video, you could spot a “Huel” product on the table.

steven bartlett displays huel in youtube video

With podcast ad networks, things would have been different because they often take a percentage of revenue.

But when you have direct partnerships, you keep more revenue and build stronger sponsor relationships.

[fs-toc-omit]15. Create a paid community

You can create a paid community to make money podcasting. This allows you to monetize audience connection and interaction.

You can use platforms like Discord, Slack, or Circle to do so.

When you create a paid community, members pay to network, learn, access exclusive discussions, and connect with like-minded people.

The great thing about this is that it creates a recurring income for the podcaster.

Jay Clouse, the podcaster behind the Creator Science podcast is an example. He launched his community, The Lab, in 2024. In 12 months, it has:

  • Gained 200 members
  • Generated $250,000
  • More than doubled his business
  • Become his favorite place on the internet

And as of today, the community still generates $1,150,000+ for him.

jay clouse revenue from paid community

To access the Circle community, you need to pay $699/year.

checkout page for the lab community

That’s how he makes most of his money.

If you want to create a paid community, it’s important to build it around a clear niche, focus on interaction, and give members direct access.

That’ll make it worth it.

[fs-toc-omit]16. Offer exclusive interviews or bonus episodes

Offering exclusive interviews or bonus episodes is a simple way to make money podcasting.

This podcast monetization method is commonly used to increase memberships, improve listener loyalty, and create recurring income.

For example, Marc Maron’s WTF podcast offers 300 bonus episodes plus your access to every episode for $3 a month.

With the RedHanded podcast, you get a 1-day early access, ad-free to all episodes, weekly bonus audio episodes, and access to pre-sale tickets.

You might be wondering if bonus content works. Of course, it does.

Podcast listeners often want more access, more depth, and more interaction with the host. So, if there’s a possibility to access those, why won’t they pay for it?

Keep in mind that your most loyal listeners are usually willing to pay for deeper access and additional content.

[fs-toc-omit]17. Promote your own SaaS or business

You can use your show to grow your own SaaS or business. This is a strategic approach to making money pocasting.

When you do that, your podcast becomes a marketing channel, a trust-building platform, and a customer-acquisition engine.

Take the SaaStr Podcast, for example. They use their podcast to promote their SaaStr AI software.

They have a whole website dedicated to that SaaS.

saastr ai community events leads

Many business owners start podcasts, and here’s why.

Benefit Why it matters
Audience trust Easier conversions
Long-form content Deeper authority
Organic marketing Lower acquisition costs

Now, you shouldn’t just start your podcast and immediately promote your business. You should start by educating your audience, solving their problems, and using stories and case studies.

This will make your promotion more authentic.

[fs-toc-omit]18. Sell books or audiobooks

Selling books or audiobooks is another excellent way to make money podcasting with your expertise.

For many podcasters, books and audiobooks are simply a natural extension because podcasting already builds:

  • Authority
  • Audience trust
  • Long-form storytelling skills

John Lee Dumas, for instance, uses his podcast, Entrepreneurs on Fire, to sell his JLD book.

john lee dumas book sale to make money podcasting

There is even an audiobook version that goes for $14.95.

john lee dumas audiobook

Steven Bartlett, creator of The Diary of a CEO podcast, also sells his book, The 1% Diary.

book by steven bartlett

The book costs £35.00 and has about 47 positive reviews. This shows people are buying it.

steven bartlett book checkout page

In case you’re wondering where you can sell your books and audiobooks, you can use a platform like Easytools.

create new product on easytools

In just four clicks, you can create a conversion-focused checkout and upload and sell your books and audiobooks.

audiobook on easycart to make money podcasting

You can also create a landing page (it’s automatically created once you create a checkout) just for your audiobook and book on Easytools. That’ll surely make it look more professional.

landing page for audiobook on sale

[fs-toc-omit]19. Listener donations

Listener donations continue to help many independent creators consistently make money podcasting.

You simply allow fans to support you voluntarily. Many love your content so much that they won’t mind sharing a few dollars with you.

You can ask for donations through platforms like Buy Me a Coffee (BMC) or PayPal.

Take Rob O’Hara. He runs many podcasts: You don’t know flack, Cactus flack, and Sprite Castle.

He has a support page where he asks his listeners to make recurring donations via PayPal. It can be $4/month or $10/month.

rob o'hara support page

Listeners can also make one-time donations to support his podcasts. They can give $5 or $10.

rob o'hara donation page

Here’s an example of what the one-time donation page looks like.

On Easytools, you can collect listeners’ donations by adding a support button/widget to your landing page.

easycoffee widget on easytools

Many listeners simply want to support creators they enjoy. If 1,000 listeners donated, it would go a long way toward helping your podcast grow.

Finally, to make supporting easier, explain to your listeners why support matters, and publicly thank those who support you.

Watch this video to learn more about how you can add a donation button/widget to your landing page on Easytools.

[fs-toc-omit]20. Become a brand ambassador

Becoming a brand ambassador is a strong personal branding strategy for making money podcasting through partnerships.

It is an opportunity for a podcaster to consistently promote a company over time and get paid for it.

This is the kind of opportunity Emma Chamberlain had on the podcast Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain.

She became the new brand ambassador of Lancôme.

emma chamberlain as lacôme brand ambassador

As of today, if you visit their official website, you’ll see Emma's pictures all over the place.

emma chamberlain on lacôme website

If you have such an opportunity, here’s what you should do:  

  • Work with brands you genuinely like
  • Focus on audience fit
  • Think long-term.

When something isn’t authentic, it just feels off. You can tell, and so can your audience.

That’s why podcast audiences respond best when sponsorships feel like trusted recommendations instead of advertisements.

How to choose the best ways to make money podcasting

To choose the best ways to make money podcasting, you should:

  • Consider niche
  • Check content type
  • Assess your strength as a creator

Let me explain each one.

1. Consider niche

Choosing the right niche is one of the most important steps in making money podcasting. That’s because it directly influences your income.

The more you niche down, the more valuable your podcast will be. John Lee Dumas, creator of the Entrepreneurs on Fire podcast, said this in a conversation with Donald C Kelly:

“The riches are in the niches, but the real magic happens when you find a niche within a niche within a niche.”

His podcast is focused on interviewing the most successful entrepreneurs. His niche is so specific that even though he started with 0 listeners, he’s now accumulated 100,000,000+.

john lee dumas podcast audience

Another example is the Creator Science podcast by Jay Clouse. The podcast focuses on strategies to help creators grow.

His YouTube channel has 140,000+ subscribers.

creator science podcast analytics

So far, he has generated 2,300,000+ podcast downloads, $150,000+ in digital products, and 66,000+ email subscribers.

So yes, it’ll be to your advantage to find a good niche.

And it's true that, naturally, some niches sell better than others. Here are some key highly profitable niches and their monetization potential.

Niche Strong monetization potential
Business Courses, SaaS, sponsorships
Finance High CPM ads, affiliate products
Marketing Consulting, software partnerships
Health/Fitness Coaching, memberships
Tech Affiliate marketing, sponsors
Entertainment Merch, ads, live shows

Niche is probably why a smaller business podcast can sometimes earn more than a much larger entertainment podcast.

Another thing to note is that your niche also affects the products or services you can promote.

For example, a fitness podcast can easily sell workout programs, supplements, or coaching services.

easycart fitness product to make money podcasting

Meanwhile, a business podcast can promote courses or consulting.

This is to say, the niche you choose should go hand in hand with the products or services you sell to your listeners.

So, make sure to consider that.

2. Check content type

Your content style also plays a major role in choosing the best ways to make money podcasting. You don’t want to choose a podcast monetization method that feels forced or unnatural.

So, the first question to ask yourself is:

  • Is this the kind of content my audience wants?

If you don’t look at it from the beginning, you’ll make the same mistake as Jordan Blair.

At first, she spent a lot of time creating content that her listeners didn’t really want. She realized that it was exhausting and unproductive.

You see, your content style affects:

  • Audience behavior
  • Trust level
  • Sponsor fit
  • Product opportunities

As a podcaster, choose podcast monetization methods that align with your content.

Just imagine a casual comedy podcast selling a $2,000 business coaching program. How does it sound?

Outrageous to say the least.

Another example is a storytelling podcast that constantly interrupts its episodes with aggressive sales pitches. You can clearly see that it will leave listeners a little confused.

This will definitely damage at least three things:

  • Audience trust
  • Retention
  • Listener experience

Now, if you are the host of an educational podcast, you can monetize faster because listeners actively want solutions.

So, this creates opportunities for courses, services, memberships, and e-books.

Storytelling podcasts usually attract loyal fans who support creators through donations or paid subscriptions.

This American Life podcast is an example. It is a storytelling podcast that asks listeners for support.

You should also look at your audience engagement. If they actively trust your recommendations, then affiliate marketing won’t be a struggle.

Simply put, align your podcast monetization with your listeners' expectations. It should just feel like a natural extension of the content.

3. Assess your strength as a creator

The truth is, making money podcasting becomes much easier when you focus on your strongest skills as a creator.

There is a saying that goes, “Every man has a breaking point.” This is to say that no matter who you are, you can’t do everything.

It’s important to recognize your limits.

Don’t be like Alex Greenwood, who took on too much that he came very close to burning out. He’d schedule, research, record, edit, produce, and promote the podcast all by himself.

In a YouTube video, Steven Bartlett shared how he decided to post a new episode every Monday. Clearly, it worked out for his good.

He displayed a graph of his listeners, explaining how it exploded (10x) from the moment he took that decision.

That’s how he learned that consistency was the key to everything. He believes that if your podcast is a “once in a while” type, you might find it difficult to grow.

So, if you can’t post twice or thrice a week, then simply do once. And stick to it so your audience gets used to that consistency.

Now, assessing your strengths goes beyond posting videos. It’s also about looking at what you are good at.

Some creators are great at:

  • Building communities
  • Selling products
  • Teaching audiences
  • Entertaining listeners
  • Conducting interviews
  • Storytelling
  • Personal branding

This is something you should identify for yourself and maximize.

For instance, anyone who’s watched or listened to The Diary of a CEO knows that the host, Steven Bartlett, is very good at conducting interviews.

So, he does that all the time because that’s his strength.

On the other hand, Jay Clouse’s strength is building communities. He has been doing it for years and knows he’s very good at it.

jay clouse about me page

Whatever you’re good at, you should remember that different strengths lead to different monetization opportunities.

One thing is certain: when your strengths align with your monetization approach, your podcast income can grow more steadily and sustainably.

Start making money podcasting

And there you have it.

In this article, I discussed 20 methods to help you monetize your podcast and shared practical examples to show you that it’s possible.

Also, to choose the best ways to make money podcasting, you should understand your niche, your content format, and your strengths as a creator.

Keep in mind that many of these methods, when combined, can create a sustainable podcast revenue.  

Now, you have zero excuse. It’s time to start making money podcasting!

FAQs

How do beginners make money podcasting?

Beginners make money podcasting through affiliate marketing, sponsorships, listener donations, services, and digital products. Many of them start monetizing before they have large audiences by focusing on niche listeners and audience trust.

How many listeners do you need to make money podcasting?

To make money podcasting, you need anywhere from 100 to 1,000+ listeners. It really depends on the podcast monetization method you use.

How long does it take to make money podcasting?

Making money podcasting typically takes 6-18 months to start seeing consistent revenue. The timeline may vary depending on your niche, consistency, and podcast monetization strategy.

Do podcasts make more money than YouTube?

Yes, podcasts make more money than YouTube because they have a much higher CPM (Cost Per Mille/thousand impressions). But YouTube also offers higher traffic, easier ad monetization, and greater platform reach. This can help a YouTube creator make more.  

What are the best platforms to make money podcasting?

The best platforms to make money podcasting include Spotify for Creators, Apple Podcasts subscriptions, Buy Me a Coffee, Patreon, YouTube, and Easytools. For example, while you host your podcasts on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Spotify, you can create a landing and checkout page on Easytools to sell digital products.

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