Acquired The Race to the Bottom
Engaging with an audience is more than just collecting downloads; it's about creating a community that trusts and values your content. The podcast emphasizes the absurdity of traditional monetization methods that focus solely on CPMs, which often lead to disappointment and underwhelming returns.
A Community Could Be Worth It's Weight in Gold
By sharing anecdotes from the podcasting world, we highlight the importance of forming genuine connections with your listeners. We explore how podcasters can leverage platforms like Heartbeat (https://supportthisshow.com/heartbeat) or Circle (https://supportthisshow.com/circle) to foster community and show potential sponsors the level of engagement they can expect.
What Advertisers Want
A strong community not only enhances the listening experience but also makes your podcast more appealing to advertisers who are looking for meaningful connections. The conversation wraps up with practical advice on how to grow your audience by making your content remarkable and worth sharing, which is the true currency in the podcasting world.
Takeaways:
Building an engaged audience is a slow process, but it's ultimately rewarding for podcasters.
Recognizing the value of your audience can help you monetize your podcast effectively and ethically.
Don't just sell your audience to sponsors; instead, sell sponsors on how great your audience is. (thank you Steve Stewart of the Podcast Editor Academy (https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/pea))
Integrity is crucial; recommend only sponsors and products that you truly believe in.
The difference between a good podcast and a remarkable one is vital for growth and success.
Effective engagement with your audience can lead to higher trust and better sponsorship opportunities.
Links referenced in this episode:
profitfromyourpodcast.com (https://profitfromyourpodcast.com)
thehorseradionetwork.com (https://thehorseradionetwork.com)
transistor.fm (https://transistor.fm)
Heartbeat (https://supportthisshow.com/heartbeat)
Circle (https://supportthisshow.com/circle)
Skool (https://supportthisshow.com/skool)
Acquired Partnership Kit (https://partner.acquired.fm/)
Mostly Technical Sponsorship Kit (https://outro.fm/sponsor/mostly-technical)
Acquired Show (https://www.acquired.fm/)
Mostly Technical Show (https://mostlytechnical.com/)
School of Podcasting (https://community.schoolofpodcasting.com)
Profit From Your Podcast Book (https://www.profitfromyourpodcast.com/book)
Mentioned in this episode:
Start a Podcast In Six Weeks
Ready to start your podcast? Join me for an hour a week to go step by step from planning your show, picking a name, getting the right equipment, getting into Apple and Spotify and more. We are running an experiment and this course is free this time.
Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks
Podcasting in Six Weeks (https://profit-from-your-podcast.captivate.fm/sixweeks)
Want Your Audience to Grow?
Starting August 19th the School of Podcasting members will meet week to implement strategies to grow your podcast. You will get feedback on your show, website, and together with proven strategies will grow your podcast. This is for the serious podcaster. Come and join the community worry free with a 30 day money-back guarantee.
Join SOP (https://profit-from-your-podcast.captivate.fm/join)
7 Mar 2026
Why Your Podcast Dreams Might Need a Reality Check
Many aspiring podcasters jump into the game with dreams of monetizing through advertising. But, oh boy, they may want to sit down for this one.
The conversation dives deep into the reality of podcast sponsorships and the ever-evolving landscape of listener numbers. Dave Jackson brings in insights from Rob Walsh and Dan Granger, revealing that the golden number for downloads keeps climbing.
Gone are the days when 5,000 downloads would get you a seat at the table; now, advertisers are eyeing shows with 50,000 downloads or more. This isn't just a minor shift—it's a major wake-up call for those thinking they can cash in early. As the discussion unfolds, we examine the absurdity of the “winner-takes-all” model that seems to be taking over the podcasting industry.
With institutional money flooding in, smaller shows are often left scrambling for scraps. The conversation touches on the idea of partnerships over traditional sponsorships, highlighting how podcasters like Ray Arnott (https://www.aroundthelayout.com) create symbiotic relationships with their sponsors, focusing on mutual growth rather than mere transactions. It’s a refreshing reminder that collaboration might just be the key to survival in a market that often feels like a giant treadmill—running hard but going nowhere fast. In wrapping up, the episode encourages podcasters not to abandon hope if their download numbers are modest. Instead, it suggests a change in perspective: think of sponsors as partners.
This approach not only fosters a sense of community but also positions the podcaster as a valuable ally to their sponsors. After all, who wouldn’t want to work together for mutual success? The key takeaway?
Start building relationships, and when you hit those coveted download numbers, you'll be ready to turn those partnerships into profit. The episode closes with a nod to resources like the book ‘Sponsor Magnet’ by Justin Moore, which offers a deeper dive into creating meaningful sponsorships. It’s not about just getting a check; it’s about building a sustainable model where both parties thrive.
Takeaways:
Many aspiring podcasters mistakenly believe that monetization through advertising is the only way to earn.
Understanding the current advertising landscape can change your approach to podcast monetization strategies.
To attract sponsors, it's essential to have at least 50,000 downloads per episode, which is quite a hurdle.
Instead of viewing advertising as a transaction, consider it a partnership for mutual benefit with sponsors.
Building authentic relationships with sponsors is crucial, especially when your audience size is smaller.
The podcast industry is leaning towards a model where only a few shows dominate, making it harder for newcomers.
Links referenced in this episode:
411 iTem 0241 - Dan Granger - CEO Oxford Road and Host of the Media Roundtable Podcast (https://www.podpage.com/podcast411/411-item-0241-dan-granger-ceo-oxford-road-and-host-of-the-media-roundtable-podcast/)
profitfromyourpodcast.com (https://profitfromyourpodcast.com)
aroundthelayout.com (https://aroundthelayout.com)
Sponsor Magnet Book (https://geni.us/sponsormagnet)
Oxford Road (https://oxfordroad.com/)
Media Roundtable Show (https://oxfordroad.com/thought-leadership/?type=podcast$services=$search=)
Podcast411 Show (https://www.podcast411.com)
Profit From Your Podcast (https://www.profitfromyourpodcast.com/book)
12 Nov 2024
Kajabi vs. Pensight: The Battle for Creator Earnings
Selling your own products can be a tough journey, with nearly 50% of creators earning less than $10,000 a year and many struggling for years without seeing a single dollar. This episode reveals the harsh realities of monetizing content, highlighting the significant disparities in earnings across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
However, there's a glimmer of hope with Pensight (https://supportthisshow.com/pensight), a platform that offers affordable tools for creators to sell digital products, coaching, and more without the hefty fees associated with other services like Kajabi. With Pensight's (https://supportthisshow.com/pensight) $29 monthly plan and a free trial option, creators can test their ideas and start earning with minimal upfront investment. Join Dave Jackson as he delves into the complexities of content monetization and introduces Pensight as a potential game-changer for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The Stat That Kajabi Missed
As Kajabi is $169/month and Pensight is $29/month Kajabi is over 400% higher. You can sell products on the free plan on Pensight (https://supportthisshow.com/pensight) to get proof of concept.
Takeaways:
Selling your own products can be challenging, with many creators earning less than $10,000 annually.
Kajabi (https://www.kajabi.com) is a comprehensive platform but is often seen as overpriced compared to alternatives.
Pensight (https://supportthisshow.com/pensight) offers a more affordable solution for effectively selling digital products and services.
Creators can face long periods without income, highlighting the difficulty of monetization in content creation.
Building a substantial following is essential for most creators before seeing significant earnings.
Understanding the financial dynamics of platforms like TikTok and Instagram is crucial for creators.
Links referenced in this episode:
Original Post https://kajabi.com/reality-check (https://kajabi.com/reality-check)
profitfromyourpodcast.com/book (https://profitfromyourpodcast.com/book)
Pensight (https://supportthisshow.com/pensight)
Kajabi (https://www.kajabi.com)
Mentioned in this episode:
Get Podcasting in the RIGHT Direction
The Podcast Hot Seat helps you identify what you're doing right (so you can do more of that) and also those things that could need a little touch up. Order now and get a FREE MONTH at the School of Podcasting.
Podcast Hot Seat (https://profit-from-your-podcast.captivate.fm/hot-seat)
Inside a recent episode
Chris Stone's Secrets to Generating Income as an Amazon Influencer
Published 2 Oct 2023 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Let's just say they're a coach of some sort But they'll get themselves set up as an Amazon influencer and they'll do a bunch of product videos And it could be everything from the blender to a you know, whatever Nothing really related to coaching. So they'll start another YouTube channel where they put all of their product videos up on So they have that and then they end up getting monetized on YouTube as well And so as you heard monetization on another platform So Amazon doesn't hold you to some sort of weird exclusive contract but the question we all want to know is Is it working and remember His goal wasn't to make money It was to position himself as an expert. […]
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