How To Start a Podcast And Make Money?
As a result, many podcasters have become financially and logistically independent, making money just by talking. If you too want to make money from podcasting and are wondering how to create one, keep reading.
What exactly is a podcast?
A podcast is an audio file, usually in MP3 format, that you can download to your mobile device and listen to. In most cases, it is a discussion or presentation on a particular topic. Simply put, a podcast is a radio show on the internet that you can listen to through various apps and platforms. It works just like streaming a video on YouTube, only without the video.However, unlike a radio show, a podcast can be created and designed by anyone. You don't need a broadcasting license or a station to start your own podcast. Setup is easy and hassle-free, and you can talk about anything, unlimitedly, without being interrupted by commercial breaks. Enjoy professional business podcasts, hobby podcasts, comedy shows, and more.
Podcasting allows you to listen and enjoy the content you love while jogging, commuting, exercising, walking the dog, washing the dishes, and more. It has opened a whole new world of possibilities for listeners who are not limited by FM signals.
Why should you start your own podcast?
The question is, why not? Many people start a podcast because they want to express their passion and they love talking about it. Do you have a passion? Or do you feel like your company needs additional marketing materials? Before you begin your podcasting adventure, you need to consider whether and how to do it. With this knowledge, you can identify your audience and develop materials for that audience. When starting a podcast, think about whether you want to create it for passion, to promote your brand, or to make money, and what you want it to be like. Podcasts are so popular because they are on-demand. People don't want to listen to unnecessary commercials or uninteresting discussions, and there are literally tens of millions of shows to choose from. This means that if you make a mistake, people can switch to your competitor's show with just two clicks. So, without a plan or a clear idea, your chances of success are low. All you need is a good plan. The most listened to podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, was acquired by Spotify for $10 million and was born from a simple discussion.Think about the content of your podcast
The first thing you need to do is choose a topic. What will you talk about? Before the internet, radio shows focused on a specific topic. It is very important to choose a niche so that you don't stray from your center and your podcast doesn't become a rambling conversation between two people. If you have a niche, it's easy to find an engaged audience when starting a podcast. "Politics" is a very broad topic, but something like "comedic discussions about politics from different perspectives" is already yours. You can offer it to others... Of course, you're probably already competing in this niche too.How do you choose topics of podcast?
This is probably obvious to you - it's something you know, something you're really passionate about, whether it's a hobby or a job. The entire structure of your podcast should revolve around the topic you choose. When starting a podcast, consider what excites you and whether you know enough about it to explain it. If your company sells a specific specialized product or service, you might create a podcast about that market first. This can be a great way to attract new customers, get people talking to each other, and brand your business as innovative, creative, and unique.Who is your podcast goal?
Is it for experts or beginners? Should it be educational or a discussion about values? Why should they pay attention to your podcast? List the value you want to convey and consider whether it is marketable. When thinking about how to monetize your podcasting efforts, think about your target audience. Now that you have the basic idea, think about what your first few episodes will be like. It's probably best to have a co-host, because one person talking is boring... but popular podcasts like skeptoid.com just have the host explain an interesting topic. Now that you know how to start a podcast, it's time to come up with some ideas on how to run your podcast. Before you start preparing, you should have an idea of the outline of your discussion. You don't need to write an exact script, but you should decide on a genre, for example, whether it will be a conversation, a review, or a debate. A political discussion. Based on this, you can imagine how your first episode will go. Choose an exact opening theme and work it out in your head. Once you are happy with the general idea, you can start your first few episodes.How can you make money with a podcast?
If you've already recorded your first few episodes, that's fine. But think about whether you want to start making money with your podcast right away. It's worth making money programmatically. There are several options to choose from:Advertising and sponsorship
The most common way to make money with a podcast is through sponsorship. This is the easiest because you don't have to produce or sell anything, other than accepting donations. All you have to do is make a deal with a sponsor who is willing to buy you a certain amount of advertising. You've probably heard podcasters start or end their shows with phrases like "This episode is brought to you by Mattresses, Courses, or Stamps." Sometimes these commercials become the most entertaining part of the show. Of course, that requires popularity and a large audience.Donations and subscriptions
Asking for money is also a very easy approach to monetize your podcast. Many fans are happy to donate a few dollars to their favorite podcasters to ensure they continue to receive quality material.While opening a Patreon account was once the ideal way to offer subscriptions for audio content, podcasters now have many more alternatives. For example, sponsored content on YouTube is a very interesting solution. Many platforms take their own share, so you want that share to be as small as possible.
Products or Paid Content
You know your audience enjoys listening to your podcast, so you can assume that some of them would be willing to pay for a premium version of your material. All you have to do is make a special recording available for purchase only, as a gift or paid download on Patreon.If your audience enjoys your podcast, you can also buy them items to promote your show. You can offer them t-shirts, mugs, stickers, or anything else. That way, their friends will also promote your podcast.
