4 Ways to Make Money Podcasting

So far I’ve told you how a podcast can build trust, help you learn, and expand your network. But there is seemingly something obvious missing, right? What about the people who make money from podcasting? That is indeed another reason to podcast, but I will caution you: podcasting isn’t a cash cow, and it may not seem like you’re making any money for a long time. Still, there’s are a few ways to make money podcasting. Let’s take a look!

A quick note: This is a bit of a preview of new lessons rolling out to my Podcast Liftoff Course later this month. You can enroll today and get the updates for free.

Sponsorship

This is definitely the most commonly thought of method for monetizing because it’s the most visible. Sponsorship is having brands pay for an ad during your podcast episode. Lots of podcasts, including my own, will insert ads at the beginning (pre-roll) or during the episode (mid-roll).

While it seems to be the most common, keep in mind that it’s not easy to get sponsors. You need to reach out to brands and convince them that giving you money to promote them is a good idea. I would recommend reaching out to brands you already have a relationship with first, and start low – $25-50 per spot.

If you want to have podcast sponsors, start small. Brands you know, small amount of money. Click To Tweet

Podcasters tend to like that one because it’s easy to tie dollars directly to the podcast, or even specific episodes. But you’ll want to have a lot of data: both of your listeners, to pitch sponsors, and traffic flow to keep track of what sponsors are performing well.

Lead Generation

If you have a product or service you offer (and I bet many of you do), you could use the podcast as lead generation. And this pairs well with using your podcast to build trust.

At the beginning of each episode you can mention a product or service related to the content of your episode. “Hey, today we’re going to be talking about making money with your podcast. Did you know I teach people how to do that in my course?”

Make sure to have a clear call to action; I would recommend telling them to join your list to learn more and get a special deal. Then you can nurture them on the show, and via the mailing list.

Generate leads with your podcast. Have a clear Call to Action and BUILD YOUR LIST! Click To Tweet

The great thing about this is you can always start small with a low-priced item. Then slowly build to bigger products and services.

Crowdfunding / Membership

The third way you can make money podcasting is through crowdfunding – or offering your listeners bonus content in exchange for a monthly subscription. I would say this is the hardest path to take.

You need a large or dedicated audience to pull this off, and then you need to convince them that you’re worth spending $5/month on.

On top of that, you need to create extra content – but not so much work that you’re stuck doing extra work for 1 person. If you’re going to take this path, I recommend really thinking about the value proposition and if it’s worth it. Then talk to your listeners.

Affiliate Income

I’ve decided to save what I think is the best for last: affiliate income. You add affiliate links to your show, show notes, and transcripts (you should definitely have show notes and transcripts).

This is the path of least resistance because you can start today. Find some products or services you love and will happily recommend anyway, and add the affiliate links to your podcast’s website.

You can start with affiliate links today! Add them to your show notes (and also, have show notes). Click To Tweet

If you’re going to mention affiliate links on the podcast, I would recommend a quick disclosure (which you’ll also need to have on your website), and an easy to speak URL.

You may not make a ton of money to start, but you can begin to offset some costs of your show. Plus, you can retroactively update show notes and transcripts – it doesn’t just need to be episodes moving forward! If you’re using WordPress, a great tool for this is ThirstyAffiliates.

Start Making Money with Your Podcast Today!

If I had to give you an action plan, it would be:

1. Sign up for affiliate programs and add links to your website.
2. Build your mailing list.

Check Out Podcast Liftoff

Selling Your Own Products

Once you have an engaged audience, one of the most direct ways to make money is to sell something you create. That could be a physical product like a t-shirt or mug, or a digital product like an ebook, a set of templates, or even a paid mini-course. The beauty here is that you keep all the profit, and you control the price, the timing, and the customer experience. No middleman, no sponsor approval, no affiliate payout delays.

Start small. Ask your listeners what they’d actually buy from you. Maybe you already share a lot of free advice, and a collection of your best checklists or scripts would be worth $20 to a new podcaster. Or if your show is about cooking, a branded spice blend might fly off the shelf. The key is to create something that fits naturally with your podcast’s theme and your audience’s pain points. Don’t force a product just because you saw another podcaster do it.

Offering Premium Services

Your podcast is basically a long-running audition for your skills. If you host a show about marketing, listeners already trust you know how to market things. That trust can translate directly into paid work. Offering services like one-on-one coaching, consulting calls, podcast editing, or even done-for-you production packages is a natural next step. You’re not just selling a product; you’re selling your time and expertise.

This method works especially well if your podcast covers a niche where people are actively looking for help. For example, a podcast about real estate investing can lead to paid deal analysis calls or property management consulting. The important thing is to make the offer clearly and repeatedly. Tell people what you do, how much it costs, and how to hire you. You’d be surprised how many listeners are waiting for that exact invitation.

Hosting Live Events or Paid Workshops

Live events add a whole new revenue stream that’s separate from your regular episodes. You can host a paid webinar, a virtual summit, a live Q&A session, or even an in-person meetup. The price can range from a few dollars for a casual virtual hangout to hundreds for a day-long workshop. Because the event is time-limited, it creates a natural sense of urgency that regular podcast content doesn’t have.

To get started, pick a topic your audience constantly asks about, then turn that topic into a 90-minute paid workshop. Promote it on your podcast for a couple of weeks before the event. Record the workshop and sell the replay afterward for the same price. Many podcasters find that live events convert much better than evergreen digital products because people love the interaction and the deadline. Just don’t overcomplicate the tech; a simple Zoom call or a ticketed page on a platform like Eventbrite works fine.

Licensing and Syndication

If your podcast has a strong format or a unique story, you can license your episodes to other platforms, radio stations, or even television networks. This means you sell the right to broadcast or distribute your content to someone else, usually for a flat fee or a revenue share. It’s less common for beginner podcasters, but it’s a legitimate path for shows with a proven track record and a clear audience demographic.

Start by researching podcast networks or media companies that are actively acquiring shows in your niche. You can also repackage your best episodes into a serial format and pitch it to an audio network like iHeartRadio or Wondery. Another option is to license your show’s name and format to a creator in another language or country. It’s a longer game, but a single licensing deal can pay more than a year of small sponsorships.

If you want even more in-depth advice and tutorials on making money with your podcast, check out my course, Podcast Liftoff. And if you have any questions or advice, feel free to leave them in the comments!