How to Monetize Your Podcast
So, you're pouring time, energy, and passion into your podcast—but now you're wondering how to actually make money from it. You’re not alone. According to Edison Research, 62% of podcasters want to monetize their show, but many aren’t sure where to start.
The good news? You don’t need a million downloads to start earning. Whether you have 200 loyal listeners or 20,000, there are ways to turn your content into income. Let’s break down the smartest (and most sustainable) ways to monetize your podcast—no fluff, no selling out.
1. Know Your Audience First
Before anything else, get clear on who you’re talking to.
Monetization is about alignment: the clearer you are on your listener's needs, habits, and values, the easier it becomes to pitch sponsors, promote products, and sell your own offerings.
Ask yourself:
Who is my listener?
What do they need help with?
What are they already spending money on?
🎧 Example:
On The Big Silence, Karena Dawn connects with mental health-conscious listeners, so partnerships with wellness brands like Intelligence of Nature and Open feel natural and aligned.
2. Choose Your Monetization Path
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to podcast monetization. Here are 6 main ways to monetize, and most podcasters end up combining 2–3:
Sponsorships & Ads
Affiliate Marketing
Digital Products or Courses
Paid Memberships / Communities
Premium Content (via Patreon or Apple Subscriptions)
Services, Coaching, or Events
‘According to Buzzsprout’s 2023 Creator Survey, 40% of monetized podcasts use more than one stream of income—which means you don’t have to pick just one!
3. Start with Affiliate Marketing
If you’re not ready for sponsors yet, affiliate marketing is your best friend.
How it works:
You promote a product you love and align with your audience
You share a unique affiliate link
You earn commission from purchases made through that link
🎯 Pro Tip: Include affiliate links in your:
Show notes
Instagram stories
Blog posts
Newsletter
🎧 Example:
Podcaster Kelly LeVeque shares affiliate links for products like LMNT and Be Well by Kelly protein—products her audience already uses and trusts. Luke Storey of The Lifestylist has an entire section of his website dedicated to affiliate products, and adds them to every single episode’s show notes!
4. Pitch Sponsors (Even With a Small Audience)
Yes—you can start pitching sponsors at around 1,000 downloads per episode, but niche and engagement matter more than just the number.
When pitching, highlight:
Your audience demographics
Episode topics
Your engagement (DMs, shares, reviews)
How their product fits into your content
Any past brand collabs or testimonials
🎧 Example:
Real Pod by Victoria Browne consistently lands brand partnerships by leaning into her niche (confidence, mental health, and Gen Z women) and offering creative, integrated ad spots.
📊 Stat: According to AdvertiseCast, the average CPM (cost per 1,000 downloads) is:
$18 for a 30-second ad
$25 for a 60-second ad
This means even a show with 2,000 downloads/ep could make $50–$100 per sponsor per episode.
5. Offer Premium or Exclusive Content
Offering bonus or early-access content is a great way to generate income from your most loyal fans. Plus, it builds a deeper relationship with your audience.
Platforms like:
Patreon
Substack
Supercast
Apple Podcasts Subscriptions
Make it easy to start charging for exclusive content, Q&As, BTS access, or ad-free episodes.
🎧 Example:
Olivia Perez of Let’s Get Dressed shares her weekly fashion and styling tips on Substack to compliment her podcast and provide a visual for the audio format!
6. Sell Your Own Stuff
Want full control over your income and the freedom to promote what you believe in most?
Use your podcast as a natural extension of your brand and business.
This works especially well if you’re building your authority and creating your own offers—like coaching, courses, digital products, or physical goods.
You don’t need guests or ads to be profitable—just a clear message and aligned call to action.
🎧 Examples:
Sarah Baldwin (@sarahbcoaching) runs a solo-style podcast where she shares mindset and business tips, without guests. She uses her episodes to build trust, share personal stories, and organically promote her coaching programs and offers.
Lauryn Bosstick of The Skinny Confidential masterfully promotes her own line of wellness and beauty products throughout her episodes—from ice rollers to hot mess makeup bags—without it ever feeling salesy. She’s built a lifestyle brand where her audience genuinely wants to know what she’s selling.
Whether you’re launching:
A group program
A 1:1 service
A digital guide or course
Physical products
A paid workshop or event
…your podcast is the perfect place to promote it in a way that feels real and resonant.
📣 Pro Tip:
Mention your offer naturally within episodes (not just in ads), and include strong CTAs in your show notes, emails, and social media to drive conversions.
Final Thoughts
Monetizing your podcast doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—or inauthentic.
Start by connecting with your audience, choosing 1–2 strategies that align with your strengths, and building from there. Whether you’re pitching brands, promoting affiliate products, or selling your own services, consistency + clarity = growth.
Your voice has value. Don’t be afraid to get paid for it.
Need help creating a monetization strategy that works for you?
Let’s build a plan that feels aligned, sustainable, and creatively fulfilling.
📩 Reach out to me or DM me @scorpiorisingstudio—I'd love to support you.
