[FAQ]

G’day all,

Podcasting seems to be going gangbusters, and I’m really curious how creators, especially those who aren’t massive household names yet, are actually making money from their shows.

I hear a fair bit about advertising, but I reckon there must be other ways people are funding their podcasts and maybe even earning a decent income. What are the different avenues? And what’s genuinely effective for different types and sizes of podcasts in 2025?

If anyone’s got insights or experiences to share on podcast monetisation, I’d be keen to hear them!

[Jeff Bullas]

Good question, mate. Lots of podcasters are wondering how to turn their passion into a bit of income. There are a fair few ways to go about it, and it’s not just about ads. Here’s a squiz at the main methods podcasters are using in 2025:

Advertising & Sponsorships:
This is the classic one. Brands pay to have ads (pre-roll, mid-roll, post-roll) in your episodes. These can be host-read, which often feel more natural, or dynamically inserted. Deals are often based on CPM (cost per thousand listens) or sometimes a flat rate. You can find sponsors directly or use podcast ad networks.

Affiliate Marketing:
Pretty straightforward – you promote a product or service you like, and if your listeners buy it using your special link or code, you get a cut of the sale. Works well if the product genuinely fits your audience.

Premium Content & Subscriptions:
Offering bonus stuff for paying subscribers. Think ad-free episodes, exclusive content, early access, or deeper dives into topics. Platforms like Patreon, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, and Spotify are common for this, or you can organise it through your own website.

Selling Your Own Products or Services:
If you’ve got expertise, you can sell related things like courses, coaching, books, or even consulting services. Branded merchandise (merch like t-shirts, mugs, etc.) can also be a goer for shows with a keen following.

Listener Support & Donations:
Your audience can chip in directly. Platforms like Patreon, Ko-fi, or “Buy Me A Coffee” make it easy for listeners to support your work with one-off or recurring donations because they value what you do.

Live Shows & Events:
Once you’ve got a decent audience, live recordings of your podcast, workshops, or meet-ups can bring in revenue through ticket sales.

A key thing to remember is that building a solid, engaged audience usually comes first. The bigger and more dedicated your listener base, the more options you’ll have for monetisation. Diversifying your income streams is also a smart move – don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

It takes a bit of effort, but there are definitely ways to make money from podcasting if you’re producing good content that people want to hear.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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