How Long Does It Take For A Podcast To Make Money? - Podcast Rocket (2024)

That depends! You could start making money in six to 12 months. But you’ll need to dig in and work hard. Here’s how:

  • Deliver consistent, quality content (to become the go-to authority)
  • Market yourself in online channels (to increase your audience)
  • Choose an appropriate monetizing plan (to make the best possible income)

However, less than a fifth of podcasts survive six months let alone a year and make money. So, sleeves rolled up and ready to dig in? Let’s make money!

Contents

Build Your Success With Quality Content and Audio!

You need a decent strategy to build towards financial success. And that strategy’s based on your expertise, passion and quality control. They become the “funnel” that starts collecting your income. So –

Firstly, write out your content plan

You need many quality episodes to last until you make money – and beyond. So, list everything your target audience will want to hear – talks, strategies, guest stories. You can make money within the first year if your listeners get content

  • that’s consistently top quality,
  • answers their interests and/or pain points, and
  • builds an interactive community around your broadcasts.

Check out our full guide on how to make sure you are ticking all the boxes if you are a business.

And also, it goes without saying, but if you plan on using content from other sources like books, make sure you have the right to do so.

Secondly, listen carefully to what your podcasts sound like

We’re talking quality transmission here. Choose equipment that helps, not hinders, your mission. You don’t want your audience slinking away during those crucial months when you’re building up to an income stream! We said to dig in, remember? And that involves making it easy for everyone in your niche to discover your podcast a.s.a.p. So let’s move on to marketing.

Do Marketing and SEO Work For Podcasts?

How Long Does It Take For A Podcast To Make Money? - Podcast Rocket (1)

Your podcast can make money between six to 12 months with the right strategy.

Yes! But while businesses have only just added podcasting to their marketing channels, you’re going to organize some targeted marketing to shorten the time to monetizingyour podcast.

How will you market yourself?

To make money, you need to push yourself out there as a must-have podcaster. Audience size isn’t everything, but word of mouth is. And if you can bring in some search engine interest too, that’s even better. Who doesn’t want to come up on the first page of google once in a lifetime? So here’s what to do:

  1. Use all your social channels from LinkedIn to TikTok to put out regular visual teasers about your upcoming episodes. If your co-host is into graphic design, animation or video, that’s a bonus to help you go viral. Otherwise ask around among friends, art students or on fiverr.
  2. Set up a basic website where your audience can read relevant content and contribute to discussions. Check you have metadata and other SEO on each page to lure the google bot in – it reads podcasts and feeds on quality content and a clear topic focus. You can also post transcriptions of your podcasts. Your website’s job is to move you towards making money from your podcasting as soon as possible. It’s at this stage, too – with these time-consuming tasks staring at you from your to-do list – that you must resist losing your passion and joining those non-surviving podcasters. Why? Because you’re about to make money!

Your Podcast Monetizing Choices

With quality content, consistency, a website and an engaged audience, you can now choose how to make sure your podcast brings in that income you want. You’re maybe 6 months or so down the line and the choices are these:

  1. If your audience is large, you’ll be able to do some affiliate advertising – an option to look at if you can do so without alienating your audience. Be subtle in your choices. Be relevant. You’ll earn something each time your audience uses your affiliate code.
  2. On the other hand, you may be able to find a sponsor in your niche to offset your costs because of the publicity and kudos you bring them. This is nice but not as profitable as your third option.
  3. Your best option is to provide tangible extras on your website that your audience will want to buy because you’re the authority on your subject and they love your style. These might include (according to what your topic is)
    • a webinar series
    • an e-course
    • a white paper
    • personal coaching
    • an actual product
    • an offer to podcast for someone else’s business.

Why is this your best option? It’s under your control. With six to 12 months of consistent dedication, you’re taking charge of making money. Which is what you were asking about, wasn’t it? Oh, and you get to keep your co-host to help with the tasks!

Related: Should You Start an LLC for Your Podcast?

You Can Do It!

  • Go for quality and consistency of both content and audio.
  • Market yourself in all channels and build a community on your website.
  • Produce value add-ons related to your podcast.
How Long Does It Take For A Podcast To Make Money? - Podcast Rocket (2024)

FAQs

How Long Does It Take For A Podcast To Make Money? - Podcast Rocket? ›

Your podcast can make money between six to 12 months with the right strategy.

How likely is a podcast to make money? ›

While many successful podcasters make thousands or even millions of dollars, smaller-scale creators might only earn a few hundred. Typically, a podcaster with around 10,000 downloads per episode can expect to earn somewhere between $500 to $900.

How much do podcasts make per 1,000 views? ›

Podcasters charge for ads based on the number of people who have listened to the episode. This is known as cost per thousand impressions or CPM, which can range from $20 CPM to $100 CPM usually calculated at a dollar per 1,000 listeners.

How many listeners do you need to make money on a podcast? ›

To put harder numbers on it, many sponsorship agencies look for 3000 to 5000 listeners, per episode, before they'll take you on. But, if you're doing it yourself, it's perfectly possible to earn a decent sponsorship income once you pass the 200 to 300 mark, especially if you have a particularly niche audience.

How much time does it take to produce a podcast? ›

As a general rule, after personally overseeing the production of over 50 podcasts, I'd say a good average edit time for a 30-40 minute podcast is about 4-5 hours. That's a number that surprises most people so it's a good idea to practice before you get started so you know how much time it's going to take you.

At what point is a podcast successful? ›

5,000 listeners per episode almost guarantees a successful monetization. This is where a lot of interesting things start happening. Having more than 5,000 listeners per episode makes a podcast over 29 times more likely to be monetized successfully.

Can you make a living off a podcast? ›

We hear the question “How much money can podcasters make” all the time. As you can see, there's a big range. While most podcasters make very little in the beginning, podcast and can be a lucrative career if you stick with it, engage your audience, and consistently create quality content.

Who are the highest paid podcasters? ›

According to Charlamagne Tha God, the podcaster personalities who have the most lucrative operation are Million Dollaz Worth of Game hosts Gillie Da Kid and Wallo267, a claim he shared during a recent appearance on their show.

How easy is it to monetize a podcast? ›

Sell sponsorships or ads

Sponsorship is the most common way to monetize a podcast. Aside from accepting donations it's also the easiest because you don't have to create or sell anything. You just have to set up a deal with a sponsor.

How many ads in a 30 minute podcast? ›

Shortform. Podcasts that run for around 30 minutes tend to have anywhere from three to six ads spread out across one to four ad slots—either pre-rolls, mid-rolls, or post-rolls, sources said.

How long does it take to monetize a podcast? ›

As soon as you can get these four factors right, you are ready to monetize your podcast. Relying on the experience of Marc Clair, a podcast host, and producer, it may take as long as 18 months before you start seeing results. That's if you produce a show weekly.

How long should a podcast be? ›

The length of your podcast also depends on your subject, industry or genre. It could be that around 15-20 minutes perfect for your listeners. But maybe your specific audience wants more in-depth, exploratory information; in which case, 45-90 minutes would provide more value.

Does Spotify pay you for podcasts? ›

Payouts for Podcast Subscriptions, Listener Support, and some Ambassador ads users are processed through Stripe. At the moment, you can only get paid through Spotify Payouts by linking a bank account.

Are podcasts hard to grow? ›

You may want to produce a podcast for everyone, but shows with mass appeal are extremely hard to grow. In fact, if you look at some of the popular podcasts that appeal to everyone, you'll notice that the hosts or producers already had a big audience before starting their shows.

How often should I release a podcast? ›

Monthly. If you're considering releasing a podcast with episodes averaging 60-90 minutes in length, then you should consider releasing podcast episodes on a monthly basis. Monthly episodes often have several hosts, featured guests, and dive deep into hot topics and deeply reported stories.

How many times a week should you post a podcast? ›

Now, ideally, for a very generalized audience speaking in very broad general terms here, once a week is a good release schedule. just about anybody can find time to listen to one podcast episode per week. And it keeps you in their mind fresh every week.

What percentage of podcasts fail? ›

There is a 50 percent chance that your podcast is going to podfade. With more than half a million podcasts churned out yearly, only 20 percent survives, the question of why podcasts fail deserves answers.

What are the signs of a successful podcast? ›

The Top 3 Characteristics of a Successful Podcast, According to a Podcasting Pro. Ginni Saraswati, founder and CEO of podcast production company Ginni Media, shares why Intentionality, Cadence, and Thoughtfulness of Content are the three most important characteristics of a successful podcast.

How do you tell if your podcast is doing well? ›

8 methods for how to measure podcast success
  1. Number of listeners. ...
  2. Number of downloads per episode. ...
  3. Sponsors and advertisem*nts. ...
  4. Audience and critic reviews. ...
  5. Website and social media traffic. ...
  6. Engagement with promotional materials. ...
  7. Networking and referrals. ...
  8. Recycled content.
Jun 24, 2022

Can a podcast be a side hustle? ›

Podcasting can be a good side hustle, but you may have to hustle for a while before having a moneymaking podcast. Podcasts with good listenership can command thousands of dollars a month in advertising revenue, but most podcasts require some time to grow to that point.

Is podcasting a full time job? ›

Done at the right time and the right way, podcasting full-time can be a very lucrative career. However, if you venture into it unprepared, you can get burned. Build a robust foundation for podcasting while you are still employed. The tips I shared above are good starting points if you don't know where to begin.

How do I make my podcast popular? ›

Podcast Marketing Strategies For 2022
  1. Release at least 3 episodes on launch day.
  2. Submit to podcast aggregators and directories.
  3. Prompt your listeners to subscribe, share, and leave reviews.
  4. Publish at strategic times.
  5. Don't forget about the back catalog.
  6. Hacking word-of-mouth recommendations.
  7. Network with other podcasters.

Do podcasters get royalties? ›

Podcasts do not currently generate performance and/or mechanical royalties. Show creators typically pay a flat upfront fee to license your music instead.

What are five ways podcasts can earn income? ›

Let's look at the seven ways how to make money doing a podcast and offer some examples.
  • Sell Custom Merchandise.
  • Affiliate Marketing.
  • Offer Memberships.
  • Sell Services or Digital Products.
  • Try Donations and Collecting Tips.
  • How to Make Money From Podcasts With Sponsorships.
  • Podcast Advertising Networks.
Aug 24, 2022

Who is the highest paid black podcaster? ›

He reveals that Gillie and Wallo, the hosts of the popular podcast "Million Dollaz Worth a Game," are the highest paid black podcasters in the industry.

How do I get sponsors for my podcast? ›

4 Strategies to Get Podcast Sponsors
  1. Reach Out to Sponsors Directly. The simplest strategy? ...
  2. Partner With a Hosting Service. Podcast hosting services give your podcast a home on the internet. ...
  3. Join a Podcast Network. Some networks let you list your show (sometimes for free) on their platform. ...
  4. Use a Directory.

Can you start a podcast without a following? ›

You can absolutely start a podcast with no audience! While you might think you need a big following or established audience to start a podcast, the truth is a podcast is a brilliant tool to grow your audience from nothing. You can start a podcast even if you have an audience of zero.

How do I grow my podcast in 2023? ›

Start a Podcast People Will Listen To [2023 Guide]
  1. Cultivate an Audience from the start.
  2. Create an effective Marketing strategy.
  3. Pick the right Equipment for any budget.
  4. Record & Edit your first (crucial) episodes.
  5. Launch with an audience from day 1.
  6. Promote, Grow, and Monetize effectively.

How many hours to edit 1 hour of podcast? ›

It takes a professional Audio Engineers 3 hours to edit a 1-hour podcast. It can take an untrained hobbyist even more than that. Podcast editing solutions exist, but they are all either too time-consuming to learn (DIY) or too expensive to outsource ($90-625/episode).

How do I get 1000 listeners for my podcast? ›

Use actionable language that accurately reflects the content of your episode, and be sure to include relevant keywords that will help your podcast rank in search engines. Keep your episodes updated regularly, and promote new ones across your social media channels and website to help drive traffic and build an audience.

Is 5000 downloads for a podcast good? ›

If your episodes get more than 124 downloads in 30 days, you're in the top 50% of podcasts. If your episodes get more than 1,000 downloads, you're in the top 20%. If your episodes get more than 2,900 downloads, you're in the top 10%. If your episodes get more than 6,700 downloads you're in the top 3%.

What is the best time to release a podcast? ›

When it comes to a specific time to publish a new podcast episode, early mornings (and we mean early) are the most effective. Posting between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM increases the chances your podcast will be the first shown in your listener's daily feed on their app of choice.

How long should my first podcast be? ›

One more question: how long should your first episode be? Regardless of how long your regular episodes are, your intro episode doesn't need to be that long. I usually recommend keeping it to 15-20 minutes at max, but it could be even shorter. (Even a 5-10 minute intro episode is perfect!)

What length of podcast is most popular? ›

If your podcast episodes are too long, it could cause you to turn off listeners. Data shows that the most common podcast episode length is somewhere between 20-40 minutes, so aim for that area. This accounts for around 31% of all podcast episodes.

How much does 1 million Spotify streams pay? ›

For instance, based on my knowledge, as an artist, you will make: The average price per stream is $0.004. $4 for every 1,000 streams. $4000 for each million streams.

How much does Apple pay podcasters? ›

With Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, you receive 70% of the subscription price at each billing cycle, minus applicable taxes. After a subscriber accumulates one year of paid service, your net revenue increases to 85% of the subscription price, minus applicable taxes.

Are Spotify podcasters making $18,000 a month with nothing but white noise? ›

Some 'white noise' podcasts on Spotify are pulling in over $18,000 per month, reports Ashley Carman of Bloomberg. Shows with names like 'Calming White Noise' and 'Best Noise Labs' have remarkably dedicated audiences. Oddly for podcasting, she found many creators in the genre to be secretive or unresponsive.

What is the hardest part of starting a podcast? ›

Getting Started. One of the most difficult common challenges podcasters face is getting started. The distance between your initial inspired idea and recording your first episode seems too far and too long to travel. You may be overwhelmed by the many steps involved in making your podcast a success.

What percentage of podcasts succeed? ›

Tracking the duration of a listen is the most accurate way to find out how many people finish an episode. The average completion rate is 60%. It means that if you have 100 listeners, only 60 of them will finish the episode. The number can be lower for some shows and higher for others.

Is a 10 minute podcast too short? ›

No, it can't be too short. There is no definitive time which a podcast has to reach. Shorter podcasts leave you less time to deliver information, engage and entertain, but can work well if you have a lot of useful tips to share.

How many downloads a week is good for a podcast? ›

Potential audience sizes are totally dependent on show topics. There's no single podcast download numbers gauge here. However, statistically, if you get over 30 downloads for a new episode in the first week of its release, you're in the top 50% of all podcasters.

How long is too long for a podcast intro? ›

Podcast Intros: In Summary

Try to keep your podcast intro short, around 30-60 seconds - your listeners don't want to have to wait long for you to get into the content of the podcast. They just want a short, catchy intro that will get them excited to hear the full episode.

What is the average lifespan of a podcast? ›

The average lifespan of a podcast is about six months. After that, most podcasts are either abandoned or become irregular.

How many hosts should a podcast have? ›

Podcasts can take many forms: one-man shows, cohosts, guests, call-ins, etc. Metafilter founder Matt Haughey's advice from a decade ago still rings true – your show should involve two or three hosts. I listen to a lot of podcasts and the most typical format is 2 or 3 hosts and sometimes one guest.

Can you make good money with a podcast? ›

Because podcasts are a more intimate medium, they can be a powerful way to sell your product or service. If you don't have a specific product or service you'd like to sell, you may eventually be able to monetize your podcast by playing sponsored advertisem*nts and earn money that way.

Is it hard to make a podcast successful? ›

One podcast tip that many aspiring podcasters don't like to hear is that it can take years to build an audience. And in order to make a successful podcast, you need to be prepared to turn up consistently and regularly over the next few years. That doesn't mean that you can't have short-term goals, though.

Does anyone make money on podcasts? ›

There are several ways to monetize your show and make money from a podcast! Choose the monetization strategy that suits your podcast best, or even combine some of them to maximize your return. One of the most common ways podcasters make money is through sponsorships.

How much does Spotify pay podcasters? ›

Spotify pays artists between $0.003 - $0.005 per stream on average. That works out as an approx revenue split of 70/30 - so that's 70% to the artist/rights holders and 30% to Spotify.

Why do so many podcasts fail? ›

Why Podcasts Fail: Lack of Consistency. Most podcasters quit after the first three episodes. Starting a podcast and not sticking to a schedule is how most podcasts fail. You probably expect to succeed after you have published your first few episodes.

How many people quit podcasting? ›

41% of them listen to the majority of shows on average, 5% of them say that they often listen to less than half of an episode, and 2% of people quit podcasts at the start.

Why do people stop podcasting? ›

People quit podcasting all the time, for loads of different reasons. Quitting because of a lack of time, lack of resources or simply life getting in the way are all things we see every day running a podcast hosting platform. The thing is, podcasting, like anything, is a commitment that takes time to work at.

How often do podcasts fail? ›

According to many in the business, most podcasts that fade die out as early as their 7th episode. In fact, research indicates that the podfading rate is as high as 50% among new podcasts.

Can a solo podcast be successful? ›

Starting a podcast by yourself is totally doable and we definitely encourage you to give it a try! There are sooo many successful solo podcasters out there and you can totally be one too!

Do podcasters pay their guests? ›

Typically, podcasts do not pay their guests. Their “Payment” comes from exposure to the audience as well as highlights to their services, e-books, products, etc. Even if a podcast is small now, there is an assumption by host and guests that the show will grow, and the exposure will increase.

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