Ep. 258: 7 Ways to Make Money Podcasting (Without Huge Downloads)
Want to know how to make money podcasting without needing 100K downloads per episode? I used to think that if I just flipped on the mic, brought on killer guests, and delivered great content, sponsors would be beating down my door and the money would just roll in. Spoiler alert: that's not how podcast monetization strategies actually work, and I learned this the hard way at a podcast conference that left me feeling like absolute shit. But here's the thing—after leaving my corporate job with zero income and no business plan, I discovered there are actually seven proven ways to monetize your podcast that have nothing to do with chasing download numbers.
In today's episode, I'm breaking down the exact podcast revenue streams I've tested, refined, and used to build my business from scratch. We're talking real numbers, real strategies, and real talk about what actually moves the needle when your audience isn't massive yet. I'll also share the $16,000 mistake I almost made and why focusing on relationships over downloads changed everything for my podcast marketing strategies.
🔥 What We Talk About:
The truth about podcast sponsorship requirements and why 5,000+ downloads is the sweet spot
How to use Patreon for podcasters effectively (and why I eventually stopped using it)
The best podcast affiliate marketing approach that doesn't feel salesy to your audience
Why selling your own products/services through your podcast beats every other revenue stream
How to leverage listener donations and paid subscriptions without a huge following
The live events strategy that's exploding post-pandemic for deeper audience connection
Content licensing opportunities most podcasters completely overlook
My "four Ps" framework that shapes every successful podcast strategy
So here's my question for you: which of these seven revenue streams feels most aligned with where you are right now in your podcasting journey? I'd love to hear what resonated with you or what you're planning to try first. Ready to turn your podcast into a real business? Schedule a free clarity call with me at allisonhare.com/freecall.
Notable Timestamps
03:45 - The podcast conference that made me feel like complete shit
08:30 - My broadcasting degree story and why I chose money over creativity
15:20 - The $16,000 viral marketing offer I almost took
22:10 - Breaking down CPM rates and sponsor requirements
28:45 - Why selling your own services beats everything else
35:15 - The mid-roll strategy that actually converts
42:00 - How Sarah Edmondson built a thriving Patreon community
48:30 - Live events and speaking gigs post-pandemic opportunities
📚 Resources Mentioned
Launch your podcast: book a free clarity call with Allison
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