How Much Do Podcasters Make? Pod Monetization Tips

Whether you have a new podcast or you’ve run your own podcast for years, you might feel like it’s time to take things up a notch. Over 383.7 million people around the world listen to podcasts, and the podcast craze is far from over. As a podcast host, you have the power to make a living from your hosting gig, even if it’s a part-time hobby. But how much do podcasters make? And how do podcasts make money, anyway? 

Let’s break down what the most popular podcasts make, how successful podcasts monetize their content, and how much you can expect to earn. 

How Much Do Podcasters Make?

Like any content creation gig, your podcast earnings will vary based on a lot of factors. But on average, full-time podcast hosts make $77,566 a year in base pay. 

Some of the highest-earning podcasts on the market make way more than that, though. Chapo Trap House earns $110,619 a month just from its Patreon, while Last Podcast on the Left makes $50,244 a month on the platform. In 2019, The Joe Rogan Experience earned a reported $30 million and The Dave Ramsey Show earned $10 million. Money expert Pat Flynn made $200,000 a month from his Smart Passive Income blog with an accompanying podcast. Having a popular podcast definitely contributed to this creator’s overall revenue.

However, these earnings aren’t typical. So, how much do podcasters make, really?

It depends on the podcast. Generally speaking, older podcasts with more episodes tend to be more successful. Fifty-three percent of “successful podcasters” have over 200 episodes and 69% of shows that are over 24 months old are monetized. Knowledge comes with experience, so that isn’t too surprising. If you want to make a full-time living from podcasting, you need to post plenty of podcast episodes and stick with it over time.

How Do Podcasts Make Money?

How much do podcasters make? Closeup of recording equipment

To be honest, many podcasts don’t make money at all. That’s because you have to put in the effort to create quality content and a loyal listenership before you start monetizing your content on your own or through a podcast network.

Some podcasters don’t see a dime because they fail to diversify their revenue streams. Few podcasters make a full-time living just on affiliate sales or podcast ads. They use several monetization strategies to make a living, so it’s best to try a handful of income streams to see what sticks. 

Not sure where to start? Try these common podcast monetization methods to boost your earnings.

1. Online Courses

You can earn $1,000 to $100,000 a year selling online courses. If you have valuable experience, you can convert it into a paid online course via platforms like Teachable or Kajabi. 

Just make sure your online course content is unique. Your students don’t want to pay a premium for rehashed podcast content, so provide them with examples, templates, and cheat sheets so they get value from your course.

2. Consulting Services

Podcasts are great for general tips, but if your listeners crave one-on-one advice, consider offering coaching or consulting. It’s very common for podcasters to share individual guidance for fashion, diet, exercise, relationships, and more. Just make sure you’re qualified to give advice. If you’re offering advice on sensitive topics, like finance or investments, you may need a certification.

3. Premium Content

You should continue to offer free content on your podcast, but you can reserve some content just for paying subscribers. Platforms like Patreon allow you to charge affordable membership fees to give subscribers exclusive access to premium content. The more subscribers you have, the bigger your monthly paychecks. 

Consider offering subscriber-only perks like: 

As always, content quality matters for premium content. Make sure your perks offer value to listeners so they’ll stay subscribed. 

4. Speaking Engagements

Woman speaking in front of a crowd

As a podcast host, you’re used to speaking in front of an audience. You can earn more money as a podcaster by signing up to speak at conferences, workshops, and team-building events. 

Even if you’re a complete novice, you can make $500 to $2,500 from your first public speaking gig. You can charge a lot more if you’re a seasoned speaker, though, so this is a profitable way to boost your podcast earnings as you gain experience. You can find speaking engagements by joining a speakers bureau or by pitching yourself to local businesses.

5. Brand Sponsorships

Many podcasters make their most lucrative earnings through sponsorship deals. Podcast ad revenue will bring in an estimated $2 billion in 2023, so this is a big opportunity for podcasts of all sizes. With brand sponsorships, brands pay podcasts to promote their products. Since 81% of podcast listeners say they pay more attention to podcast ads than any other type of ad, this is a big win for brands. 

But how much do podcasters make on brand sponsorships? It depends entirely on the arrangement they have with their sponsors. Many brand partnerships work on a cost-per-mille (CPM) model where sponsors pay a flat rate per 1,000 downloads. You can run pre-roll ads (before the podcast content), mid-roll ads (as a break in the middle of your content), or post-roll ads (at the end of the podcast) to promote brand sponsors. Generally speaking, CPM rates range from $18 to $25. 

If you want to make more money on brand sponsorships for your podcast, partner with a podcast marketing agency like Castr. We match brands and podcasts for better-paying deals that you can’t find anywhere else — with vetted, reputable brands. 

6. Affiliate Programs

Sixty-nine percent of podcast listeners say a podcast exposed them to a new product or brand. Product promotion is alive and well in podcasting, and you can make more money by promoting brands as an affiliate. Affiliates earn anywhere from 5% to 50% of the total value of a sale, so you can definitely make money with this podcast monetization strategy.

With affiliate marketing, you partner with a brand that sends you a unique code or URL. You then promote the code to your followers and, when they make a purchase, the brand gives you a commission in exchange for your hard work. You only make money when you make a sale, but if your followers trust your recommendations, you can make decent money as an affiliate. 

Sign up for popular affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, Audible, or Apple Services for starters. You can also look for niche-specific affiliate programs if you think your followers would engage with them. 

7. Products 

Whether it’s a coffee mug from My Favorite Murder or Office Ladies hoodies, plenty of podcasters make money on physical products. Create your own T-shirts, mugs, buttons, stickers, or other swag that your listeners would love. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to create your own products, either. Partner with platforms like Printful, Printify, or Teespring to sell your own merchandise.

Make Money Podcasting

How much do podcasters make? Two podcasters talking into mic

So, how much do podcasters make? It depends. Some successful podcasts make millions every year, but that isn’t the reality for small podcasts. Many podcasts make $0, so it’s on you to pursue several income streams and make money as a podcaster. Most podcasters make money through: 

But podcast sponsorships are still one of the best ways to see significant earnings from your content. You shouldn’t partner with just any brand, though. Go with Castr to find vetted, paying sponsors who will be a hit with your listeners. Get the ball rolling and learn how to get sponsors for your podcast.