There Is More Than One Way To Monetize posted by Bo Bennett, Group AdministratorThursday, January 21st 2010 @ 8:03 AM (1 ratings)    post viewed 2118 times

To make money podcasting you have most likely already thought of finding sponsors for your podcast who would pay you money in exchange for playing a short spot on your podcast or mentioning their product and/or service.  But that is just the beginning.  As a podcaster, opportunities for income are everywhere -- you just need to know where to look.

• Website Advertising.  If you have a podcast you most definitely have a website.  But what kind of website do you have?  Does your website serve as simply a place to hold your podcasts, or is it a place where your listeners can network and get much more information.  If the latter, you can build a community of listeners who will be more loyal and give you the opportunity to sell advertising or sponsorship on your website.  [cheapplug]For a great website solution for your podcast, see http://www.igroops.com.[/cheapplug]
• Appearences.  As a podcaster of your own show, you are a celebrity.  Maybe not in the same category as Tom Cruise or Julia Roberts, but possibly close to Julia Roberts' sister's daughter's friend who appeared once as an extra in a Lifetime Orginal Series.  In any case, there are people out there who would see value in having you podcast from their location, give a talk, or just show up at an event.  Make this option available on your website.
• Advertise Your Own Product and/or Service.  For all our podcasts, we advertise our own business when we do not have a sponsor.  Not only do we get business from this, but we also let potential sponsors know that sponsorship is possible for the podcast and we give the appearance that it is "in demand". If you do not have a product or service, think about becoming an affiliate of one simply for the opportunity to make a few bucks with your podcasts.
• Collect and Sell Content.  Each podcast you do can be translated into a chapter of book.  Would your podcast make an interesting book?
• Run Google AdSense.  Google AdSense are those ads that run on sites that display based on your content.  When people click on these ads, you get paid.
• Ask for Donations.  PayPal is a easy way to collect donations from your listeners.
• Charge for Membership.  With a membership site (again see igroops.com) you can charge for membership.  On all of our sites we have a "Business", "Personal Sponsor" and free membership.  We do very well with listeners who really like what we have to offer and taking a paid membership to support us.  Unlike donations, paid memberships give them some privileges including recognition as a paid supporter (see evcast.com - right and left columns)
• Setup an Online Store.  Are there any products you can sell related to your podcast?  Once you get big enough, you might want to look at promotional items with your podcast logo -- like mugs, shirts, etc.  You won't get rich off these but you can make a few bucks while having others advertise your podcast.
• Sell Access to Past Episodes.  Who says you have to keep every episode of your podcast in your feed for life?  Why not just the last 100, 50 or even 10?  Then, only allow your paid members to have access to your podcast archives.  Cha Ching!

There are many opportunities for income with podcasting.  Of course, these opportunities are directly related to the quality, popularity and listener base of your podcast.  So keep promoting and offer a good show.  But don't forget that there is money to be made!