Starting and Monetizing a Hobby Podcast: A Beginner's Guide

Podcasting has become a popular way to share your passions, hobbies, and expertise with the world. If you're considering starting a podcast as a hobby -  but also want to explore monetizing it - we're here to help! This guide will walk you through the basics of launching your podcast and turning it into a potentially profitable venture.

Step 1: Planning Your Podcast

Choose Your Niche: Start with a clear focus. Pick a topic you're passionate about and knowledgeable in. Your enthusiasm will attract and retain listeners.

Define Your Audience: Understand who your podcast is for. Tailoring your content to your target audience will help you create more engaging and relevant episodes.

Decide on the Format: Will your podcast feature interviews, solo commentary, or a mix of both? Determine the length and frequency of your episodes. Consistency is key to building a loyal audience.

Step 2: Setting Up Your Podcast

Equipment: You don't need a professional studio, but good quality audio is crucial. It's entirely possible to record straight to your phone and clean up the noise with an AI product. But, do your best to get quality audio without a lot of background noise.

Recording & Editing:  You can record to your phone, or use a program like Zoom, Descript, Riverside, or even Garage Band. The options are plenty. Our favorite editing software is Descript, but you'll get as many opinions as people you speak to on this topic.

Podcast Hosting: Choose a podcast hosting platform. This service will store your audio files and distribute your podcast to platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. We work. most often with Libsyn and Podbean. Again, any of the major names offer quality hosting. 

Branding: Create compelling artwork and a catchy podcast name. Your branding should reflect your podcast's personality and appeal to your target audience. As you brainstorm names, keep in mind that search on the podcast platforms is limited - so at this moment in time, if you want your podcast to be found in search, include key words in your title. (Think what are the key phrases people would type into Apple or Spotify to look for your topic).

Step 3: Launching Your Podcast

Create a Launch Plan: Build anticipation by promoting your podcast before launch. Use social media, your personal network, and any other platforms to spread the word. 

Publish Your First Episodes: Launch with at least three episodes. This gives new listeners a taste of your content and encourages them to subscribe.

Promote Your Podcast: Continuously promote your podcast through various channels. Engage with your audience on social media, collaborate with other podcasters, and consider guesting on other podcasts to increase your reach.

Step 4: Monetizing Your Podcast

Sponsorships: Once you have a steady listener base, you may be able to attract sponsors. Companies pay to get their products or services mentioned on your podcast. The key is to find sponsors that align with your niche and audience. With that said, plan for this day, but know that you'll most likely need to monetize in other ways before landing big brand deals. 

Affiliate Marketing: Recommend products or services to your audience and earn a commission for every sale made through your affiliate link. Choose affiliates that are relevant to your podcast's topic and audience.

Merchandise: Create and sell branded merchandise. T-shirts, mugs, and stickers are popular options. This not only provides income but also helps in marketing your podcast. (Like what we do with our Etsy store!)

Crowdfunding and Donations: Platforms like Patreon allow listeners to support your podcast through donations. Offer exclusive content or perks to your patrons as an incentive.

Premium Content: Offer premium content, such as ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, for a subscription fee. Create a course to teach others skills related to the podcast topic. Give virtual lessons. 

Focus On Creating Your Valuable and Engaging Content

Starting and monetizing a hobby podcast requires dedication, creativity, and patience. Focus on creating valuable and engaging content for your listeners, and the monetization opportunities will follow. Remember, the most successful podcasts are those driven by passion. So, choose a topic you love, share it with the world, and watch your hobby podcast grow into a rewarding venture. Happy podcasting!

If you'd like more in-depth training or coaching, send us an email and let's connect. We're always happy to offer a free, no-obligation discovery / brainstorming call. (email: [email protected])