Discover the Secret to Building Never-Ending Streams of Online Income – It’s Easy and Sustainable!

Step aside, PT Barnum. Make way, Sarah Bernhardt. Today, anyone can generate income by headlining thanks to the rise in popularity of the humble podcast online.

Although podcasting It’s been around for over 20 years, only recently starting to take off. How big is the podcast scene? Spotify has nothing less than five million titles. Apple Podcasts promise millions also. And those are just two of the many places to find podcasts to whet your appetite.

Here’s the thing though: you’re not relegated to just listening to podcasts. Thanks to the low barrier to entry, you can get to the top of the podcast charts and start earning an income online. Many podcasters with significant followings have found success. Had you heard of Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark before 2016? Maybe not: the duo’s rise to fame stemmed from the spectacular success of their My Favorite Murder podcast.

In other words, your next Second job you might be after a shiny new mic setup. And the hustle could earn you a nice penny. While not all podcasters gain traction with listeners, many do. If you can monetize your popularity, you can enjoy a sustainable online income stream. Who wouldn’t want an extra few hundred (or thousands) flowing into their account each month?

What’s the trick? You just have to put some measures in place to increase your chances of getting it right. You can’t just set up a podcast and expect everything to go well. Planning is essential, starting with seven of the biggest podcast must-haves and must-haves.

1. Name and claim your subject area

Each strong and memorable podcast focuses on a particular topic. It doesn’t matter what the topic is: politics, sports, midwifery. Anything goes. You just have to bring some interest and passion to your show.

This is very important and should not be trivialized. Unless you’re deeply interested in something, don’t make it the central focus of your podcast. After all, you need to be able to create multiple episodes. Therefore, write down what interests you and try not to hold back.

Once you have a lengthy list of potential things to discuss in your podcast, start tagging them. Which are most intriguing to you? Which would offer more opportunities for tangential issues? Are there any who would be easy to get guests? Eventually, you’ll find something that makes sense, and maybe it’s a little provocative like some of the best podcasters.

2. Research similar podcasts

Guess what? You still can’t think of a great podcast title. Sure, you’ve figured out your favorite topic. However, you do not want to enter a red sea with a lot of competition. In order to generate online income from it, you want your theme to stand out in some way. The best way to do this is to know what other podcasts are out there.

Spend a couple of weeks listening to podcasts on topics related to the ones you’ve chosen. Take notes of what you are listening to. What is the format of the program? How do you present the subject area? Hopefully, you’ll realize there are some loopholes you can take advantage of.

For example, let’s say you want to talk about dogs. That is a broad topic. Accordingly, it narrows it down to dogs that represent larger breeds. But wait: after doing some research, you’ll see that it still won’t stand out at a big dog breed show. Unless, of course, your podcast features some aspect of large dog breeds that few other podcasters are discussing. Maybe it’s end-of-life considerations or training for large breed senior dogs. The goal is to present a new twist on your theme.

3. Post on the right platform

You can go down many publishing routes when you are a podcaster. However, you will not make as much money if you are not on a platform that will help you. Not all platforms are built equal, especially if you’re hosting a podcast to increase your revenue. Your job is to find one that will streamline the process as much as possible.

Carry ShowPlatform, For example. The site has 35 modules set up to help with everything from guest management to building a website. (By the way, we’ll talk more about advertising later.) By investing in an all-in-one platform, you simplify life. You’re also taking the guesswork out of trying to activate a podcasting revenue stream.

Ideally, look for software with a free trial period. Even if you don’t upload or publish your first podcast during your trial, you’ll still have time to investigate. Learn the ins and outs of the software so you can get your podcast up and running quickly every time.

4. Buy decent gear

Forget about having to equip a room in your home with soundproof floors and walls. And get rid of the idea that you’ll go broke buying podcasting equipment. Just go for intermediate tools that you won’t pay for months with your credit card. As long as you have a somewhat secluded room, yes walk-in closets count, it will sound decent.

What equipment do you need to get started? Obviously, you’ll want a microphone. Also remember the headphones. You need to be able to hear yourself. From there, you need to order an audio mixer. While not absolutely necessary, pop filters will eliminate annoying squeaky sounds.

Some equipment providers like Shure and RODE offer all-in-one podcast kits. However, buying in bulk has its pros and cons. For one, everything should work just fine out of the box. On the other hand, you cannot be selective. Just don’t go extremely cheap. You want your podcast to sound as professional as your budget allows. Adding a video element can be a nice addition, but you may not be ready to invest in videography equipment right away.

5. Decide on a format

Podcasting consistency across all levels will encourage more people to tune in to your episodes. However, consistency isn’t just about posting your podcasts regularly. It’s about having a systematic framework that all your podcasts follow.

As an example, you might want to start all your podcasts with an overview of the angle you’ll be covering. Just give a sample so people know what they’re about to hear. Hit the overview of 35,000 feet. You’ll be dipping into the weeds later, either with a solo setup or maybe with a guest or guest panel. Then you could do a quick summary.

Having a regular format for your show gives it personality, strength, and predictability. Record a podcast or two after determining what type of setting appeals to you. Then listen to them. Do you still like the way everything is arranged? Or do you think you should change your original format? Making changes before you have too many podcasts online will get you to your podcasting “sweet spot” faster.

6. Attract advertisers

When you start to get some traction with the public, think about becoming an influencer. Many brands are willing to advertise with podcasting influencers. You will have to prove that you are an attractive partner, of course. buzzsprout suggests must not have less than 200 downloads to get a sponsor. Obviously, the larger your verifiable audience, the more you can ask for.

You will not get rich instantly by incorporating advertisers. A standard rate is about $18 for 1,000 impressions by Influencer Marketing Hub. That means you’ll need to up your game to start seeing more revenue from online revenue. But what better incentive to improve your program than to know that your efforts will literally pay off?

Just like with setting up and publishing your podcast, you can use different platforms to connect with advertisers. There’s nothing wrong with asking entrepreneurial friends if they want to sponsor your program too. They could say yes. And if the fit is right, it could benefit both of you.

7. Develop your online presence

Social media and the internet have made it incredibly simple for your podcast to stand out. You can’t just set up a website (mentioned above) and a business social account and expect it to attract people. You need to keep up with SEO and social media trends. Otherwise, you’re basically ignoring potential listeners (i.e., the people who help you generate income online).

While you definitely need some sort of website, you only need to be on one or two social sites. It is very difficult to control your social posts on more platforms. Unless you don’t have a day job, eliminate your stressors and just pick a couple of social sites. The best ones to choose are those where your target audience “lives”. For example, maybe you are trying to hit the estimate half of all podcast listeners age 35 and older. In that case, Facebook will have your back. Tik Tok? Not so much.

In addition to staying active with all of your online accounts, be sure to use them to connect with readers. You can’t just post and disappear over and over again. To become a podcast that other people want to tune in to, you need to interact. If you can’t find the time, you may need to outsource the role to someone else on an hourly basis.

Getting into the gig economy isn’t limited to driving for Uber Eats or opening an Etsy shop. With a little ingenuity and spirit, you could launch an online program for a nice, steady online income. It’s hard to imagine anything better than a hobby that pays for itself.

The charge How to build sustainable streams of income with an online program first appeared in Earring.