Launch, growth and success tips for Podcasters and wider content creators. Read a set of quick points, from tool reviews to growth tactics, and much more, all aimed at helping you create the show of your dreams. If you're building a personal or a content brand, then get started with us!
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🚀 Indie creators reveal podcast income strategies 💰 (Podcraft Pointers)
Published 25 days ago • 7 min read
🎙️ TUESDAY TOUCHPOINT
Hullo there!
We've been running Podcraft Pointers in its new look for over a month now, and I was just wondering if you had any quick feedback for us?
Are there any segments/features that you're enjoying each week? And likewise, are any of them not quite hitting the mark for you?
We're always striving to give you our best, so if there's any way we can still improve, we are all ears. Just hit reply and have your say - all constructive feedback is massively appreciated :-)
🔍 FEATURED THIS WEEK
Podcast Income Stream Lessons From 10 Top Indie Creators
There is no shortage of potential income streams for your podcast. But rather than telling you everything you could try, how about some real-world case studies from ten successful independent podcasters?
The aim here is to show that while some revenue streams are a good fit for some, they don’t work so well for others. We’ll also answer questions like:
WHEN should you try to monetize?
What are some great on-ramps for smaller podcasts?
Can monetizing your content hamper your creativity?
Key Takeaways
🎯 You don’t need 10,000 downloads to make money. Niche engagement beats big numbers every time!
💰📈 Even small recurring income adds up over time. Keep an eye on your platforms!
🤝💼 Build genuine connections with brands and sponsors — not just transactions.
🙌⏳ Serve first, ask later. Trust and value build your base before the income rolls in.
🛍️🤗 Support small businesses and they’ll support you — sponsorship can be personal.
📣👥 Grow your audience first. Every bit of income helps, even if it’s just covering costs.
🛠️✅ If it works, it works — no shame in leaning on the one stream that delivers.
🎧🧘 Be intentional with monetization. Respect your audience’s listening experience.
🧱🎙️ Podcasts are a long-form trust-building tool — a marketing goldmine in disguise.
Vicki Weinberg, host of the award-winning podcast Bring Your Product Idea to Life, recently celebrated her five-year podcasting anniversary. On this episode, Vicki shares her journey from launching during the first week of lockdown to building a successful show with a dedicated audience.
Discover how to use Audacity’s auto-ducking feature to automatically lower background music levels when speech is present. Perfect for podcasts, interviews, and voice-over work. Make your audio mix sound professional with minimal effort.
Understand the concept of non-destructive editing in Audacity, where your original audio remains intact. Learn how to make changes without permanently altering your recordings. Keep your edits flexible and reversible for better control over your project.
Product, service, and subscription costs can add up when you’re a content creator. Some outgoings are essential, but that doesn’t mean you don’t wince when you see the dent in your bank account. Our discount codes for podcasters guide can help put some spare change back in your pocket.
Whether you’re new to podcasting or a seasoned pro, self-doubt is bound to creep in, especially as the industry grows and comparisons increase. Impostor syndrome is real and takes effort to overcome, often making you question if podcasting is even worth it. That’s a valid question—and one that deserves a thoughtful, honest answer.
📈 DATA CORNER
Podcasters are inspired by their community 🤝
For last week's quick poll, we asked what usually sparks your ideas for new podcast episodes.
It made us all warm and fuzzy inside to learn that the most popular source of inspiration for podcast episodes was speaking to other people in your community.
43% said their next episode ideas normally come from podcast guests, friends or listeners.
29% said they take inspiration from whatever's trending in their podcast niche, while 14% said they normally pick up ideas from something they watched or read.
The remaining 14% told us they follow a pre-determined content calendar, so potentially get their ideas from a whole load of different places.
Thanks to everyone who answered the poll, and feel free to reply to this email if you have any anecdotes to share that we might include in future articles!
💡 LINDSAY'S MINDSET MOMENT
Reframing Negative Feedback 🎯💬
Turning criticism into your podcast's greatest asset
Remember your first negative podcast review? I don't mean the reviews where someone hits one star out of five without an explanation. I'm talking about incidents where someone takes time and effort to call you on the carpet and tell you how much they disliked your show.
Yes, it may feel like a punch in the gut at first. But, this negative feedback can be a gift. Let me show you why. 💝
Proof Your Promotion Works 📈
First, this proves that your podcast promotion tactics have worked. You've made it beyond that circle of friends and family who will listen to your podcast and say nice things about it because they want to be your cheerleader. Pat yourself on the back! You cracked the bubble of support. Your podcast has reached an audience that cares more about your podcast's topic than about you.
Evaluate the Feedback Objectively 🔍
Secondly, take a moment to understand the feedback objectively. Is it related to an actual aspect of your podcast? Is it constructive? Or, is it nonsense from a troll?
Consider Making Changes 🛠️
The negative feedback may point to an aspect of your podcast worth changing. If it refers to some part of your podcast you're not confident about, take it on the chin and do the extra work to improve your show. On the other hand, some people have nothing better to do than post rude things on the Internet all day. These people aren't worth your time or attention.
Use Misunderstandings as Marketing 🤔
Sometimes, audiences will miss the point of your podcast in a wildly amusing way. Maybe you produce a comedy podcast labeled with an "Explicit" tag, and someone complains there's too much profanity. Maybe you adapted The Hound of The Baskervilles for audio drama, and someone complains about the podcast's lack of dogs. When the negative feedback says more about them than it does about your show, and it's interesting, include that in your podcast promotion. People who are capable of extrapolating from incomplete data will love it.
Remember, the negative feedback is about your podcast, not about you. If it's accurate and needs addressing, then fix whatever's not right about your podcast. Otherwise, take it as proof that your podcast's reach has extended beyond your original intentions. Congratulations! 🎉
Lindsay
🔧 TOOL OF THE WEEK
The Manono PD200X: Cheap Price, Cheap Sound?
The sub-$100 vocal microphone market is a crowded one. But the good news is that it’s easy to pick up a great-sounding mic without spending a triple-figure fee. How does the (often discounted) $70 Maono PD200X perform in this category? Let’s take a wee look (and listen!).
This guide is your cookbook for creating effective shownotes, offering a list of ingredients you can mix and match to build a consistent recipe that saves time and encourages listener action. By using the same format each week, you train your audience to know where to go and why, boosting engagement and helping you hit your goals. Try a recipe for a month, tweak what doesn’t work, and build on what does—stick with it, and you’ll see results fast.
Meet Alitu, the podcast maker that does all the techie work so you can focus on what you do best.
Record, edit, schedule and publish with one tool
AI audio editing so you sound better with less work
Publish more consistently, love the process
Real human support that’ll always get you unstuck
"The platform really is that easy to use-- I am so grateful for the time and headache saved while being able to get my episodes out in a timely and regular way." - Amy
As a Podcraft Pointers subscriber, you're entitled to 50% off your first month when you sign up for Alitu. Use coupon code POINTERS50 at checkout!
Want to Sponsor This Newsletter?
We work with products and services that are a great fit for our readers, so if you offer something that's ideal for podcasters and creators, get in touch. Drop us a line at sponsor@thepodcasthost.com.
👋 LET US HELP YOU
Whatever you need, whatever your budget, we’ve got you covered
From launch coaching and growth mentorship to editing and production, courses, and podcast feedback, we can tailor something exactly to your own needs. We're waiting to hear from you, so give us a shout!
Matthew & Colin
Have questions? Hit reply to this email and we'll help out!
Launch, growth and success tips for Podcasters and wider content creators. Read a set of quick points, from tool reviews to growth tactics, and much more, all aimed at helping you create the show of your dreams. If you're building a personal or a content brand, then get started with us!
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