Pursuing my podcast as a business

Is your podcast just a fun side gig, or could it be something more? We tackle this question head-on, inspired by a listener who’s got a budding podcast and some serious self-doubt creeping in. Podcast Reality CheckWe break down the reality of podcast growth and the often disappointing truth of monetization. Let’s face it, just because you’ve got listeners doesn’t mean you’re rolling in dough. We dive into strategies for gauging your audience’s engagement and the importance of asking them for feedback. You’ll hear how to avoid the common pitfall of spreading yourself too thin (because nobody wants to end up burnt out and bitter). You Monetize an Audience - Not a PodcastAnd hey, if you’re dreaming of making a living off your podcast, we’ve got some tough love for you. It’s all about building an audience first, and that takes time and effort. So let’s keep it real and maybe have a laugh while we figure out how to turn that hobby into something that might just pay the bills.Takeaways:Podcasting can start as a fun hobby, but it might evolve into something more serious over time.Engagement metrics are key; knowing how far listeners stick around helps gauge interest.If you're thinking about monetizing, remember: you're really monetizing the audience, not just the podcast itself.Consistency in content is crucial; it's all about providing value and keeping your audience engaged.Links referenced in this episode:schoolofpodcasting.com/starttoggl.comMentioned in this episode:Ready To Grow Your Podcast?Starting August 19th (So sign up now) a cohort class at the School of Podcasting will lead members through the process and steps of growing your audience. You will receive feedback, and action steps to take to make your show in downloads, reach, and influence. Use the coupon code listener to save when you sign upSchool of PodcastingPodcasting in Six Weeks - Free CourseWe are bringing back Podcasting in Six Weeks and this time we are running an experiment and that is IT's FREE. Meeting weekly and go step by step and launch your podcast (it's designed for someone who does have a podcast, but wants one). Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeksPodcasting in Six WeeksThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy