S1E05 - Mikel Ellcessor: How We Got Radiolab Listeners to Pay for $80,000 Episodes

In this episode, we talked with Mikel Ellcessor, an independent producer who has an incredible track record of helping teams form their original podcast strategy.As Co-Founder of the critically acclaimed Radiolab podcast, a two-time Peabody award winner that focuses on the investigation of big ideas told through sounds and stories, he was in charge of monetization and helped raise over $6M direct from listeners.He now helps teams build their content, communication and monetization strategies through his company Limina House. He can be found on Twitter @mikelellcessor.We talked about:The difficulty of attracting advertisers for creatorsThe birth of Radiolab, the critically acclaimed podcastWhy the future is paying for podcasts according to MikelTips to raise money through fundraising, events and more from RadiolabRadiolab's tribe and the power of a podcast communitySubscribe to our FREE premium feed to hear bonus content instantly, including Mikel talking specifics about raising $6 million from listeners, how to figure out what they want and how to create a compelling ask.Enjoy!Timestamps2:00 Into the world of radio from 14 years old: Mikel's background4:45 The slow uptake of radio to podcasting7:10 Creators find it difficult to attract advertising8:41 How Radiolab started post 9/1112:46 Radiolab's slow, organic growth14:21 Finding your true self through podcasting17:17 Being in the lives of incredibly talented people and how to share that excitement20:12 The future is paying for podcasts, Mikel Ellcessor explains why22:57 Be clear and specific about what you're fundraising for27:21 Interrogate your own relationship with money29:38 Don't waste your listener's time31:23 The reason why people give you money36:16 Trying out events to monetize Radiolab38:06 Radiolab's tribe and the power of a podcast communityLinkMikel Ellcessor's TwitterLimina House WebsiteRadiolab