Jamie: All right, so you're thinking about starting a podcast, and you're pumped, right? Right.
Jamie: But then you stumble upon this whole 10,000 downloads thing,
Jamie: and suddenly it feels like you need a stadium full of listeners just to get
Jamie: started. Sound familiar?
Jaayne: Yeah, it's a common misconception. The podcasting world can get a little fixated
Jaayne: on those download numbers, which, let's be real, can be super intimidating for
Jaayne: someone just starting out.
Jamie: It's like everyone at Podcast Movement was obsessed with that magic number.
Jaayne: Oh, absolutely.
Jamie: I'll admit I've definitely caught a case of download envy myself a time or two.
Jaayne: It's easy to get caught up in that comparison game.
Jamie: It really is. But prepping for this deep dive, I was reminded that those download
Jamie: numbers, while important, don't tell the whole story.
Jaayne: You got it. Downloads are just
Jaayne: one piece of the puzzle, not the be-all and end-all of podcasting success.
Jamie: So like, what about those hyper-local podcasts? You know, the ones with super niche audiences?
Jaayne: Those can be absolute gold mines. We found this one example,
Jaayne: a podcast all about sustainable living in a small town.
Jamie: Get out.
Jaayne: I know, right?
Jamie: Okay, so how many listeners? Like 100,000?
Jaayne: Try 100.
Jamie: 100. And they're making bank.
Jaayne: They snagged a $5,000 sponsorship deal with a local farmer's market.
Jaayne: They found their people, their perfect audience.
Jamie: That's amazing. It's all about that connection, that niche.
Jaayne: Exactly.
Jamie: So, listeners, if you're passionate about something, even if you think it's
Jamie: obscure, there's probably a whole community of people out there just waiting to connect over it.
Jaayne: Oh, absolutely. Don't underestimate the power of niche. And this is exactly
Jaayne: why we need to move beyond downloads as the ultimate measure of success.
Jamie: Which brings us to another myth that I hear all the time. Anyone can podcast.
Jaayne: Oh, yeah. That's a good one.
Jamie: I mean, sure. Technically, anyone with a smartphone can hit record.
Jamie: But it's like saying anyone can write a novel. It takes a lot more than just
Jamie: the tools to be successful.
Jaayne: You're preaching to the choir. The technology has become incredibly accessible, and that's amazing.
Jaayne: But just like any creative endeavor, podcasting requires a lot more than just hitting record.
Jaayne: Planning, dedication, consistency.
Jamie: Oh, and let's not forget all those hats we wear as podcasters.
Jamie: Researcher, writer, editor, sound engineer, marketer, social media guru. The list goes on and on.
Jaayne: And sometimes therapists to our co-hosts.
Jamie: You said it. But seriously, I need a nap just thinking about it all.
Jaayne: Well, all of that contributes to why we see such a high failure rate in the podcasting world.
Jamie: Oh, is that right? What's the statistic on that?
Jaayne: One study we found said that a whopping 80% of podcasts fizzle out before they even hit 10 episodes.
Jamie: 80%? That's kind of terrifying.
Jaayne: It's a reality check for sure.
Jamie: But hey, that's what we're here for. To separate fact from fiction and give
Jamie: you the knowledge to beat the odds.
Jamie: Okay, so we've talked about downloads and the effort it takes to make a podcast.
Jamie: But you know what else gets me? All the gear. I get serious equipment envy sometimes.
Jaayne: Oh, tell me about it. Those mics. The headphones. It's like you need a whole
Jaayne: recording studio to even think about starting, you know?
Jamie: Right. I used to think I needed a soundproof booth and a super expensive microphone.
Jamie: Turns out, you can achieve a lot with a little creativity.
Jaayne: Absolutely. Creating a good recording environment is so much more important
Jaayne: than having all the fancy equipment.
Jamie: OK, so what are your best tips for getting good sound without breaking the bank?
Jaayne: Well, one of the biggest things is echo. And that usually comes from having
Jaayne: a lot of hard surfaces around bare walls, hardwood floors.
Jaayne: Makes sense. But you don't need to go crazy with soundproofing.
Jaayne: Just try hanging some blankets or putting some cushions around your recording
Jaayne: space. Even thick curtains can help.
Jamie: Like a pillow fort for podcasting.
Jaayne: Exactly. And don't forget about soft furniture. that comfy armchair could be your new best friend.
Jamie: I love it. Simple solutions.
Jaayne: Oh, and here's another one that people often overlook. Microphone technique.
Jaayne: Get close to that mic, but not too close.
Jamie: Goldilocks style. I like it.
Jaayne: Find that sweet spot where your voice is clear and strong, but not popping or blasting. All right.
Jamie: So we've busted myths about downloads, effort, and gear.
Jamie: But let's be honest. Everyone wants to know about the money.
Jamie: How do you actually monetize a podcast, cast, especially if you weren't going
Jamie: for those massive download numbers.
Jaayne: It's the million dollar question, right? But the good news is there are ways
Jaayne: to make money without needing millions of downloads.
Jaayne: We've talked about the limits of relying only on advertising.
Jamie: Yeah, the whole CPM model.
Jaayne: Right. And while it can be great for shows with huge audiences,
Jaayne: it's not the only option.
Jaayne: Direct sponsorships can be incredibly effective, especially when you're starting
Jaayne: out or focusing on a niche audience.
Jamie: I was just thinking about that vintage board game podcast we mentioned.
Jamie: Didn't they secure a sponsorship deal? They did.
Jaayne: A $10,000 deal with a board game
Jaayne: company, all because they had a small but incredibly engaged audience.
Jamie: See, that's what I'm talking about. Audience relevance is key.
Jaayne: Exactly. It's not always about reaching the masses. It's about reaching the right people.
Jaayne: Those who are genuinely interested in what you have to say and what your sponsors have to offer.
Jamie: It's like they say, if you're talking to everyone, you're talking to no one.
Jamie: Which is a perfect segue into our next topic. Tips and Memberships,
Jamie: Tips and memberships, that's where it's at. Yeah. I love supporting creators directly. Me too.
Jaayne: It's like being a patron of the podcasting arts.
Jamie: Exactly. And it takes the pressure off needing a zillion downloads to make it
Jamie: sustainable. It's about fostering a real community.
Jaayne: Absolutely. A community that values what you're creating.
Jamie: But setting those programs up, though, can seem a little daunting.
Jamie: Any advice for our listeners who are thinking about trying it out? For sure.
Jaayne: First off, keep it simple, especially when you're starting out.
Jaayne: Wow. Don't overthink it with a million different tiers or anything.
Jamie: Yeah. Keep it streamlined.
Jaayne: Exactly. Maybe start with something like a buy me a coffee link for one-time
Jaayne: tips or create a couple of membership levels with clear benefits.
Jamie: Makes sense. Start small and grow from there.
Jaayne: Right. And don't be afraid to experiment a little. You could offer a free trial for your membership.
Jamie: Ooh, trials. Love a good trial run. Let's people see what they're getting.
Jamie: What about those personal touches?
Jamie: I always love when creators make you feel appreciated for supporting them. Oh, for sure.
Jaayne: A personalized thank you can go a long way, even if it's just a quick message.
Jamie: It shows you care.
Jaayne: It really does. Or a shout out on the next episode, maybe a handwritten postcard.
Jamie: Ooh, a postcard. That's so personal. I love that.
Jaayne: Right. Little things like that make a difference. And of course,
Jaayne: transparency is key. Let your listeners know how their support is helping.
Jamie: Like maybe it helps you invest in better equipment or frees up time to focus
Jamie: on creating even better content. Exactly.
Jaayne: It builds trust. And that's huge when you're asking people to support you directly.
Jamie: It's a two-way street for sure. You're offering great content and they're directly
Jamie: contributing to making it happen.
Jaayne: Exactly. And it all comes back to what we've been talking about.
Jaayne: Successful podcasting isn't about chasing some magic number.
Jamie: It's about creating something valuable.
Jaayne: Connecting with your audience authentically.
Jamie: Building a community. Yes. It's about finding your voice, sharing your passions,
Jamie: and letting those passions shine through. And hey, if you can make a living
Jamie: doing what you love and connect with awesome people along the way, even better.
Jaayne: Couldn't have said it better myself. So as we wrap up this deep dive into the
Jaayne: world of podcasting, we want to leave you with one final thought.
Jamie: What kind of impact do you want to make with your podcast?
Jaayne: Who is your ideal listener and what would they find valuable?
Jamie: Because when you focus on those core questions, the rest often falls into place.
Jamie: It's about creating something meaningful, something you're truly passionate
Jamie: about, and sharing it with the world.
Jaayne: And who knows, you might find that the most fulfilling kind of success is the
Jaayne: one that comes from following your own path and connecting with your audience on a deeper level.
Jamie: And on that note, we'll wrap up this episode of The Deep Dive.
Jamie: We hope this journey through podcasting myths and alternative monetization strategies
Jamie: has inspired you to approach your own podcasting journey with confidence,
Jamie: clarity, and a focus on what truly matters.
Jaayne: Until next time, happy podcasting.
Music: Music