Monetize Without Being Smarmy: The SMASH Framework

A common question I get is, “how can I make money with my podcast.”

But what most people don’t realize is sponsorship isn’t the only way. So for today’s tip, I want to share with you my SMASH framework – 5 ways to make money with your podcast:

S: Sponsorship -The most common way people think of to monetize their podcast because it’s the most visible. You get a company to give you money in order to advertise on your show.

M: Membership - Another commonly known way to monetize. Instead of asking potential sponsors, you ask your listeners to directly support the show, usually in exchange for some members-only benefits.

A: Affiliate Links - This is the lowest barrier to entry, but may take time to get a decent income. You sign up for affiliate programs of products you commonly recommend, and you get a cut of each sale from people who click your link.

S: Selling (Products or Services) - I feel is the least-used way to monetize a podcast. You, using the podcast to prove your expertise, sell directly to your audience.

H: Helping (Coaching, Consulting, Courses) - Similar to Selling, you use you podcast to land consulting clients, coaching clients, or sell your online courses.

This could be a little easier than selling since you can have a podcast that does exactly what your “helping” service does.

Naturally, you’re not locked into one. But understanding your options will help you craft your episodes and your call to action; it will also help you figure out where to spend your time.

You can get more ideas in this free PDF.

Which method sounds best to you? Let me know!

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About Streamlined Podcaster: This is the show for solo podcasters who love their podcast but hate how much time it takes. Each week, host Joe Casabona shares the systems, workflows, and podcast automation that let you run a great show without burning out.

Joe has been a solo podcaster for 15+ years and helps solopreneurs replace manual tasks with reliable systems so they can take time off worry-free. He knows firsthand what it takes to produce a quality show solo — and he's here to help you do the same.

Get Joe's favorite podcasting tools: https://streamlinedpodcaster.com/tools

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/