What’s the Best Way for a Small Podcast to Make Money?

What’s the Best Way for a Small Podcast to Make Money?

Author: Alitu via The Podcast Host December 1, 2025 Duration: 51:55

What if monetising a podcast was simpler than the usual laundry list of tactics suggests? A new model called the Three As breaks earning potential into three clear paths: 

  • Audience, which includes supporter perks and light ads
  • Authority, which covers coaching, courses, and specialist services
  • Assets, which includes books, products, and affiliate income

The aim is to choose the route that fits your show’s size and purpose rather than copy the strategies used by giants.

Elsewhere, recent Independent Podcaster survey results show creators splitting into two broad groups. Audio-first shows follow flexible production routines, while video-led podcasts often feel the pressure of weekly uploads from platforms like YouTube. These differences show up in formats, production time, and a growing worry that video’s rise could narrow the types of stories podcasters feel able to make.

There is also a look at the event season ahead and how to get more from it. The focus is on going in with clear intentions, using the space to meet potential guests, and treating each venue as a chance to make connections rather than sit through panels all day.

The episode ends with practical studio advice. Creating depth behind you, shaping your light, and mixing fixed and angled shots can all lift your visuals without expensive gear. A bit of planning and a thoughtful layout often matter more than the camera you use.

Podcraft is brought to you by Alitu and The Podcast Host


If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the technical side of starting a show or wondered how to turn your passion into a sustainable project, PodCraft by Alitu: Honing the Craft of Podcasting is made for you. Hosts Colin and Matthew, with their three decades of shared experience, act as practical guides through the entire process. They move beyond theory, offering actionable advice you can use immediately. You'll hear detailed discussions on specific skills, from something as fundamental as selecting your first microphone to more advanced strategies like leveraging live events for community growth. The conversation also tackles the business and marketing realities, exploring how to effectively expand your audience and create revenue from your work. What sets this podcast apart is its balance of deep-dive tutorials on single topics and illuminating interviews with creators who share their own real-world successes and lessons learned. It’s a resource that recognises podcasting as both a creative outlet and a serious venture, providing the grounded, no-fluff guidance needed to refine your sound and build something that lasts. Tune in weekly for a dose of clarity and direction for your own audio journey.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

PodCraft by Alitu: Honing the Craft of Podcasting
Podcast Episodes
These 5 Podcasters Added Video – Here’s What Happened [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:24
You don’t need to look far to find a heated debate or surprising statistic about video in podcasting right now.Video is killing podcasts! Video is saving podcasting! If you’re not doing video, what’s the point? It’s a lo…
Do We Need to Champion Spoken-Word Audio in a World of Video Hype? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:21
Video takes up a lot of focus in the wider podcasting conversation. Do we need to work harder to shine a light on the benefits of pure audio?We spoke to a bunch of kind and patient people at The Podcast Show London who w…
How to SCALE & Grow Your Audience #1 - Syndication Essentials [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:22
We're going to tackle the huge topic of podcast growth by walking you through our SCALE framework. S – SyndicationC – Communities & CollaborationA – Advertising & Paid PromotionL – Live & In-PersonE – Email & EngagementO…
3 Signs You Have an Amateur Creator Mindset [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:55
We dive into the three sneaky signs you’re stuck in an amateur creator mindset: struggling with writer’s block, relying too much on motivation, and being scared to share your ideas. On this episode, we'll break down why…
What Does a Podcast Producer Actually Do? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:30
With its impressive 50k per episode download numbers and strong YouTube presence, Cal Newport's Deep Questions is a podcast in the "top 1%" category. On this episode, producer Jesse Miller joins me for a chat about going…
Will Content Sites Still Exist in 5 Years? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:27
The landscape of online search is changing rapidly. While roughly 60% of Google searches now end without a click (known as "zero-click searches"), we discuss how this trend has actually been evolving for years - it's not…