So many people think the only way you can have a successful podcast is to be famous. Today we have a quick Interview with Jordan Blair from the Dreamful podcast and the Buzzsprout podcast Buzzcast. Jordan share all the straggles she is using to monetize her show.
Jordan's Been Podcasting For Seven Years
This didn't happen overnight, but you will hear where Jordan recommends starting monetization efforts from day one. This way your family and friends who want to support the show can actually chip in, and the audience gets used to hearing you ask for support.
If you feel weird asking for value in return for the value you have given to the audience, keep in mind PBS has been doing this for decades.
Where Do You Start?
Jordan recommends starting off with enabling donations (technically a tip not a donation, unless you're a non-profit). Buzzsprout has this built in or you could use buy me a coffee, and many others. If you start with subscriptions, as you're just starting the show, it may be a little overwhelming and you end up making extra content for an audience that doesn't exist (yet). Just realize if you want people to chip in, you have to ask.
You can see Jordan's support page here.
Affiliate Links Are a Great Test
We talked about tools for using affiliate links in a previous episode. Affiliate links enable you to make a commission on a sale from someone using your special link. This is a great test and practice to get used to doing calls to action, promoting a product, and seeing what products your audience is interested
The Pros and Cons of Merch
Jordan shares how she created some swag for her audience, setup a store and received absolutely zero sales. This is when she realized she should ask her audience what they want first before making swag. For more on merch sales check out my interview with Jayna Marie.
First Person Endorsements Deliver Tons of Value
Jordan's show is for kids who are trying to go to sleep. She found some puzzles and bought them and tried them. She knew this would resonate with her audience, and talked about her own experience with the puzzles and the affiliate links came flowing in.
You Might Have to Take Partners to School
Jordan explains that her first sponsor knocked on her door, and provided an offer. Jordan had to explain to them how partnerships work in podcasting (this isn't radio, and we have a much stronger connection with our audiences). She renogiated and came up with a dela that worked for everyone.
She Didn't Plan on Making Money
Jordan started the Dreamful stories podcast as a resource for her own children. She launched it, and focused on delivering value and connecting with her audience. She found out what they wanted and delivered the show they wanted. This lead to her show's downloads escalating while she was on a break!
Check out Jordan's Shows
Dreamful Stories
Buzzcast
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Other Items Mentioned
Podnews Weekly Review
How to Turn Your Podcast Into Passive Income (With Tools I Actually Use)
Big Lash Energy: One Million Downloads Fueled by Coffee and Compliments
Profit From Your Podcast Book (by Dave)
This Old Marketing Show
Sponsor Magnet Book by Justin Moore
Mentioned in this episode:
Where Will I Be?
I love meeting you when I'm out at events. Here are some of my next events:
Podcast Movement September 17-18
Podindy November 7th (use the coupon pacer at podindy.com)
Where Will I Be?
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Question of the Month: The Smallest Amount of Downloads
We all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why?
Does the size of your audience matter?
Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)
School of Podcasting
Podcasting Six Weeks
Ready to start your podcast? Podcasting in Six Weeks gives aspiring podcasters a proven, step-by-step system to launch with confidence. Stop overthinking and start publishing. Enroll today and your podcast could be live in just six weeks. Classes start August 19th
Podcasting in Six Weeks
