Q&A: How do you grow a podcast without spending money on ads?

Notes from Chris

Episode 1250

If a podcast falls in the forest, will anyone hear it? This listener wants to know how to grow his new show—without spending money on ads. He’s worried that going it alone without dropping cash into Google or Facebook’s pockets isn’t going to end up well.

Fortunately, I have some ideas.

By the way, a quick side note: this guy’s recording quality is really great. Over the past couple of months, I’ve noticed that a lot of people have upgraded their equipment at home (microphones, webcams, etc...) because of the pandemic and so much more remote work. It doesn’t take a big investment at all to look and sound better.

"Chris, this is Stephen from Billings, Montana. And I've been listening to the show for about two years now. My Side hustle is a podcast. I spent my first three months making sure the audio quality was top notch in that I was growing in my interview skills and now I'm ready to grow the show's community and dip my toe into the world of advertising. So I have two questions related to podcast growth. First, I want to know how I can grow a show organically without putting money into Google or Facebook ads. I want to grow only from word of mouth and a strong social media brand. And I'm wondering if you think this is naive or misguided.

Second, could you explain the difference between affiliate advertising versus direct sponsorship and how each works for a podcast? What's the process for signing each kind? And should my ads sound different when I'm reading for one or the other? Can't wait to hear from you. And thanks again for all you do for the Side hustle community."

Listen to today's episode to learn more...

 

 

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Go and check out Stephen’s show: it’s called KnowNormalPeople.com..

 

SEE ALSO:

• Essential Oils Podcast Produces $2,000/Month in Passive Income: A stay-at-home mother starts a podcast about essential oils and pulls her family off government assistance.
• Songwriter Makes Extra Money Giving Podcasts a Beat: When a friend needs help writing music for his podcast, this full-time music producer tunes up his side hustle strings.
• Musician Turns Drum Lessons Into Six-Figure Podcast: It starts with a drum set that his brother’s band left at his house for a month when he was a teenager—and it develops into a lifelong love of percussion and a major moneymaker.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,