If you are a podcaster trying to monetize your podcast, you need to be aquatinted with how advertising works in the podcasting space. Knowing about revenue sources will help you plan a long-term strategy for podcast creation. In this article, we share with you the basics of podcast advertising and tips to make your podcasts more attractive to advertisers.

There are usually three placeholders in a podcast where you can add advertisements.

The Pre-Rolls – These are usually 15 second spots at the beginning of the podcast. It is a part of introduction and usually sell at $15 to $20 per spot.

Mid Rolls – These spots usually appear in the middle or later part of the podcast. They are in depth advertising spots that last for about a minute. You can sell these spots for anywhere between $20 to $25.

Post Rolls – There are identical to the pre-roll ads but appear at the end of the podcast. They last slightly longer than pre-roll ads like around 30 seconds. You can charge $15 to $20 on an average.

If you want to know about advertising rates for your podcast you can calculate them here >> http://www.midroll.com/podcasters/

Below are some tips to make your podcasts more attractive to advertisers.

1. Define your target audience

The first rule of marketing any product or service is targeting a niche audience. When advertisers look for podcasts as a potential candidate to insert advertisements, they look at who are the audience that their brand will be presented to. The more niche and targeted your audience are, the easier it will be for brands to decide if they would like to advertise with you or not. 

Podcast topics are key in engaging listeners. Choose topics which are appealing to your target and use the right channels to promote your podcast (through promotional channels where your target audience are) is the best way to gather a niche audience. Having a very niche audience is the best way to attract the right advertisers.

2. Continuously improve the quality of your podcast

To get the right advertisers and to retain a good audience, it is necessary that you continuously improve the quality of your podcast. Gather feedback from your listeners, listen to some good podcasts in your space and look at what those podcasters are doing right. Try to incorporate all this into your podcasts.

To attract advertisers, it is necessary to show continual user growth which will only come from continuous improvement of your podcast content.

3. Increase your reach

Just like it is important to continuously improve the quality of your podcast, it is of utmost importance that you keep increasing your reach. In fact, your advertising rates are directly proportional to your reach. Read the post 8 Tips To Maximize Your Podcast Reach to keep improving your reach.

4. Be available on all consumption channels

Advertisers will always look to associate with podcast creators that engage with audiences on multiple channels. Being available on channels such as computers, phones and smart speakers will not only help you increase your reach but also project you as a modern, tech savvy podcaster who understands this space better. You can use platforms, like VoxxUp, to make your podcasts quickly available on smart speakers such as Alexa.

5. Use Podcast Advertising Networks

The main purpose of podcast advertising networks is to help podcasters monetize their content. Use popular networks such as Midroll, RadioTail to get advertisers for your podcasts. For best results, you’ll want to start by browsing other podcasts that work with your chosen service, and then find those that serve a similar audience as your own. You can then look at the kind of advertisers who are advertising on similar podcasts and target these advertisers.

6. Create a media kit

No matter how good your podcast is, no advertisers will be impressed unless you serve your information in the form of a good media kit. 

Make sure your media kit includes the following information – 

  • Title and logo of your podcast.
  • A summary of your podcast’s niche. Include episode length, subject, format, and any popular guests you’ve had on the show or interviews you’ve conducted.
  • Information about you, the hosts, and anyone else involved in production (photos and bios).
  • Information about your listeners, such as demographics, download statistics, and any evidence you have that your listeners really love your show.
  • Proposed rates and partnership ideas. Make it clear that you’re open to their ideas too.
  • Your contact information.

Try out these tips and let us know if these worked for you. Do share your feedback with us at [email protected]. Happy podcasting!