Unlocking Your Podcast's Email Potential: A Quick Guide

Your podcast isn't just a platform to share stories or ideas—it's a goldmine for growing a thriving email list. 

However, the journey from podcast follower to email subscriber can be quite nuanced.

There’s a stack of ways you can convert ears to newsletter subscribers, but I’ll get into that later. 

Let’s say you have an audience of 100k listeners, and we take a modest 2% conversion rate. 

You should be able to reach at least 2,000 newsletter subscribers with minimal effort. 

But the real magic lies in your engagement strategies, compelling call-to-actions (CTAs), and smart marketing plays.

A well-crafted CTA can be your game-changer, nudging followers to become part of your email community.

Likewise, understanding the subtle contrasts between your podcast and email audience is crucial. 

Tailoring your approach to resonate with both can significantly hike your conversion rate.

This guide unravels practical steps to navigate this conversion terrain smoothly. 

As you read on, you'll uncover insights to not only boost your email list but also build a community that values your content, whether delivered through earbuds or inboxes. 

So, dive in and discover how to turn your podcast into an email marketing powerhouse.

How Much Money Can I Make With 10K Podcast Listeners?

The financial landscape of podcasting is as diverse as the world's many cultures. 

Several factors, like your monetization methods, listener engagement, niche focus, and episode frequency, play crucial roles in shaping your earnings.

Many new podcast creators often wonder, “How do podcasts make money, and when to start monetizing.”

The when to start monetizing your podcast is a whole other discussion in itself. Some say right away, others say after X amount of episodes or listeners. 

But let’s say you've hit the remarkable milestone of 10,000 podcast listeners and wonder how much money you can make.

How long is a piece of string? 

Seriously, it depends! It depends on things like your niche. 

Some niches have more lucrative advertising opportunities or a more willing-to-pay audience.

But I’ll try to give you something a little more concrete than that.

Understanding the Variables

Whether it's ad revenue, sponsorships, or listener support, each monetization method you choose comes with its unique income potential.

Heck, even your “fame” or status can influence your earning potential. 

The size of your audience also plays a critical role.

Obviously, a larger audience can lead to higher earnings, especially through avenues like advertising and sponsorships.

Listener engagement is another crucial factor. Engaged listeners are more likely to respond positively to advertising, sponsorships, or requests for listener support. 

Advertising rates are also a pivotal factor. As is your ability to negotiate. 

The rates you can negotiate for advertising spots on your podcast can vary widely, impacting your earnings. 

The frequency of your episodes can create more opportunities for advertising and listener support. 

Frequent episodes keep your podcast fresh in the minds of your listeners and provide regular opportunities for monetization.

Lastly, regardless of what people might think, length matters. 

The length of your episodes, that is…

Longer episodes may have space for more advertising and can keep listeners engaged for longer, potentially leading to more earnings over time.

Estimating Earnings

Let's dissect two common monetization methods: advertising and listener support.

• Advertising Revenue:
  With rates ranging from $18 to $50 per 1,000 listens for a 30-second ad, you could earn between $180 and $500 per ad placement with 10,000 listeners.

• Listener Support:
  Platforms like Patreon can be quite rewarding if you've nurtured a devoted listener base. Even a mere 1% of your listeners contributing can add $500 to your monthly earnings.

Later on in the article, I’ll compare how these numbers stack up comparatively to an email newsletter's earnings potential.

How to Make Money From a Podcast

I touched on this above briefly, but below is a closer look at exactly how to make money from a podcast. 

Platforms like Patreon facilitate listener support, allowing your audience to financially back your podcast. 

They offer different membership tiers with exclusive perks, creating a community of devoted listeners.

For example, your Patreon members might have early access to your podcast as well as get discounts on merch.

Sponsorship deals secure partnerships with brands for more integrated and authentic promotions. 

This approach often resonates well with listeners as it can seamlessly provide personalized value. 

Then there’s good ol’ affiliate marketing. Tried and true! 

Promoting products or services relevant to your podcast's niche and earning commissions through affiliate links creates a win-win situation for you and your audience.

Just make sure to be open and transparent with them. 

Let your audience know that you will get a commission for referring the product but that you genuinely enjoy that product. 

For a more direct income source, offering premium content to subscribers for a monthly fee can enhance their listener experience while boosting your earnings. 

Live shows and events present an exciting opportunity to interact with your audience in real time. 

By hosting live podcast events, selling tickets, securing sponsorships, or leveraging merchandise sales, you can significantly boost your income.

By combining the right mix of these strategies, your podcast can continue to grow and serve as a sustainable source of income. 

Now, combine that with an email newsletter you funnel your listeners to, and you’ve got a recipe for HUGE success! 

Here’s how to do that below. 

Why a Newsletter Is a Great Addition to Your Podcast

So, I've talked about the possibilities of how to monetize your podcast, but now I want to touch on why a newsletter is a great addition to your podcast. 

Why do I think a newsletter makes a great addition?

It’s because it’s possibly your biggest opportunity to monetize your podcast. 

That’s because email newsletters produce a significant ROI. 

But what exactly makes a newsletter such a valuable addition, and how can it elevate your podcasting journey?

Great question!

Simply put, they complement each other like peanut butter and jelly. 

Here's why.

Enhanced Audience Engagement

While a podcast offers a unique auditory experience that can forge a strong connection with your audience, it often leans towards one-way communication. 

Newsletters, on the other hand, enable a two-way conversation. 

Subscribers can chime in, ask questions, and provide feedback.

All of which builds a more interactive and intimate relationship with you and your audience.

Content Synergy

Whenever I think of synergy, I think of why two trees share their roots in a forest. 

Your podcast episodes and newsletter content combine, much like the roots of these trees. 

Podcasts excel in deep discussions and captivating interviews, while newsletters provide essential nourishment, like fertile soil. 

They work together, with episode summaries as sturdy branches, behind-the-scenes glimpses as hidden roots, resources as nourishing rain, and exclusive content as lush foliage, all tailored for your devoted subscribers. 

Just as the trees grow stronger and more intertwined by sharing their roots, your podcast and newsletter flourish together, creating a harmonious and thriving ecosystem.

Diverse Monetization Opportunities

Newsletters open doors to more exciting monetization possibilities. 

Using beehiiv, you can seamlessly promote products, affiliate links, premium subscriptions, or even offer exclusive access to your newsletter for a modest fee. 

These diverse income streams not only fortify your revenue but also expand your earning potential.

Now, onto the steps. I’ve tried to keep this as simple as possible for you so that you can hit the ground running. 

Strengthening Your Brand

Newsletter creators have a blank canvas on which you can paint your brand's personality, values, and voice in a written format.

It reinforces your identity in the minds of your audience. 

Consistency in branding across your podcast and newsletter establishes a cohesive and recognizable presence that builds unwavering trust and loyalty.

Furthermore, newsletters provide a platform to showcase your podcast's accomplishments, share glowing listener testimonials, and spotlight any media coverage or collaborative efforts. 

I’ll show you real-life examples shortly. 

Audience Retention and Growth

By offering exclusive content, special offers, or early access to episodes, you provide an incentive for your current audience to stay engaged and subscribed. 

Best of all, satisfied subscribers may evolve into passionate advocates who actively spread the word about your podcast, resulting in organic growth.

And there’s nothing more powerful than word-of-mouth advertising.

Why Trust Me: I bring expertise, results-driven strategies, and a powerful arsenal of email marketing knowledge to supercharge your business. With a track record of driving substantial revenue through compelling copy, I'm here to help make an impact on your email marketing efforts.

How To Get Podcast Listeners to Subscribe to Your Newsletter

In theory, it sounds easy, but in practice, people do struggle with this. 

To entice more individuals to subscribe to your newsletter, consider these 8 effective strategies below.

Promote Like A Boss

Leverage your podcast episodes as a prime platform for promoting your newsletter. 

Mention it at the outset or conclusion of your episodes, highlighting the exclusive content and value that subscribers will enjoy.

You can also come up with clever ways to promote your newsletter midway through your podcast by having your newsletter as a “sponsor” of the show. 

Just remember to add massive value or incentives for people to sign up. 

Create Compelling Sign-Up Forms

Design user-friendly sign-up forms on your podcast's website, simplifying the subscription process for visitors. 

Keep these forms concise, requesting essential information like their name and email address.

Don't overcomplicate it.

I've encountered sign-up forms with an excessive 21-question interrogation. 

You don't need to know everything about your subscribers upfront, not even their dog's preferred brand of food.

Harness the Power of Social Media

This one’s a no-brainer. 

Share snippets of newsletter content, tantalizing teasers, or exclusive offers to pique the interest of your followers and encourage them to subscribe.

Craft a Dedicated Landing Page

Establish a dedicated landing page on your podcast website, showcasing the myriad benefits of subscribing to your newsletter. 

Include testimonials from current subscribers and feature a clear call-to-action (CTA) that guides visitors to sign up.

Cross-Promotion

Look to build real collaborative partnerships with fellow podcasters or content creators in your niche to cross-promote each other's newsletters. 

Mention these partnerships in your episodes or social media posts to tap into each other's audience pools.

Those of you who already use beehiiv for your newsletters would know that their boosts feature is perfect for this. 

Embrace Email Marketing Tools

Implement automated welcome emails and consider personalized messages to enhance the overall subscriber experience.

Build out automations for subscribers' birthdays or any significant event in your niche. 

Engage Your Existing Network

I touched on this earlier but enlist the support of your existing network.

This includes friends, family, aunts, your UPS guy, literally anyone. 

Encourage them to subscribe and spread the word about your newsletter within their own circles of influence.

Real-Life Success Stories

So you can grasp just how effective a newsletter and podcast duo can be, I thought I’d share some real-life examples. 

These stories not only offer inspiration but also provide valuable insights into the strategies that can lead to lucrative partnerships and teach you how to get more brand deals for your podcast.

First up is, The Podcast Host. 

The Podcast Host

Not only does The Podcast Host run an excellent podcast blog, but they also have a really useful newsletter.

Their newsletter is delivered to over 20,000 subscribers and features links to some of their insightful articles and how-to guides.

You’ll also get their takes on some of the industry’s top stories plus insights on how to earn from your podcast.

It’s an easy-to-read newsletter making sure you get all the good stuff with ease. 

They also pose some interesting questions, which helps to make their newsletters feel more interactive.

You can check out their newsletter here. 

Behind The Brand

The podcast Behind The Brand hosted by Bryan Elliott offers a weekly note to its subscribers, encapsulating insights gained from interviewing some of the world's smartest individuals. 

In fact, beehiiv’s very own Tyler Denk was recently on the show talking about his journey with building beehiiv to where it is today. 

You can check that out here. 

See How Much You Could Be Making With a Newsletter

So you might be inspired to start your email newsletter alongside your existing podcast. 

Awesome! 

You might also be thinking, how much extra cash could I potentially make?

It’s a fair question and one I’ll try to answer as best as possible.

Thankfully for me, beehiiv offers a comprehensive unique earnings calculator. 

This tool is designed to help you estimate your potential earnings when you integrate a newsletter with your podcast. 

It takes into account factors like your current podcast audience size, engagement levels, and the monetization methods you plan to use.

Let’s imagine you convert 10% of your 100k audience to sign up for your newsletter.

If you send 4 newsletters a month with an open rate of just 54% and an average CPM of $34 you could be earning an extra $734.40 a month in revenue. 

Remember this is just one method of monetization for your newsletter. This doesn’t take into account all other methods available to you. 

That’s All Folks

So there you have it. 

Hopefully, after reading this you now know how to make more money from podcasting.

But remember, social media platforms have their place but they can also be unreliable, and relying solely on them is a gamble. 

With email newsletters, you have the power to shape how you connect with your audience. 

With a touch of marketing know-how and the right tools, you can harness the potential of email marketing for podcasts to strengthen the bond between your audience and your content. 

When your email messages consistently deliver valuable content and offer helpful calls to action, email marketing for podcasts seamlessly integrates into your overall content strategy. 

It becomes a vital bridge that nurtures your connection with your audience, ensuring they stay engaged and informed.

So, as you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of podcasting, remember that your podcast is just one piece of the puzzle. 

Ready to take your podcast to the next level with email newsletters? 

Then, sign up to beehiiv today.

Don’t forget to visit the talent page, which features a calculator so you can estimate your potential earnings.