How To Start, Grow and Monetise Your Podcast

Pod School
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How To Start, Grow and Monetise Your Podcast

How To Start, Grow, and Monetise Your Podcast with James Burtt & Alex Chisnall Turn your podcast idea into an impactful brand and income stream! Join podcast experts James and Alex—who have launched 400+ top-charting podcasts—as they share practical and tactical steps to build, grow, and monetise your show. Each episode delivers actionable tips on podcast equipment, content strategy, audience growth, and brand monetisation to help you thrive in podcasting. Perfect for entrepreneurs, content creators, and anyone ready to amplify their voice, this is your weekly guide to profitable podcasting. Join the free Pod School community for exclusive resources, trainings, and support. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, and many more.

  1. 4D AGO

    How to Make Your Episodes Last Forever

    In this episode of Start, Grow & Monetise Your Podcast, hosts James Burtt and Alex Chisnall dive deep into the debate of evergreen vs. timely podcast content and how you can strategically craft episodes that continue to attract listeners long after their release. They explore news jacking, SEO optimisation, and the impact of trending topics on podcast growth. Using real-life examples, including Daniel Priestley’s podcast resurgence, they discuss how evergreen content can provide consistent discoverability while timely content can create short-term spikes. Plus, they share expert insights on repurposing past episodes, maximizing content longevity, and hacking the podcast algorithm for sustained visibility. Whether you’re a new podcaster or a seasoned pro, this episode will teach you how to balance short-term trends with long-term growth strategies—without making your content irrelevant in a few months. Don’t miss this essential conversation on how to create timeless podcast content that keeps working for you!  What You'll Learn in This Episode: The difference between evergreen and timely podcast content How news jacking can boost short-term traffic but fade quickly Why evergreen content can keep attracting new listeners for years How to repurpose old podcast episodes for fresh engagement The importance of SEO and keyword tracking for sustained growth How algorithms on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube impact discoverability Why avoiding time-stamped content can boost longevity Key Takeaways: Evergreen podcast content remains relevant and searchable long after release. Timely content (news jacking) can drive big spikes but fades quickly. Avoid excessive timestamps to ensure your content stays fresh. Reusing past episodes and clips can give content a second life. SEO-friendly podcast titles improve searchability. Balancing both content types ensures short-term and long-term audience growth. Algorithm hacks can help push your content to wider audiences. Recommended Tools & Resources: SEO & Content Tools: Google Trends, Ahrefs, VidIQ, TubeBuddy Analytics Platforms: Apple Podcasts Connect, Spotify for Podcasters, YouTube Analytics Repurposing Content: Descript, Opus Clip, Canva Keyword Tracking: Chartable, Podchaser, SEMrush Content Planning: Notion, Trello, Airtable Join the Conversation: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow podcaster looking to grow their revenue. For more resources and expert advice, explore our latest content and stay connected with us on social media for valuable podcasting insights. Follow Us: Instagram: @podschool TikTok: @podschool.community YouTube: @stargrowmonetiseyourpodcast LinkedIn: James Burtt & Alex Chisnall In this show, we discuss: podcast growth, podcast content strategy, evergreen content, timely content, podcast marketing, podcasting tips, podcast SEO, how to grow a podcast, podcast promotion, podcast audience growth, podcast monetization, podcast clips, repurposing content, podcast engagement, podcast strategy, podcasting for beginners, YouTube podcast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify podcast, podcasting trends, news jacking, SEO for podcasts, podcast branding, podcast analytics, podcast discoverability, content repurposing, podcast best practices, increasing podcast downloads, podcast listenership, podcast marketing hacks, podcast visibility, podcast algorithm, growing a podcast audience, podcast retention, podcast success, podcast clips for social media, podcast promotion tips, podcast YouTube growth, podcast social media strategy

    8 min

  2. MAR 19

    Podcast Metrics That Matter: How to Track, Optimise & Monetise Your Show

    Understanding podcast analytics is crucial for sustainable growth and monetization. In this episode, Alex Chisnall and James Burtt break down the most important podcast metrics you should be tracking, from download numbers and subscriber growth to average consumption time and audience retention. They also reveal how platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube provide detailed analytics and how you can leverage them to increase engagement, secure sponsorships, and refine content strategy.  The conversation highlights how ad frequency can impact audience loyalty, why numeric titles can boost downloads by 25%, and why setting data-centric goals (such as 10% monthly growth) is the key to long-term podcast success. If you're looking to optimise your podcast and make informed decisions based on actual data, this episode is packed with actionable insights. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The top podcast metrics that truly matter How average consumption time impacts monetisation opportunities Why retention rates and watch time dictate content strategy The role of numeric titles in increasing downloads by 25% How too many ads can kill audience engagement Why monthly analytics reviews help optimise your podcast The difference between podcast metrics on Apple, Spotify & YouTube How to use audience data to attract sponsors and advertisers Key Takeaways: Track your average consumption rate – It’s more important than total downloads Analyse audience retention rates to keep listeners engaged for longer Avoid ad overload – Too many ads can drastically reduce listener retention Use numeric-based episode titles to boost downloads by 25% Look beyond podcast metrics – Social media growth & email signups also matter Make data-driven content decisions – Identify topics that resonate with your audience Set a 10% monthly growth goal to steadily build your listener base Recommended Tools & Resources: Apple Podcasts & Spotify for Podcasters – Essential analytics tools for tracking downloads, retention, and consumption time YouTube Studio Analytics – Crucial for tracking video podcast performance and watch time Captivate, Libsyn & Buzzsprout – Hosting platforms with in-depth podcast analytics Podcast SEO Strategies – Optimising metadata and descriptions to increase discoverability Join the Conversation: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow podcaster looking to grow their revenue. For more resources and expert advice, explore our latest content and stay connected with us on social media for valuable podcasting insights. Follow Us: Instagram: @podschool TikTok: @podschool.community YouTube: @stargrowmonetiseyourpodcast LinkedIn: James Burtt & Alex Chisnall In this show, we discuss: podcast growth, podcast metrics, how to grow a podcast, podcast analytics, podcast engagement, podcast listener retention, podcast monetisation, best podcast metrics, podcast download numbers, Apple Podcasts analytics, Spotify for Podcasters, YouTube podcast strategy, increasing podcast subscribers, podcast watch time, podcast retention rate, podcast content strategy, podcast SEO, podcast marketing tips, podcast audience insights, podcast performance tracking, podcast advertising impact, podcast revenue growth, podcasting for beginners, podcast sponsorships, podcast data analysis, best podcast hosting platforms, podcast optimization, how to monetize a podcast, podcast promotion strategies, podcast branding, increasing podcast listeners, podcast insights, podcast success tips

    13 min

  3. MAR 12

    How to Monetise a Podcast Even with a Small Audience!

    Think you need millions of downloads to make money from podcasting? Think again! In this episode of Start, Grow & Monetise Your Podcast, hosts Alex Chisnall and James Burtt dive deep into how to monetise a small podcast audience effectively. Whether you’re a niche podcaster, industry expert, or content creator, this episode breaks down real-world strategies that have helped small podcasts turn into profitable businesses.  From securing high-value sponsorships and selling digital products to leveraging subscription models and YouTube monetisation, we explore actionable ways to generate revenue—no matter the size of your audience. Tune in now and start building a sustainable income from your podcast today! What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to define your financial goal for podcast monetisation Why a small, engaged audience can be more valuable than mass reach The power of niche sponsorships—even with less than 10K downloads per month Monetisation strategies beyond sponsorships: digital courses, masterminds, and paid content Why YouTube & Spotify Premium payouts can be a game-changer for podcasters How to create a step-by-step monetisation funnel for your podcast Key Takeaways: Set a financial goal – Understand how much money you need to cover costs & earn a sustainable income Leverage your niche – Even a small audience can attract high-paying sponsors if they’re industry decision-makers Monetise beyond ads – Digital products, courses, and mastermind programs provide recurring revenue Track audience engagement – Know your numbers (downloads, social reach, retention) to pitch brands effectively Experiment with paid models – Subscription-based podcasting and exclusive content can boost earnings Recommended Tools & Resources: Spotify for Podcasters – Monetise through Premium subscriptions YouTube Partner Program – Earn ad revenue from your podcast videos Kajabi / Teachable – Build and sell digital courses to your audience ConvertKit / Mailchimp – Email marketing tools to nurture potential buyers Fiverr / Canva – Affordable branding and design tools for your podcast Join the Conversation: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow podcaster looking to grow their revenue. For more resources and expert advice, explore our latest content and stay connected with us on social media for valuable podcasting insights. Follow Us: Instagram: @podschool TikTok: @podschool.community YouTube: @stargrowmonetiseyourpodcast LinkedIn: James Burtt & Alex Chisnall In this show, we discuss: Podcast monetisation, small audience podcast, niche podcast sponsorships, podcast revenue, digital products for podcasters, podcast marketing, how to make money podcasting, podcast ads, podcasting business model, YouTube podcast monetization, Spotify podcast earnings, passive income for podcasters, podcasting tips, podcast growth, podcast audience engagement, podcasting for beginners, podcasting strategies

    16 min

  4. MAR 5

    Why Short-Form Content is Essential for Success

    The podcast industry is more competitive than ever, and short-form content has emerged as the most effective marketing tool for organic podcast growth in 2025. In this episode of How to Start, Grow & Monetise Your Podcast, Alex Chisnall and James Burtt break down the strategies that have helped podcasts grow from 5,000 to 60,000 downloads per month using TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and Spotify Clips. They discuss how leveraging bite-sized content can help attract new listeners, build brand awareness, and drive engagement across multiple platforms. Whether you're a new podcaster struggling to grow or a seasoned creator looking for fresh marketing hacks, this episode is packed with actionable insights to take your show to the next level. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How short-form content fuels podcast discoverability The power of repurposing one clip across multiple platforms Why social proof and user-generated content drive engagement How TikTok, YouTube Shorts, LinkedIn, and Instagram Reels can increase your podcast's reach How to structure short clips for maximum impact and virality Key Takeaways: Short-form content is the most effective organic marketing strategy for podcasts in 2025 Posting one 60-second clip can boost downloads and listener engagement You must spend as much time promoting your podcast as you do creating it Platforms like Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram reward short, engaging clips Listeners are now consuming podcasts in bite-sized clips—use this to your advantage Recommended Tools & Resources: Opus Clip & Descript – AI-powered tools to automate short-form video editing CapCut & Canva – Create engaging video captions, thumbnails, and branding VidIQ & TubeBuddy – Optimise YouTube Shorts for better reach Otter.ai – Convert podcast audio into short-form, caption-ready content Spotify Video Clips – Learn how to add short videos to your podcast on Spotify Join the Conversation: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow podcaster who’s looking to grow their revenue. For more resources and expert advice, join the free Pod School community – the ultimate hub for podcast creators. Follow Us: Instagram: @podschool TikTok: @podschool.community YouTube: @stargrowmonetiseyourpodcast LinkedIn: James Burtt & Alex Chisnall In this show, we discuss: podcast growth, podcast marketing, short-form content, TikTok for podcasts, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, LinkedIn video, podcast promotion, how to grow a podcast, podcast tips, podcasting strategies, podcast audience growth, podcast clips, social media marketing, podcast discoverability, repurposing content, content marketing, podcasting in 2025, podcast monetization, organic podcast growth, best podcast marketing tips, podcast success, podcast branding, short-form video strategy, YouTube podcasting, Spotify podcast growth, TikTok algorithm, video marketing for podcasts, podcast editing tips, podcast engagement, viral podcast clips, maximizing podcast reach

    13 min

  5. FEB 26

    How to Build a Podcast Brand That Stands Out

    Branding can make or break your podcast! In this episode, Alex Chisnall and James Burtt dive deep into how to create a strong, recognisable podcast brand that attracts listeners and builds credibility. They cover essential branding strategies, including how to design professional podcast artwork, ensure brand consistency across platforms, and leverage cost-effective tools like Canva and Fiverr to get professional results on a budget. If you're looking to stand out in a crowded podcasting landscape and make a lasting impression, this episode is for you! Whether you're just starting or rebranding an existing show, you'll walk away with practical, actionable tips that you can implement immediately. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why branding is crucial for podcast success How to design eye-catching podcast cover art and social media graphics The importance of brand consistency across YouTube, email, and social platforms Affordable design tools like Canva and Fiverr to create professional artwork The biggest mistakes podcasters make when designing their branding Why iterating and updating your brand over time is essential How a strong podcast brand can increase credibility and listener engagement Key Takeaways: Your podcast artwork is your first impression – make it count! A cohesive brand identity makes your podcast look polished and professional DIY branding tools like Canva & Fiverr can help you design like a pro without breaking the bank Leverage brand consistency across social media, YouTube, email signatures, and website banners Your brand = your reputation – craft it carefully and refine it over time Podcast success is a journey – start now and refine as you grow Recommended Tools & Resources: Canva – DIY design tool for creating podcast artwork and branding assets Fiverr – Affordable freelancers for professional podcast branding 99Designs – Custom logo and branding design platform Adobe Express – Easy-to-use graphic design software PeoplePerHour – Hire expert designers for your podcast branding needs Join the Conversation: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow podcaster who’s looking to grow their revenue. For more resources and expert advice, join the free Pod School community – the ultimate hub for podcast creators. Follow Us: Instagram:@podschool TikTok: @podschool.community YouTube:@stargrowmonetiseyourpodcast LinkedIn:James Burtt &Alex Chisnall In this show, we discuss: podcast branding, podcast artwork, how to brand a podcast, podcast design, podcast logo, how to design podcast cover art, Canva tutorial for podcasters, Fiverr podcast branding, podcasting tips, podcast marketing, podcast success, podcast growth, how to grow a podcast, podcast monetization, YouTube podcast branding, how to make a podcast stand out, podcasting for beginners, how to create a podcast brand, podcast cover art design, podcast logo design, best podcast branding tools, personal branding for podcasters, podcast thumbnails, podcasting strategies

    12 min

  6. FEB 19

    How to Land Big-Name Podcast Guests & Grow Your Show

    Want to attract high-profile guests to your podcast and grow your audience in 2025? In this episode, Alex Chisnall and James Burtt break down the best strategies for booking big-name guests, leveraging LinkedIn outreach, and crafting irresistible pitches.  They share real-world insights from landing Grant Cardone, Lewis Howes, and other top entrepreneurs—proving that even small podcasts can secure big guests with the right approach. Learn how to showcase your podcast’s value, personalise your outreach, and strategically pitch to high-impact guests. Plus, discover why content sharing matters more than celebrity names and how to spin your podcast’s numbers to land top-tier guests.  Whether you're starting out or scaling your show, these insights will help you book bigger names, build relationships, and grow your podcast’s impact. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to book high-profile guests for your podcast—even with a small audience The #1 mistake podcasters make when pitching to big-name guests LinkedIn guest outreach secrets and why it’s the most underrated platform How to personalize your pitch to make your request stand out Why a guest’s willingness to share content matters more than their fame The metrics that actually matter when pitching high-profile guests How to use your combined audience reach to make your podcast more attractive Key Takeaways: Personalisation is everything – Referencing a guest’s specific book chapter, podcast episode, or social post makes your pitch stand out. Use LinkedIn for outreach – It’s easier to reach guests directly or connect with their team. Your guest’s audience matters more than their name – A niche guest who shares content can be more valuable than a celebrity who doesn’t. Pitch the VALUE of your audience – Even small podcasts can attract big guests if they have the right demographic. Spin your numbers wisely – Instead of focusing only on downloads, highlight your combined social media reach, impressions, and engagement. Find the real decision-maker – Often, it’s not the guest themselves but their PA, head of marketing, or PR team who shares the content. Recommended Tools & Resources: LinkedIn – The best platform for direct guest outreach and networking Podchaser – Research past guest appearances and outreach opportunities Canva – Create high-quality podcast pitch decks and promotional content Otter.ai – Transcribe podcast episodes for content repurposing VidIQ & Opus Clip – Optimize YouTube content and create viral short clips Join the Conversation: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow podcaster who’s looking to grow their revenue. Follow Us: Instagram:@podschool TikTok: @podschool.community YouTube:@stargrowmonetiseyourpodcast LinkedIn:James Burtt &Alex Chisnall In this show, we discuss: podcast guest outreach, how to book podcast guests, how to grow a podcast, podcast guest pitching, LinkedIn for podcasters, podcast marketing strategies, how to start a podcast, how to monetise a podcast, guest interview strategies, podcast growth hacks, podcast audience

    19 min

  7. FEB 12

    How to Use AI Tools to Start, Grow & Monetise Your Podcast in 2025

    In this episode of How to Start, Grow & Monetise Your Podcast, hosts Alex Chisnall and James Burtt break down the best AI tools for podcasters that can save time, boost discoverability, and help monetise your podcast. They explore ChatGPT for research and show notes, Otter.ai for transcription, AutoPod for video editing, VidIQ for YouTube optimisation, and Opus Clip for short-form video content. Whether you’re looking to increase downloads, optimize SEO, or create engaging social media content, this episode gives you the tools to automate tedious tasks and scale your podcast faster. If you’re a podcaster, entrepreneur, or content creator, you don’t want to miss this episode! This show is sponsored by Pod School - your hub for information, education and expert support on starting, growing, scaling, monetizing and optimising your podcast to generate more reach, more impact and more revenue What You'll Learn in This Episode: Best AI tools for podcasting – Save time and improve efficiencyHow to use ChatGPT for research, scripting & SEO-friendly show notesThe power of Otter.ai for fast and accurate podcast transcriptionsHow AutoPod automates video editing for a professional lookOptimising YouTube podcast growth using VidIQCreating high-performing short-form content with Opus ClipHow AI can help you promote your podcast on social media Key Takeaways: AI is a game-changer for podcast production & promotionChatGPT can create episode outlines, scripts & show notes in minutesOtter.ai makes transcription faster & easier for repurposing contentAutoPod automates video edits to enhance production qualityVidIQ helps podcasters optimise YouTube SEO & reach more viewersShort-form content using Opus Clip increases podcast discoverabilityPersonalisation is key—AI can’t replace human creativity! Recommended Tools & Resources: ChatGPT – AI-powered research, scriptwriting & show notes generationOtter.ai – Fast, accurate transcription for podcast episodesAutoPod – AI-based video editing for multi-camera podcast setupsVidIQ – YouTube growth tool for SEO, tags, and analyticsOpus Clip – AI-powered short-form video content creationAdobe Creative Cloud – Editing software for podcasters Join the Conversation If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow podcaster who’s looking to grow their revenue. For more resources and expert advice, join the free Pod School community – the ultimate hub for podcast creators. Follow Us: Instagram: @podschool TikTok: @podschool.community YouTube: @stargrowmonetiseyourpodcast LinkedIn: James Burtt & Alex Chisnall In this show, we discuss: podcasting, AI tools for podcasting, ChatGPT for podcasts, podcast marketing, podcast promotion, Otter.ai transcription, AI content creation, podcast automation, AI-powered podcasting, how to grow a podcast, YouTube podcast growth, podcast editing software, VidIQ for YouTube, AutoPod for video editing, Opus Clip for short-form content, podcast monetization, podcast SEO, AI-driven podcast growth, podcasting strategies, best AI tools for podcasters, social media for podcasts, content repurposing, podcast marketing hacks, how to start a podcast, podcast production tools, video podcasting, leveraging AI for content creation, podcast success tips

    25 min

  8. FEB 5

    How Paid Media Can Skyrocket Your Podcast: Insights with David 'Ledge' Ledgerwood

    Are you ready to take your podcast to the next level? In this episode, James Burtt sits down with David 'Ledge' Ledgerwood from Listen Network to uncover the secrets of podcast promotion through paid media. From leveraging the PESO model (Paid, Earned, Shared, Owned) to targeting niche audiences with precision, Ledge shares actionable strategies that can lift your podcast’s visibility and downloads. With over a decade of podcasting experience, he breaks down the key tactics for using paid media, retargeting, and audience intelligence to fuel sustainable growth. Whether you’re a budding podcaster or a seasoned creator, this episode offers invaluable insights into maximising your reach while optimising costs. Don’t miss out on learning how to turn your podcast into a marketing powerhouse! This show is sponsored by Pod School - your hub for information, education and expert support on starting, growing, scaling, monetizing and optimising your podcast to generate more reach, more impact and more revenue What You'll Learn in This Episode: The importance of paid media in podcast promotion How the PESO model boosts podcast visibility The art of using retargeting to engage the right audience Why downloads are a key metric and how to track them effectively Tips for using podcast display ads, LinkedIn sponsorships, and YouTube ads Key Takeaways: Paid media amplifies your podcast’s reach and ensures it gets in front of the right audience Leverage the PESO model to balance organic efforts with targeted paid campaigns Retargeting allows you to convert casual listeners into loyal fans Use audience intelligence to track and refine your promotion strategies Strategic partnerships and sponsorships thrive on precise audience data Recommended Tools & Resources: Listen Network: Advanced tools for podcast promotion and audience tracking Google Display Network: Cost-effective targeting for niche audiences LinkedIn Ads: Ideal for B2B podcast promotion YouTube Outstream Ads: Maximise visibility through keyword-based targeting Landing Pages with Retargeting: Enhance retention and gather actionable data Join the Conversation: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow podcaster who’s looking to grow their revenue. For more resources and expert advice, join the free Pod School community – the ultimate hub for podcast creators. Follow Us: Instagram: @podschool TikTok: @podschool.community YouTube: @stargrowmonetiseyourpodcast LinkedIn: James Burtt & Alex Chisnall In this show, we discuss: Podcast promotion strategies, paid media for podcasts, PESO model podcasting, podcast audience targeting, podcast advertising tips, retargeting for podcasters, LinkedIn podcast ads, YouTube podcast promotion, podcast growth tips, audience intelligence tools, podcast marketing strategies, podcast ads, podcast audience growth, niche podcast promotion, podcasting success tips, podcast SEO, podcast ad campaigns, podcast visibility strategies, podcast discoverability

    45 min
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    How To Start, Grow, and Monetise Your Podcast with James Burtt & Alex Chisnall Turn your podcast idea into an impactful brand and income stream! Join podcast experts James and Alex—who have launched 400+ top-charting podcasts—as they share practical and tactical steps to build, grow, and monetise your show. Each episode delivers actionable tips on podcast equipment, content strategy, audience growth, and brand monetisation to help you thrive in podcasting. Perfect for entrepreneurs, content creators, and anyone ready to amplify their voice, this is your weekly guide to profitable podcasting. Join the free Pod School community for exclusive resources, trainings, and support. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, and many more.

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