Running a podcast is exciting, but as your show grows, so does the workload. Editing, guest booking, social media promotion, sponsorship outreach—what started as a passion project can quickly turn into a full-time job.

Many podcasters try to handle everything themselves, but burnout is real. The reality is, to scale your show and focus on what you do best—creating great content—you’ll eventually need help.

The problem? Hiring the wrong person can be a huge waste of time and money. Finding the right editor, producer, virtual assistant, or marketer isn’t always easy, and a bad hire can slow your podcast’s growth rather than accelerate it.

That’s why having a structured hiring process is crucial. Whether you need someone to edit your episodes, manage social media, or handle outreach, knowing how to interview, evaluate, and onboard the right person will save you headaches down the road.

Why Hiring for a Podcast Is Different Than a Regular Job

Podcasting is a unique space, and hiring for a podcast requires more than just filling a role. You need someone who understands:

✔ Niche podcasting skills – Not every editor, marketer, or assistant understands audio production, show promotion, or audience engagement.
✔ Remote collaboration – Most podcast teams work virtually, so you need someone who is self-motivated and reliable.
✔ Brand and personality alignment – Your editor, marketer, or assistant should complement your show’s style and vision.

Hiring blindly can result in someone who doesn’t understand your podcast’s audience, delivers subpar work, or misses deadlines—all things that can negatively impact your show’s success.

What You Need Before Hiring

Before you start looking for the perfect team member, get clear on:

✅ Your Needs – Are you hiring for editing, guest research, marketing, or sponsorship outreach?
✅ Your Budget – Are you hiring a freelancer, part-time contractor, or full-time team member?
✅ Your Hiring Process – Do you have an interview structure, evaluation criteria, and clear next steps?

Without these, you risk hiring the wrong person or wasting time interviewing people who aren’t the right fit.

Podcast Hiring Roles & Responsibilities

Before you start hiring, it’s important to know which roles you need and what each position does. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

How to Find and Hire the Right Podcast Team Member

1. Use a Structured Interview Guide

Instead of guessing your way through interviews, use a proven interview framework designed specifically for podcast-related roles like editors, marketers, and virtual assistants.

Having a structured interview ensures:
✅ You ask the right questions
✅ You fairly compare candidates
✅ You identify top talent faster

With an interview guide tailored for podcasters, you can skip the guesswork and get straight to what matters—hiring the best fit for your show.

2. Avoid Common Hiring Mistakes

Bad hires aren’t just frustrating—they’re costly. Some of the most common mistakes podcasters make when hiring include:

🚩 Hiring based on price alone – The cheapest option isn’t always the best.
🚩 Skipping reference checks – Always verify past work and reliability.
🚩 Not having clear expectations – Miscommunication leads to frustration and delays.

A red flags checklist can help you spot warning signs before hiring, saving you time and money.

3. Use an Evaluation Rubric for a Data-Driven Decision

Making hiring decisions based on gut feeling can lead to costly mistakes. Instead, use a candidate evaluation rubric to compare applicants objectively.

Rate candidates on:
✔ Experience – Have they worked in podcasting before?
✔ Technical Skills – Can they edit audio, manage social media, or book guests?
✔ Communication & Reliability – Do they respond on time and meet deadlines?

With a structured scoring system, you can confidently choose the best person for the job.

4. Streamline Communication with Pre-Written Email Templates

One of the biggest mistakes podcasters make is losing great candidates due to slow follow-ups.

By using ready-to-use email templates for:
📩 Interview invitations
📩 Job offers and rejection letters
📩 Follow-ups

You can keep top candidates engaged and speed up the hiring process.

5. Choose the Right Fit and Onboard Smoothly

Once you’ve found the right hire, the next step is onboarding them effectively. Without a structured process, new hires can struggle to meet expectations.

A hiring playbook will help you:
✔ Set clear expectations for the role
✔ Provide training on your podcast’s workflow
✔ Ensure smooth collaboration from day one

The Ultimate Podcast Hiring Guide Template

If you want to hire smarter and faster, this done-for-you Podcast Interview Guide Template is exactly what you need.

💡 What’s Inside?

What You Get:

🚀 Interview Guide Template – A structured framework tailored for hiring podcast editors, marketers, and assistants.
⏳Expanded Interview Question Bank – The best questions to uncover top talent.

Bonuses From Podcast Pontifications

✔ 10 Hiring Red Flags Checklist – Avoid hiring risks before they cost you.
✔ Candidate Evaluation Rubric – Score and compare candidates fairly.
✔ Job Offer & Rejection Email Templates – Save time and communicate professionally.
✔ Hiring Playbook – Proven strategies for finding the right team member quickly.

✔ Free Podcast Growth Training – Proven SEO strategies for growing podcast audience + monetization methods.

Why You Need This Now

🚀 Your time is limited – Focus on growing your podcast, not struggling with bad hires.
⏳ The best freelancers get hired fast – If you don’t move quickly, you might lose top talent.
💰 Bad hires are expensive – Wasted time on the wrong person means lost listeners and revenue.

Get Instant Access & Start Building Your Podcast Team Today

Welcome, podcasters! In today’s digital landscape, many of you are extending your brand beyond your podcast episodes and into the world of e-commerce through Etsy. This guide shows you how to optimize your Etsy shop for Etsy’s internal search and Google, while integrating your podcast audience seamlessly into your sales funnel.

I’ve owned multiple Etsy shops since ~2017, and here’s a quick shot of one of the shops just to show I know a little bit about this stuff:

What is Etsy SEO, and why should you care about it?

Etsy SEO is all about tweaking your listings to help them rank higher in Etsy’s search results. By understanding how Etsy’s algorithm works, you can:

• Drive More Traffic: Get your products in front of the right buyers.
• Enhance Visibility: Improve your shop’s presence in a crowded marketplace.
• Boost Sales: Convert your listeners into loyal customers with targeted listings.

At its core, Etsy SEO involves fine-tuning product titles, tags, descriptions, and images. But as a podcaster, you have a unique advantage: a dedicated audience that trusts your voice and style, and the ability to funnel listener and website traffic directly to your listings using your website, host-read ads, and Google search!

You can leverage that trust to give your Etsy shop a significant boost, all while bypassing the always-changing Etsy algorithm! PST! If you like that last tidbit, be sure to go to my homepage and grab the free podcast monetization guide + free seo video training. It’s centered on a similar framework and goes way deeper!

Etsy SEO Keyword Guide – Finding Your Voice

Tuning Your Keyword Strategy

Your podcast likely has its own unique language and style—don’t be afraid to bring that personality into your Etsy SEO strategy. Think about the terms your audience might use when searching for merchandise related to your show. Consider combining podcast-specific words with product descriptors (e.g., “podcast merch,” “soundwave art,” or “audio-themed jewelry”).

Tools to Discover Winning Keywords

• SemRush & Ahrefs: Expensive but uses Google keyword data so you can focus on getting traffic off-platform which is key to getting away from the competition.
  • This is actually one of the most important methods of finding traffic for your Etsy products because you can find keywords and phrases people aren’t over using on the Etsy platform itself. The idea is that you can rank your Etsy listing in Google search results to completely bypass their algorithm and get in front of the people that want your products. Take a close look at the screen shot below…

• • Even if this isn’t your jam, I highly recommend trying SemRush keyword tool and using their 7 day trial to play with it. It is super powerful and can make you lots of money regardless of the platform you’re using. For real!
    • I also highly recommend you sign up for my free podcast monetization guide + free SEO video training that goes deeper into the subject. Even if you aren’t a podcaster, this can help you with ecom in a massive way.

Other SEO Planning Methods

• Etsy Search Suggestions: Type your main keyword into Etsy and observe the autocomplete suggestions.
• Google Keyword Planner: Identify high-traffic search terms related to your niche.
• Third-Party SEO Tools: Platforms like Marmalead or eRank can provide insights tailored for Etsy.

Crafting Irresistible Etsy Listings

Engaging Titles and Descriptions

When writing your listing titles and descriptions, aim for clarity, personality, and relevance:

• Titles: Combine essential keywords with a dash of your podcast’s charm.
• Descriptions: Tell a story. Explain the inspiration behind your products and how they relate to your podcast themes.

Visual Branding Matters

High-quality, consistent images are essential. Your product photos should reflect your podcast’s vibe—whether that’s modern and minimalistic or quirky and fun. Consider adding:

• Infographics: A before-and-after style image showcasing the difference that professional photography makes.
• Mood Boards: Visual collages that capture the aesthetic of your brand and product range.

A simple bar chart comparing conversion rates for listings with professional images versus those without can help illustrate the impact of good visuals.

Driving Traffic Beyond Etsy

Leveraging Your Podcast

Your podcast is a powerful traffic driver. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Mentions & Shout-Outs: Regularly plug your Etsy shop during episodes.
• Show Notes & Links: Include direct links to your listings or a dedicated landing page on your website.
• Special Offers: Consider exclusive discounts for listeners to encourage trial and engagement.

Off-Site SEO and Content Marketing

Creating blog posts, social media content, or even bonus podcast episodes about your products can further enhance your SEO:

• Guest Posts & Interviews: Collaborate with other podcasters or bloggers in your niche.
• Backlink Building: Quality links from your website or partners improve your shop’s credibility in Google’s eyes.

Picture a flowchart here that outlines the journey:

Podcast Episode → Website Landing Page → Etsy Listing → Purchase.

This visual helps you map out your multi-channel marketing strategy.

Using a Website as Your Conversion Hub for Etsy

Having your own website creates a controlled environment to nurture your audience before they reach your Etsy shop. Here’s how to get started:

Creating Targeted Landing Pages

Develop landing pages that are laser-focused on specific products or collections. Each page should:

• Tell a Story: Connect your podcast’s narrative to the product.
• Incorporate SEO Best Practices: Use targeted keywords, engaging images, and clear call-to-action buttons.
• Build Trust: Provide testimonials, reviews, and a behind-the-scenes look at your creative process.

Tracking Success with Analytics

Use analytics tools to monitor:

• Traffic Sources: See whether your visitors come from your podcast, social media, or search engines.
• Conversion Rates: Identify which landing pages convert best and optimize accordingly.

Continuous Improvement: The Key to Long-Term Success on Etsy

Monitor and Tweak Your Strategy

Regularly review your Etsy shop’s performance by:

• Analyzing Etsy Analytics: Keep an eye on views, favorites, and sales data.
• Gathering Listener Feedback: Use your podcast community as a sounding board for new ideas and improvements.
• A/B Testing: Experiment with different titles, images, and descriptions to see what resonates most with your audience.

Consider using a line graph to track your sales or conversion rate trends over time. Visual data not only helps you understand your progress but also informs your future strategy adjustments.

Wrapping Up Etsy SEO for Podcasters and Beyond

Integrating Etsy SEO with your podcast promotion is all about creating a seamless brand experience that drives traffic, engages your audience, and ultimately boosts sales. By combining on-site optimization with off-site strategies, you can amplify your shop’s visibility and make the most of your podcast’s dedicated following.

Now, it’s time to get my free podcast monetization guide + free SEO video training. Whether you’re revamping your Etsy listings, launching a new website landing page, or brainstorming content ideas for your podcast, remember that every tweak brings you closer to higher visibility and more sales. Happy optimizing, and here’s to your continued success!

Many podcasters dream of turning their passion into a full-time career. The idea of making money doing what you love—talking about topics that excite you and connecting with an audience—sounds like a dream come true. But the reality of going pro in podcasting is far more complex than just launching a show and hoping sponsors roll in.

This post breaks down what it really takes to go professional in podcasting. It’s a reality check, but also a roadmap to help you take the right steps toward success.

💌 Want to learn more about making money from podcasting? Check out our Podcast Monetization Guide.

The Harsh Reality of Going Pro

Podcasting is a Business, Not Just a Hobby
Successful professional podcasters treat their show as a business. That means creating a strategy for content, marketing, and monetization. It’s not enough to hit record and publish episodes—you need a plan for growth.

Audience Growth Takes Time
Most podcasts don’t attract thousands of listeners overnight. Many shows take months, even years, to build a loyal audience. Consistency, SEO, guest collaborations, and strong content promotion all play a role in growing a podcast to professional levels.

Most Podcasters Don’t Make a Full-Time Income
While there are podcasters earning six or seven figures, the vast majority make little to no money from their shows. Podcast monetization takes effort, and it usually requires multiple revenue streams to be sustainable.

What It Takes to Go Pro

Monetization Strategies Beyond Ads
Many podcasters assume sponsorships are the golden ticket, but traditional ad revenue requires a large audience—often at least 5,000 downloads per episode to attract sponsors. Here are additional ways professional podcasters make money:

• Sponsorships & Ads – Great for high-download shows, but not the only option.
• Listener Support (Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee) – Works well for engaged communities.
• Courses, Coaching, or Consulting – Monetizing your expertise through education.
• Merchandise & Digital Products – Selling exclusive content, e-books, or branded merch.
• Paywalled Content & Memberships – Offering premium episodes or ad-free content.

Technical & Production Skills Matter
Great audio quality and professional production make a huge difference in listener retention. A high-quality podcast helps attract sponsors, build credibility, and encourage audience loyalty. If editing and production aren’t your strengths, consider outsourcing or using AI-powered editing tools to streamline your workflow.

Marketing & Audience Building is Crucial
Even the best content won’t succeed if no one hears it. Growing a podcast means:

• Writing SEO-optimized show notes to rank in search engines.
• Using social media to share clips and engage listeners.
• Leveraging YouTube and other platforms to repurpose content.
• Building an email list to keep listeners connected.
• Collaborating with guests and cross-promoting with other podcasters.

Networking & Business Mindset
Turning pro in podcasting isn’t just about content—it’s about relationships. Networking with other podcasters, industry experts, and potential sponsors can open doors to new opportunities. Treating your podcast like a business means seeking partnerships, exploring monetization strategies, and continuously looking for ways to improve.

How to Know If You’re Ready to Go Pro

Going professional isn’t just about making money—it’s about sustainability. Here are a few key questions to ask yourself:

• Do you have a consistent audience that engages with your content?
• Have you developed at least one solid revenue stream for your podcast?
• Are you treating your podcast like a business, with clear goals and strategies?

If the answer is yes, you may be ready to take the leap. If not, you can still build toward that goal with the right steps.

Next Steps for Aspiring Pro Podcasters

Set Realistic Income Goals
Going full-time with podcasting doesn’t mean instant success. Set incremental financial goals and work toward them with multiple monetization methods.

Test Different Monetization Methods
Not every revenue stream will work for every podcast. Experiment with sponsorships, listener support, digital products, and premium content to see what resonates with your audience.

Optimize Your Content Strategy
High-quality content keeps listeners coming back. Focus on creating episodes that provide value, optimize for search, and encourage engagement.

Consider Hybrid Income Streams
Some of the most successful podcasters don’t rely on podcast revenue alone. Many supplement their income with speaking engagements, consulting, online courses, or even affiliate marketing.

Conclusion: Is Turning Pro Right for You?

Going pro in podcasting is possible, but it takes planning, persistence, and a willingness to treat your show like a business. If you’re committed to growing your audience, refining your monetization strategies, and consistently delivering high-quality content, podcasting can be more than a passion—it can be a career.

💌 Want to learn more about making money from podcasting? Check out our Podcast Monetization Guide.

Podcasting is changing. While many podcasters spend years refining their craft, building an audience, and monetizing through traditional sponsorships, a new breed of creators is quietly dominating the space. These are Podcasters In Name Only (PINOs)—people who leverage podcasting-related content but don’t necessarily follow the traditional format.

PINOs don’t always have a full-fledged podcast. Some don’t even publish episodes regularly. Yet, they’re getting millions of views, attracting sponsorships, and growing massive audiences. What are they doing differently? More importantly, how can you take a page from their playbook to grow your own podcast?

Who Are PINOs, and Why Are They Winning?

PINOs are content creators who use podcast-style content to dominate platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter, without fully committing to traditional podcasting.

They might:

• Repurpose interviews and guest appearances instead of producing full episodes.
• Go viral with short-form content instead of long, in-depth discussions.
• Leverage AI and automation to create content at scale.
• Monetize with digital products and courses instead of waiting for sponsorships.

Some well-known influencers have mastered this. They extract the best moments from conversations, package them as bite-sized, high-impact content, and distribute them across multiple platforms. And guess what? It works.

So, what can you learn from them?

They Prioritize Discoverability Over Tradition

One of the biggest differences between traditional podcasters and PINOs is how they think about discoverability.

Instead of relying on long-form episodes and hoping people find them, PINOs lead with short-form, viral-friendly content that draws audiences in.

• They post highly engaging clips on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
• They optimize for the algorithm by making content that is easy to share.
• They hook people with a powerful snippet—then drive them toward long-form content.

What You Can Do:

• After recording an episode, pull 3–5 short clips and distribute them across multiple platforms.
• Use tools like Opus Clip or Descript to quickly turn podcasts into shareable snippets.
• Focus on hooks—the first few seconds of your clip should make people stop scrolling.

The goal? Let short-form content do the heavy lifting to bring new listeners in.

They Build an Audience Before Launching a Podcast

Many podcasters struggle because they launch their show without an existing audience. PINOs do the opposite.

Before committing to a full podcast, they:

• Build a social media following around their niche.
• Test content ideas with quick, engaging clips before diving into long-form.
• Use guest appearances on other podcasts to gain exposure before launching their own.

This method lets them validate demand first rather than hoping people will show up once the podcast is live.

What You Can Do:

• Start appearing on other podcasts before launching your own.
• Grow an audience on YouTube, Twitter, or Instagram where content spreads faster.
• If your podcast is already live, use guest spots and collaborations to drive traffic back to it.

Instead of grinding for years to build an audience from scratch, leverage existing platforms to make launching a podcast easier.

They Monetize Faster and Smarter

Traditional podcasters often wait for sponsorships, but PINOs don’t. They monetize immediately by:

• Selling digital products, courses, or memberships to their audience.
• Using podcasts as a funnel to drive traffic to premium content.
• Creating exclusive paid content instead of relying on ad revenue.

Why does this work? Because attention is currency—and PINOs capitalize on it while they have it.

What You Can Do:

• Create a lead magnet (like a free guide or checklist) to grow an email list.
• Offer members-only content or a Patreon for bonus material.
• Sell affiliate products or courses instead of waiting for sponsors.

The key takeaway? You don’t need a massive audience to make money—you just need to offer value.

They Use AI and Automation to Work Smarter

PINOs don’t waste time on tedious tasks. They use AI tools to scale faster and produce more content with less effort.

• AI-generated captions make content more engaging.
• Automated video editing speeds up repurposing for multiple platforms.
• Transcription tools turn podcasts into blog posts or social media threads.

Instead of spending hours editing, they let AI handle the busywork so they can focus on growth.

What You Can Do:

• Use Descript to automatically edit and transcribe your podcast.
• Try CapCut or Opus Clip to quickly create short-form clips.
• Use AI-generated summaries to turn episodes into SEO-friendly blog posts.

The more efficient your workflow, the faster you can scale.

How to Apply These Strategies Today

If you’re a traditional podcaster looking to grow, don’t ignore what PINOs are doing. Here’s how you can start implementing their tactics right away:

✅ Repurpose your episodes into 30- to 60-second clips for social media.
✅ Guest on other podcasts to tap into their audience.
✅ Monetize beyond sponsorships with digital products, courses, or memberships.
✅ Use AI tools to streamline editing and content distribution.
✅ Promote your content aggressively—don’t just create, distribute.

The future of podcasting isn’t just about recording long episodes. It’s about leveraging every available platform to reach people where they already are.

Final Thoughts: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Podcasting is no longer just about uploading an episode and waiting for downloads. Growth comes from visibility, discoverability, and smart monetization.

PINOs aren’t “cheating”—they’re just adapting faster than traditional podcasters. And if you want to own the future of podcasting, it’s time to start thinking like them.

So, are you stuck in the old way of podcasting—or are you ready to embrace new strategies and grow faster than ever?