Growth and monetization are at the top of every podcaster's wish list. At least every podcaster who's yet to achieve those two things. Or perhaps not at the level said podcaster is happy with for their own show.

Big Podcasting seems almost designed to collect advertising dollars, with very little left for small to mid-sized podcasts. Rather than fighting for table scraps, maybe the narrative needs to be changed.

Everyone agrees that pre-produced, lifted-from-radio ads suck on podcasts, and that host-read ads are the clear winner. But is that true for every podcast? More importantly, is it true for your podcast?

More ad dollars flowing into podcasting is generally seen as a good thing. Yet niche podcasters don't see very much of it. Yes, there are "riches in the niches," but only if your podcast is attractive enough.

Podcast advertising has much greater recall than other forms of ads. But how many times have you forgotten a URL, a coupon code, or even the name of the advertiser when you were ready to take action?

The decision of whether or not to run ads on your podcast isn't an easy one. Nor should it be. Smart podcasters understand the risks and rewards. And they give their most loyal listeners an escape route.

If you've ever snail-mailed a friend, you've paid to get someone's attention. In the future would you allow your listeners to pay you to get your attention, podcaster? Spoiler alert: you probably already do.

The romantic notion of the struggling artist runs deep in indie podcasting. But while every indie podcaster struggles to get their production to the world, not all struggle to make ends meet.

Most successful podcasters don’t make most of their income from their podcast. So why do successful people, from celebs to business leaders, keep investing in their own podcasts? Legitimacy and access.

Micropayments have been touted as the next big revenue source for podcasters since the beginning without much success. But could changes by social media finally herald in our money-flowing future?

As interest in podcasting heats up, networks new and old are reaching out to podcasters to make it a group effort. Joining a network may be right for your podcast, but consider these five must-haves before you sign.

Mergers and acquisitions in podcasting show no signs of slowing, and now individual shows are getting scooped up. As a podcast owner, would you consider selling your show? More importantly, should you?

Before jumping on the bonus-content or merch train, ask if your listeners can afford more content or goods from you. It’s time for an overhaul of how podcasters think about monetizing their shows.

Taxes. Stimulus checks. And whatever the hell NFTs are. Today, there are more monetization options—ways for podcasters to get paid—than ever before. Which are right for your podcasting empire?

Podcasting has a revenue problem. As with podcasting’s “discovery problem”, it’s unevenly distributed. We can make podcasting worth the investment, but only if we work together. Are you ready to help?

Congrats! Your podcast is starting to earn real money. Or has the promise of doing so. Before you rush to hire for a sales or content position, consider picking up a business manager first.

Yes, it’s possible to make money selling ads on your podcast. Before you ask “how much”, you should be asking “how much time” and “is it worth it?” Here’s a real-world story that’s, well… depressing.

Podcast investments are on the rise, and scouts are on the hunt. Not just for shows and talent to acquire. But for other assets you might own that give them leverage. Here are a few things to consider before they show up on your door with bags of money.

Advertisers big and small are taking a fresh look at podcasts of all sizes. Some producers who never considered offering sponsorships are getting requests. A few simple tweaks to your processes can make these money gifts easier to handle.

Will podcast advertising ever get a seat at the grown-up table alongside print, radio, television, and digital? Or are we stuck in obscurity and novelty forever, while the real money is spent elsewhere?

I don't think advertisers are ever going to get completely out of podcasting. But I do think there's a reckoning coming for podcast advertising... and it might sting all of us.

Eventually, many podcasters have to make a choice between fame, fortune, and famine. OK, that last one less choice and more unfortunate reality. For the other two, there’s always the paywall option. Should you consider it?

Alternate title: Big Money Troubles In Little Podcasting, not starring Kurt Russell

Don't see your self short and miss out on better opportunities for your show.

Paid podcasting may just be the thing to push podcasting over the top in America.

It's easy to launch a Patreon account for your podcast. But should you?

One more step closer to having podcasting seen as a digital, not broadcast or OOH format. That's a good thing!

How to leverage that money for your own success.

Unconventional thoughts on how to make a successful podcast without having a blockbuster show.

Programmatic ads for podcasts (done the right) way are just around the corner. Maybe?

The hidden logistics problem that hinders podcast advertising's growth.

Podcast advertising is how many podcasts achieve commercial viability. But that requires scale, and the amount of scale is always increasing. Here’s where the bar is set today and what that means to your podcast’s bottom line.

At the core, every ongoing podcast shares one common theme: the ability to continue on successfully. The tricky part is understanding where that success comes from and how to exploit it to bring in more.

The rumored "cash cow" that is podcast advertising probably isn't for you. Sorry.

Is the podcast landscape too crowded? Well, obviously not. So yes, you should make another show. Only this time, should you consider making one that's worth paying for?