Podcasters can easily monetize their show through affiliate marketing which does not require upfront payment from companies to advertise their products on the show. Instead, podcasters earn a commission for every sale made. This is unlike running paid ads on a show.
The lower risk factor for companies promoting their products makes them more inclined to invest in emerging platforms. This is advantageous for beginner podcasters as they don’t have to amass thousands of listeners before earning revenue.
To begin earning through affiliate marketing, it’s important to comprehend its essence, optimize its usage, and identify the ideal programs for inexperienced podcasters. Fortunately, you’ll find everything you need to know on these topics right here.
Affiliate Program
In recent times, podcasting has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity. It appears that almost everybody now hosts a podcast, exploring even the most specialized topics. Be it football, music, online dating platforms, or even wrestling, there is a broad array of options available to cater to your interests.
With the expansion of podcasting, the industry has also flourished. Reasonably priced podcasting equipment is now readily available, presenting lucrative opportunities for home-based podcasters.
In the past, only a small number of people from privileged backgrounds had access to the exclusive realm of broadcast media. However, nowadays, by simply possessing a microphone, a laptop, and a strong drive, you can create your own high-quality shows from the convenience of your own residence.
How to Use Affiliate Marketing for Your Podcast
Monetizing a podcast can be simplified through affiliate marketing, which is not as complex as commonly perceived. Sharing a link with your listeners is often sufficient and can be considered one of the easiest methods to get started in earning money from a podcast.
Podcasters can promote affiliates through three primary methods.
1. Promote Them on Your Show
One of the simplest methods to endorse your affiliate links is by featuring them on your podcast. It becomes effortless if you have a distinctive link such as affiliate.com/thepodcasthost, enabling your listeners to type it into their browser without any difficulty.
2. Include Them in Your Show Notes
Your show notes are not just meant to give your audience an idea of the subject matter and provide pertinent links about your guest or topic, they can also serve as a means to increase your earnings through affiliate marketing.
In your show, you have the option to discuss an affiliate opportunity and provide a link in the show notes for your audience’s convenience. Although it may not be feasible to display the link on the screen while they are listening, you can facilitate their ability to show support.
3. Add Them to Your Website
Podcasters rarely take advantage of the full potential of their websites. Typically, their websites only include basic elements such as links to recent episodes, host biographies, and a Patreon page URL.
Your website offers many options to promote and generate revenue for your podcast beyond what you are currently doing. One effective strategy is incorporating affiliate links. You can display banners, sidebar advertisements, and an affiliate page, or even create individual blog posts for each affiliate. The possibilities are numerous.
4. Declare Them
When incorporating affiliate links into your show or website, it’s important to disclose it to your audience. Inform them that you may receive compensation if they decide to make a purchase through these links. Additionally, you may want to convey the message that you wouldn’t endorse a product or service via an affiliate link that you don’t believe in, as credibility and honesty are invaluable.
Top Podcast Affiliate Marketing Programs
1. Skillshare
Skillshare is a community dedicated to online learning that provides educational videos for individuals in search of skill development. With an extensive selection of courses, it has become one of the most alluring affiliate programs available today.
You have the opportunity to promote almost 30,000 courses, with every listener you refer earning you money upon sign-up. These courses span a wide array of topics.
With a wide range of options available such as photography, creative writing, tattooing, and illustration, the affiliate program offers great flexibility. As a result, regardless of your podcast’s niche, you can easily discover a suitable course, making it an excellent choice for new affiliates.
2. Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout’s exceptional track record in the field of podcasting makes it an excellent option for an affiliate program. Their affiliate program provides podcasters with free trial opportunities and the possibility of earning one-time or recurring commissions. Additionally, they have a specialized affiliate team available to assist you.
Buzzsprout offers a significant benefit by effectively submitting podcasts to top directories including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts, making them a practical alternative for content creators to consider if they are questioning the validity of affiliate programs.
3. Barkbox
Barkbox is an immensely in-demand service for dog enthusiasts. They provide a monthly subscription package packed with an assortment of dog treats that align with a monthly theme, comprising various toys and treats for your furry friend. Accompanying that, they boast an exceptional affiliate program, making them an ideal choice for any podcast dedicated to pets or companies aiming to target the vast dog-loving market.
Barkbox is a great choice for a podcast affiliate program due to the worldwide popularity of dogs, which account for one-third of all pets owned by people.
4. Redbubble
It is likely that Redbubble is where you purchased a customized item online. This online marketplace operates globally and offers an affiliate program for thousands of highly talented creators to exhibit and vend their exceptional merchandise.
Redbubble can be the answer if you’re wondering how to find affiliate programs in your niche since the print-on-demand business is an excellent medium for artists to sell their work, including prints, clothing, stickers, and copies, and it caters to a creative audience, making it a perfect choice.
5. Moosend
Moosend is an email marketing software and internet marketing platform that is both convenient and cost-effective for identifying target audiences. Its interface is incredibly user-friendly, offering a multitude of tools for creating visually appealing campaigns that attract a significant number of marketing professionals. Fortunately, Moosend also offers a superb affiliate program with an excellent compensation plan.
Their affiliate program includes lifetime recurring commissions, monthly incentives, and a referral program specifically for podcasts. Additionally, they supply pre-made materials to simplify your marketing efforts.
6. Castos
Castos is a popular choice for novice podcasters and those with smaller shows. As a podcast-specific platform, Castos’ affiliate program is user-friendly and tailored to the needs of podcast creators.
Castos offers a compelling advantage by allowing users to join its affiliate program free of charge. This is especially reassuring for hesitant podcasters who may doubt the value of affiliate programs. With no financial obligations, Castos is an excellent choice for those looking for a risk-free approach.
7. SecondLine
Being successful in podcasting calls for more than just brilliant content, it requires a presentable look as well. This is where SecondLine’s affiliate program becomes relevant.
SecondLine offers WordPress themes and plugins tailored to podcasters, featuring professional designs and dedicated support and analytics through their affiliate program. If you’re ready to advance your podcasting endeavors, consider partnering with SecondLine.
8. Blubrry
Blubrry is a well-regarded platform for publishing and hosting podcasts that is optimized for use with Google Play, Spotify, iTunes, and various other applications. Migrating to Blubrry is cost-free, and they offer assistance for users, analytics, and an affiliate program to encourage the creation of content.
Joining their affiliate program is free of charge and rewards a commission for each sale that is referred. Additionally, the platform provides a risk-free opportunity to try out the program for a month with their free trial offer.
9. Captivate
Captivate is our ultimate recommendation for a podcast hosting, marketing, and analytics platform with a top-notch affiliate program. It provides users with website synchronization, comprehensive reports and statistics, and assistance for those pursuing individual podcasting growth.
By joining the affiliate program, members can earn commissions without having to pay any fees. Additionally, they are given access to various promotional materials to strengthen their marketing efforts. In case of any inquiries or challenges related to the program, a team of dedicated support agents is available to offer assistance.
10. Amazon Associates
Amazon gives everyone a chance to try their hand at affiliate marketing with Amazon Associates. You simply need to open an account and start sharing links—you’ll have 180 days to make three qualifying sales before your account is reviewed.
Regrettably, Amazon affiliate links are often disorganized and lack aesthetic appeal. Nevertheless, employing a WordPress plugin such as Thirsty Affiliates can simplify their sharing during your podcast. Additionally, you can feature the links on your podcast website and in your show notes to steer your audience towards relevant purchases.
With an Amazon affiliate account you can link to almost any physical product, which gives you a host of options. But you’ll want to be careful that you’re not just recommending things for the sake of making money and focus on things relevant to your audience.
11. Audible
You may have heard of Audible if you’ve been listening to podcasts. Owned by Amazon and operated through their Amazon Associates, it’s an online book and podcast service that anyone with an account can promote. The standard payout for their program is as follows:
- $0.50 per audio book sale
- $5 for a free trial digital membership
- $10 for an Audible gold member purchase
An affiliate program for podcasters is offered by the company, which includes a creator program that provides podcasters with $15 for every trial signup made via a personalized link. This is an excellent tool for podcasters to advertise on their shows. The program is perfect for novice podcasters as audiobooks and podcasts share commonalities, making it easy to promote.
12. Alitu: The ‘Podcast Maker’ App
Our in-house product at The Podcast Host is Alitu, a web application designed to simplify podcast editing and production by automating the majority of the process and providing specialized tools for podcasting needs.
Alitu is ideal for two specific types of podcasters.
Alitu is perfect for individuals who are new to podcasting and are solely interested in showcasing their voice quickly and effortlessly, without concerning themselves with the technicalities. It guarantees exceptional quality and personalized audio that adheres to their brand.
The second group consists of seasoned podcasters who have established a successful format for their content. However, they seek to reduce the time it takes to release their show. Given their comfort with recording without many errors, this group’s primary objective is to save time by having automated editing, adding branding, and correcting minor mistakes, allowing them to swiftly publish their content.
Alitu provides a continuous recurring bonus for each recruit, meaning you will receive a portion of their monthly membership fee as long as they remain members.
13. Podcraft Academy
Our exclusive content and individualized coaching program, Podcraft Academy, is a membership site and community that aims to expedite your podcast learning journey, reduce time and anxiety, and provide comprehensive guidance throughout every phase of podcasting.
Our ‘Launch Essentials’ program is designed to assist individuals in releasing their podcast to the public. Afterward, we also provide resources on increasing revenue, expanding your audience, enhancing your presentation abilities, and numerous other topics.
If you become a Podcraft Academy affiliate, you qualify for a 20% discount on the initial payment of up to $350 for each annual membership referral. Apply to become an affiliate of the Academy here.
Side notes
For those who want to enhance their podcasting skills or increase their income as an experienced pro, various affiliate programs are available. Spend some time researching to identify which programs suit your needs best and determine your top priorities in selecting an affiliate program.
Before joining any affiliate program, make sure to do your research and find out which ones offer the highest payouts. Some programs provide analytics and statistics to track your success, while others offer marketing and promotional support. Even if there is no verification process, some affiliate programs can still provide a steady income stream to turn your hobby into a profitable business.
