What is Stagepass?
Stagepass is a marketplace for creatives to auction experiences to their audience. Creatives are podcasts hosts, and also include, but are not limited to: speakers, artists, authors, YouTubers, and thought leaders. Each host is verified by Stagepass to let audiences know that experiences with that person will be authentic. Once a host is verified they can link their bank account with Stripe and immediately begin auctioning experiences. Hosts can post as many experiences that they wish and provide pictures and videos to provide more content for bidders on that auction.
Experiences can be in any format – in person, online, over the phone, or over any other medium. The key is that the experience is what the host makes it, and what their audience wants. For audiences, experiences satisfy an emotional need for deeper connection with hosts they have listened to for months and years. Podcast consumption is the most intimate medium, and listeners crave more than just one-directional flow of information – they want to get to know hosts better, tell hem what they like about the show, and experience something more meaningful and visceral than simply listening. Hosts have full control over the pricing structure and can set a starting and reserve price they are comfortable with.
Stagepass was built so that hosts can focus on their craft full-time, by providing value to the people that love them most – their audience. This gives hosts the ability to spend all of their time thinking about their audience, rather than what sponsors want to see in their craft.
Why Use Stagepass?
Flexibility: A tool for hosts to make additional revenue when needed (or wanted). Auctions can be conducted over any period of time, which gives hosts an easy way to throttle income when necessary. If a host needs to make income quickly they can conduct a 24-hour auction. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if a host wants to create anticipation and build interest over time, they can create longer auction periods.
Plays Well With Others: Stagepass is complimentary to other methods of income, including Patreon and sponsor support. Auctioning experiences does not take away from the value that Patreon supporters and sponsors derive from their relationship with the host. Patrons donate due to their appreciation of the art that the hosts create, and sponsorship value stems from the resonance that its products have on target audiences. Hosts can use all services simultaneously and satisfy the value experience of all of their monetization supporters. That said, Stagepass offers more value to audiences and supporters. With podcasting being the most intimate medium, listeners develop a sense of deep connection with hosts of shows, and desire to experience more with those people, in ways outside of the original medium. They crave connection beyond the show, hence the name Stagepass.
Timing: Jump in early, it’s the right time to begin monetizing through experience. Over recent years the demand for unique experience has soared. In a recent study, Millennials, who are now the largest consumer segment of the market, have reported that 72% would spend money on experiences over anything else (Inc.). Listeners are wanting more than one-directional engagement and are looking for experience.
Additional Benefits
- Hosts do not have to create additional content like Patreon.
- Users can create experiences that provide no preparation or follow-up.
- Experiences provide exponential returns with the auction system.
- Hosts can create as many auctions that they like.
- Users can avoid appealing to sponsors and focus on adding value to listeners.
Read more here to learn about Stagepass and get started in the Make Money section of Blubrry’s Podcaster Dashboard.