School of Podcasting - Plan, Launch, Grow and Monetize Your Podcast

School of Podcasting - Plan, Launch, Grow and Monetize Your Podcast


How I Got a Sponsor On My Podcast

October 24, 2016

Today I share my story on how I secured a sponsor for my show. I'm doing this as an experiment as I prepare to update my book More Podcast Money Next year. I also share the behind the scenes of what it was like to take on a sponsor. There are some things that I have to tackle mentally. Emerald City Productions - Our Sponsor 1:15 Emerald City is running a special go to www.emeraldcitypro.com/sop and tell them you are from the School of Podcasting and have your first four podcasts done for $15 an episode. My Favorite Podcast Is 2:50 I'm working on the last episode of the year where we all share what our favorite podcast is (you can only pick one, and no, it can't be yours). Then be sure to tells us a little about it, and WHY you like it. Also, be sure to tell us a little bit about your show and where we can find it. So its free promotion for your show, and later I get these transcribed and turn them into a book. The deadline is October 31. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/favorite16 Getting A Sponsor For Your Show 4:30 Today I share my story on how I secured a sponsor for my show. I'm doing this as an experiment as I prepare to update my book More Podcast Money Next year. I also share the behind the scenes of what it was like to take on a sponsor. There are some things that I have to tackle mentally. Getting A Sponsor For Your Show Today I talk with Jessica Kupferman who has been selling advertising for a very long time (back in the day on banner advertising) and has been podcasting since 2013. I know her best for her Shepodcasts.com show which she does with Elsie Escobar (it's a fascinating take on podcasting from a Women's point of view). Jessica just launched jkmagency.com an add agency that helps sponsors find podcasters, and podcasters find sponsors. Here are some of the insights from today's discussion You need to know how many downloads you get per month If you don't have a ton of downloads, but you have an active community, that may enable you to secure a sponsor You don't need a media kit if you don't have one. Jessica can create one for you. If you're pricing per episode, you might as well flush your money down the toilet. The smallest contract/campaign she sells is three months. She will go two months if there are no other options. Podcasters should be open to having the sponsor on the show to help create content. In regards to platforms, sponsors are looking at Twitter and Instagram followers. You just need to create a report once a month Never lie about your stats. Not only does it make you look bad, but it also makes podcasting, in general, look bad. How do you figure out what to charge for your podcast? The current standards for CPM is $15-$100 which is why it doesn't work for most podcasters and is the worst way to sell your show Can unique genres get a sponsor? (i.e. Science Fiction movie reviews) To be considered for adds go to jkmagency.com/considerme She also is a co-host for She Podcasts The Mental Side of Podcast Advertising 34:00 When you take on an advertiser, you have a couple of things to consider. You need to make sure your sponsor fits your audience and is something you can talk about honestly. When you promote something that you don't believe in, that is (in my opinion) the definition of selling out. Make sure you are aware what you will be delivering, and then deliver it. Remember who your TRUE audience is. Having multiple audiences can be a struggle. My audience is you. You've been with me for almost 12 years. If I pay too much attention to promoting the sponsor, I lose the true audience (again, you). If I don't pay enough attention to the sponsor, I lose the sponsor. The problem is I'm being paid for a 15-second spot. I recorded the spot four times last night, and the first one went over two minutes long. I figured out what I needed to say, and figured out how to see it as quickly as possible. This first ad was a bit longer as I needed to introduce you to the sponsor. I've always liked he way Giml