So, can you actually make money from podcasting—or is it all hype?
Here’s the truth: 90% of podcasts never earn a cent (Buzzsprout, 2024). Even crazier—44% don’t make it past episode 3. The graveyard of abandoned shows is real.
But the top 1%? They’re cashing in while the rest are stuck chasing downloads.
I learned this the hard way. When My first Client Rachel launched her first podcast, We thought “more listeners = more money.” Wrong. After 6 months of grinding, She had thousands of plays… and zero income. It wasn’t until I studied what high-earning podcasters actually do differently that I cracked the code.
In this post, I’ll show you exactly what the top 1% podcasters do that almost nobody talks about—so you don’t waste years shouting into the void.
By the end, you’ll know the proven ways podcasts actually make money, the hidden traps most creators fall into, and how to position yourself like the rare few who turn a mic into a money machine. 🎙️
What’s the Real Truth—Can You Actually Make Money from Podcasting?
Yes, but most podcasters don’t.
I’ve seen this firsthand. Rachel poured months into her “wellness tips” podcast, only to realize after 25 episodes that she had no plan to monetize. Downloads don’t equal dollars. Without a system, even 10,000 listens won’t matter.
The top 1%? They think business-first, content-second.
Podcasting Reality Check (2024–2025)
| Statistic | Data | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Podcasts that never make money | ~90% | Buzzsprout, 2024 |
| Podcasts that quit after 3 episodes | 44% | Amplifi Media |
| Podcasts that reach 21+ episodes | 10% | Amplifi Media |
| Average ad revenue (CPM per 1,000 downloads) | $18–$25 | AdvertiseCast, 2024 |
| Average monthly earnings for most podcasters | $0–$100 | Podnews, 2024 |
| Estimated annual income for top 1% | $100K–$2M+ | Forbes, Podnews case studies |
How Do the Top 1% Think Differently About Podcasting as a Business?
They see a podcast as a media asset, not a hobby.
Instead of chasing vanity metrics like “total downloads,” they laser in on buyer-ready listeners. One well-placed listener who becomes a client is worth more than 1,000 random subscribers.
Here’s the difference:
- Average podcasters: “How do I get more listeners?”
- Top 1%: “How do I turn my existing audience into customers?”
That’s why the most profitable shows often have smaller but richer audiences. A niche cybersecurity podcast with 2,000 exec listeners may earn more than a comedy podcast with 200,000 casual fans.
What Income Streams Actually Work for the Top 1% (and Which Don’t)?
Sponsorships? Overrated unless you’re in the top 0.1%. According to AdvertiseCast, the average CPM for podcast ads is $18–$25.
That means 1,000 listeners = $20. Even with 10,000 downloads per episode, you’d only make $200. Not life-changing.
Instead, here’s what works:
- Niche sponsorships: A small B2B software show may land a $5,000 deal because its audience is valuable to one brand.
- Products or consulting: This is where real money lies. A tax advisor I worked with turned her podcast into a steady $8K/month funnel by converting listeners into clients.
- Email newsletter tie-ins: Many podcasters secretly make more money from their newsletter ads or affiliate links than the podcast itself. (I’ve tested this myself—my email subscribers bought far more than listeners who never subscribed.)
- Merch & print-on-demand: Underused, but effective for personality-driven shows. Big names like My Favorite Murder rake in millions in merch. Small creators can too—tools like Printful or Bonfire make it zero-risk.
- Exclusive paid content: Patreon, Supercast, and Spotify Subscriptions can work if your audience loves your content. But this only scales if you already have diehard fans.
But the real reason why Me and Rachel made the most money? I have talked about that in this post – How Podcasters are Getting RICH
Why Do Most Podcasters Fail to Monetize (and How the Top 1% Avoid It)?
Most fail because they chase downloads, not dollars. They think a viral moment will pay the bills. It won’t.
The top 1% don’t waste time on generic branding. They position their show uniquely. Instead of “marketing tips podcast,” it’s “marketing for $1M SaaS founders.” That specificity turns listeners into buyers.
And while most treat podcasting as “content,” the top 1% build a conversion engine. Every episode has a funnel:
Listener → Email list → Offer → Sale.
No funnel = no money. Simple.
What’s the Secret Framework the Top 1% Follow That Others Don’t?
They start with monetization in mind. Instead of recording random topics, they ask: “What product or service do I want to sell?” Then they create episodes that lead listeners there.
They also create category ownership. Joe Rogan isn’t “just another interview show.” He owns the space of raw, long-form conversations. Same with Lex Fridman in AI.
And here’s the kicker: Consistency isn’t enough. Most people think uploading weekly is the secret. Wrong.
The real difference?
Distribution systems—repurposing clips on YouTube Shorts, TikTok, LinkedIn, email, blogs. The top 1% treat one recording as 10+ pieces of content.
Finally, they invest early. Better sound, stronger brand identity, and visible trust signals (guest credibility, press mentions). Listeners smell amateur shows instantly and don’t return.
How Much Money Are We Really Talking About?
The average podcaster makes $0–$100/month (Podnews, 2024). But the top 1%? Easily six or seven figures.
Take Jordan Harbinger—he makes over $2M/year through ads and consulting deals (Forbes). Yet a small niche podcaster I know in finance earns $300K/year with under 20K downloads—all from high-ticket coaching.
Most of the silent 6-figure podcasters don’t brag about it because their audience is small and targeted. You won’t see them trending on Apple Podcasts, but they’re laughing to the bank.
What’s the Fastest Way to Join the Top 1% Mindset?
Stop chasing mass popularity. Own a niche.
Treat your podcast as a sales funnel, not a file dump. One clear monetization path is better than 10 half-baked ones.
I have discussed all the top monetization options in this post – How to Make 10k/Month by Podcasting
Measure success in revenue per listener, not downloads. If each listener is worth $10/month because they buy your product, you only need 500 loyal fans to hit $5,000/month.
The 1% know it’s not about being famous—it’s about being profitable.
Final Take: Should You Try Making Money from Podcasting?
Yes—if you treat it as a long-game business channel, not a shortcut to fame.
Podcasting works best for entrepreneurs, consultants, and niche creators who can monetize a small but aligned audience. If you’re doing it only for passion, that’s fine too—but don’t expect it to pay the bills.
As Rachel once told me after pivoting her failed wellness show into a paid coaching funnel: “The moment I stopped thinking downloads, I started making money.” That’s the difference between most creators and the top 1%. 🎙️
Podcasting is a different game, and without a precise blueprint, the game will get tougher midway. Grow your podcast from scratch with Zero Audience and learn about how successful podcasters cracked the code by winning our Free Guide with step by step Guidelines.
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