How to Monetise a Podcast Without Huge Downloads

Think you need millions of downloads to monetise your podcast? Think again. In this episode of Start, Grow & Monetise Your Podcast, Alex Chisnall and James Burtt break down the myth that podcast growth must come before monetisation. You’ll hear real-life examples of creators landing $2.5K+ sponsorships with just 8,000 downloads and using expert authority and cross-platform reach to drive income. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you turn your podcast into a powerful revenue-generating tool, regardless of your listener count.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why you don’t need massive downloads to start monetising

• How expert authority can drive high-value clients and consulting work

• Real sponsorship and monetisation examples (including exact figures)

• The difference between front-end and back-end podcast revenue

• The power of delayed gratification in podcast growth

🎙️ Ready to Launch or Level Up Your Podcast?

Check out The Ultimate A-Z Course to Start, Grow & Monetise Your Podcast—a step-by-step programme designed to help you build a podcast that stands out, builds an audience, and drives real revenue. 

👉 Get instant access now at https://yourpodcastcourse.com/ and take your podcast to the next level!

Key Takeaways:

1. Monetisation can come before growth: With the right positioning and brand, you can secure sponsors early—even before launch.

2. Download numbers ≠ value: Sponsors care about your audience quality and reach, not just quantity.

3. Play the long game: Growing a loyal audience over time can dramatically increase the value of your podcast.

4. Expert authority converts: Many podcasters land high-ticket consulting gigs purely based on their podcast content and presence.

5. Short-form content matters: Don’t underestimate the impact of social impressions and repurposed podcast clips.

Recommended Tools & Resources:

• YourPodcastCourse.com – 55 on-demand video modules for launching and monetising your podcast.

• Podseeker – A paid tool ($50/month) for finding podcast contacts for guest outreach and sponsorship pitches.

• Canva – Design your one-pager or pitch deck for sponsors or guesting opportunities.

• Apple Podcast & Spotify Charts – Use platform-specific rankings to discover where your show sits and whom to target.

Join the Conversation:

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow podcaster looking to grow their revenue. For more resources and expert advice, explore our latest content and stay connected with us on social media for valuable podcasting insights.

Follow Us:

• Instagram: @podschool

• TikTok: @podschool.community

• YouTube: @stargrowmonetiseyourpodcast

• LinkedIn: James Burtt & Alex Chisnall

In this show, we discuss:

podcast monetisation, how to monetise your podcast, get podcast sponsors, make money from podcast, podcast without downloads, podcast growth tips, expert authority podcasting, Alex Chisnall podcast, James Burtt podcast tips, Your Podcast Course, podcast sponsorship, start a podcast, grow your podcast, make money from content, revenue from small podcast, how to start podcasting, podcast marketing strategy