Monetizing Your Podcast: Lessons From Zero to $60K in Year One

Podcasting isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, but with the right approach, it’s one of the most powerful, revenue-generating platforms out there. At Podfest 2025, I shared how Never Been Promoted went from a simple idea to pulling in $60K in its first year.?

Here’s the strategy that made it happen so you can use these insights to monetize your own podcast.

It All Starts with Passion, Proficiency, and Impact

Let me be blunt—if you’re not crazy passionate about your podcast topic, you’re going to burn out fast. For me, the fire was helping entrepreneurs break free from fear and limiting beliefs. That passion? It’s the fuel that keeps you going when it feels like no one’s listening.

But passion alone doesn’t pay the bills. You’ve also got to get good—at podcasting and at delivering value. I wasn’t a pro on day one, but I committed to improving: studying other podcasters, refining my delivery, and focusing on what my audience actually needed. Then there’s impact. If your content doesn’t resonate or solve a problem for your audience, no amount of passion or skill will save you. Think about this: What problem are you solving? How are you changing someone’s day with your show? That’s where the money is.

Brand with a Mission: Why You Need More Than a Catchy Name

Before I even thought about monetizing, I got clear on my mission: Never Been Promoted is about empowering entrepreneurs to cut ties with anything holding them back—whether it’s fear, doubt, or the corporate grind. It’s a movement.

When I went to conferences, I wore the same branded shirt and tie every day—people remembered me. The red, white, and blue theme stood out and made people curious. That curiosity led to conversations, and those conversations built trust. That’s what you want for your brand—something people connect with on sight, backed by a mission they believe in.

Don’t Serve Your Audience Junk

Your podcast is only as strong as the content you produce. Never Been Promoted didn’t bring on guests just because they had a big name. Instead, my team and I looked for people with real, relatable stories—entrepreneurs who could share insights and struggles that our audience would genuinely connect with.

Each episode becomes a teaching moment, a chance to create meaningful, practical value for our audience. Ask hard questions, dig into personal stories, and deliver actionable takeaways. That’s how you build a loyal audience—by giving them tools they can actually use.

Monetizing Through Guest Sponsorships

Don’t wait for advertisers to come knocking—monetize from day one by offering guest sponsorships. Here’s how we did it: we made the offer too good to pass up. Our sponsors didn’t just get an episode; they got exposure to my LinkedIn audience of 36,000, a newsletter hitting thousands of entrepreneurs, and additional promotion across social platforms.

We didn’t stop there. Guests could opt for extended promotional periods or even join our exclusive mastermind community, Cut the Tie. The key? Building value into the offer so it’s not just a transaction—it’s an opportunity for them to grow.

If you’re thinking, “But I’m just starting,” don’t sweat it. Start small—maybe it’s a free option to get momentum, but always have a paid upgrade ready for those who see the value in reaching your audience. Outsourcing content production (even on Fiverr or Upwork) can help you scale without losing quality.

Reinvest to Grow—It’s a Long Game

Instead of pocketing every dollar, we reinvested half of our revenue back into the podcast. This meant better production, advertisements, and added value for our guests. The result: more social proof, higher subscriber counts, and greater overall impact.

Remember, short-term wins are nice, but long-term growth requires consistent reinvestment. Think of it like compound interest—the more you put in, the bigger the payoff down the road.

Relationships > Transactions

Here’s what a lot of podcasters get wrong: they treat guests like one-time transactions. Not us. When someone joins Never Been Promoted, they’re stepping into a community. After their episode airs, we keep the relationship alive—inviting them into our mastermind community,? Cut the Tie, collaborating on future projects, and staying connected.

The goal isn’t just to record an episode—it’s to create lasting connections that add value for everyone involved. By tying guests into a larger network, we’ve created a sense of belonging that keeps them engaged long after their episode airs.

What We Learned—and What You Can Do

In 2024, we turned Never Been Promoted into a revenue-generating machine: $60K in guest sponsorships, a thriving mastermind community, and a growing global audience. But none of that happened by accident. It took strategy, execution, and a relentless focus on our mission.

Actionable Takeaways for Aspiring Podcasters:

1. Focus on value: Whether it’s through storytelling or actionable insights, make sure every episode leaves your audience better off.
2. Leverage your assets: Use your social networks, email lists, and other platforms to provide sponsors with undeniable value.
3. Think long-term: Reinvest in your podcast to build trust, expand your reach, and create lasting impact.
4. Build community: Make your guests feel like part of something bigger. Long-term relationships lead to long-term success.

Monetizing a podcast isn’t about luck; it’s about strategy, focus, and relentless execution. Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your podcast to the next level, remember this: passion drives you, proficiency refines you, and impact sustains you. Get those three right, and you’ll do more than monetize—you’ll create something that matters.