Podcast

How Profitable Is A Podcast? (Updated for 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: September 3rd, 2024

How Profitable Is A Podcast? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start a podcast?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are podcasts actually profitable?”

Especially considering:

You could start a podcast with as low as $100
Based on our data, podcasts generate an average of $1.17M per year

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a podcast.

Let’s dive in!

Is a podcast profitable?

Yes, a podcast is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $1.17M per year with an estimated gross margin of 72%, you could expect to recover your investment within 3 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your podcast.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your podcast is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is a podcast worth it?

If you’re wondering if a podcast is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With podcasts, you have the potential to earn $1.17M per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a podcast to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful podcasts case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Podcasts

Here are a few examples of profitable podcasts, and a few more details about them:

1. Ecom Crew Podcast ($420K/year)

EcomCrew, an ecommerce blog and podcast, was founded by Mike Jackness and an unnamed co-founder in 2014. With a passion for content creation and a desire to share ecommerce knowledge, they started EcomCrew and eventually monetized it through a membership program. They now generate around $35,000 a month in revenue.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $420K/year

Starting An E-Commerce Education Platform Generating $35K/Month

EcomCrew is an ecommerce blog and podcast that took three years to monetize and now brings in around $35,000 a month by selling a membership to a private ecommerce group that includes exclusive access to ecommerce courses, webinars, events and more, with plans slowly becoming more expensive to expand with new content.

Read this case study

Read by 4,691 founders

2. Entrepreneurs on Fire ($2.42M/year)

John Lee Dumas came up with the idea for Entrepreneurs On Fire while working in Commercial Real Estate and listening to podcasts during his commutes to and from work. He noticed a lack of daily podcasts that provided valuable content for aspiring entrepreneurs, so he decided to start his own daily podcast to fill that gap. With zero online presence and no podcasting experience, John launched Entrepreneurs On Fire with the goal of inspiring millions to take their own entrepreneurial leap.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $2.42M/year
How much did it cost to start: $9K

How John Lee Dumas Grew A Podcast Into $2M/Year Business

John Lee Dumas grew his award-winning podcast, Entrepreneurs On Fire, into a business offering online courses, coaching, and a mastermind program, generating nearly $4 million in revenue from his flagship product, Podcasters’ Paradise.

Read this case study

Read by 9,735 founders

3. The Unofficial Shopify Podcast ($108K/year)

Kurt Elster came up with the idea for his podcast, The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, after realizing the potential of content marketing and wanting a consistent way to market his ecommerce consulting services. He decided to host his own podcast after receiving positive feedback from guest appearances on other podcasts, and with the help of his business partner's editing skills, he was able to launch the podcast and grow it to 750,000 downloads and four sponsors.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $108K/year

How Kurt Elster Monetized And Grew A Podcast to 750K Downloads

Unofficial Shopify Podcast has generated 750,000 downloads and has four sponsors, resulting in significant monetary gain for ecommerce consultant and host, Kurt Elster, who has created a thriving business and community around his podcast.

Read this case study

Read by 4,898 founders

Learn more about starting a podcast:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a podcast?
-> Pros and cons of a podcast

Need inspiration?

-> Other podcast success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a podcast
-> Podcast slogans
-> Podcast names
-> Podcast Instagram bios

Other resources

-> Podcast tips
-> Blog post ideas for a podcast
-> Podcast quotes

How much can you make with a podcast?

With a podcast, you can make an average of $1.17M revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $100. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 3 months.

How much does a podcast make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a podcast ranges around $24.5K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $97.9K.

To know if your podcast achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your podcast.

How much do podcasts owners make?

The income of a podcast owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established podcast is about $24.5K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as a podcast owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Podcast Profit Margins

Generally speaking, a podcast can expect profit margin of around 72%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of a podcast, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, podcast owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, podcast owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Podcast owner salary

The salary of a podcast owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established podcast, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $17.6K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a podcast may be a promising business to start - but the success of your podcast mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable podcast.

Part of

Starting A Podcast: Everything You Need To Know

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