The Podcast Journey: Why Focusing on Monetization Might Make You Miss the Best Part

In this episode, Dave Jackson addresses a common question from a Reddit post: "Which are the best podcast websites to post our work and get paid for it?" He dives deep into the realities and mindset of podcasting with a special focus on family projects. Dave emphasizes the importance of enjoying the podcasting journey itself, rather than fixating solely on making money.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Initial Motivations for Podcasting:
• Dave reacts to people interested in podcasting primarily to get paid, sharing that he personally didn’t make money from his podcast for the first three years.
• The Real Value of Podcasting:
• Drawing parallels to family game night, Dave highlights the long-term sentimental value of recording family podcasts, describing such memories as “much more valuable than...the .005 cents you will make from someone like Red Circle.”
• The Journey vs. the Destination:
• Using a story about driving to his brother’s house to admire the changing fall leaves, Dave likens podcasting to enjoying the journey instead of fixating just on the end goal.
• Practical Podcasting Advice:
• Dave discusses hosting platforms like Red Circle, Buzzsprout, and Captivate as options for those needing free basic websites, while noting that making money through podcasting typically requires more investment and planning.
• Skills and Benefits Beyond Monetization:
• Dave lists numerous benefits to podcasting—improved public speaking, increased confidence, networking, and even unexpected professional opportunities—emphasizing that these skills often precede financial gain.
• Monetization Mindset:
• He advises potential podcasters to enter the field with realistic expectations about monetization, noting that it can take years to build an audience substantial enough to generate revenue and that focusing solely on money often leads to podcasters quitting early.

Memorable Quotes:

• “You don’t monetize a podcast, you monetize an audience.”
• “There are all sorts of other benefits besides money when you start a podcast.”

Support & Resources:

• Interested in starting or improving your podcast? Visit School of Podcasting. Use coupon code “listenr” for a discount on subscriptions.

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