Diversify Audiences, Monetize Smartly, Conquer Discovery

Resources

Resources & Recommendations

People Mentioned

• Colin Anderson (Former VP of Content and Podcasts at SXM, also held roles at Earwolf, Stitcher, Maximum Fun, and BBC) - Featured guest discussing scaling, monetization, and future-proofing podcasts.
• Chris Bannon (Chief Content Officer at Earwolf) - Hired Colin Anderson at Earwolf in 2016.
• Scott Aukerman (Comedian, host of Comedy Bang! Bang!) - Co-founder of Earwolf, whose comedy and improv friends formed the basis of the network.
• Paul Scheer (Comedian, co-host of How Did This Get Made?) - Co-founder of Earwolf, whose comedy and improv friends formed the basis of the network.
• Steve Wilson (Apple) - Was the contact person at Apple for profiling new podcasts in 2016, making show launches easier.
• Karen Kilgariff (Co-host of My Favorite Murder) - Co-host of the true-crime podcast that saw rapid growth by serving an underserved female audience.
• Georgia Hardstark (Co-host of My Favorite Murder) - Co-host of the true-crime podcast that saw rapid growth by serving an underserved female audience.
• Christie Marabell (Stitcher, SiriusXM, now runs her own consultancy) - Marketing expert Colin consults for advice on podcast marketing strategies.
• Jonathan Van Ness (Host of Queer Eye) - Example of a personality whose podcast was successfully sold by an independent seller before his rise to world fame.
• Allison Marino (Salesperson at Midroll/Earwolf, founder of Lipstick & Vinyl) - Founded a boutique marketing and sales network for podcasts, known for its effective approach.

Organizations & Institutions

• SXM - SiriusXM, where Colin Anderson was VP of Content and Podcasts.
• Earwolf - Podcast network where Colin Anderson helped scale operations, known for its comedy shows like "Comedy Bang! Bang!" and "How Did This Get Made."
• Stitcher - Podcast platform where Colin Anderson held a role, and which offered a premium ad-free subscription service.
• Maximum Fun - Podcast network mentioned for its listener-supported model.
• BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation, where Colin Anderson held a role.
• Apple - Mentioned as a key platform for podcast discovery in 2016, though its influence on discovery has since waned.
• Spotify - Mentioned as a platform with its own charts for podcasts.
• Amazon - Mentioned in the context of high-level network sales.
• SAG-AFTRA - Union representing actors and other media professionals, mentioned in relation to talent's concerns about AI integration in podcasting.

Websites & Online Resources

• Patreon - Platform mentioned as a successful monetization model for shows with highly dedicated fanbases, offering ad-free content and bonus material.
• Substack - Newsletter platform mentioned in the context of subscription fatigue.
• TikTok - Social media platform mentioned as a channel for promoting podcasts through video clips, though its effectiveness in driving podcast subscriptions is questioned.
• TripAdvisor - Website mentioned as an example where public reviews can be unreliable or unhelpful due to reviewers' lack of experience.
• Rotten Tomatoes - Movie review aggregation website, suggested as a potential model for podcast review and searchability.

Other Resources

• "Comedy Bang! Bang!" - Podcast mentioned as a foundational show for the Earwolf network, known for its improv comedy.
• "Ron and Beverly" - Podcast mentioned as an example of a show within the Earwolf aesthetic.
• "Womp It Up!" - Podcast mentioned as an example of a show within the Earwolf aesthetic.
• "How Did This Get Made?" - Podcast mentioned as being in the top 20 podcasts and a foundational show for the Earwolf network.
• "My Favorite Murder" - True crime podcast mentioned as an example of a show that achieved rapid growth by serving an underserved audience (women in true crime).
• "Hollywood Handbook" - Podcast mentioned as an example of a show with a devoted fanbase that can monetize effectively through platforms like Patreon.
• "Office Ladies" - Podcast mentioned as an example of a successful show that brought new listeners into podcasting, despite initial industry skepticism.
• Lipstick & Vinyl - A boutique marketing and sales network for podcasts, founded by Allison Marino, which was acquired by Realm in 2023.