Money Podcasts: How to Build, Grow, and Monetize Your Own

Money podcasts have surged in popularity, offering listeners valuable insights into personal finance, investing, and financial independence. For those interested in creating their own podcast, especially on money-related topics, learning from successful hosts like Paula Pant of Afford Anything and Joe Saul-Sehy of Stacking Benjamins, who recently shared their journeys on the Forget About Money podcast, can provide a clear path to getting started. Both hosts have built thriving, profitable shows by focusing on audience engagement, high-quality content, and smart monetization strategies.

In this article, you’ll discover how to start a podcast and gain practical insights from Paula and Joe on growing, monetizing, and sustaining it as a passion project or business. Whether you’re looking to educate, inspire, or entertain, the expert advice from these successful podcasters will guide you in launching your own money podcast that resonates with listeners and stands the test of time.

What Are Money Podcasts?

Money podcasts are audio or video programs that focus on financial topics, from budgeting and investing to entrepreneurship and financial independence. Shows like Afford Anything by Paula Pant and Stacking Benjamins by Joe Saul-Sehy have gained dedicated followings due to their ability to simplify complex financial topics, offer relatable stories, and provide actionable advice.

Money podcasts appeal to a wide audience, from those just beginning their financial journeys to experienced investors looking for advanced strategies. Joe Saul-Sehy explains this appeal: “Podcasting is all about relationships—you grow one download at a time by staying authentic.”

Why Start a Money Podcast?

Money podcasts serve as powerful tools for sharing financial knowledge, building a brand, and even generating income. They allow hosts to connect with audiences, foster communities, and make financial education accessible. Podcasting also opens up monetization avenues, such as sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and premium memberships.

Starting a podcast can be a rewarding project, whether your goal is to educate, build a loyal following, or even create an additional revenue stream. Paula Pant emphasizes the satisfaction of building a community, noting that “it’s not just about making money from a podcast; it’s about creating meaningful content that resonates.”

How to Start a Podcast: The Basics

Before jumping into equipment and editing, it’s essential to define your podcast’s purpose and audience. Ask yourself why you want to create a money podcast and what topics you’re passionate about. Are you interested in financial independence, investing, or perhaps sharing real-life financial success stories? Defining a clear focus helps in attracting an audience who will keep coming back.

Step 1: Choose Your Niche

Money podcasts cover many areas, so identifying your niche within personal finance will set your podcast apart. For example, Stacking Benjamins takes a humorous and conversational approach, while Afford Anything focuses on the mindset and philosophy of financial independence.

Step 2: Develop a Content Plan

Creating a content plan with episodes aligned around specific themes or topics is essential. Joe and Paula suggest using strategies like Joe’s persona-based approach, where they envision an ideal listener and tailor each episode to their needs. Paula organizes her content using the acronym FIIRE: Financial Psychology, Increasing Income, Investing, Real Estate, and Entrepreneurship. Having a framework helps maintain consistency and keeps episodes fresh and engaging.

Step 3: Set Up Your Recording Equipment

A common misconception is that you need high-end equipment to start a podcast. While good audio quality is important, especially for money podcasts where clarity matters, it’s more important to start with what you have and improve over time. A quality microphone, noise-canceling headphones, and simple recording software can get you started without breaking the bank.

Step 4: Record and Edit

When recording, aim for clear, concise content that’s easy for listeners to follow. Use editing tools to refine your audio, remove background noise, and ensure high-quality sound. Joe advises new hosts not to worry too much about perfection in the beginning, saying, “You’ll likely struggle at first, but persistence and practice are key.”

Step 5: Publish and Promote

Once you’ve recorded and edited your episode, it’s time to publish. Choose a podcast hosting platform that distributes your podcast to major platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Promotion is crucial, so utilize social media, email newsletters, and guest appearances on other podcasts to reach a broader audience.

Making Money from a Podcast: How Much Money Can You Make?

One of the most common questions potential podcasters have is, “How much money can you make from a podcast?” The answer varies widely, but there are several ways to monetize a podcast effectively.

Monetization Strategies for Podcasts

1. Sponsorships: Many money podcasts generate revenue through sponsorships. These partnerships involve promoting brands or products on your show in exchange for payment. High-quality content and a loyal audience can attract sponsors over time.
2. Affiliate Marketing: By promoting products or services you genuinely believe in, you can earn a commission on each sale made through your referral links. For example, promoting financial tools or books on money management aligns well with money podcasts.
3. Premium Memberships: Some podcasts offer premium content through paid memberships, such as ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, or Q&A sessions with the hosts.
4. Courses and Workshops: Successful money podcasts, like Paula’s Afford Anything, may create courses or workshops related to their podcast themes. Paula explains, “It’s another way to build a community and offer something extra to listeners looking for more in-depth knowledge.”

Are Podcasts Profitable?

Yes, podcasts can be profitable, but the journey to profitability is not instant. Success in podcasting often requires consistency, audience engagement, and adaptability. Joe emphasizes that while monetization is important, the focus should always be on delivering value, saying, “Monetization is key, but it should never compromise the value you deliver to your audience.”

Do Podcast Hosts Pay Their Guests?

Another frequently asked question is, “Do podcast hosts pay their guests?” Generally, podcast hosts do not pay their guests, especially for educational podcasts. Guests usually participate in exchange for the exposure and opportunity to share their expertise with a broader audience.

However, high-profile guests or celebrities may expect compensation for appearing on certain podcasts. For money podcasts, hosts typically look for experts or real-life success stories who are excited to share their insights without monetary incentives.

Building a Loyal Audience: Keys to Podcast Growth

Growing a podcast requires a dedicated approach to content quality, audience engagement, and consistency. Building a loyal audience takes time, as Paula points out, “It’s about building one listener at a time and delivering content that makes them want to come back.”

Tips for Growing Your Money Podcast

1. Engage with Listeners: Respond to listener comments, conduct Q&A episodes, or create a community forum. Engagement helps listeners feel connected to the podcast and its hosts.
2. Stick to a Publishing Schedule: Consistency is crucial. Whether you release episodes weekly or bi-weekly, set a schedule and stick to it.
3. Optimize for SEO: Use relevant keywords, like “money podcasts” or “how to start a podcast,” in episode titles and descriptions to improve visibility.
4. Create Compelling Titles: Titles are the first impression of your episode. Use catchy phrases like “Podcast Profits” or “Monetizing Your Podcast” to capture interest.
5. Invite Diverse Guests: Varying your guests keeps the content interesting and offers new perspectives to listeners.

Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Podcast

Even successful podcasters like Joe and Paula have faced challenges in their journeys. Common mistakes include inconsistent publishing schedules, focusing too heavily on monetization at the expense of quality, and not engaging with the audience. Joe shares, “The biggest mistake we made early on was worrying too much about metrics instead of focusing on building real relationships with our listeners.”

FAQs on Starting a Money Podcast

1. How many podcasts make money? While many podcasts make money, profitability typically requires a large audience and quality content.
2. Are podcasts profitable? Yes, podcasts can be profitable through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and premium content. However, success is built over time.
3. How do podcast hosts make money? Podcast hosts make money through sponsorships, memberships, affiliate marketing, and merchandise.
4. How much money can you make from a podcast? Earnings vary widely, depending on audience size, engagement, and monetization strategy. Successful money podcasts can earn from a few hundred to thousands of dollars per episode.
5. Do podcast hosts pay their guests? Generally, no. Guests typically join podcasts for exposure rather than payment.

Final Thoughts

Starting a money podcast can be a fulfilling endeavor, whether as a passion project, a business, or both. With insights from seasoned hosts like Joe Saul-Sehy and Paula Pant, it’s clear that a successful podcast requires thoughtful planning, engaging content, and a commitment to authenticity. As Paula advises new hosts, “Always optimize for your audience, not just SEO trends or algorithms.” By focusing on meaningful connections, delivering value, and sharing knowledge, aspiring podcasters can create a show that not only grows but also makes a lasting impact on listeners.

If you’re ready to take the plunge into podcasting, start with a clear focus, build consistently, and remember that success often comes one listener at a time.