How An Indie Podcaster Made Six Figures

💸 And how you can too

Hello there!

Remember when I chatted with Danielle Bezalel on how to thrive in your indie podcast game?

🎙️How to thrive in your indie podcast game

Well, one of the things that stood out to me was how Danielle was able to financially survive and thrive in the current podcast market. After three years of working part-time on her podcast (Sex Ed with DB), Danielle was able to make the leap to doing this full time. A dream for many of our readers!

So, we invited Danielle to do a guest post on how she did it, continues to do it, and most importantly – continues to LOVE doing it! So much to learn here so I’ll shut up now. 💜 Take it away, Danielle!

P.S. - if this post is too long for you to read, let this be your one takeaway from Danielle:

🤑 How to make six figures as a full-time indie podcaster

Hi! DB of Sex Ed with DB here! When I started my podcast, I didn’t have a roadmap or a grand plan—I had a mic, a big idea, and a passion for creating something meaningful.

I quickly realized that podcasting isn’t just about hitting record and publishing episodes; it’s about connecting with your audience, building a recognizable brand, and finding creative ways to monetize your hard work. Over the past 7+ years, I’ve grown my podcast into a six-figure business that not only pays the bills (and lets me live the kind of life I want to live) but also fuels my creativity and helps me make an impact.

If you’re an indie podcaster, you’ve probably had moments where you’ve wondered, “Is it even possible to make a living doing this?” I’m here to confirm: it absolutely is. Here’s how I did it, and how you can too.

🌑 Cultivate Your Brand

Your brand is more than just your podcast name or logo—it’s the heart and soul of your show. It’s your voice, your values, and the way you connect with your audience. Be authentic. Share your story. Let your personality shine through. People don’t just listen to your content—they connect with you. Ask yourself: “What is unique about me and my story?” and build on that.

🌓 Build Strategic Relationships

The indie podcasting world thrives on connections. I cannot emphasize this enough! Collaborate with other podcasters, pitch brands for sponsorships, and engage with your listeners online. Networking opens doors to opportunities you may not even know exist.

Don’t be afraid to attend events, reach out to potential sponsors, or cold DM someone whose content you admire. Every connection can lead to growth and remember: closed mouths don’t get fed.

🌔 Create Content That Resonates

Your podcast is just one part of the puzzle. To grow your audience, you need to create complementary content that draws people in. Think social media posts, videos, and newsletters.

Here’s the secret: it’s not about going viral. It’s about crafting consistent content that resonates with your audience. I like to use humor, relatable moments, and visually engaging elements to connect. And don’t skip the analytics—track what works and double down on it.

🌘 Diversify Your Income Streams

Here’s the big question: how do you make money as an indie podcaster? The answer: don’t put all your eggs in one basket and find partners unique to your niche. I’ve built a six-figure income by combining the following:

• Long-term Sponsorships: Collaborating big with a small number of brands that align with my values and audience. Check out my media kit so you can see exactly how much I charge for the deliverables I offer to my sponsors I’ve worked with for years.

• Workshops & Speaking Engagements: Sharing expertise with other creators and professionals excites me, so I lean into this as much as I can.

• Consulting & Content Creation: Helping other brands create impactful, engaging content with strategic brand partnerships is a small but mighty way to make money.

By diversifying your revenue streams, you can turn your podcast into a sustainable career.

🌕 Lay the Foundation for Success

Behind every successful indie podcast is an organized business. Get your contracts in order, set up your LLC (or S-Corp if it makes sense), and stay on top of your finances. The more organized you are, the more energy you’ll have to focus on creative growth.

Here’s a hot tip: check out Start Small Think Big. They’re a nonprofit that advances economic equity by connecting entrepreneurs facing systemic barriers to a curated system of resources and support (women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ folks, disabled folks, low income folks should apply). I’ve used them for years and couldn’t have built my business without them!

✨ Take the Leap!

If you’re serious about growing your podcast brand, invest in yourself. Seek out workshops, connect with communities, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your podcast doesn’t have to be just a passion project—it can be your career. Let’s make it happen!

Too much Moira Rose? Sorry not sorry.

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➡️ Thank you so much, Danielle! If Danielle’s ideas and words resonate with you, I encourage you to follow her on Instagram and check out her profitable podcast brand workshop!

⭐ More Magic

• In honor of Women’s History Month, Tink is working with our friends at Castbox.fm to spotlight some of our favorite podcasts created by women.

  The Podcast Marketing Academy is welcoming responses on their annual Podcast Marketing Trends survey. Respond here!

• We want to congratulate the fantastic podcast Sound Opinions on their THOUSANDTH episode! 🎉 Wow.

• Podcasthon is a heartwarming non-profit initiative that invites podcasts to dedicate one episode of their show, to a charity of their choice. These episodes will be released simultaneously, in a coordinated effort, mid-March 2025. So far, over 1,500 podcast hosts have joined! If you’re keen, consider registering here.

• Special request – I’m working on a special issue for Podcast Marketing Magic on fun ways to spend your money! Have you or any podcast you listen to done something creative for advertising? Let me know!

🫶 From the Desk of Tink

For centuries, menstrual pain has been dismissed, under-researched, and even treated as a cultural afterthought - despite affecting millions of people. CRAMPED blends serious investigation, storytelling, and very cathartic comedy to explore how that silence has shaped everything from medicine to workplace policies to pop culture. CRAMPED is hosted by Kate Helen Downey, who can truly make entertainment out of information, and is an acclaimed podcast producer (Wondery’s Diss & Tell, Glamorous Trash). She’ll be unpacking one of the medical world’s biggest blind spots: why do we know so little about period pain?

Thank you so much for reading!

Next week, Wil returns with more magic. Until then, stay magical my friends.

Shreya

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