It is NOT all about the money, honey.
But…
Money is a mandatory part of profitable podcasting.
Earlier this week I joined Remi Roy, Founder of podground.io to answer the question:
Can you monetize a podcast with a small audience?
More than 50 people showed up live to learn how. But before we could dig into offers and episodes that naturally convert, without sounding like a used car salesman, we had to address the elephant in the studio. We had to dispel two myths that are keeping podcasters broke.
We’re tearing those myths apart inside this week’s newsletter.
If you’re new here, welcome.
If you’re an OG, welcome back to the Substack Podcast Studio.
As always, we’re keeping the studio running at peak performance. Every week, we structure our work through these three pillars:
🔥 Memorable – Dialing up your CORE CONVICTION to stop the scroll and wake up your audience. Nobody buys from a person who plays it safe.
🔥 Referable – Building a bond so thick it’s basically magnetic. We turn listeners into your personal, unpaid, high-energy sales force.
🔥 Profitable – Converting listeners at the premium level. We’re building assets that pay you while protecting your sanity (and your calendar).
We’re breaking today’s work into three moves: The two lies currently stalling your income, the truth that changes the game, and exactly how you’re going to apply it to your episodes this week.
xoxoxo,
Jen
Become Memorable
May is closing. As my client Amanda Shilling mentioned in a recent post -
You don’t get the first five months of 2026 back.
You can, however, own the next seven. But you’ll only own them if you replace the “podcasting myths” with the profitable truth.
🎬Teeny tiny action: Tear down these two myths. Let’s clear the deck before we shift into building your street team.
Need an expert in the passenger seat?
Flying solo is the fastest way to crash and hit burnout. If you’re done guessing and ready to turn your content into a high-performance sales asset, you don’t have to do it alone.
Ready for speed? Book your first Mic Drop Mastery Power Hour with me at https://thevirtualpodcastschool.com/podcastcoaching.
Ready to go all-in? If you’re at the level where you’re ready to invest $2k+ in a full-scale system build-out, start by booking a complimentary consult here. Let’s ensure your business model and your podcast are speaking the same language. https://thevirtualpodcastschool.com/consult.
Become Referable
You’ve got to know who your ideal clients are.
A lot of entrepreneurs think they know their person…but they don’t really.
Not just their sex, age, and what they do.
You need to understand what motivates them.
You need to know what challenges them and how they feel about it.
You need offers that respond to pain points they’re experiencing right now.
I call these your Green Flag People. Here’s what I mean:
If you watched that and realized you have absolutely no idea who your Green Flag people are… you have a messaging problem (because you don’t really know your people.) If you don’t know your people, you’ve got to take the health checkup to get clear on who they are and what they need right now.
🎬 Teeny tiny action: Sit with your ideal client. Really. Sit with them. Message them. Invite them to a Zoom call. Meet them in person. And then? Take that intel straight to the Profitable Podcast Health Checkup Diagnostic Tool. Get crystal clear on your people today.
(And psst… use the code SUBSTACKTLC to save 50% on the checkup!)
Become Profitable
Even with a small audience.
Sell Your Own Stuff
That’s Commandment #8 of the Mic Drop Mastery Method inside the Substack Podcast Studio.
There were 50+ of you on the call with Podground this week, and the chat lit up with one recurring theme: The belief that you aren’t “big enough” yet to be a paid professionally. Or, you don’t have an offer yet.
You’re asking “How do I monetize a small audience?” while your brain is secretly whispering, “I shouldn’t be charging for this yet.”
The money doesn’t flow just because you have a large audience.
Your audience size doesn’t determine your revenue; your offer’s clarity does. On the call, many podcasters felt overwhelmed by the “hustle” or were busy doing the work of five people just to keep a passion project afloat.
Stop treating your podcast like a hobby that “might” pay you one day.
If you have a specific, niche audience, you are already sitting on a monetization engine.
You’re just missing the conversion piece.
While others are chasing sponsors for pennies, you should be building your own asset (a workbook, a diagnostic, a private community, 1:1 coaching) that moves listeners directly into your other offers.
Every Episode Earns Its Keep.
That’s Commandment #10 of the Mic Drop Mastery Method inside the Substack Podcast Studio.
Your podcast isn’t a hobby; it’s a revenue stream.
That’s why you need to leverage your Calls To Action (CTAs) instead of asking people to leave you a review.
🎬 Teeny tiny action: Send me a message on Substack with your offer and I’ll send you some feedback.
The biggest challenge for even the most experienced entrepreneurs is this: having a CTA that ties to the concept of the episode. Your CTAs must be congruent with your audience win and your business win.
The second biggest challenge relates to connecting with your audience. Too many podcasters are winging it and that’s why their podcasts aren’t generating income. That’s why I’ve created Mic Drop Mastery Power Sessions. Book a single session or a 3 pack to get profitable faster.
Links & Resources:
Need a game plan? Book a 1:1 Mic Drop Mastery Power Hour with me to get your strategy locked in.
On the fence about launching/pivoting your show? Let’s chat! Book a complimentary consult to see if podcasting is your next best step.
Coming in June: Make sure you are subscribed to my Substack! June’s my birthday month, and I’m launching an exclusive, private paid tier with some sweet surprises along the way!
