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One of the most common questions I hear as a podcast producer and strategist is, “When can I monetize my podcast?” The simple answer? Today. It’s true, you could start monetizing your podcast immediately through affiliate marketing.

Now, obviously it’s much more complicated than recording an ad and watching the money roll in, but in this episode I’m going to walk you through how to become an affiliate marketer with your podcast, how to find the best companies to work with, how much you can expect to make and how to strategize to leverage your affiliate partnerships to get actual partners for your podcast.

What Exactly Is Affiliate Marketing for Podcasters?

Affiliate marketing is a simple yet powerful monetization strategy where you promote products or services from companies you trust in exchange for a commission. Usually, you’ll get a unique discount code or special link to share with your listeners. Every time someone makes a purchase using your code or link, you get a percentage of that sale.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Affiliate Partners

Here’s the deal: Your credibility as a podcaster is crucial. Never risk your reputation by promoting products you’ve never used or don’t genuinely support.

Action Steps:

• List brands you already love and use regularly. These are your ideal partners.
• Consider brands your audience might benefit from. Ask yourself, does this product genuinely help or interest my listeners?
• Research affiliate programs. Simply Google the brand name plus “affiliate program” and see what’s available. No luck? Reach out directly to their marketing department!

Step 2: Evaluate Affiliate Programs Carefully

Not all affiliate programs are created equal. Here’s what to check:

• Application Process: Who does this brand normally partner with? How quickly do they respond to your application? 
• Commission Rates: Affiliate commissions range widely (You can expect anything from (1% to 40%). Aim to partner with brands that value your contribution and offer fair compensation.
• Affiliate Perks: Do they provide any special bonuses, early product access, or promotional materials to you as their affiliate partner? 

Step 3: Track Your Performance

Start a simple spreadsheet (Google Sheets works great) and keep track of:

• How often you mention each product.
• The ad copy you’re using in your podcast and beyond. 
• The number of sales generated.
• Listener engagement with each product.

If something isn’t selling, it’s a sign you may need to adjust your messaging or re-evaluate your understanding of your audience. Maybe your audience isn’t as engaged as you thought they were- or maybe you aren’t really in touch with the kind of products and brands your listeners want. 

How Quickly Can You Make Money?

I won’t sugarcoat it – how quickly you see income from affiliate marketing varies greatly. Your results depend on:

• The size and engagement level of your audience.
• How authentically and consistently you promote products.
• Whether your listeners trust you.

Consistency and authenticity build trust over time. Remember, your listeners first buy into you, then what you recommend.

Leverage Affiliate Marketing to Secure Brand Deals

Affiliate marketing is especially beneficial for podcasters with fewer than 1,000 consistent listeners per episode. Why? It helps you establish a track record of successful promotions. Companies love proof of success, and this track record makes you a compelling partner for future sponsored opportunities.

Action Step: Start building relationships now. Reach out to brands you’ve successfully promoted through affiliate links and present your track record when pitching paid sponsorships.

Effective Ad Placement and Promotion

A crucial step many podcasters overlook is strategically placing affiliate mentions:

• Diversify ad placements: Mention affiliates at different points in your episodes not always at the start or end. Take note of what your episode retention is and if your audience is even listening to your ads. 
• Use multiple channels: Leverage social media (Instagram Stories, LinkedIn posts, TikTok videos), your podcast website, and emails.
• Clear Calls-to-Action (CTA): Always clearly state where listeners can find your affiliate links or discount codes (typically in your episode description).

Research indicates it takes an interested buyer 8–12 touchpoints before making a purchase decision. If you’re mentioning an affiliate once per week, it may take weeks or even months for listeners to convert. Diversify your approach without overwhelming your listeners.

Final Tips: Make it Easy for Your Audience

• Always clearly direct your listeners to your episode description for easy access to affiliate links. Let your audience know exactly where they can go. 
• Make sure your promotional material genuinely adds value, listeners can tell when you’re sincerely excited about a product and when you’re just trying to make money. 

Ready to Monetize Your Podcast?

Affiliate marketing can be your first actionable step toward podcast monetization, especially if you’re still building your listener base. Not only does it provide a passive income stream, but it also sets the stage for lucrative future partnerships.

Curious how affiliate marketing would work for your podcast? Work with me 1:1 – find out more here.