Introduction

Meet Your Author

My name is Dave Jackson, and I have been teaching technology as a corporate trainer for over twenty years. I have a bachelor’s degree in education, specializing in technical education. My School of Podcasting show has over 2.3 million downloads. I launched my first podcast on April 4, 2005, and soon after that, I opened the doors of the School of Podcasting (schoolofpodcasting.com). I have helped tons of people launch their podcasts, have been asked to speak at conferences, and have been cited as an expert in other books on podcasting.

In 2017 I won the Best Technical Podcast in the People’s Choice Awards. In 2018 I was inducted in the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame.

I’m writing this book as if you are sitting across the kitchen table from me. It’s your typical oval table with one of those vinyl covers with a pattern. The napkin holder is in the middle of the table. Let’s stay casual, shall we? I’m going to need you to focus, so quit playing with the saltshaker.

WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK

When I talk with people after they’ve been podcasting for a few months, I’ll ask, “Are you making any money yet?” (if that is one of their goals). I often get the response, “We haven’t been approached by any sponsors yet.” Every time I explain the different ways to make money with a podcast, people will always say, “I didn’t know you could do that,” or “I didn’t know that was available.” This book is to let you know what is possible and what is available.

LET’S BE REALISTIC

The book is titled Profit from Your Podcast. It is not titled How to Get Rich Quick Podcasting. If it were, I’d have to triple the price and start talking about how you can escape the cubicle life and live the life of your dreams starting NOW!

If you implement the ideas in this book, I feel that you will make more money with your podcast than you are now. While there are podcasters who are making six-figure incomes, these are currently the exception and not the rule. Like many things in life, you get out of it what you put into it. A podcast about Apple products has a much better chance of making money than a podcast about Frisbee golf. All podcasts have the capability of making more money. Some have more potential than others. If you are looking to get rich quick, you may have purchased the wrong book. Scott Aukerman of Comedy Bang! Bang! (in the movie Ear Buds) states how it took two years before anyone was interested in sponsoring his podcast. Jeff Sanders of the Five AM Miracle podcast took three years to get his first sponsor. I often hear the phrase “three years” as an answer about monetization. I believe this is due to the fact that in year one you are figuring it out and finding your voice. In year two, you have a better understanding of your audience and deliver value. By year three, you’ve got an engaged audience who is ready to act.

I’m sure I would sell more books if the opening page read, “You can earn six figures from your basement in just ten weeks,” but that’s not true. It’s also not true for musicians, actors, comedians, or athletes.