208 | Libsyn Says You Can Make Money Now – But Should You?
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Release Date: 06/30/2025
208 | Libsyn Says You Can Make Money Now – But Should You?
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
So, Libsyn just flipped the script on podcast monetization. No more minimum download requirements. That’s right — whether your show gets 5 downloads or 5,000, you can now run programmatic ads and make some money just for publishing your podcast. But here's the real question: just because you can… should you? In this episode of Podtastic Audio, we dig into what this change really means for indie podcasters. Is this the golden ticket to finally “getting paid,” or does it risk turning your passion project into a string of ads your listeners skip in 30 seconds flat? We’re talking: 🎯...
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207 | The Vegas Sphere Blew My Mind—Here’s What It Taught Me About Podcasting
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic So I took a trip to Vegas with my kids to see Kenny Chesney at the brand-new Sphere… and let me tell you, this place is insane. Think 16K visuals wrapped around you, 20,000 speakers, and a seat that literally vibrates with the bass. Wild. But while I was sitting there, totally immersed in this billion-dollar light show, something clicked—and it has everything to do with your podcast. In...
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206 | This One Click Trick Boosts Podcast Downloads (Ethically!)
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
🎙️ What if I told you a single click could count as a podcast download—even if no one actually listens? Wild, right? In this episode of Podtastic Audio, I uncover a powerful (and often misused) feature hidden inside major podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout, Libsyn, and Captivate — a direct MP3 link that auto-downloads and plays your episode. No app. No login. Just one click. But here’s the deal: while shady marketers use this trick to fake their numbers with bots and browser hacks, I’m showing you how to flip the script and use it the right way — with full transparency...
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205 | Why Your Podcast Isn’t Growing (And It’s Not What You Think)
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic What if the real reason your podcast isn’t growing has nothing to do with your marketing? That’s right. No funnels, no hacks, no algorithms—just some real talk about why your show might not be taking off yet… and why that’s totally okay. In this episode of , I’m breaking down the 4 core things every podcaster needs to focus on before expecting real growth. From dialing in your...
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204 | Podcasting Without Funnels: Why Great Content Beats Marketing Gimmicks
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Are you tired of being told your podcast needs a $997 funnel, a slick course, or some guru’s step-by-step plan to succeed? In this episode of Podtastic Audio, we’re breaking down what really matters in podcasting — and it’s not building a sales machine. I’m here to speak directly to indie podcasters who care more about creating meaningful content than chasing dollars. You started your show to share something real — and that’s exactly what will set you apart. 🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why your podcast isn’t just a sales funnel — it’s your voice The myth of...
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203 | Why Most Podcast Interviews Fail (And How to Fix Yours)
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic If your podcast relies on guest interviews, but your episodes aren't landing the way you hoped—they might be failing for all the wrong reasons. In this episode, we’re unpacking why so many podcast interviews fall flat, especially in the indie podcasting world, and how to turn them into engaging, valuable conversations your audience will actually care about. You’ll learn: Why “just...
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202 | Your Podcast Stats Don’t Define Your Worth (Here’s Why Spotify Backed Off)
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Spotify almost changed podcasting forever—by putting all your episode play counts on full display. Imagine every episode’s stats right out in the open, for the world to judge. But then, they backed off. In this episode of Podtastic Audio, I’m breaking down why that change almost happened, why they reversed course, and what it means for us indie podcasters. As someone who loves podcasting and does it because it's fun (not just for downloads), I dig into: Why public play counts might hurt small shows more than help them How podcast value isn’t always reflected in numbers The power of...
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201 | Don’t Quit Yet! How Indie Podcasters Can Thrive Long-Term
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic Every indie podcaster hits that moment — the one where you wonder, “Why am I even doing this?” Low download numbers, crickets for feedback, and the creeping feeling that no one’s listening can make podcast burnout feel inevitable. But here’s the truth: 👉 Most podcasts don’t fail because they’re bad — they fail because the host gives up too soon. In this episode, we...
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200 | Podcasting Saved Me: From Love to Loss and Finding My Voice Again
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
In this special 200th episode of Podtastic Audio, I’m taking off the headphones and getting real with you. Over the last 15 years, I’ve worked as a gasoline tanker truck driver—and for the past several years, I’ve also been behind the mic as an indie podcaster, podcast editor, and podcast coach. But this episode isn’t about audio tips or gear recommendations. It’s about why I podcast in the first place. This is my most personal episode yet. I’m sharing the full story of how I went from being a long-haul listener to launching with my wife, how that podcast helped build a...
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199 | Why You Must Own Your Podcast Content Before It's Too Late
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters
Elevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic Imagine spending years building your podcast — and then losing it all because you trusted the wrong platform. Sounds crazy, but it happens way more often than you think. In this episode of , I'm diving into why it’s so important to own your content and back up your podcast before something unexpected happens. I’ll walk you through real stories, my own experience with podcast backups,...
info_outlineSo, Libsyn just flipped the script on podcast monetization.
No more minimum download requirements. That’s right — whether your show gets 5 downloads or 5,000, you can now run programmatic ads and make some money just for publishing your podcast. But here's the real question: just because you can… should you?
In this episode of Podtastic Audio, we dig into what this change really means for indie podcasters. Is this the golden ticket to finally “getting paid,” or does it risk turning your passion project into a string of ads your listeners skip in 30 seconds flat?
We’re talking:
🎯 What Libsyn’s new ad rules actually are (and what types of content still don’t qualify)
💵 How much money you realistically can expect to make as a small show
🤖 The pros and cons of running automatic ads vs. host-read spots
🎙️ Better ways to monetize — like affiliate links, listener tips, and actually selling something
❤️ Why podcasting for the love of it still matters more than CPMs or download stats
If you’ve ever been asked “How much money do you make from your podcast?” — or wondered if you should be monetizing at all — this episode was made for you.
And hey, if you’re already running Libsyn ads, I’d love to hear how it’s working out. Spoiler alert: it might only cover your hosting… but maybe that’s enough.
The Podtastic Playbook: How to Build, Grow, and Monetize Your Podcast
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00:00 - Libsyn Opens Ads to All Podcasters
00:24 - Welcome to Podtastic Audio
01:04 - Why Audio Podcasting Still Wins
01:40 - Apple Podcasts and Simplicity
03:07 - What is “Podcasting Classic”?
03:35 - Choosing a Podcast Media Host
04:43 - How Podcast Hosting Works
06:23 - Libsyn’s New Ad Policy: No More Minimums
07:29 - Can Any Show Really Make Money Now?
08:43 - My First Experience with Paid Ads
10:10 - Host-Read Ads vs. Programmatic Ads
11:11 - Why the 2,000 Download Rule is Gone
12:09 - Content That Still Doesn’t Qualify
13:38 - Realistic Earnings from Libsyn Ads
14:30 - Breaking Down CPM and Payout Math
15:46 - Monetizing Your Back Catalog
17:07 - Why Did Libsyn Change Their Policy?
18:29 - Advertisers and Micro Shows
19:13 - Libsyn’s Business Strategy
20:10 - Do Indie Podcasters *Need* to Monetize?
20:48 - The “How Much Do You Make?” Question
21:45 - Success Without Money or Downloads
22:14 - Why Fun Comes First in Podcasting
24:04 - Pros of Running Ads on Libsyn
26:17 - The Downsides of Programmatic Ads
28:17 - Losing Control of Your Content
28:37 - When Ads Ruin the Listener Experience
29:42 - Skipping Ads is Easy (and Common)
31:07 - Better Monetization: Host-Read Ads & Affiliates
32:20 - Patreon, Tips & Listener Support
33:28 - Selling Services or Coaching
34:41 - Don’t Turn Your Show into a Commercial
35:07 - Podcasting for Love, Not Just Money
36:02 - Audio Podcasting = Personal Connection
37:14 - Thinking About Running Libsyn Ads?
37:25 - Final Thanks & Outro 3
38:25 - “Podtastic Audio” Theme Song
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