F#ck the CPM Model

There is more than one way to get paid.

Jul 11, 2022

One of the most frustrating things that I experienced as an online content creator was the death of hope. This would happen every time someone would post about their 30,000 a month download show making money (my show was getting a fraction of those downloads)

Or, I would attend a podcast monetization panel at a podcasting conference and inevitably the panelists (industry professionals) would be asked by a member of the audience at which point would their company work with a host?

Click on the link below to hear more about Podcasters Getting Paid.

Listen to the Following Podcast Episode

10,000 or more downloads.

Here’s the thing, I wasn’t making 10,000 or more downloads a month for my primary show “Michelle is Money Hungry.” Instead I was getting around 2,000 (ish) a month in downloads depending on the frequency of episodes released. The thing was….I was making money.

I was winning awards with my podcast and other online content and because of my overall brand-attracting collaborations, creating products and making money online.

But, there was no way that I could make money with the CPM model and in fact, I felt the CPM model was holding a lot of podcasters back from pursuing wildly creative and impactful ideas that could earn them money and potentially change their mindset about earnings and their brand.

Podcasters and the CPM Model

For all extents and purposes, the CPM model is almost like affiliate marketing. It takes A LOT of downloads to make this model make sense for a company to say “yes” to partnering with a host under this model. This is why there’s a minimum 10,000 download threshold before they say “yes” to YOU.

The problem with this is that the CPM model Jedi Mind Tricks people into thinking that it’s “just not possible” to make money with smaller shows and this is just not the case.

BUT, for podcasters who are creating a digital brand around the content that they’re creating. There are an endless number of ways to make money. In Podcasters Getting Paid, we’re going to deep dive into the different ways there are to make money, share content creator’s experiences (because I haven’t done everything) and share some of the best practices to consider as you decide which strategies make sense for your brand and the community that you serve.

The CPM Model Kills Monetization Dreams

For smaller podcasters the CPM model kills small podcasters monetization dreams. I’ve seen it happen almost every single time I’ve attended a podcast monetization panel with industry professionals on it.

Forget the Click Per Mille model for your small podcast. It’s a dream killer.

Upcoming Guests and Recordings

I don’t know everything about podcast monetization and the adjacent ways you can make money as a content creator. I’ve invited some incredible guests who have a deeper expertise in certain areas of monetization. Some of these conversations will be “live”, others will be pre-recorded. Please note: expert conversations in their entirety will be available to paid subscribers only.

Danielle Desir-Creator of Women of Color Podcasters Community and Grants for Creators on Substack. We’ll talk about finding grants to monetize your work.
Jared Easley Co-Founder of Podcast Movement-He’ll share his insights into creating a conference about podcasting, what worked/what didn’t and lessons learned (Fall)
Mandy Page-creator and director of the documentary “Peerless City” She will talk about designing unique projects that get you paid (Pre-recorded)
Miranda Marquit-6 Figure freelancer and co-creator of the course Freelance Writer Academy
Sarah Li Cain-How to Get into Podcast production for Big Brands
Elle Martinez-Host of the podcasts “Couple Money” and “Simplify and Enjoy” Elle will share how she found a multi-year sponsor for her show and how this sponsor helped her met her earnings goals.

30 Ways to Monetize Your Podcast + 12 Bonus Ideas and helpful resources

Helpful Tip

Write down all the ways you dream of making money with your podcast and brand. This exercise is to get you to think and dream big with your monetization goals.

Meet Michelle

I love meeting other podcasters and online content creators in general. I'm hosting a general Q & A via Zoom on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 7:00 pm MTN/9:00 pm EST (sign in details are below)

We will talk about Podcasters Getting Paid
- Why it’s a Substack vs. a Course
What you’re doing with your podcasts
Brainstorm
Mark your calendar!

Zoom Details

Michelle Jackson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Podcasters Getting Paid

Time: Jul 13, 2022 07:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)/9:00 pm EST

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 832 1728 8089

Passcode: 207495

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