“You can’t make money unless you have 10-20,000 downloads in the first 28 days”, and “you’re not serious podcaster if you’re not hitting those downloads, you’re just a hobbyist” Plus! Stupid stuff from a "guru" telling us to double our output and our guest co-host drives The Flattering Ram! Our co-host this week is , . Connect with our co-host: , , . Takeaways Monetisation opportunities in podcasting go beyond traditional sponsorships and can include direct sales, merchandise, speaking engagements, and more. Nurturing super fans is a long-term process that requires thoughtful work and strategy. The old school thinking that high download numbers are necessary for monetization is not always true, and alternative approaches can be successful. It's important to have a clear vision and strategy for your podcast, considering factors such as audience, goals, and values. The elitist mindset in the podcasting industry can discourage aspiring podcasters, but it's important to focus on your own journey and passion. Don't let the elitist mindset in podcasting discourage you from starting a podcast. Enjoy the process and focus on your own goals. Having a plan is important for podcasters who want to achieve specific outcomes, such as monetization or building a community. Starting a podcast as a hobby can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth. Building super fans takes time and consistency. Don't expect immediate results. Celebrity podcasts may have an advantage in terms of initial listenership, but building a loyal fan base takes time and effort. Doubling the number of episodes does not necessarily lead to increased listenership. Focus on quality and engaging content. Listenership is more important than download numbers. Focus on building a loyal audience. Shine a light on people doing great things in the podcasting industry and support their work. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:03 Introducing the Guest Co-host 06:43 Monetization Opportunities 10:53 The Importance of Strategy in Podcasting 13:54 Nurturing Super Fans 15:48 Old School Thinking vs. New Approaches to Monetization 21:03 The Elitist Mindset in Podcasting 22:32 The Elitist Mindset in Podcasting 24:08 The Importance of Having a Plan 24:38 Starting a Podcast as a Hobby 26:08 The Long Process of Building Super Fans 27:39 The Reality of Celebrity Podcasts 29:33 Stupid Stuff in Podcasting - The Stupid Advice of Doubling Episodes 31:30 The Importance of Listenership over Downloads 36:45 The Flattering Ram - Shining a Light on People Doing Great Things 40:00 Wrap up Links to interesting things from this episode Joe Casabona's LinkedIn Post KS&R Report: Podcasts are Replacing Traditional Media Consumption In & Around Podcasting is a podcast industry podcast brought to you by Mark Asquith and Danny Brown. If you enjoy the show, we'd love for you to leave us a rating or review on your favourite podcast app! You can also drop us a tip at https://www.inandaroundpodcasting.com/support, too! If you're an independent creator who would like to co-host with us, please let us know via