Starting a podcast is a great way to grow your online presence and engage an audience, and making it available on Spotify can offer additional opportunities to further increase your visibility and reach new audiences. However, depending on your requirements, setting up your podcast on the popular streaming platform can come with a cost. In this article, we explore the cost to put a podcast on Spotify.
1. Overview of
Putting your podcast on Spotify can be both a fun and cost-effective way to reach a wider audience. However, depending on the route you decide to take and the materials you’ll need, the cost to put a podcast on Spotify can vary. Here’s an overview of what you may need to consider when setting up your Spotify channel:
- Music Licensing – If you include any music in your podcast, you may need to acquire the appropriate license from the publisher for streaming/distribution rights. Furthermore, you will need to secure music licenses to be able to distribute your podcast to third-party streaming sites such as Spotify. Acquiring music licensing can range from a couple of US dollars to tens of thousands for popular recordings, and restrictions on the samples and recordings you use will also need to be taken into consideration.
- Audio Editing and Mixing – If you’re not experienced in audio recording and mixing, you may need to hire somebody who is familiar with the process, such as an audio engineer or podcast editor. Professional level audio production could come with an additional cost.
- Podcast Hosting – If you don’t have existing hosting for your podcast, you’ll need to pay for Apple/Spotify-supported podcast hosting services. The average cost of podcast hosting varies, depending on the amount of storage space you need, the bandwidth your podcast requires, and any additional features you’ll need. Many of these hosting services offer free plans for the most basic needs.
- Submission Fee – Though not mandatory, you may need to pay a one-time submission or distribution fee to register your podcast with Apple and Spotify. This fee can range from two to three US dollars.
- Ongoing Costs – Depending on the services you use, there may be other ongoing costs associated with hosting and audio production, and potential music licensing fees.
By taking all of these factors into consideration, you can create a budget for putting your podcast on Spotify, and decide if it’s the right avenue for your content.
2. Understanding the Details of Pricing & Subscription Plans
Pricing & Subscription Plans: When it comes to streaming your podcast on Spotify, there are a few details you need to understand in order to make the most out of your monetization options. Here are some essential points to consider:
- The basic Spotify plan is free, but you will need to upgrade to a paid subscription to access podcasts and other premium features.
- Pricing structures vary depending on the type of subscription plan you choose. Premium plans offer access to exclusive content, seamless ad-free streaming, and podcast sharing capabilities.
- You can monetize posts through the Premium tier and generate royalties.
- Different podcast players have their own pricing models, and it’s important to do your research before committing to a provider.
It’s also important to keep in mind that the cost structure is different if you’re directly hosting your podcast on Spotify. The company charges a one-time processing fee per episode for this type of set up, and then there are additional costs per episode, depending on which player you use.
Once you have an understanding of the pricing and subscription plans, you’ll be ready to start monetizing and tracking your podcast’s performance.
3. Benefits of Podcasting on Spotify
1. Reach Millions of Listeners
You can reach a bigger audience with your podcast by putting your podcast on Spotify. You have the chance to reach more than 244 million listeners around the world as compared to a conventional podcast platform.
2. Valuable Insights
Spotify provides detailed insights and analytics of your audiences, like what genre they’re listening to, which age demographic your listeners belong to, which countries are most active in listening your podcast. This makes it more comfortable for the podcasters to understand their demographics and adjust accordingly to optimize their podcasts according to it.
3. Generate Revenue
Podcasts on Spotify are monetized with ads on the platform. It is a great way to generate a second revenue stream for upcoming podcast shows. As long as the listener base grows, so too will the revenue along with it. The larger audience base increases opportunities to get collabs with potential sponsers for your podcast.
4. Considerations Before Joining Spotify
- Submission & hosting fees: By signing up for Spotify, you must agree to pay submission and hosting fees to keep your podcast available on the platform. You will need a Spotify account and Hosting Fees could cost around $25 to set up.
- Data charges: If you decide to use Spotify to store your podcast audio, data charges will apply. Depending on the number of episodes you plan to host, the cost associated with storing your audio on the platform will vary.
- Advertising revenues: Advertising is the primary source of income for most podcast creators. To generate revenue from your podcast, you will need to sign up for Spotify’s Advertising Program. This program gives you access to a wide range of advertisers and ad types on the platform.
Depending on your goals and budget, you may want to consider investing in other podcast distribution platforms, such as Apple Podcasts or Stitcher Radio, to increase your reach. Additionally, it is important to make sure that any content you distribute remains compliant with local copyright laws. Lastly, you should carefully consider how you plan to monetize your podcast. Having a well-constructed business model and a consistent promotional plan will be essential to ensure sustainable growth and success.
5. Making Your Podcast More Visible on Spotify
Putting a podcast on Spotify is completely free. All you have to do is submit your show’s RSS feed to Spotify for Podcasts, and it will begin to show up on the streaming platform. However, you should also consider dedicating some budget and effort into enhancing your presence on Spotify.
Here are a few strategies to help promote your podcast on Spotify and make sure it gets heard:
- Advertising
- Create a Custom Website
- Cross Promotion
- Stay Active on Social Media
- Focus on SEO
Advertising is likely the most expensive option, but it’s usually the most effective way to get a podcast noticed. You can place ads targeting potential podcast listeners in key locations across Spotify, like the app’s podcast directory. You’ll have to shell out some money for the ads, but you can decide on a budget that’s reasonable for you.
Creating a custom website for your podcast gives have you greater control over how the show is presented to the public. Spend time thinking of a name for your podcast website that’s catchy and descriptive of the content. Build a website with all the information about each episode, including a show description, artwork, and links to streaming or download services like Spotify, iTunes, or SoundCloud.
Once you’ve started producing content, it’s a great idea to look into cross promotion with other podcasts in your area of expertise. This kind of promotion can benefit both parties, because it will increase your play counts and the other podcaster’s listeners will be exposed to your content.
It’s essential to also stay active on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. You can post updates about new episodes, give exclusive previews, or share listener testimonials.
Finally, don’t overlook SEO (search engine optimization). If you make sure to use keywords associated with your podcast in descriptions and titles, it can help your audience discover your show more easily.
6. Tips on Succeeding with Your Podcast on Spotify
It costs nothing to get your podcast on Spotify. There are no fees associated with getting your show uploaded onto the platform and it’s free to start gaining listeners. However, there are certain methods and strategies you can use to make sure your podcast is successful and is making an impact.
- Quality is Key: Make sure you’re providing your listeners with the best sound quality possible, as spotty audio can affect the success of your podcast. Get yourself some quality audio equipment and you’re good to go.
- Stay on Schedule: Consistency is key, so make sure you’re staying on schedule when releasing new episodes. This will help your fans remember who you are and what your podcast is all about.
- Know Your Niche: Know exactly what type of content you are producing and what topics you are discussing. This way you can attract a very specific type of listener that is interested in your podcast.
- Get Reviews: Ask your listeners to leave reviews. Positive feedback helps your show gain visibility in Spotify’s search engine, which can result in more listeners.
- Engage with Your Listeners:Make sure you’re constantly interacting with and engaging with listeners. They want to know that you care about their feedback so use this as an opportunity to build relationships with them.
- Promote Your Show: Use other platforms such as social media to promote and market your podcast. This will help you reach potential new listeners and grow your audience.
By following the tips above, you can be sure that your podcast will be successful on Spotify. Remember to be consistent, stay organized, and promote your show to make sure it’s successful.
If you are looking for an efficient and affordable way to get your podcast on Spotify, these tips will be helpful as you plan for success. As you begin creating and launching your podcast on the popular streaming platform, remember to be patient and stay focused to increase the exposure of your work. Best of luck to you!