006: How to Join a Podcast Network
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Have you ever wondered what it might look like if you were added to the slate of a podcast network and slapped that seal of legit to your show? In this episode, I’m going to take you through exactly what a podcast network is and the pros and cons of joining one.
As a podcaster, you’ve likely worried you’re lost in the sea. But did you know that if you’ve released more than twenty episodes, you’re in the top 1% of podcasts in the world? Combine that with the fact that if you aren’t a male comedian hosting a podcast with another male comedian (groundbreaking if you ask me) then you’re in the top 0.0001%. Okay, that’s a totally made-up figure, but the first part is true and the second part feels like it could be true.
So you’ve passed that magic number of twenty, you have a loyal audience, your brand is established… what could possibly be missing? Maybe you just can’t help but *wonder* what it might look like if you were added to the slate of a podcast network. I’ll help you decide if you’re ready to take that next step and if you have what they’re looking for. Make sure you stick around until the end of this episode for the insider list of our favorite female-centric podcast networks.
So what is a podcast network? Simply put, it’s what we in the biz refer to as a “slate” of shows. These shows are selected and represented by one company that is curating its dream team.
Let’s start with the pros (good news first, always)
Pro #1:
Hellooooooo new listeners! By being on a network, you’re suddenly exposed to an entire audience you wouldn’t have been before. You’re on their socials, you’re on their website, you’re showing up when people search their network on a streaming app, media will find you when looking for them, listeners of their other pods are finding you when they go on a social media lurk, and potential partners are seeing you when they’re interested in the network slate. You’re essentially gaining access to more eyes (erm, I mean ears).
Pro #2:
A problem shared is a problem halved, and money is sometimes a problem for podcasters. It will vary, but it could look like covering the costs of editing, investing their experts into marketing your podcast, getting you access to real revenue from streams and ads (more on that in a bit) and working with you on bonus content.
Shared costs also means shared revenue and if you don’t like the sound of that, remember they can’t take a cut of money you weren’t earning in the first place. They’re entitled to take their fair share as payment, and that‘s standard, however, make sure what they’re asking seems bonafide in comparison to what they’re delivering.
Pro #3:
Too legit? Too legit to quit? Being a podcast out of the hundreds of thousands of shows they could have chosen, to be selected for that dream team gives you the *chefs kiss* seal of approval. It’s a big stamp on your podcast forehead that says “not only do I know my podcast is amazing, so do the big folks”. The legitimacy of being on a podcast network means you can shrug off that imposter syndrome and tell your haters to back off - not that you have any!
Like all creative endeavors, maybe you want to do it your way. So maybe you’ve been waiting to read the cons list for that reassurance that you’re a lone wolf and you like it that way.
Here are the cons (dun dun dunnn, but seriously, it’s important to weigh these up)
Con #1:
When you join a network, there’s the risk of loss of creative control. Some podcast networks insist on you maintaining your creative control, and they’re keepers. But in order for your podcast to suit the standards of the network and mesh well with the rest of the slate, you might have to make wiggle room. That can be hard. Your podcast is your baby. It’s important you have those clear details in your contract, and you’re comfortable with them before you sign anything. Be open to ideas but don’t let yourself become something you’re not.
Con #2:
In order to make the biggest chunk of that sweet, sweet revenue, you’ll likely be required to start running ads and could maybe even be asked to mention different partner products or services during recordings. Do you believe the podcast network you’re thinking of signing with has your best interests in mind? If, for example, your podcast is hosted by two lesbians, they’re not going to ask you to advertise dating sites where they cater only to straight couples, right? If they’re wise, they’ll target the audience you have a relationship and loyalty with, and you won’t feel like you’re swaying far from your message while doing business. It’s something you need to be comfortable with because it’s the bread and butter.
Con #3:
In most cases, podcasts with less than 10k downloads per episode will have a hard time finding a network. I know, ouch — the whole reason you want to find a network in the first place is to level up.
Let’s better understand the downloads vs the podcast network business model, shall we?
As mentioned, most networks require a minimum number of downloads per episode for bringing shows into their inner circle. That number typically correlates with the minimum number of downloads sponsors require (since networks make that to-be-shared-with-you money through ad revenue). You might get lucky and find a network that believes in your concept (and your badass self) so much, that they’re willing to build it together.
Another way to get away with fewer downloads is with a lot of engagement on another platform. This could be the YOU factor, or the brand you’ve built or a combination. If you have lots of followers on the ‘gram and your content is excellent, you could maybe bring more to them than most other podcasts. If you have your own audience already on YouTube, Discord, in a newsletter or somewhere else, this is a huge advantage. In other words, if you have a way that you’re already putting yourself out there, and the people are flocking? You’ve probably got this signed, sealed, and delivered, so lead with that.
Another option is to be making something truly unique. If you’re a concept that is so mind-blowingly good they can’t ignore it, then they will see the potential in your show growth. In order for them to believe that you have to, too.
If you have immense influence in your niche due to your title, the company you work for or meaningful press you might be associated with, then you can almost guarantee they’re bringing you to the table.
Lastly, if you’re feeling extra spicy and want to do things your own way, you can create your own podcast network. This is very ambitious, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.
If you haven’t already, look at some of our other articles and our free guide for tips on how to grow your podcast on your own. Podcast networks aren't going away any time soon, so focus on growing your show and then expanding your horizons.
✦ Hot Bonus Tip!
So you’ve made your decision, and you’re ready to rock and roll. Next, you need to know where to start looking for podcast networks that check your boxes, as much as you check theirs. As promised, here is a list of our favorite female-centric podcast networks.
Roll call, please!
Dear Media: Highly crafted. Compelling voices.
Earios: Podcasts by women, for everyone.
The State of Women: Women investing in women.
Ossa Collective: Marketplace for independent women and non binary podcast creators.
She Leads: The media company – for women, by women.
Let’s review!
At its core, a podcast network is simply a group of shows that all fall under one company umbrella.
The pros of joining a podcast network can mean reaching a larger, more diverse audience, your costs lessen, potential revenue to be made (cha-ching!), and you earn a stamp of legitimacy.
The cons could be that you lose creative control, you’ll have to run ads or plug partner products, and you’ll likely need a lot of listeners for them to consider you.
If you decide you want to take your podcast to a network, or even better, one of the biggest podcast networks from our list, it pays to do your research to find the best match.
And that’s how to know if you’re ready to enter a committed relationship between you, your podcast and a podcast network. Weigh your pros and cons and make the decision that's best for you and your pod. Remember, this isn’t a one size fits all, and you need to make a choice based on all of these elements (and your gut).
Because we can’t resist bringing you even more value, here is one more thing! If you want to discover the many other ways to grow your podcast audience, download our free growth guide.
Computer-Generated Transcript with Time Stamps
[00:00:00] Have you ever wondered what it might look like if you were added to the slate of a podcast network and slap that seal of legit to your show in this episode, I'm going to take you through exactly what a podcast network is and the pros and cons of joining one, stay tuned.
[00:00:24] Hey, my name is Lauren Popish and I'm obsessed with podcasting a little meta, right. I started podcasting after a public speaking event. Gone wrong. Sparked a phobia of public speaking that almost ended my corporate career. Now I help women use podcasting to share their ideas, grow their businesses, start movements and leave their unique marks on the world.
[00:00:51] My company, the wave produces shows for some of the most influential women in health, business, spirituality, [00:01:00] beauty, and more. And in this show, I'm taking all of the strategies I've used to help my clients top the podcast charts, and I'm bringing them to you. If you're hoping to start grow. Or monetize a podcast you're in the right place.
[00:01:16] This is Podcast Like a Girl.
[00:01:24] As a podcaster, you've likely worried that you're lost at sea, but did you know that if you've released more than 20 episodes, you are in the top 1% of podcasts in the world. Combine that with the fact that if you aren't a male comedian hosting a podcast with another male comedian, groundbreaking, if you ask me, then you're in the top, like 0, 0, 0, 1%.
[00:01:50] Okay. That's totally made up, but the first part is true and the second part feels like it should be true. So you've passed that magic [00:02:00] number of 20. You have a loyal audience, your brand is established. What could possibly be missing? Maybe you just can't help, but wonder what it might look like. If you were added to the slate of a podcast network, I'll help you decide if you're ready to take that next step.
[00:02:18] And if you have what they're looking for, make sure you stick around till the end of this podcast for the insider list of our favorite female centric podcast networks. So what is a podcast network? Simply put it's what we in the biz refer to as a slate. Of shows. These shows are selected and represented by one company who is curating their dream team.
[00:02:42] Let's start with the pros. Good news. First, always pro number one. Hello, new listeners by being on a network you're suddenly exposed to an entire audience. You wouldn't have been before. You're on their socials. You're on their website. You're [00:03:00] showing up when people search their network on a streaming app, media will find you when they're.
[00:03:05] For that network listeners of their other pods are finding you when they go on a social media, lurk and potential partners are seeing you when they're interested in the network slate, you're essentially gaining access to more eyes, or I guess, uh, more years that is pro number two. A problem shared is a problem.
[00:03:27] Halved and money is sometimes a problem for podcasters. It will vary, but it could look like covering the costs of editing, investing their experts into marketing, your podcast, getting you access to real revenue from streams and ads. A bit more on that later. And working with you on bonus content shared costs also means shared revenue.
[00:03:51] And if you don't like the sound of that, remember. They can't take a cut of money. You weren't earning in the first place. They're entitled to take their fair share [00:04:00] as payment and that's standard. However, make sure what they're asking seems bonafide in comparison to what they're delivering pro number three.
[00:04:10] Too legit, too legit to quit being a podcast outta the hundreds of thousands of shows they could have chosen to be selected for that dream team gives you the chef's kiss of approval. It's a big stamp on your podcast forehead that says not only do I know my podcast is amazing. So do the big folks, the legitimacy.
[00:04:33] Being on a podcast network means you can shrug off that imposter syndrome and tell your haters to back off. Not that you have any like all creative endeavors though. Maybe you want to do it your way. So maybe you've been waiting to read the cons list for that reassurance that you're a lone Wolf and you like it that way.
[00:04:54] So here are the cons. Dun dun duh, but seriously, it's kind of [00:05:00] important to wave these up. Okay. Con number one, when you joined a network, there's the risk of loss of creative control. Some podcast networks insist on you maintaining your creative control and their keepers, but in order for your podcast to suit the standards of the network and mesh well with the rest of the slate, you might have to.
[00:05:21] Wiggle room that can be hard. Your podcast is your baby. It's important. You have those clear details in your contract and you're comfortable with them before you sign anything, be open to ideas, but don't let yourself become something you're not.
[00:05:39] Hey, I hope you're enjoying this episode. I'm taking a quick break to remind you to subscribe to Podcast Like a Girl. I know, I know when will podcasters stop asking that? Subscribing means that you get the latest episode delivered directly to the top of your apple podcast app, but more importantly, it [00:06:00] actually just helps me prove that I'm legitimate and reach more listeners.
[00:06:04] If you found any value in this episode so far, please consider picking up your phone, opening Apple Podcasts, going to the Podcast Like a Girl main page and clicking the plus sign in the upper right to follow our show. Thank you very much in advance. And now back to the episode.
[00:06:28] Con number two in order to make the biggest chunk of that sweet, sweet revenue, you'll likely be required to start running ads and could maybe even be asked to mention different partner products or services during recordings. Do you believe the podcast network you're thinking of signing with. Has your best interests in mind, if, for example, your podcast is hosted by two lesbians.
[00:06:53] They're not going to ask you to advertise dating sites where they cater only to straight couples, right? If they're [00:07:00] wise, they'll target the audience, you have a relationship and loyalty with, and you won't feel like you're swaying far from your message while doing business. It's something you need to be comfortable with because it's the bread and butter of working with a network.
[00:07:14] Con number three. In most cases, podcasts with less than 10,000 downloads per episode will have a hard time finding a network. I know ouch. The whole reason you wanna find a network in the first place is to level up. So let's better understand the downloads. Verse the podcast network business model, shall we as mentioned, most networks require a minimum number of downloads per episode for bringing shows into their inner circle.
[00:07:44] That number typically correlates with the minimum number of downloads. Sponsors require since networks make that to be shared with you money through ad revenue, you might get lucky and find a network that believes in your concept and your badass self [00:08:00] so much so that they're willing to build it together.
[00:08:03] Another way to get away with fewer downloads is with a lot of engagement on another platform. This could be the U factor. Or the brand you've built or a combination of these things. If you have lots of followers on the gram and your content is excellent, you could maybe bring more of them than most other podcasts.
[00:08:23] If you have your own audience already on, let's say YouTube or discord, or you have a newsletter or you're somewhere else, that's a huge advantage. In other words, if you have a way that you're already putting yourself out there and the people are flocking, you've probably got this signed, sealed, delivered.
[00:08:40] So lead with that, another option is to be making something truly unique. If your show's concept is so mind blowingly, good, they can't ignore it. Then they will see the potential in your show's growth in order for them to believe that you have to. If you have immense [00:09:00] influence in your niche due to your title, the company you work for, or meaningful press you might be associated with, then you can almost guarantee they're bringing you to the table.
[00:09:10] Lastly, if you're feeling extra spicy and you'll wanna do things your way. You can create your own podcast network. Now this is very ambitious, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. If you haven't already look at some of our other articles and our free guides for tips on how to grow your podcast on your own podcast networks, aren't going away.
[00:09:32] Anytime soon. So focus on growing your show and then expanding your horizons. We'll link to those important articles and guides in the show notes time for that hot bonus tip. So you've made your decision and you're ready to rock and roll next. You need to know where to start looking for podcast networks that check your boxes.
[00:09:52] As much as you check theirs as promised, here's a list of our favorite female centric podcast networks, roll call, [00:10:00] please. Dear media, highly crafted, compelling voices. AIOS podcast by women for everyone, the state of women, women investing in women, Ossa collect. Marketplace for independent women and non-binary podcast creators.
[00:10:18] Lastly, she leads the media company for women by women. So let's review at its core. A podcast network is simply a group of shows that fall under one company umbrella. The pros of joining a podcast network can mean reaching a larger. More diverse audience, your cost lesson. You've got that potential revenue to be made and you earn a stamp of legitimacy.
[00:10:45] The cons could be that you lose creative control. You'll have to run ads or plug partner products, and you'll likely need a lot of listeners for them to consider. If you decide you want to take your podcast to a network or even better, one of. [00:11:00] Biggest podcast networks from our list. It pays to do your research and to find the best match.
[00:11:06] And that's how to know if you're ready to enter a committed relationship between you, your podcast, and a podcast network, weigh your pros and cons and make the decision that's best for you and your pod. Remember this isn't a one size fit all, and you need to make a choice based on all of these elements. And of course your gut.
[00:11:29] That's all for today, pod broads. Thanks for listening, keep podcasting, and enjoy the ride.
[00:11:38] I know just how many podcasts you could have been listening to, which is why I'm so grateful you decided to spend the last 20 minutes with me. Speaking of time, if you're a podcaster and you've ever wondered what else you could be doing with your week if you didn't have to edit, write show notes, and create marketing materials for every podcast episode, [00:12:00] then let the lady pros at the wave treat you to some me time.
[00:12:04] Get 15% off your first month of a production package. By going to thewavepodcasting.com/podcast-editing-services and enter podcastlikeagirl, all one word lowercase at checkout. Now the only question is which podcast you're gonna spend all your new found time binging. See you back next week.
