“Their dream was to launch a podcast, get downloads, and then start making money from advertisers. But the reality often looks different.”
– Joe Casabona, Product Evangelist for RSS.com.
Here’s the problem. Most podcasters think they need massive download numbers to start making money. Thanks in part to the release of RSS.com’s PAID feature, it’s never been easier.
The Traditional Path is Broken
The traditional path to podcast monetization is broken.
You launch a show.
You struggle to find advertisers.
You spend time selling yourself to sponsors, then navigate complex contracts and logistics.
Even worse, most dynamic ad insertion programs set the bar impossibly high.
Impossible Requirements for Monetization
Take Spotify’s requirements as an example. You need:
- 10,000 hours of stream time in the last 30 days
- At least 2,000 unique Spotify users
- 12 published episodes minimum
- Location in just four countries: US, Canada, UK, or Australia
Those requirements are tough even for experienced podcasters.
What if you have a niche podcast that publishes monthly?
What if you’re just getting started but gaining momentum?
There’s a better way.
And it’s making the switch to RSS.com, and taking advantage of Programmatic Ads Inserted Dynamically (PAID).
Why Small Podcasts Are Actually Perfect for Programmatic Advertising
It’s truly set it and forget it. That’s how Joe describes RSS.com’s PAID system, and he’s absolutely right.
No manual work needed.
No hunting for sponsors.
No complex negotiations
No Geographic Barriers
RSS.com’s global ad inventory works worldwide, wherever PayPal is supported. You’re not limited to four countries like other platforms.
No Arbitrary Minimums
As Joe explains, “There’s no arbitrary minimum number of episodes you have had to publish.”
RSS.com only requires 10 downloads per month. That’s it.
If your podcast is active, this is much easier to achieve than you might think!
Your Creative Work Has Value
The barrier is symbolic, not prohibitive. Those 10 downloads demonstrate two simple things: you’re publishing an actual show, and people are listening to it.
This matters a lot to us here at RSS.com. After all, why should you work for free?
Your creative efforts have value. Every podcast deserves to earn something rather than nothing.
The Math Behind Small Podcast Earnings
How Realistic Earnings Work
Let’s break down what small podcasters can actually expect to earn.
RSS.com uses a 70/30 revenue split, meaning podcasters keep 70% of advertising revenue.
With PAID, ads are automatically inserted into all your episodes. Both new content and your entire back catalog start earning immediately. The system places ads based on listener location, device type, language, and content category.
Your First Dollar Milestone
Even with just 10 downloads per month, you’re earning something for your creative work. Small amounts add up over time, especially as your catalog grows.
The Compounding Effect
Every episode you’ve ever published can now generate revenue. That’s the power of programmatic advertising for smaller shows.
Revenue grows with consistency. Publishing regularly improves your chances of reaching monthly minimums and building sustainable income over time.
While earnings start small, this beats the alternative of earning zero while you wait to qualify for restrictive programs.
How to Set Up PAID: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Step 1: Activate PAID Ads
Navigate to your RSS.com dashboard. Click “Activate PAID ads.” If you don’t see the activation banner on your main page, go to the monetization tab.
Step 2: Accept Terms of Service
Read through the PAID terms and accept at the bottom. This covers revenue sharing and program guidelines.
Step 3: Add PayPal Email
This is required for payouts. RSS.com validates your email by sending one cent to confirm it’s active.
That’s it. Once validated, you get an email confirmation and your ads are active.
Check out Joe’s video: “How to Monetize Your Podcast with Programmatic Ads” for a complete visual demonstration of the setup process:
Managing Your Ad Placement
Choose Your Ad Positions
You control where ads appear:
- Pre-roll: Ads before episode content (single or double)
- Automatic mid-roll: System finds natural breaks in episodes 15+ minutes
- Post-roll: Ads after episode content (single or double)
Manual Control When Needed
For episodes where you want specific ad placement, you can manually mark up to 10 mid-roll spots using the waveform interface.
Content Preferences
Exclude ad categories you don’t want running on your podcast. Type in categories to exclude or browse the full list.
Understanding Your Revenue Dashboard
Once your show starts generating income, you’ll see three key metrics:
Estimated Balance
Shows preliminary earnings, updated every few days. This money is subject to adjustment during the 60-day validation period.
Available Balance
Confirmed earnings ready for payout after the validation process. This money gets automatically paid out at the end of each month.
Lifetime Withdrawals
Total earnings from the PAID program since you started.
The validation period protects both podcasters and advertisers by ensuring all earnings are legitimate.
Beyond PAID: More Revenue Streams for Small Podcasters
PAID is just one monetization option at RSS.com. Small podcasters are already earning through:
- Value 4 Value: Accept Bitcoin payments directly from listeners
- Donation buttons: Easy integration with PayPal, Patreon, or other platforms
- Apple Podcasts Subscriptions: Offer exclusive content to paying subscribers
Each option works regardless of your download numbers. Multiple revenue streams add up faster than relying on any single source.
Want to explore all your monetization options? Check out our comprehensive guide on how to make money podcasting for detailed strategies that work at any audience size.
Start Earning From Your Next 10 Downloads
RSS.com’s PAID program proves you don’t need thousands of downloads to start making money from your podcast.
The math is simple. Small podcasts can earn immediately through programmatic advertising.
Setup takes minutes, not months. Revenue comes from your entire catalog, not just new episodes.
Your Work Deserves Compensation
Most importantly, your creative work finally gets compensated. Even small amounts matter when you’re earning something instead of nothing.
Ready to activate PAID on your podcast? Sign up for an RSS.com account and start earning from your next 10 downloads.
And remember, if you’re switching from another host, you’ll get six months free to test every monetization feature we offer. Your podcast has value. It’s time to get paid for it.
