Creating a Subscription Funnel with Private Podcasts

Hey there, fellow podcaster! Ever thought about making some extra cash with your podcast? If you have a loyal audience, it's easier than you might think! How? 

Through private podcasts! By creating exclusive content for your biggest fans, you can turn your passion into profit. Let's dive into why this works and how you can get started!

Why You Should Monetize Your Private Podcasts

1. Direct Cash Flow: Imagine a steady stream of income coming straight from your most loyal listeners. Your loyal listeners can subscribe to your private podcasts, giving you a reliable revenue source month after month.

2. Super Fans Unite: Creating exclusive content helps build a tight-knit community. Your subscribers will feel like VIPs, boosting their engagement and loyalty. They'll be more likely to stick around and spread the word about your awesome podcast.

3. Bye-Bye Ads: Many listeners are willing to pay for an ad-free experience. By offering private podcasts without those pesky ads, you'll make their listening experience smoother and more enjoyable.

How to Monetize Using Private Podcasting

1. Premium Content: Produce exclusive episodes, bonus content, or extended interviews in the private podcast and make it available to paying members only. Use platforms like Pabbly to build a paywall for your exclusive content.
2. Subscription Models: Use platforms like Patreon, or Apple podcasts, to create subscription tiers offering private podcast access.

Real-World Example: "Dr. Death" Podcast

"Dr. Death'' by Wondery offers an example of a podcast successfully using private content to monetize. Wondery has a subscription service called Wondery+, which provides ad-free listening and exclusive content, including bonus episodes and early access to new series. By leveraging the popularity of their true crime series, Wondery+ enhances its value proposition, encouraging listeners to subscribe for a premium experience.

By utilizing private podcasting, podcasters can effectively monetize their content while fostering a closer relationship with their most dedicated listeners.

Premium Content

Pabbly:-

Pabbly can be configured to send a registration link via email to customers once they pay to subscribe to your private podcast. This approach simplifies the process by handling the subscription and registration steps separately. Moreover, they have a free plan too that you can use and explore. Here's how you can set this up:

Step 1: Set Up Your Private Podcast

1. Setup Private Podcast: Login to your Hubhopper account. Click on ‘create podcast’ and choose the option to create a ‘Private podcasts’
2. Get registration Link: Once you’ve finished setting up your private podcast, you can find its public registration link under ‘subscribers’ on the left hand side of your dashboard.

Step 2: Create a Subscription Plan in Pabbly

1. Create a New Product:
   • Log in to your Pabbly Subscription Billing account.
   • Navigate to the “Products” section and click on “Add New Product.”
   • Enter details about your podcast (name, description, etc.).
2. Create a Subscription Plan:
   • Within the product, create a subscription plan.
   • Define the pricing, billing cycle (e.g., monthly, yearly), and any trial periods

Step 3: Set Up Payment Gateway

1. Choose and Configure a Payment Gateway:
   • Go to the “Payment Gateways” section in Pabbly.
   • Choose your preferred payment gateway (e.g., Stripe, PayPal) and follow the setup instructions.

Step 4: Create an Email Template with Registration Link

1. Email Templates:
   • In Pabbly, navigate to the “Email” section.
   • Create a new email template that will be sent to subscribers upon successful payment.
   • Include a personalized message and the registration link to your private podcast in this email.

Step 5: Set Up Automation to Send Email Upon Subscription

1. Create an Automation Rule:
   • Go to the “Automation” section in Pabbly.
   • Create a new automation rule with the following trigger and action:
2. Trigger:
   • Event: Successful Subscription Payment
   • Condition: Specify the subscription plan related to your private podcast.
3. Action:
   • Action Type: Send Email
   • Email Template: Select the email template you created that includes the registration link.
4. Configure the Automation:
   • Ensure that the automation rule is correctly set up to send the email immediately after the payment is processed.

Final Steps

1. Test the Workflow:
   • Run a test subscription to ensure that the email with the registration link is sent correctly.
   • Verify that the registration link works and allows new subscribers to access the private podcast feed.
2. Monitor and Optimize:
   • Regularly check the automation and email delivery to ensure everything is functioning smoothly.
   • Gather feedback from subscribers to improve the process if needed.

Subscription Models

Apple Podcasts:-

Creating a channel subscription for your podcast on Apple Podcasts through the Apple Podcasters Program involves several steps.

Step 1: Enroll in the Apple Podcasters Program

1. Log in to Apple Podcasts Connect: Go to Apple Podcasts Connect and log in with your Apple ID.
2. Enroll in the Apple Podcasters Program: If you haven't already, you need to enroll in the program. This will include agreeing to terms and conditions and setting up your payment information. 

Please note that the Apple Podcasters Program is available for an annual fee.

Step 2: Create a Channel

1. Go to Podcasts Connect: After logging in, navigate to the "My Podcasts" section.
2. Create a New Channel: Click on the "+" button to create a new channel.
3. Fill in Channel Information: Enter the necessary information for your channel, such as the channel name, description, and artwork. Make sure your artwork meets Apple’s specifications (3000 x 3000 pixels at 72 DPI in JPEG or PNG format with RGB color space)

Step 3: Add Podcasts to Your Channel

1. Add Existing Podcasts: If you have existing podcasts that you want to include in your channel, you can add them by selecting them from your list of podcasts.
2. Create New Podcasts: If you want to create new podcasts for your channel, you can do so by clicking "Add Podcast" and entering the required details

Step 4: Set Up Subscription

1. Navigate to the Subscriptions Tab: Within your channel, go to the "Subscriptions" tab.
2. Create a Subscription: Click on "Create Subscription".
3. Define Subscription Terms: Set up the subscription details, such as the price, billing frequency (monthly or annually), and the benefits subscribers will receive. Benefits can include ad-free listening, early access to episodes, exclusive content, and more.
4. Set Availability: Specify the countries and regions where your subscription will be available.
5. Preview Subscription: Review your subscription setup and make sure everything is correct.

Step 5: Submit for Review

1. Review Channel and Subscription Details: Ensure all details for your channel and subscription are correct and complete.
2. Submit for Review: Click "Submit for Review". Apple will review your channel and subscription. This process can take some time, so be patient.

Step 6: Monitor and Manage Your Subscription

1. Track Performance: Once your channel and subscription are live, you can track performance and manage your subscription through Apple Podcasts Connect.
2. Update Content: Regularly update your channel with new content and exclusive benefits to keep your subscribers engaged.

Patreon:-

Setting up a subscription model for your podcast using Patreon is a great way to monetize your content and offer exclusive perks to your audience. Here’s a step-by-step guide and some ideas for what you can offer under your subscription:

Step 1: Create a Patreon Account:

• Go to Patreon.com and sign up as a creator.
• Set up your profile, including a compelling description of your podcast and what subscribers can expect.

Step 2: Choose Your Subscription Tiers:

• Determine different subscription tiers (e.g., $5, $10, $20 per month) with varying benefits. Consider naming tiers creatively based on your podcast’s theme.

Step 3: Offer Exclusive Content:

• Create exclusive episodes or series that are only available to your Patreon subscribers. This could include bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content, or extended interviews.

Step 4: Engage with Your Community:

• Use Patreon’s community features to interact with your subscribers. You can create posts, polls, and Q&A sessions exclusively for them.

Step 5: Promote Your Patreon:

• Prominently feature your Patreon link on your podcast website, social media profiles, and within your podcast episodes to encourage listeners to subscribe

Ideas for Subscription Benefits

1. Exclusive Episodes:
   • Offer ad-free episodes or early access to episodes before they are released to the public.
2. Private Podcast Feeds:
   • Create a separate private podcast feed exclusively for subscribers. This feed can include all your episodes or specific bonus content.
3. Q&A Sessions and Livestreams:
   • Host live Q&A sessions or live streams where subscribers can interact with you directly and ask questions.
4. Merchandise Discounts:
   • Offer discounts on merchandise related to your podcast (e.g., t-shirts, mugs) exclusively to your subscribers.
5. Community and Engagement:
   • Give subscribers a voice in shaping your podcast by allowing them to suggest topics or guests for future episodes.
6. Exclusive Content Formats:
   • Offer downloadable PDFs of show notes, transcripts, or exclusive articles related to your podcast’s topics.
7. Member Recognition:
   • Give shout-outs or credits to your subscribers in your podcast episodes or on your website.

By offering a mix of exclusive content, engagement opportunities, and tangible benefits, you can create a compelling subscription model for your podcast through Patreon. This not only provides value to your audience but also helps sustain and grow your podcast over time.