Earning from podcasts – where to start, how to gain listeners, and when will the money come in?

Earning from podcasts is now one of those paths that can realistically take you further than you think – and without massive investments or complicated techniques to start with. In 2025, over 76 million people in the USA are already listening to podcasts, and in Poland, this market is growing month by month, which means that if you have something to say and can speak in a way that someone wants to listen to, even on their way to work, you can really make money from it.

How much do you earn from podcasts in 2025? Specifics and ranges for beginners and advanced creators

How much you earn from podcasts primarily depends on two things: the number of listens and how quickly you build your audience’s trust — that’s why some people earn 0 PLN for the first few months, while others have regular income after a year. The overall picture looks like this.

• Beginners (first 3–6 months): 0 PLN, as you build your audience.
  
• Podcasts with 10K–50K listens/month: 600–2,000 PLN from sponsors alone.
  
• Average creators 50K–500K: 4,000–40,000 PLN/month, if you act smart.
  
• Top podcasters: 50,000+ PLN/month, but that’s a league where time and consistency are required.
  

At the beginning, you’ll be surprised that most of your energy goes not into recording, but into making people aware of you. It’s only when you exceed 3,000–10,000 monthly listens that brands start viewing your podcast as a viable advertising space. Then you’ll suddenly find that a single episode can fetch 300–1,000 PLN, and if your format becomes recognizable, the rates rise much faster than the reach. 

And this is the moment you start feeling that you’re not recording “for the sake of it,” but building something that starts to earn just like podcasts already do in Western markets. 

How to earn from podcasts if you’re just starting? The path from 0 PLN to the first sponsor

The first money in a podcast only appears when you have around 3,000–5,000 listeners a month, so initially, focus not on earning but on reaching people who genuinely want to listen to you. You are working a bit “on a trust credit,” but that’s absolutely normal. The most important points look like this:

• regularity – 1 episode per week, always on the same day,
  
• presence on social media — short clips do 80% of the work,
  
• guests — their audiences automatically learn about your format,
  
• meaningful titles — so someone can find you organically,
  
• interaction — a few messages from listeners do more than advertising.
  

In practice, this means that the first three months might feel like “talking into thin air,” but don’t get discouraged because that’s when what’s not visible grows — your credibility. Over time, you’ll notice that people start coming back, binge-listening two or three episodes at a time, and suddenly it turns into steady traffic. And that’s exactly when the first small sponsor might appear — 100, maybe 300 PLN. For many, it’s the moment when the light bulb goes off: “okay, this works.” 

After that, it goes quicker. You surpass 1,000 listens, then 3,000, until at some point someone contacts you asking about collaboration terms. And honestly — it’s one of the best moments in this whole adventure because you know you’re earning not by “luck,” but because people really want to listen to you.

Earning from podcasts from scratch – what to do in the first week to even have a chance at listeners?

In the first week do not record an episode – yet. First, figure out, what, to whom, and why you want to speak, because without that even the best microphone won’t help. Starting a podcast isn’t just a technical issue, but also a strategic decision. And no, you don’t have to be an expert – it’s enough that you have a point of view and a topic that others care about.

In the first 7 days, do the following:

• choose a topic – something that excites you and you can talk about effortlessly,
  
• check the competition – fire up Spotify and listen to what’s already out there,
  
• define the format – solo, duo, interviews; what length, how often?
  
• name + description of the podcast – how you want to be perceived by new listeners,
  
• do a mini keyword research – titles need to be searchable.
  

We know it’s tempting to just record something and upload it – “just to have it done.” But it’s better to do it smartly and plan the podcast so you don’t burn out entirely after three months. If you get the basics right from the start, everything else will fall into place faster – and listeners will know why it’s worth turning you on in the first place.

How to earn from podcasts without expensive equipment? Technique you can manage for 200–500 PLN

At the beginning, you need less than you think for your podcast to sound okay and be suitable for sharing with people. Seriously – you don’t need to invest thousands in microphones, acoustic panels, or a studio. 

What is worth buying?

• Microphone (200–400 PLN): Samson Q2U, Maono PD100X – good sound, nothing miraculous.
  
• Headphones – you most likely already have some, and they will suffice.
  
• Editing software – Audacity or GarageBand, both free.
  
• Hosting – to start, we recommend Anchor because it’s completely free.
  

You can wrap it up within the budget of a nice dinner in the city, and the quality will be decent enough so that no one turns it off after 30 seconds. Just remember that even the best microphone won’t help if you record in a room with an echo – find a corner, sit close, and test a few times. Don’t overdo it with effects – at this stage, content and consistency matter, not whether you sound like you’re on the radio.

Where to post your podcast so it can actually be found? Hosting and distribution step by step (no complications)

The simplest way to ensure your podcast doesn’t disappear into the depths of the internet is to upload it to a platform that automatically sends it everywhere – Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and others. And again – Anchor (from Spotify) does the job.

Steps to follow:

• Create an account on Anchor.fm (Google or Facebook – it takes a minute),
  
• Create your podcast – name, description, cover art,
  
• Record or upload a ready audio file,
  
• Click “publish” – and wait a few hours for it to appear on platforms.
  

You don’t need to configure anything manually, Anchor handles the distribution automatically. And bonus – you can immediately enable the monetization option (Anchor ads), which works from around 5,000 listens per month. So you know: it works like an automaton – you record, and Anchor does the rest. Simple and painless.

Earning money from podcasts starts with the first episodes – how to record 3 good episodes that won’t get lost in the crowd?

Don’t publish just one episode at the start. It’s best to release 2–3 at once, so when someone finds your podcast, they have something to listen to. This way, you can build engagement faster and keep a new listener around longer. It really makes a difference.

How to prepare those first 3 episodes?

• Intro + Outro – a simple jingle, greeting, CTA.
  
• Main content – it’s best if each episode has one specific topic.
  
• Script – don’t read from a script, but make notes to avoid getting lost.
  
• Length – 25–45 minutes is the sweet spot to start.
  
• Topics – choose something that explains who you are and what’s next.

Recording for the first time, test the sound several times. You might stumble, you might talk too fast – that’s normal. Just don’t do five takes, don’t try to be perfect, just be yourself. It’s also worth recording everything in one day (so-called batch recording) – it makes it easier to maintain consistency and less stressful. And then? Release all three at once on the launch day. It increases the chance someone stays with you longer, because they already have “something to chew on”.

How to get listeners before the money rolls in? Podcast SEO, guests, Shorts/Reels, and all the other stuff that works

Before you start earning, you simply need to make yourself discoverable – because even the best episode won’t work if no one knows about it. You don’t need million-dollar campaigns, but you must take a few very specific steps that attract people organically.

What to do in the first week?

• Episode titles – specific, descriptive, searchable (not “Episode 23”).
  
• Descriptions – the first 2–3 sentences with key information, followed by short show notes.
  
• Clips for TikTok / Reels / Shorts – 30–60 seconds, preferably with a quote and caption.
  
• Invite guests – their community = your new audience.
  
• Newsletter or Instagram – a place where you can remind people about new episodes.
  

It really works. One well-edited podcast quote can achieve better reach than the entire episode. And when you invite an interesting guest who later shares the joint episode within their circle, you get noticed by a completely new group of listeners. And at this very moment, something important appears – trust, which can later be calmly monetized. But not before. 

Therefore, focus first on relationships, visibility, and making your content easy to recommend. The rest will come with time.

FAQ

Can you make money with a podcast if I only have 500 listens per month?

At this stage, probably not – but it’s an ideal moment to build trust and incorporate affiliate marketing or use a profile on RefSpace. You can recommend things you personally use and see what resonates with your audience.

How much do I need to spend at the start?

200–550 zł is completely sufficient. A microphone + free software + hosting (Anchor). Most things you set up once, and then you just operate.

When will the first sponsor appear?

Statistically – with around 3,000–5,000 listens per month. But sometimes someone may reach out earlier if you set up communication well and have a specific target group.

Do I need to have a company to earn from a podcast?

Initially – no. If you earn below 1,400 zł monthly, you’re in the grey area. Once you exceed 2,000 zł/month, it’s worth considering a sole proprietorship and accounting on a flat-rate basis (12–20%).

Does RefSpace work for podcasters?

Yes – especially if your podcast revolves around a specific niche. You set up your Space, recommend products (your own or others’), and it all operates on commission. Zero inventory, zero logistics, just you, your words, and a link.