It seems podcasting is here to stay in both audio and video casts.  Now the question is, "how can we make money out of this?" The USA is where it's starting.

And a few people have started the ball rolling, especially venture capitalists and some of the media giants.  Adam Curry, one of the inventors of podcasting, has struck a deal with two venture capital companies from Silicon Valley, securing him $9.8million.  He is launching a Podcast Network with the advertising revenues to be split among the shows.  Plans are to have 30-50 shows.  Of course he will be competing against major players like Apple, CBS, Disney and those who produce podcasts for free.

Some producers are turning to sponsorship, which involves a thirty or sixty second ad at the start of the podcast.  Last February, Volvo agreed to a six month sponsorship of Webblog Inc's popular show plus advertising on their site.  The price? Sixty thousand.  During that period the show had one hundred and fifty thousand downloads.

Other podcasters are charging $25 per one thousand listeners.  In comparison to radio, this is expensive, but advertisers are getting to very targeted groups.  People only subscribe if the show interests them.  The listeners are more 'qualified' in their buying potential, therefore more likely to buy the product.  Some are predicting a re-direction of radio advertising dollars to the tune of 1-3billion over the next three to five years.

Keep an eye out.  Soon your favourite podcast will start having ads.

If you have an idea for a podcast and want some help to get it up and running.  Come and talk to us.