NOTE: While the video mentions $50K in sponsorship, since the recording of this video, the show has now generated over $100K in revenue. Additionally, we have now merged with the leading newsletter in the space IGROW NEWS, to create the AgTech Media Group. We’re currently in the process of raising a seed round to grow the platform!

Once you’ve reviewed the Key Takeaways, see the link below to all the resources mentioned and a link to download the slides from the presentation.

Key Takeaways

Identify Your Niche & Target Audience
- Choose a niche with growth potential. For example, vertical farming was a $12 billion industry with room to grow when I launched my podcast.
- Understand the audience’s needs and challenges in that niche. Tailor your content around those.
Position Your Podcast Strategically
- Name your podcast exactly what your audience is searching for. Avoid being too clever or vague with the name.
- Secure relevant domains and social media handles (e.g., verticalfarmingpodcast.com).
- Register your podcast on all directories (Apple, Spotify, Google, etc.) to increase discoverability.
Research & Build a Database of Potential Sponsors
- Use tools like Airtable to track companies in your niche. Crunchbase will help you determine which industries have strong investor activity.
- Focus on companies with marketing budgets, such as those sponsoring industry conferences or events.
- Understand the customer lifetime value (LTV) for your potential sponsors. For example, companies investing tens of thousands in conferences might be open to podcast sponsorships.
Create a Sponsorship Media Kit
- Use platforms like Notion to build a compelling, interactive media kit. Include key statistics like social media following, podcast directory rankings, and industry credibility.
- Provide social proof by showcasing top-tier guests (e.g., CEOs, founders) and audience engagement.
- Offer different sponsorship tiers (e.g., pre-roll ads, post-roll ads, full-season sponsorship).
Leverage SEO & Visibility
- Ensure your podcast ranks for relevant keywords. The “Vertical Farming Podcast” ranks at the top on Google for its industry terms, increasing visibility for both the show and its sponsors.
- Cross-promote your content on social media platforms and use tools like Headliner to create audiograms and videograms for added exposure.
Build Relationships Before Launching
- Start networking in your niche early. Reach out to key figures (CEOs, thought leaders) for interviews before launching the show.
- Use your experience to build trust with potential guests and sponsors. Showcase previous work to prove credibility (e.g., experience with Podcast Junkies).
Pitch Sponsors Confidently
- Initiate conversations with potential sponsors by asking about their marketing challenges (e.g., “How much do you typically spend on conference booths?”).
- When quoting sponsorship rates, base your pricing on the value the sponsor will get, not on CPM (cost per 1,000 downloads). Example: A $20K conference booth fee could translate to a $9K sponsorship package for a season of your show, like it did for me!
Overdeliver for Sponsors
- Treat sponsors like gold. Ensure they get prominent placement in every episode (e.g., pre-roll ads, pinned social media posts, shoutouts in interviews).
- Use every opportunity to showcase your sponsor (press releases, social media, and even mentions in your guest interviews).
- Keep communication transparent. Share regular updates on podcast growth, listenership stats (e.g., via Chartable), and any direct feedback you receive from listeners about the sponsor.
Utilize Long-Term Thinking
- Pitch sponsorships as long-term opportunities. For example, a season consists of 13 episodes, which gives sponsors recurring exposure.
- Create renewal incentives by offering locked-in rates for future seasons. This ensures ongoing sponsorship and revenue.
Scale & Repeat

As you grow, increase your sponsorship prices. For example, one of my early sponsors. Cultivatd started with $9K for the first season, and by season five, they committed $25K for future seasons.
Expand your brand by adding complementary services (e.g., a weekly newsletter, job board sponsorships) to give sponsors more visibility.

Downloads & Recommended Resources

Download the slides from this presentation here
**Captivate** - Every show requires a podcast host. Cutting edge features like dynamic ad insertion and built-in AI make this a must-have for new podcasters
**Podpage** - No need to worry about paying a developer to create a site for your show. This all-in-one services handles it all for you by dynamically creating blog posts from the feed or your show.