This transcript was generated from the episode audio and may contain minor errors.
Well, how can our listener find sponsors for their upcoming podcast and YouTube channel, and maybe somebody else out there as well, if you have one of those things, or if you'd like to have a podcast or YouTube channel at some point, and you'd like to have sponsors for it, which is nice because that way you get paid, and you're able to do more with your channel or your podcast, you're able to grow it and such. So let's talk about it. We're going to hear from Jackson. He's a dedicated listener to our show. Thanks Jackson.
Thanks everybody out there for listening, getting ready to enter the world of content creation and looking for ways to monetize. So of course, this is a challenge faced by many new creators. How do you find the right sponsors? How do you pitch your channel or your product, whatever it is, effectively. Let's consider how you can align your brand with suitable sponsors and approach them in a way that maximizes your chances of success.
All right. My name is Chris Guillebeau. Let's get into it. Quick shout out to our sponsor and then the detailed question and my answer. Hi, I'm Jackson.
I'm preparing to start both a podcast and a YouTube channel. My audience is small, but engaged and mostly consisting of young men interested in different ways of living. I found side hustle school while searching for tips on monetizing my content. And now I'm considering seeking sponsors. How do I find sponsors that align with my niche audience and what steps should I take to approach them effectively?
Hey Jackson, let's talk about getting those sponsors on board for the podcast and YouTube channel. Okay. Congratulations. Sounds great. Look forward to hearing more about it.
So finding sponsors, it's kind of like, let's use the analogy of setting up a dinner party or a meetup or something like you want the right guests who will enjoy the evening, the afternoon, whatever it is, and contribute to the conversation. So what are the steps for that for both the dinner party slash meetup and finding your sponsors? Number one, you want to know your guests or your audience. So first things first, who's coming to the party? Like who is the audience of people listening to the podcast, subscribing to the channel?
Really important to understand their demographics, their psychographics, what other shows they're into, what their interests are beyond just your specific topic. That's often really important for sponsors. So the more you have about that, the better. And of course, if you're still getting started, you don't know, but I think it's really helpful to go through some ideal customer exercises, which you can do really quickly, 20 minutes or so to really have some idea about your guests slash audience. Number two, you have to actually match up or invite those sponsors.
So a couple of different ways to do that, which we've talked about in detail in other episodes, working with an agency that will actually be kind of a matchmaker. That's often very helpful. But some podcasters have done this completely on their own, just by looking for brands that are already in similar circles, reaching out to them on LinkedIn, using YouTube's Brand Connect. There's a whole system that basically is kind of bypassing the agency model, kind of doing it themselves. So that's interesting.
There's other platforms like Podcorn or Gumball that work in the podcast world. So you got to identify maybe, let's say six to 10 potential sponsors. Number three, craft an invitation. Like whenever you invite somebody to a party, you tell them why it's going to be great. The same with sponsors.
Make a media kit. The media kit describes your audience. Talks about why your show is great, why you're so committed to it, and how it aligns with the sponsor's brand. Don't forget what's in it for them. That's important.
What's in it for them. And then once you've got these sponsors interested, then it's about being a good host. So just be clear about what you can offer them. Is it a shout out? Is it a 30 second ad, a 60 second ad?
Sponsored episodes, product reviews. It's totally okay to negotiate these terms. There are all kinds of options out there, so you just got to figure out what you're comfortable with and then come to terms with the sponsor. But that's pretty much the cycle. That is the cycle that you work in.
Obviously there are some more steps within the steps and you get to figure things out along the way and adjust, but that is the path. So Jackson, wishing you well, cheering you on. Know your audience, find the right sponsors, make the pitch, and stay true to your brand. Let's get that party started. Listeners, if you have a question, sidehustleschool.com/questions.
A new episode is out every day, seven days a week. It's always free wherever you get your podcasts. My name is Chris Guillebeau. This is Side Hustle School. From the Onward Project.
