Podcast Advertising: Ultimate Guide to Podcast Ads [2024]

According to Comscore, this demographic's higher level of education and income makes them more likely to be earlier adopters of brands like movies, electronics, and other CPG (makeup, food, clothes, household products, etc.).

And with the rise of podcasting, other advertising channels like websites and banner ads have become less popular. 

For instance, the average website's display ad click-through rate is only 0.06%. And in the age of ad blockers, fewer ads ever reach their intended audience. 

Advertisers are aware of these channels' diminishing returns and are willing to pay higher rates for more effective ads. But according to NPR, 75% of listeners take action after hearing their sponsored content.

Who can benefit from podcast advertising?

Podcasts are a versatile advertising channel that can work for anyone with a clear message and a strong marketing strategy (more on this later). Here are a few of the groups that can utilize successful podcast advertising to expand their reach.

Podcast ads for brands

Most people in the 21st century are deaf to all the ads and promotions they hear on a given day. Podcast advertising offers a possible solution to this deafness and boosts brand awareness by targeting specific audience demographics, so your ad gets heard by the right people. 

Podcast ads for podcasters

Podcasters can use their own medium to promote their show on different podcasts with a similar audience. Podcast hosts can use these ads in addition to traditional cross-promoting methods.

Podcast ads for authors, artists, bloggers, & influencers

A podcast audience is a great place for writers and artists to share their work, and by targeting podcasts of a similar niche, you can get your message in front of people who are likely to buy your book, read your blog, or follow you on social media.

Podcast ads for startups

Podcast listeners tend to be early adopters of new products and brands, making the platform rife with opportunity for startups just getting off the ground and solopreneurs still growing their base.

Types of ads & cost models 

Before we get into the process of getting your ad out there, it can help to know the basic framework of podcast advertising. Let's review the kinds of ads you can choose for your marketing campaign and the cost structure of each. 

Host-read ads v. Dynamic ad insertion

Host-read ads are pretty much what they sound like: a podcast host reading a sponsorship message or an affiliate advertisement. Respondents prefer host-read ads and see them as more believable and authentic than when an unfamiliar or unknown voice reads the message.

Host-read ads are "baked-in" to the file and work well if you're promoting a brand that isn't going to change. But if your ads include time-sensitive elements like coupon codes, dynamic ads are a better fit.

Dynamic ad insertion (DAI) is a technology that places pre-recorded ads through an ad server, allowing for more flexibility and easy updating to keep content fresh. This distribution method can be highly effective, but it's best when the host reads the ad — ads are less effective with an unfamiliar voice or voiceover.

Buzzsprout's Dynamic Content Tool

If you host your podcast with Buzzsprout, you have access to our Dynamic Content tool which allows you to insert host-read ads into all your episodes and easily swap them out in the future. Log in to your account to access the feature in your dashboard.

Pre-roll and Mid-roll ads

When advertisers purchase ad space on a podcast, they usually choose pre-roll ads (play at the beginning of the episode), mid-roll ads (play at the middle of the episode), and post-roll ads play at the end.

These ads are based on a CPM ("cost per mile") model of advertising. CPM is the cost of 1,000 ad impressions (or plays.) This structure works best for bigger shows (5,000 + downloads per episode). If you host on Buzzsprout, your stats are IAB certified, which advertisers might require for the CPM model.

Here are the current industry standard pricing for podcast ad spots according to AdvertiseCast:

• $18 per 1,000 listens (CPMs) for a 15-second pre-roll ad
• $25 per 1,000 listens (CPMs) for a 60-second mid-roll ad 

CPA (cost per acquisition) is the other advertising model in podcasting. This structure bases podcast ad revenue on the number of conversions instead of impressions and works best for smaller podcasts since there is no upfront cost.

These prices are just the industry-standard rates — they can vary based on the network or podcast host selling the ad space. 

How to buy ad space (for brands)

Once you have a message you want to distribute, you have a few options. They each have their pros and cons, but here are some basic things to consider. 

1. Reach out to individual podcasts

Doing your campaign yourself can give you more control over the ad placements and allow for more flexibility with pricing negotiation. However, the process can be time-consuming, depending on how many podcasts you want to run your ad.

Individual podcasters won't have targeted ad placement options or use dynamic ad insertion. This limitation means most ads are host-read, also known as baked-in ads, without the ability to update the ad's content later on.

If you just want to get your message out to a number of your favorite podcasts or run a short podcast advertising campaign to promote a book or online course, for example, this method can work. But if you're looking to run a larger campaign, an ad network is probably a better option. 

2. Work with a podcast ad network

Podcast networks do most of the footwork of finding podcasts looking to sell ad space, which saves buyers a lot of time.

However, having access to a network's resources costs money, and advertisers are limited to the shows within the network they choose.

Networks also have access to dynamic ad insertion, allowing advertisers to create time-sensitive ads they can easily swap out and update. But because of the upfront financial commitment, working with a network is usually a better fit for bigger brands with the ability to invest. 

3. Start a campaign with Podcorn

Podcorn is an open marketplace for podcast sponsorships that connects unique podcasts to unique brands. Unlike a network, the marketplace uses only host-read ads and native sponsorships and doesn't require any upfront cost.

By signing up with Podcorn you boost your brand's discoverability, make it easier to find podcasters selling ad space, and get access to the site's campaign management tools. 

Once you create a brand account and start a campaign, Podcorn will match you with podcasters looking for ads like yours. It can take a bit of back and forth to strike the right deal, but the site should connect you with some quality matches.

How to buy ad space (for podcasters)

Podcasters can buy ad space to promote their podcast, too! This is a proven method for growing your show because you can reach a highly engaged audience who already listens to podcasts.

1. Create an ad on Buzzsprout Ads

With Buzzsprout Ads, you can easily create and run your own podcast advertising! Just create an advertiser account on the Buzzsprout Ads platform, upload your audio, set your preferences, and run your ad! Buzzsprout Ads will then match your ad with listeners who already have an interest in your content. Buzzsprout Ads is available for all podcasters to purchase advertisements, no matter who they're hosted on!

2. Start a campaign on Overcast

Podcasters can also run an ad on the podcast directory Overcast to reach listeners directly within the app. Overcast ads appear below the Now Playing control panel, reaching potential new listeners when they search for podcasts! Ads can be purchased for specific categories to better target your audience and run for 30 days from the purchase date.

3. Start a campaign on Fountain

Fountain is another app on both iOS and Android where you can reach podcast listeners! By running a campaign through Fountain, your ad gets served on the home page of the app, and 60% of your budget gets paid back to listeners for every minute they spend listening to your episode until your budget runs out. You can choose how much you want to pay to each person who listens and the minimum spend is $50.

How to sell ad space (for podcasters)

The options for selling ad space are basically the inverse of buying ad space. Let's review each option. 

1. Work directly with brands

Reaching out to brands yourself is one way to maintain full control over who you work with. You can seek out brands you have personal experience with, and use Buzzsprout's Dynamic Ad Content tool to insert the host-read ads into all of your episodes.

As you might guess, this method can be slow-going, but it does ensure you have full control of your ads, which can benefit you in the long run.

2. Sign up with a podcast network

Working with a podcast network can be a simple way to sell ad space, without having to do a lot of work, but it's usually recommended for larger podcasts with 5,000 + downloads per episode.

Independent podcasters with smaller audiences aren't likely to make much money as part of a network and might lose creative in signing a contract.

Being part of a network can also limit your control over the type of ads and brands that appear within episodes. 

3. Connect with brands via Podcorn 

When podcasters create a profile with Podcorn, it automatically connects with them brands that match the show's niche, eliminating the work of tracking down individual brands.

And because Podcorn only promotes host-read ads and native advertising, content is never interrupted with recorded ads or plugs in someone else's voice. The site is also contract-free and won't impinge on the podcaster's creative rights.

After creating a Podcorn account, the site suggests relevant sponsorship opportunities. Hosts can then propose creative sponsorship formats, and set prices and schedules all while maintaining totally creative control.

Tips for running a successful ad campaign

Putting a podcast ad to work takes time, money, and a bit of marketing strategy to pull off. Whether you decide to run an ad campaign yourself or use a podcast network, these basic guidelines can help.

Set investment amount

Before anything else, decide how much money you have to invest in your ad campaign. If you plan on buying ads via a CPM model, running your campaign cost (or "ad spend") through a CPM calculator can help determine whether your ROI will be worth your investment. 

Tailor ads to your product's demographic

Next, find your target audience. If you decide to work with a podcast network, find one that caters specifically to podcasts with the right audience who would be interested in your product.

If you reach out to podcasts individually, podcast search engines like Listen Notes, Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes, or Spotify can help you find shows that match your product's niche. You can also ask the podcast host for listenership data or even conduct a short survey to zero in on their listeners' interests.

Determine ad placement

Decide where you want to place your ads: at the beginning, middle, or end of the episode. Remember, mid-roll ads are typically the most expensive but are also longer and slightly more effective than audio ads placed at the beginning or end. 

Craft a clear message 

Whatever you promote with your ad, make sure you clearly outline the advantages, what problem your product solves for the customer, and include a clear call-to-action that makes it easy for listeners to act.

Measure your success & experiment 

After enough time passes to gather data from your ads, you can experiment with what is most effective. Here are a few ways to track your ad's success. 

• Direct response: Direct response lets you direct listeners to your website, typically through a podcast-specific promo code or vanity URL that's easy to remember. When a person clicks the code, they go to a landing page which you can then use to measure the ad's traffic and track ROI.
• Social media: Keeping an eye on your social media subscribers, shares, hashtags, and website metrics can be a general gauge for ad performance. This gauge is useful in a general sense but works best for influencers looking for more followers vs. sales.
• Third-party tools: If you don't want to calculate the numbers yourself, employing the help of a third-party tool like AdRoll can track your conversion and attribution data and analyze its success.

Final thoughts 

When you think about it, podcast advertising (done right) is pretty innovative; brands benefit by getting their product in front of an engaged audience, and listeners hear only the recommendations relevant to their interests. 

And podcast listeners seem to understand that hosts need to support themselves with ads to keep creating the content they love. 

Still, using podcasts as an advertising channel is a relatively new approach, and as with any marketing strategy, success requires work on the front end.

Implementing these strategies can assist brands in building a loyal customer base, and help podcasters monetize their show by backing brands they can authentically support.