Creator Guides / Podcasts & Newsletters
Podcasts & Newsletters
Launching and monetising a podcast or paid newsletter: platforms, subscriptions, sponsorships and rules.
A podcast or newsletter reaches people outside social feeds, and both can be paid for by listeners, readers or sponsors. These guides cover hosting, equipment, platform programmes, sponsorships and subscription tools such as Substack, beehiiv and Ghost, for creators adding audio or email to an existing audience and for people starting from scratch. Start with how to start a podcast or how to start a newsletter, then how to monetise a podcast.
Start here
- How to Start a Podcast: Launch Checklist and Directory StepsHow to start a podcast: choose a repeatable format, record a trailer and first episodes, get an RSS feed, then submit it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
- Starting a Newsletter: A Creator Launch PlanStarting a newsletter as a creator: a positioning line, a cadence you can keep, a platform that fits, sign-up points and a calendar for your first five issues.
- How to Monetize a Podcast: Revenue Routes ComparedHow to monetize a podcast: Spotify and YouTube programs, Apple and Spotify subscriptions, Patreon feeds, sponsors, host ad marketplaces and merch.
Your next step
- Influencer managementYou build an audience on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or a podcast.
- Apply as a creatorTell SirenCY about your page. Terms are set out in each creator’s written proposal or agreement.
- Jobs at SirenCYYou want to work behind creator businesses, for example as a chatter or recruiter.
- Partner with SirenCYYou are a brand, affiliate, referral partner or journalist.
All guides
How to Start a Podcast: Launch Checklist and Directory Steps
How to start a podcast: choose a repeatable format, record a trailer and first episodes, get an RSS feed, then submit it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Podcast Equipment List: Checklist by Setup and Budget
A podcast equipment list sorted by setup, from solo to video: what each item fixes, which Apple, Spotify and YouTube file specs apply, and a budget worksheet.
Podcast Hosting Companies Compared: Price and Features
Podcast hosting companies compared on dated prices, Apple-listed features, IAB measurement status, video and private feeds, plus a checklist for moving out.
Apple Podcast Cover Art Size, Plus Spotify and YouTube Specs
Apple podcast cover art size is 3000 x 3000 pixels, with 1400 x 1400 accepted by RSS. Spotify and YouTube image specs, rejection causes and an upload checklist.
How to Start a Podcast Script: Fill-In Episode Template
How to start a podcast script: a fill-in template from cold open to outro, chapter and ad-break markers that fit Apple and Spotify, and an interview run-sheet.
How to Become a Spotify Creator: Podcast Setup Steps
How to become a Spotify creator for podcasts: sign up, upload audio or video, switch on RSS, claim a show hosted elsewhere, find analytics, and move in or out.
How to Start a Podcast on YouTube: RSS or Video Upload
How to start a podcast on YouTube: create a podcast playlist, connect an RSS feed or upload video, set visibility defaults and follow the sponsor-read rules.
Podcast Analytics Explained: Downloads, Listeners, Plays
Podcast analytics explained across hosts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube: what downloads, plays, listeners and completion mean, plus a monthly KPI sheet.
How to Monetize a Podcast: Revenue Routes Compared
How to monetize a podcast: Spotify and YouTube programs, Apple and Spotify subscriptions, Patreon feeds, sponsors, host ad marketplaces and merch.
Spotify Partner Program Requirements: Eligibility Tracker
Spotify Partner Program requirements: hosting, eligible markets including the October 2026 expansion, the hours and audience bars, payouts and staying eligible.
Apple Podcasters Program: Fees, Revenue Share, Setup
Apple Podcasters Program guide: the annual fee by country, 70% then 85% per subscriber, pricing and trials, host delivery, tax, banking and reports.
How Patreon Works for Podcasts: Private RSS Feeds
How Patreon works for podcasts: private RSS feeds per member, listening in Apple Podcasts and Spotify, Synced Feeds, and ad-free, bonus and early-access tiers.
How to Get Podcast Sponsors: Prospect Tracker and Pitch
How to get podcast sponsors: find brands already buying podcast ads, choose a host marketplace or direct deals, send a podcast pitch email and confirm terms.
How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor a Podcast? CPM Worksheet
How much it costs to sponsor a podcast: CPM, flat-fee and CPA pricing, pre-, mid- and post-roll, baked-in vs dynamic ads, with a CPM worksheet and rate card.
Podcast Ad Script Template: Host-Read Ads With Disclosure
Podcast ad script template for host-read pre-, mid- and post-rolls: talking points vs verbatim lines, disclosure wording and a sponsor approval checklist.
Podcast Media Kit Template: Metrics Sponsors Can Verify
Podcast media kit template with a metric-source checklist: which dashboard each download, listener and consumption figure comes from, its definition and date.
Starting a Newsletter: A Creator Launch Plan
Starting a newsletter as a creator: a positioning line, a cadence you can keep, a platform that fits, sign-up points and a calendar for your first five issues.
Substack vs beehiiv vs Ghost: Fees, Plans and Ownership
Substack vs beehiiv vs Ghost, plus Kit, from each pricing page on 1 October 2026: platform cuts, Stripe fees, domains, list export and a fee worksheet.
How to Grow a Newsletter: Channel Tests and Referrals
How to grow a newsletter from zero: sign-up placement, lead magnets, referrals and recommendation networks on Substack, beehiiv and Kit, plus a test log.
What Is a Good Newsletter Open Rate? Dated Benchmarks
What counts as a good newsletter open rate, why Apple Mail Privacy Protection inflates it, dated benchmarks with sources, and a health check built on clicks.
How to Monetize a Newsletter: Revenue Options Compared
How to monetize a newsletter with paid subscriptions, sponsorships, ad networks, paid recommendations, affiliate links and products, with platform cuts sourced.
Newsletter Sponsorship Rates: CPM, CPC and Flat Fees
Price newsletter sponsorships from your own unique opens and clicks: CPM, CPC and flat-fee maths, primary vs classified slots, a rate card and a sponsor brief.
beehiiv Ad Network and Boosts: Offers and Payouts
How the beehiiv Ad Network pays: eligibility, CPM and CPC offers, placing ads, payouts on the 20th, and Boosts, now paid recommendations, plus the Wallet.
What Is ConvertKit? Kit’s Free Plan, Fees and Features
ConvertKit is now Kit, an email platform for creators. What the Free plan includes, paid plan prices, commerce and sponsorship fees, and a plan-fit worksheet.