Podcast Network Insights: Understanding the Business of Podcast "Networks"
What happens when your definition of “podcast network” evolves from a simple matchmaking idea to an intricate ecosystem connecting dozens of creators and advertisers? This episode explores how the real work of building a network often differs from the original vision, especially when operational complexity and changing industry conditions reshape your approach. Hospitality media entrepreneur Wil Slickers reflects candidly on the lessons, pivots, and persistent challenges behind growing and ultimately selling a podcast network. Wil Slickers brings a unique perspective from moving through hotel management into hospitality podcasting, eventually building and selling Hospitality.fm [http://Hospitality.fm], a podcast network that scaled to nearly 50 shows across hotels, food, beverages, and travel. Today, he leads network operations for Skift, where he applies hands-on experience in niche content strategy, monetization, and long-term growth in the B2B audio space. His hands-on perspective covers everything from bootstrapped beginnings and production challenges to acquisitions and strategy within a larger media company. Listen For: 03:58 From hotel manager to podcast host 09:40 The matchmaking idea takes shape 11:30 Cross-collaboration as the early network seed 15:12 Audience fit before everything else 18:37 On charging $200+ effective CPMs 23:02 Starting over: niche, quality, one lane 32:30 The missed opportunity in subscription revenue 36:07 What changed after the Skift acquisition 43:07 Who acquires a niche network — and why 46:48 The three-sided negotiation no one talks about 52:45 Where things are heading: Substack and long-form 01:00:51 The case for just running a good business CONNECT WITH GUEST: WIL SLICKERS, DIRECTOR OF VIDEO/AUDIO STRATEGY | SKIFT LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wil-slickers/] | Website [https://skift.com/] | Podcast [https://skift.com/skift-travel-podcasts/] | Wil’s Podcast rec: Acquired [https://pod.link/acquired] Wil’s Book rec: Superfans [https://amzn.to/3NtPweh] by Pat Flynn CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM [http://RSS.COM] Website [https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcast-network-insights/about/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman/] Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage [https://amzn.to/4tIyOXZ] by Ryan Berman Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com [http://RSS.com] Podcast Hosting [https://rss.com/?via=9f060f] Produced by Stories & Strategies [https://storiesandstrategies.ca/] Content Repurposed with Castmagic [https://get.castmagic.io/greg] Podcast Project Management with Northflow [https://app.northflow.io/sign-up?via=greg]
16 episodios
Comentarios
0Sé la primera persona en comentar
¡Regístrate ahora y únete a la comunidad de Podcast Network Insights: Understanding the Business of Podcast "Networks"!