--- title: How to Get Podcast Sponsors description: Get podcast sponsors at any download count. CPM rates, ad placement pricing, outreach strategies, and the pitch that closes deals. url: "https://mysocial.io/blog/how-to-get-podcast-sponsors" type: static generatedAt: "2026-03-16T11:47:35.937Z" --- Table of Contents # How to Get Podcast Sponsors [![Mustafa Alfredji](/authors/mustafa-alfredji.webp)](/blog/authors/mustafa-alfredji) [Mustafa Alfredji](/blog/authors/mustafa-alfredji) Founder & CEO of Mysocial Updated March 1, 2026 ![How to Get Podcast Sponsors](/blog/how-to-get-podcast-sponsors/hero.webp) Quick answers 01How many downloads do you need to get podcast sponsors? You can start pitching with as few as 200 consistent downloads per episode. Brands working on flat-rate or affiliate models care more about audience engagement and niche fit than raw download numbers. CPM-based sponsors typically require 5,000+ downloads per episode. 02How much do podcast sponsors pay? The industry average is $25 CPM (cost per 1,000 downloads). Rates range from $15-$25 for pre-roll ads to $30-$50+ for mid-roll placements. Niche podcasts in business or finance command $40-$70 CPM. A podcast with 10,000 downloads per episode earns $250-$500 per ad slot. 03What is the best way to find podcast sponsors? Pitch brands directly for the highest rates and full revenue control. Use a sponsor search tool to find brands in your niche, research competitors sponsored episodes for brand leads, and join podcast ad marketplaces like Podcorn for additional deal flow. 04What are the different types of podcast ad placements? Pre-roll ads play before the episode ($15-$25 CPM), mid-roll ads play during the episode ($30-$50+ CPM and highest engagement), and post-roll ads play after the episode (lowest rates due to listener drop-off). Host-read ads outperform produced ads because listeners trust the hosts voice. You don’t need a massive audience to get podcast sponsors. You need an engaged one. Brands are spending $2.6 billion on podcast advertising in 2026 — and the fastest-growing segment is niche shows with loyal listeners, not top-100 charts. $2.6B projected US podcast ad revenue in 2026 $25 average CPM across the podcast industry 158M Americans who listen to podcasts monthly 200+ downloads per episode to start pitching sponsors ## What Podcast Sponsors Pay ### CPM rates by podcast size Podcast sponsorship CPM by show size CPM (per 1,000 downloads) 0$ to 65$ Monthly downloads Micro (0-5K) 18$ Small (5K-25K) 28$ Mid-tier (25K-100K) 40$ Major (100K+) 55$ CPM (per 1,000 downloads) 65$ 52$ 39$ 26$ 13$ 0$ 18$ 28$ 40$ 55$ Micro (0-5K) Small (5K-25K) Mid-tier (25K-100K) Major (100K+) Monthly downloads Source: Industry benchmarks from podcast advertising platforms, 2025-2026 CPM means cost per 1,000 downloads within the first 30 days of an episode’s release. A podcast with 10,000 downloads per episode and a $25 CPM earns $250 per ad slot. Stack two or three ads per episode and the math changes fast. ### Ad placements and deal types Pre-roll $15-25 CPM 15-30s before the episode. Lower rate, lowest effort. Mid-roll $30-50+ CPM 60-90s during the episode. Highest engagement and pay. Post-roll $10-15 CPM After the episode. Lowest rates — most listeners drop off. Host-read ads outperform produced ads because listeners trust the host’s voice. Niche podcasts in business and finance command $40-$70 CPM — significantly above the $25 average. For the full pricing framework across platforms, see [how much to charge for a brand deal](/blog/how-much-to-charge-for-a-brand-deal-on-social-media/). ## Make Your Podcast Sponsor-Ready Brands evaluate your show before replying to your pitch. These six elements signal you’re ready for business. Sponsor-Ready Podcast Checklist 🎙️ Consistent episode schedule Weekly or biweekly. Sponsors need predictable ad inventory. 📊 Download data (last 30 days) Average downloads per episode within 30 days of release. 👥 Audience demographics Age, gender, location, interests from your hosting platform. 📄 Media kit with rate card Pre-roll, mid-roll, and bundle pricing. Brands expect options. 🎧 Professional audio quality Clean recordings, no background noise. Brands audit episodes. 🎯 Clear niche positioning ”Personal finance for freelancers” — not “we talk about stuff.” ## 5 Ways to Find Podcast Sponsors 01 Step 01 ### Pitch brands directly Direct outreach gives you full control and zero commission. Research 10-15 brands whose products your audience uses. Find the Influencer Marketing Manager on LinkedIn. Send your [media kit](/mediakit) with download data, audience demographics, and 2-3 ad concepts tailored to their product. 02 Step 02 ### Use a sponsor search tool [MySocial's sponsor search](/sponsors) lets you browse 10,000+ verified brands, filter by industry and location, get decision-maker contacts, and pitch directly — keeping 100% of your revenue. This cuts research time from hours to minutes. 03 Step 03 ### Listen to competitors' sponsors Listen to the first 5 minutes and mid-roll of 10 podcasts in your niche. Note every brand mentioned. Those brands are actively spending on podcast ads in your category. Pitch them with a differentiated angle — explain what your audience offers that the competitor's doesn't. 04 Step 04 ### Join podcast ad marketplaces Platforms like **Podcorn**, **Acast**, and **Podbean** connect podcasters with brands running active campaigns. They handle contracts and payments but take 10-30% commission. Good for filling ad inventory alongside direct deals. 05 Step 05 ### Leverage your social channels If you have a YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok audience, bundle your podcast sponsorship with social media promotion. Multi-platform packages command higher rates because brands get more touchpoints. Cross-post episode clips as Shorts and Reels to drive downloads. ![MySocial sponsor search showing brand database with industry filters and decision-maker contacts](/blog/how-to-get-podcast-sponsors/img-0.webp) ✦ Creator Tip The niche premium Niche podcasts in business, finance, and true crime command $40-$70 CPM — nearly 3x the industry average. If your show serves a high-value audience making purchase decisions, lead with that in every pitch. Audience buying power matters more than download volume. ## The Podcast Sponsor Pitch Your pitch proves one thing: your listeners are the brand’s customers. Podcast Sponsor Pitch Framework 1 Hook — show you know their product ”I’ve used [product] for [timeframe] and mentioned it organically in Episode [#].” Proof of genuine use kills the cold-pitch barrier. 2 Audience proof — share your data Downloads per episode, listener demographics, completion rate, and a link to your media kit. Numbers first, story second. 3 Ad concept — propose 2-3 integration ideas ”A 60-second host-read mid-roll weaving [product] into a discussion about [relevant topic].” Specific concepts signal professionalism. 4 Rate card — give options, not ultimatums Include pre-roll, mid-roll, and episode bundle pricing. Brands that see tiered options spend more. Never say “whatever you think is fair.” **Keep it under 150 words.** Pitch 5-10 brands simultaneously — you won’t hear back from all of them. For the full email template, see our [brand pitching guide](/blog/pitching-brands-as-an-influencer/). ## What Gets You Sponsored vs. What Gets You Passed ✗ ### Gets you passed **No download data** — 'We get good numbers' tells a brand nothing. Specific downloads per episode within 30 days is the metric that matters **Overloading ads** — more than 3 ads per episode erodes listener trust. Sponsors want engaged audiences, not fatigued ones **Irrelevant brand fit** — promoting a gaming chair on a parenting podcast damages credibility with both your audience and the sponsor **No rate card** — asking sponsors to name their price guarantees a lowball offer. Set your rates based on CPM benchmarks **Inconsistent publishing** — a sponsor can't plan campaigns around a show that publishes 'whenever.' Consistency is the baseline ✓ ### Gets you sponsored **Host-read ads** — listeners trust your voice. Host-read ads make up 63% of podcast ads because they convert better than produced spots **Media kit with download data** — build one with [MySocial's media kit builder](/mediakit) so your stats are always current and verifiable **Niche authority** — a podcast about 'SaaS marketing for startups' attracts higher-paying sponsors than a general business podcast **Consistent release schedule** — sponsors need predictable ad inventory. Weekly releases signal reliability **Past campaign results** — share click-through rates, promo code redemptions, or testimonials from previous sponsors ## Build Your Podcast Media Kit Your media kit turns a cold pitch into a warm conversation. When a brand can see your download data, audience demographics, and rate card in one link, the decision to sponsor becomes straightforward. ![MySocial media kit showing audience demographics with gender, age, and location breakdown](/blog/how-to-get-podcast-sponsors/img-1.webp) ### Pull your stats automatically [MySocial’s media kit builder](/mediakit) creates a shareable link that updates daily. No screenshots, no stale PDFs. For the complete guide, read [how to build the ultimate influencer media kit](/blog/how-to-build-the-ultimate-influencer-mediakit/). ### Scale into recurring deals Your first sponsor deal is proof of concept. Over-deliver, share campaign results, and propose a multi-episode package at a locked-in rate. Recurring sponsors are where podcast revenue compounds. For more monetization strategies, explore the [Creator Monetization & Brand Deals hub](/blog/hub/creator-monetization-brand-deals/). Next Step ## Find podcast sponsors that match your niche Search 10,000+ verified brands, get decision-maker contacts, and pitch sponsors directly — keeping 100% of your revenue. [Start finding sponsors](/sponsors) Creator Monetization & Brand Deals Related Posts ![10 Must-Have Tools Every Influencer Needs](/blog/10-must-have-influencers-tools/hero.png)February 26, 2026 ### [10 Must-Have Tools Every Influencer Needs](/blog/10-must-have-influencers-tools/) The best tools for influencers to create content, find sponsors, grow followers, and manage social media like a pro. ![How to Find Social Media Sponsors in 5 Steps](/blog/find-sponsors-for-social-media-in-5-steps/hero.png)February 26, 2026 ### [How to Find Social Media Sponsors in 5 Steps](/blog/find-sponsors-for-social-media-in-5-steps/) A step-by-step system for finding and landing social media sponsors. Build your media kit, prospect brands, pitch professionally, and close repeat deals. ![How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make?](/blog/how-much-money-do-instagram-influencers-make/hero.webp)February 26, 2026 ### [How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make?](/blog/how-much-money-do-instagram-influencers-make/) Real Instagram influencer earnings by tier — from nano to macro. Rates per Reel, Story, and post, plus the factors that determine what you can charge.