Podcasts have gained immense popularity over the past few years, with a wide range of genres available to cater to different interests. Morbid, a true crime podcast hosted by Alaina and Ash, has garnered a significant fan base and captured the attention of listeners worldwide. While the hosts are undoubtedly passionate about their subject matter, it is natural to wonder about the financial aspects of such a podcast. In this article, we delve into the earnings potential of Morbid and shed light on various aspects that contribute to their success.

1. Advertisements: Blood Money from Sponsors

One of the major sources of revenue for podcasts like Morbid is advertisements. As the hosts narrate spine-chilling stories, they skillfully place ads in their episodes, reaching a captive audience. These advertisements might be from a wide range of sponsors, including those in the entertainment, lifestyle, or even the criminal justice industry, capitalizing on the niche market of true crime enthusiasts.

The hosts can choose between dynamic ad insertion, which allows them to keep their back catalog evergreen, or host-read advertisements, adding a personal touch and building trust with their listeners. With a high listener engagement rate, Morbid can command more significant advertising fees.

2. Touring: Taking the Murder Macabre Worldwide

Morbid has successfully transformed their podcast into a live experience, touring different cities and presenting engaging episodes in front of a live audience. These live shows not only create a sense of community among the fans but also generate revenue. Ticket sales, merchandise at the venues, and meet-and-greet opportunities all contribute to the podcast’s financial growth.

These live shows not only expand their fan base but also offer a chance for sponsors to showcase their products or services. The hosts can seamlessly integrate sponsorships during these events, allowing for further revenue generation.

3. Patreon: Fostering a Community of Enthusiasts

Morbid understands the value of a dedicated fan base and has established a Patreon platform for their listeners to contribute directly to the podcast. By offering exclusive content, early access to episodes, and behind-the-scenes insights, patrons feel more connected to the hosts. This supportive community not only adds an additional revenue stream but also strengthens the bond between Morbid and their fans.

The hosts can offer different tiers of membership on Patreon, allowing fans to choose the level of engagement they desire. From exclusive merchandise to bonus episodes, these tiers provide enticing incentives for patrons to pledge their support.

4. Merchandise: Crime-themed Swag

True crime enthusiasts love to showcase their passion, and Morbid caters to this interest by offering a wide array of merchandise. From t-shirts and hoodies to mugs and phone cases, fans can purchase items that reflect their fascination with the macabre. The hosts can promote these products during episodes, on social media, and during live shows, thus generating additional revenue.

The hosts also collaborate with artists and designers to create limited edition merchandise, adding a sense of exclusivity and urgency to these offerings. This strategy encourages fans to make purchases promptly, boosting the overall sales for Morbid.

5. Sponsored Episodes: Telling Chilling Tales for a Price

In addition to traditional advertisements, Morbid offers sponsored episodes where they exclusively narrate and discuss a particular true crime case associated with a sponsor. These episodes allow sponsors to showcase their products or services directly within the content, reaching a highly engaged audience.

By carefully selecting cases that align with their listeners’ interests, the hosts ensure that sponsored episodes seamlessly integrate with the overall podcast experience. This approach ensures financial gains for Morbid while respecting the trust and engagement of their audience.

6. YouTube Channel: Unveiling Visual Horrors

Recognizing the growing popularity of YouTube, Morbid has expanded its reach by creating a channel dedicated to visually enhancing their podcast episodes. By incorporating images, video clips, and relevant visuals, the hosts add an extra layer of intrigue to their narratives.

YouTube channels offer the opportunity for monetization through ads, sponsorships, and brand collaborations. This additional revenue stream not only helps Morbid financially but also expands their audience base, as YouTube has its own dedicated community of true crime enthusiasts.

7. Book Deals: From Podcasts to Bestsellers

Morbid’s success as a podcast can open doors to other platforms, including book deals. Many true crime podcast hosts have turned their well-researched stories into intriguing books that appeal to a wider audience.

Publishers recognize the immense popularity of true crime, and with Morbid’s large fan base, they may be enticed to offer book deals to Alaina and Ash. This avenue allows the hosts to further monetize their expertise and stories, creating an additional revenue stream.

8. Live Streaming: Accessible Murder Mysteries

Apart from live shows, Morbid could venture into live streaming platforms such as Twitch or YouTube Live, allowing fans worldwide to experience their engaging storytelling in real-time. This interactive experience can be monetized through donations, subscriptions, or sponsorships, broadening the podcast’s reach and generating revenue.

By incorporating live chats, Q&A sessions, and even investigations, Morbid can provide an immersive experience for their audience while capitalizing on the accessibility and profitability of live streaming platforms.

9. Brand Collaborations: Murder Merchandising

Morbid’s distinct brand and loyal following make them an attractive partner for collaborations with other brands. Whether it is crime-themed subscription boxes, forensic science kits, or even makeup collections inspired by notorious criminals, these collaborations can heighten brand awareness and generate additional revenue for the podcast.

By partnering with established brands or curating their own themed merchandise boxes, Morbid can tap into their listeners’ deep connection to the podcast’s content and drive further sales.

10. Licensing: From Crime Tales to Screenplays

With their compelling storytelling and gripping narratives, Morbid has the potential to expand their reach beyond podcasting into other mediums. Television shows, documentaries, or even movies based on true crime stories have proven to be immensely popular, and Morbid’s episodes could be the source material for such ventures.

Licensing their content for visual adaptations opens up a new avenue for revenue generation. Fans intrigued by the podcast can now experience the chilling tales in a whole new way, and Morbid benefits from the licensing fees.

FAQs

Q: How much do podcast hosts typically earn from advertisements?

A: Advertising rates vary depending on factors such as audience size, listener engagement, and the specific sponsor. Hosting dynamic ad insertion or securing exclusive sponsorships often leads to higher earnings for podcast hosts.

Q: Do patrons contribute significantly to a podcast’s revenue?

A: Patrons can play a vital role in supporting a podcast financially, especially if the podcast offers exclusive content and perks. While the earnings from patrons may not surpass advertising revenue, their contributions contribute to the overall profitability and sustainability of the podcast.

Q: Can a podcast host get paid for collaborating with other brands?

A: Yes, collaborations with brands can be financially rewarding for the podcast host. By leveraging their brand reputation and the influence they hold over their fan base, podcast hosts can negotiate partnership deals that can include upfront payments, revenue sharing, or even free merchandise.

Q: Are book deals a common source of income for podcasts?

A: Book deals do offer an additional revenue stream for podcast hosts, especially those with a substantial listener base. However, it is important to note that not all podcasts receive book deals, and securing one depends on factors such as the podcast’s topic, popularity, and the attractiveness of the proposed book idea to publishers.

Q: Can a podcast’s content be adapted into visual media?

A: Absolutely! Many podcasts have successfully been adapted into television shows, documentaries, or movies. With their engaging stories, Morbid has the potential to capture the attention of producers and screenwriters, leading to possibilities for visual adaptations of their chilling tales.

References:

The Business of Podcasting: How to Take Your Podcasting Passion from the Personal to the Professional, by Steve Goldstein

The Ultimate Guide to Starting Your Podcast: The Step-By-Step Guide to Launching and Growing a Successful Podcast, by Jessica Rhodes and Margy Feldhuhn

The podcast “Morbid,” hosted by Ash and Alaina, titled “Episode 50: The Sunset Strip Killers” (2020) – for reference purposes only.