How many downloads does each episode of your podcast get?
Twenty? Fifty? Two hundred? If you’re consistently seeing numbers north of 300, you’re doing extremely well – better than most, in fact.
To put that into perspective, data from podcast host Libsyn suggests that if an episode receives more than 124 downloads within its first 30 days, it already sits above the median. Many podcasts never reach 1,000 downloads per episode at all.
Yes, we can all point to shows with audiences in the millions. But those examples distort expectations. Even the biggest names didn’t arrive overnight. What can look like sudden success is usually the result of years – sometimes decades – of steady output.
So what actually matters?
Back in 2008, Kevin Kelly, a founding editor of Wired, proposed that creators don’t need massive audiences to earn a living. His argument was simple: if you can find 1,000 people who genuinely value your work and are willing to support it, you can build something sustainable.
That idea has been debated ever since because reaching – and keeping – a thousand committed supporters isn’t easy. It demands consistency, quality, and ongoing engagement. It’s work, and it’s closer to a full-time commitment than a casual fun hobby.
Still, the maths is striking. If 1,000 supporters each spend an average of $2 a week, that adds up to around $100,000 a year. Not from huge audiences or viral hits, but from a relatively small group of people contributing modestly and regularly to future content.
That’s what makes the idea appealing. You don’t need to dominate charts, chase algorithms, or secure sponsors. You need people who care enough to stick around and support what you’re making.
At that point, listeners stop being just numbers. They become part of a shared project – people who feel invested in the work and in the person behind it. That’s you.
And you don’t even need a thousand to see the value. A hundred committed listeners can already make something worthwhile, particularly if you’re working in a niche you genuinely enjoy.
Which raises the next question: how long does it take to get there?
Based on my research, you need to keep at it for between one and two years. That’s the time it takes to earn trust, refine your voice, and build a dependable audience – alongside a larger group of casual listeners who come and go.
That also means publishing regularly. Ideally, at least once a week. Not when it’s convenient, not when motivation strikes, but consistently.
The reality is that many podcasts don’t make it past six months A year can feel like a long time when results aren’t immediate, and plenty of shows quietly stop before they ever find their audience.
So it helps to be honest with yourself from the start. If your goal is to build a following and eventually earn income from it, think in terms of years, not weeks or months.
And if your goal is simply to enjoy the process, that’s fine too. Keep going, have fun with it – and if it grows into something more, all the better.
