From Podcast to Media Empire: the Smartless Transformation
By Tom Seest
How Does Smartless Podcast Transform Into Media Company?
At PodcastBig, we help new podcasters develop strategies to create content, traffic, and revenue from podcasts based on our experiences and experimentation.
Smartness, the immensely popular celebrity interview podcast hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, is an intriguing entity. From a distance it appears as just another entry in an expansive list of celebrity podcasts: perhaps too tame for its own good. But on closer examination there lies something more profound.
Every episode features one host bringing on an unannounced guest that neither host knew about before – creating genuine and spontaneous discussions!
How Does Smartless Podcast Transform Into Media Company?
Table Of Contents
How much does a podcast make?
Smartless has evolved into a media company, featuring actors Jason Bateman (Arrested Development, Ozark), Sean Hayes (Will and Grace), and Will Arnett (Arrested Development, Bojack Horseman) developing new shows. To secure distribution and ad sales rights for new Smartless episodes before they hit other podcast platforms one week early and are also available ad-free with Amazon Music or Wondery subscription services.
Since their podcast’s debut in July 2020, three hosts have produced approximately 50 episodes and it has consistently ranked within the top five comedy shows and top ten on iTunes – hosting notable guests such as Vice President Kamala Harris to George Clooney. One host would invite a mystery guest and reveal them only after starting an episode. They kept this format when touring with “Smartless: On the Road,” available starting this Tuesday on Max.
Docuseries cameras follow this trio as they interview their guests and banter amongst themselves onstage, offering glimpses into fame, its appeal and desire for attention. Although there may be insight into those experiences, much of this series’ content consists of just discussing small things: Bradley Cooper talks about his bulimia as well as being booed off stage; Elisabeth Moss expresses her discontent at having children; Jason Bateman obsesses over what to eat or avoid and regrets not having access to room service menus offering entree-level salads on room service menus – although some insight may come into fame or its pursuit;
Smartless relies heavily on the chemistry between its hosts to make its show work. All three hosts are skilled comedians who have known each other for years, making the guests comfortable with every interaction and interview they conduct. Interviews show just how much effort and energy Smartless’ cast put into its productions, with palpable stage chemistry that results in entertaining shows that are humorous yet slightly guilty pleasure-inducing; all contributing to make Smartless such an unparalleled success! With such a large and impressive list of stars associated with them as its success has made Smartless one of its most successful ventures!
How much does a podcast make?
How much does a podcast sell for?
Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes have made SmartLess into a media company through Amazon Music and Wondery’s agreement that gives their podcast more exposure. Additionally, this agreement features four original shows such as Jameela Jamil’s comedy show Bad Dates; former NBA star Rex Chapman hosting Owned; Amy Schneider and Rob Corddry’s Will & Grace rewatch podcast Amy Always Wins; celebrity-themed mystery discussion show with Stacey Abrams Megan Rapinoe Megan Rapinoe Billie Eilish Billie Eilish Awkwafina and W. Kamau Bell known as The Who Was? Show.
Podcasting can be a fantastic way to promote your brand, build an audience and generate income. Entry costs into this business are minimal – you can record episodes at home or the local library – while there are several free tools out there to assist. However, there are costs related to equipment, hosting and branding which you should keep in mind prior to starting a podcast, which may result in negative cashflow until profits begin accruing.
At the core of podcasting lies its success: having an attractive value proposition that sets you apart from competitors. You could do this by providing exclusive content only available through your podcast, or by creating a community around you who support your shows and promote them among their friends.
There are numerous ways that podcasts can monetize, including advertising and sponsorships. Advertising usually appears as pre-roll and post-roll ads lasting 15-30 seconds in duration, with some podcasts also providing mid-roll advertisements.
Podcast sponsors often pay a set rate per episode to advertise on a show; this fee is known as CPM (cost per thousand impressions). Keep in mind that not every podcast can attract top advertisers; especially ones without an active and large listener base.
Podcasters often generate substantial income through sponsorships and various revenue sources, including merchandise sales or online course fees. One such podcaster, Pat Flynn, reportedly earns over $40,000 monthly from merchandise sales and affiliate revenue alone! Furthermore, others such as the hosts of The Writers’ Co-op provide coaching for freelance writers looking to grow six-figure writing businesses.
How much does a podcast sell for?
How much does a podcast make per episode?
There are various methods for podcasters to make money, but the one best suited to their niche and audience will depend on them. Advertising and sponsorships are an excellent way to monetize a podcast; most commonly using pre-roll ads at the start, middle, or end of episodes (this could also include pre-roll), with rates depending on popularity and download numbers per episode (usually at least 5,000 downloads is necessary for advertisers to show any interest in working together).
Podcasting may not provide the same stability and income stream as full-time employment, but it can still be an effective way to earn some extra cash while working on your passion project. Along with sponsor ads and advertisements, your podcast could generate profits through selling products or services; this option could especially suit podcasters with specific expertise they could share with their audiences; for instance if your show covers freelance writing you could offer coaching sessions to help other writers establish six-figure businesses.
Smartless Podcast has quickly become one of the top podcasts since its release last July, earning its hosts some of the highest salaries in their industries. They have interviewed some of the world’s biggest celebrities – Vice President Kamala Harris, Jennifer Aniston and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos have all made appearances. An immensely popular segment within Smartless is “Mystery Guest”, where one host invites a special guest for an unscripted conversation with them.
Smartless podcast team makes additional revenue through advertising and sponsorships as well as by recommending products on their show, including books, music and other items they like and then sharing an affiliate link for them in their podcast notes. This provides an easy way to earn extra cash while promoting quality products you believe in while simultaneously raising awareness for them – although it won’t become rich quickly, it could add up over time!
How much does a podcast make per episode?
How much does a podcast make per year?
Smartless has become one of the world’s most astonishingly successful podcasts in less than two years, and its extraordinary growth can be explained easily: Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes are well-known celebrities with wide appeal who make the show funny and charming while their celebrity status draws potential guests into listening in. Furthermore, having such celebrity hosts can increase their chances of getting picked up by major podcast distributors, resulting in larger payouts to their hosts.
Smartless may not be the first celebrity-interview podcast to achieve massive success, but it certainly stands out. The trio behind Smartless have built an entire media company around it and announced plans for additional series; Amazon Music and Wondery will take care of distribution and marketing duties; in addition, these three actors will produce additional shows under SmartLess Media’s banner.
SmartLess is a comedy interview podcast hosted by the cast of Arrested Development. Each week, three hosts banter wittily about their lives before interviewing a guest; notable guests have included Tom Hanks, Chef Jose Andres and Journalist Jake Tapper as well as lesser-known celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and musician Billie Eilish.
The cast’s impressive rolodex is one of the greatest assets to this show, as they manage to secure numerous powerful interviews like Bradley Cooper recalling an Arnett visit that led him down his sobriety path, or Elisabeth Moss discussing her desire for children. Their easy banter often eases conversations into candid conversations between guests.
At times, this podcast can feel formulaic, lacking the dynamic strangeness and Dax Shepard’s soul-baring explorations on Armchair Expert, which have both had similar levels of success. Furthermore, the six-episode docuseries Smartless on the Road which debuted this week on Max only serves to add another level of disorientation.
How much does a podcast make per year?
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