Whether you are looking to cover your hosting costs or build a full-time income, the CastHost Dashboard provides several tools to help you monetize your radio station and mobile app.
1. The CastHost Affiliate Program
Earn recurring commissions by referring other broadcasters to CastHost. This is the simplest way to get started with monetization.
- How to Join: Navigate to Monetization -> Affiliate Program in your dashboard.
- Your Link: Once you sign up, you will receive a unique referral link. Share this on your station website, social media, or even during your live broadcasts.
- Tracking: Real-time statistics show how many clicks and sign-ups your link has generated.
2. Mobile App Monetization (AdMob)
If you have the CastHost Mobile App, you can display advertisements to your listeners using Google AdMob.
- Banner Ads: Display small ads at the top or bottom of your app screen.
- Interstitial Ads: Show full-screen ads during natural breaks in your content.
- Setup: Enter your AdMob IDs under Monetization -> Google AdMob. Note that updating these settings requires a new app build to take effect.
3. Selling Sponsorships & Ad Spots
Direct sponsorship is often the most lucrative form of monetization for established stations. You can use your CastHost listener statistics to prove your reach to potential advertisers.
- Audio Ads: Use the Jingles feature to schedule 30-second ad spots at regular intervals.
- Live Mentions: Offer "shoutouts" or sponsored segments during your live shows.
- Demonstrating Reach: Use the Statistics -> Listeners page to generate reports showing your top listening countries and peak times to show to sponsors.
4. Branded Merchandise
Your station is a brand. Selling merchandise like T-shirts, mugs, or stickers is a great way to build community and generate revenue.
- Integration: You can link your online store directly from your mobile app and station website.
- Promotion: Use your station's social media links (configured in the dashboard) to drive traffic to your storefront.
5. Payouts & Withdrawals
Once you have earned commissions or revenue through the dashboard systems, you can manage your funds in the Payout section:
- Available Balance: Monitor your current earnings in real-time.
- Requesting a Withdrawal: Once you meet the minimum payout threshold, click "Request Withdrawal" to have your funds sent to your preferred payment method.
Need help setting up your ads? Visit our Mobile App Guide for more details on AdMob integration.
