Come on uP – the view is great!
Let’s be honest: some podcast ads don’t honor the audience you’ve assembled. Many, at best, resemble audio wallpaper. The platform's expansion has incentivized big publishers to commoditize your ad inventory, leading to ads that are all too easy to skip, even if only due to their jarring tone.
Somewhere along the way, it became simple to flip a switch and accept ads produced who-knows-where, dynamically inserted into your feed. We miss the ads read by hosts we love—those that resonate because of our shared interests!
Ads that made the audience sit up and listen, voiced by the hosts, were often just as entertaining as the content itself. They excited and engaged us, revealing great deals and products that truly suited our needs. They helped podcasters deliver the content we adored because they were tailor-made for the podcast we were tuning into.
“Hey, that’s my audience you’re speaking to!”
– All Great Podcasters
It’s an enlightening clubhouse
We act as your sales partners.
Sometimes, asking for money can seem daunting, making you forget you’ve been doing it since you were a kid—in your own unique way. Selling doesn't have to be hard, but it does take perseverance and conviction. Plus, you need to be speaking to the right people.
At The Sonic Treehouse, we often serve as your sales intermediary, connecting you with your personalized golden wish list of products you use—or aspire to use—daily. You know your audience better than anyone, which is why they love you! So when it comes to selling “you,” we focus on finding the decision-makers who will fall in love with what you’re doing.
We’re not sharks, because that’s not what it’s about. (We’re more like affable merchant gnomes, if you really need an analogy). Brands want people to buy what they’re making, and your audience already loves what you do. Once we find the right brands for your audience and collaborate on the “what” and “why,” great things happen—no tricks up our sleeves. You’re providing value to your audience, who, in turn, support your advertisers. We do all of this alongside you, engaging with your team every step of the way.
It’s a fun place to hang, and we get you!
Our main goal is to find an ad format that “fits.” This means it aligns with the host, the format, the genre, and—most importantly—the audience. Whether it’s a straightforward 30-second preroll or a 60-second midroll that’s had you stumped since the advertiser handed over a few bullet points last week, we’ve got you covered.
It could be the creation of a branded weekly audio or video segment that becomes a new audience favorite. From long-form dynamic ad insertion to a sponsored series that resonates with your audience and keeps them engaged (and raving about it), we’re here to help.
THERE ARE no dues to enter
Hey, we’re creative, but we’re also sales folk! We work on commission, and each contract is tailored because every project is unique. We don’t get paid unless you do, and we only take a portion of the ad revenue. Our terms are generally more favorable than what you’d receive with top publishers, and you won’t be lost among hundreds of other podcasts.
While you’ll rely on your talented vocal cords to produce audio and other assets, we love to lend a hand, having participated in thousands of recording and commercial sessions over the years. Special project rates and long-term relationship discounts are available on a case-by-case basis. Stuck on how to get your “regular” ads rolling? While vanilla isn’t really our style, we can help you get into the groove.
WE THRIVE ON THE DIVERSITY OF CREATORS, CONTENT, AND AD FORMATS
You might throw a podcast party that turns into a city-block rager—everyone shows up with a plus-one! Many big publishers like to monetize or commoditize those audiences for top dollar. If that’s you, congratulations! We hope you’re thriving!
But sometimes, not everyone shares the same interests. That’s one of the hidden beauties of life. We’re all into different things and frequent different parties. Some gatherings may be smaller, but that doesn’t make them any less fun or meaningful.
Just because your download numbers don’t boast a multitude of commas doesn’t mean your audience is any less effective at supporting your advertisers. However, it does mean you might need to find something more captivating for them to listen to if you want to keep them from hitting that skip button.
We’ve worked on campaigns big and small, for advertisers with varying budgets, across hundreds of podcasts. We can help you discover a format that fits, allowing you to punch above your weight class and command a higher price. It’s not always about the size of the party; sometimes, it’s all about the killer playlist you’ve curated and those amazing pickle snacks you whip up!
You’ve worked hard to earn your audience. Don’t let the big guys turn your efforts into just another commodity on some global network. We’ll provide the creative attention that you and your audience deserve. And everybody wins!