podcast, monetize, money, merchandise, 5,
by Selena Hill

December 11, 2023

Monetize Your Podcast With These 5 Methods

Whether you have a well-produced podcast or are planning to launch one with the end goal of earning money, here are 5 ways to generate cash.

Originally Published July 30, 2023 

Within the last 10 years, podcasting has evolved into a wildly popular platform for audio content and storytelling that gives listeners the ability to listen to a variety of topics on demand. There are also thousands of podcasts to choose from, whether you’re interested in sports, foreign affairs, celebrity gossip, or cats.

In addition to growing in popularity, podcasting has also developed into a lucrative industry. On the other hand, many podcasters produce consistent, high-quality episodes while paying for recording equipment or studio fees without earning enough money to cover their out-of-pocket expenses.

Nevertheless, it’s possible to monetize an individual podcast. It just takes a lot of hustle.

Crowdsourcing

Once you gain a loyal fan base, you can solicit donations from your listeners, which gives podcasters the opportunity to release their product for free while generating an income from listeners who find value in your podcast. Kickstarter and GoFundMe are great crowdfunding websites that will allow you to launch a campaign aimed at raising a certain amount of money. Patreon, however, is a website that allows fans to make a pledge to contribute to your podcast on an ongoing basis. In return, Patreon takes a 5% cut from your earnings.

Events

Hosting an event or a series of events is a great way to earn money and connect with your listeners face-to-face. Consider hosting a meet-and-greet, live taping, or panel discussion that requires a cover charge.

Courtesy Of Pexels

Merchandising

Another way to make money from your podcast is by selling customized T-shirts, mugs, or other merchandise with your podcast logo.

Sponsorship

Another popular form of earning money from a podcast is through traditional sponsorship. Even if you don’t generate an average of 100,000 downloads per episode, you can still negotiate to promote local businesses in your area in exchange for a fee. It’s also a good idea to reach out to companies that are advertising with other podcasters since you know that they are open to the idea of doing business with a podcast.

You can also opt for “affiliate sponsorships” or “referral sponsorships,” which don’t require a certain number of subscribers or downloads. Rather, you just need to recommend a business that will reward you for the number of referrals they receive. For example, you can encourage your listeners to sign up for Ting, a mobile virtual network operator and internet service provider that offers new customers a $25 credit and $25 to the person that referred them. Likewise, Airbnb offers new customers a $25 account credit and sends the person that referred them $25 following their first stay. In addition, Audible sends new customers a free audiobook and the person who referred them $10 to $25 for each new customer.

Launch an App

Creating an iPhone app provides your base with a direct channel to hear and learn more about your podcast. You can create an app with a program like Wizzard Media that will build the app, manage the payments, and submit it to iTunes. Each time the app is purchased, you’ll receive a cut of the sales.

Kevin Y. Brown says he’s generated over $5,000 since he launched his podcast, The Create Your Life Series, in May 2016 through live events, advertising, and crowdsourcing. He says his preferred method of monetization, however, is crowdfunding.

“Crowdfunding offers the opportunity to engage your community and raise funds at the same time,” he told Black Enterprise in an email. He also summed up the process of monetizing a podcast in a nutshell: “Understand your audience, research ways to make money in podcasting overall, find advertising leads by listening to established, well-funded podcasters to find out who is advertising with them.”

Watch the video below for more information about how to launch a podcast.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Collect Calls With Suge Knight’ Podcast Set To Debut On Halloween

wu-tang, just blaze, game, Project Shaolin
by Daniel Johnson

December 11, 2023

Wu-Tang Game Rumored To Be In Development For Xbox

Project Shaolin, a video game that the public first became aware of in the aftermath of a massive NVIDIA leak in October 2021, appears to be heading toward reality.

Project Shaolin, a video game that the public first became aware of in the aftermath of a massive NVIDIA leak in October 2021, appears to be heading toward reality and is currently in development at Brass Lion Entertainment, a studio started in 2019 by Manveer Heir. According to Insider Gaming, the game will reportedly feature all nine members of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan and features anime-style graphics, third-person fast-paced melee combat, and music from the Wu-Tang Clan which has been re-interpreted by Just Blaze specifically for the game, and players will reportedly be able to pair the Wu-Tang members with four different weapons with a playstyle specific to each weapon. 

Each member will feature their own specific buff, complete with special moves, an ultimate ability, and increased health, among other benefits. There will also allegedly be a social hub, dubbed “The Neighborhood,” where players can sell loot, listen to music, and show off their characters’ fashion to each other. As Insider Gaming reported, footage of the game was sent to them on the condition that it not be shown to the public, but they confirmed that the game has a distinct anime-inspired feel, similar to Marvel’s Into The Spider-Verse films. The game has entered its Alpha phase, which means that most or all core elements are in place, but it is not yet optimized enough for a beta to be released.

Wu-Tang’s previous entry in video games was 1999, a PlayStation game titled Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style. Members of the group were also featured in Def Jam: Fight For New York, a cult classic video game released on several platforms in 2004. More recently, in 2022, the group collaborated with Fortnite on skins and gear depicting their Wu-Wear that players could purchase or earn via a battle pass system. The game is likely anywhere from a year to two years or more away, depending on how much progress the development team makes or if the game gets pushed back for quality control reasons. 

RELATED CONTENT: Ghostface Killah Releasing Autobiography In 2024

NFL, Diversity, Entrepreneurs
by Derek Major

December 11, 2023

The NFL Shares Updates On Progress With DEI And Social Justice Initiatives

NFL league executives held a media session to provide an update on its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and social justice efforts.

NFL league executives held a media session to provide an update on its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social justice efforts. 

BET reports the session focused on the NFL’s collective goals, commitments, and progress on its DEI initiatives. The session also highlighted the key factors of the NFL’s Impact report, including that the league has committed more than $300 million to social justice efforts, including education, economic advancement, police-community relations, and criminal justice reform.

The NFL also highlighted its NFL Coach and Front Office Accelerator Program, the Assistant Coaching Program, and Women’s Career in Football Initiative, which the league says has increased the involvement of people of color and women in leadership positions throughout the league.

In a statement, Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity & inclusion officer, said, “51% of the league at the clubs are women and people of color, and this is the first time that this has happened. We are the majority-minority at the clubs; that’s an all-time high. Also, for people of color, executive roles have jumped considerably from 13% in 2020 to 22% this year.” “For women in football operations, we’ve seen tremendous growth of percent and in 2020 percent in that same span. This is a total  growth of 141 percent over the last four seasons.”

There are currently four Black head coaches (Mike Tomlin, Todd Bowles, DeMarco Ryans, and interim head coach Antonio Pierce) in the NFL. However, the number of Black and minority offensive and defensive coordinators is increasing, as well as the number of Black general managers, pointing to the Las Vegas Raiders, which currently sports an all-Black leadership group with Pierce as the head coach, team president Sandra Douglass Morgan, and general manager Champ Kelly.

“The number of [Black, Brown, and women] coaches continues to go up. In 2020, it was 35%, and in 2023, we’re at 43% with 14 of our defensive coordinators being people of color,” Beane added. “We have an all-time high in regards to general managers with nine. We have six people of color who are club presidents. We’re very proud of the tremendous growth over the last two and a half to three years.”

Additionally, the NFL has developed and cultivated partnerships with minority and LGBTQ organizations, including the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, the Contract with Black America, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, and the US Black Chamber of Commerce. The NFL also secured more than $70 million in loans from minority banks to support diverse business owners and has teamed up with Pepsi to support Black-owned restaurants in NFL cities.

“We’re focused on working with the clubs to improve diversity up and down the ranks of the NFL in their organizations,” Beane said. “It’s really the humans-to-human connection and building relationships that hopefully are long-standing.”

RELATED CONTENT: Former NFL Player Sergio Brown Pleads Not Guilty To Killing Mother

Bronny James
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 11, 2023

Bronny James Finally Makes USC Basketball Debut

As promised, LeBron James attended his son's first basketball game as a USC Trojan.

The highly-anticipated collegiate debut of University of Southern California freshman Bronny James, occurred Sunday, when James stepped on USC’s basketball court for his first official game action—barely five months after suffering a cardiac arrest during a preseason practice.

According to NBC News, the eldest son of future NBA Hall of Famer LeBron James, entered the game about 13 minutes into the first half. As promised, his father and Los Angeles Laker star witnessed the entry along with the thousands of fans in the arena.

After Bronny was officially cleared to return to the hardwood on Nov. 30, LeBron vowed that nothing, not even an NBA game, would stop him from attending his son’s first college game.

Fans were impressed with the defensive play of the freshman, who mimicked his father, blocking an opponent’s shot after sprinting downcourt to catch him. The play electrified the crowd.

Bronny made his first college bucket in the first half and connected on a three.

The Trojans lost Long Beach State, 84-79.

“I just want to say I’m thankful for everything. Mayo Clinic, everything they helped me with,” Bronny said after the game. “My parents, siblings for supporting me through this hard time of my life. I just want to give appreciation to everyone that’s helped me through this.”

The proud father posted an inspirational message to his son after the game.

“Can’t even tell y’all how EMOTIONAL today was for me! I’m literally drained and all I can say is @bronny you’re simply INCREDIBLE!! Damn the wins and loses that will occur. You’ve already won the ultimate goal/championship and that’s LIFE!!! Proud of you kid and today you’ve given me more life! Thank you and I love you 🤎🙏🏾🤴🏾🥺 ”

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The Trojans are currently in 10th place in the PAC-12 with a record of 5-4. Their next game is Dec. 17 against Auburn.

NFL, Cameron Sutton
by Rafael Pena

December 11, 2023

Sophmore Football Player Brandon Smith Found Dead Before Championship Game

The death of sophomore football player, Brandon Smith, has been reported on Dec. 10, just a day before the state championship game.

Daily Mail reports a tragedy that has struck the heart of the Manchester High School community as the death of sophomore football player Brandon Smith, 17, was reported on Dec. 10, a day before the team’s scheduled appearance in the state championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

“We are heartbroken to hear the news of the tragic and untimely death of one of our student-athletes, Brandon Smith,” expressed Meriwether Schools Superintendent Robert Griffin and Manchester Principal Suze Neal in a letter.” Manchester High School’s celebration of playing for the Georgia 1-A State Football Championship has unfortunately turned into something none of us could have fathomed.”

The circumstances surrounding Smith’s death, who was reported missing on Dec. 9, are currently under investigation by the Manchester Police Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and the Meriwether County coroner.

While details on the cause of death remain unconfirmed, WRBL-TV reported that officials were actively investigating a scene approximately half a mile from the school. The Manchester Police Department and GBI have been conducting crime scene processing, with the exact details expected to be disclosed by local authorities once the investigation concludes.

Immediate responses to requests for information from the Manchester Police Department were not received, and the coroner conveyed that no information is currently available.

As Manchester High School football coach Steven Holmes confirmed the Smith’s death, the Meriwether County School System shared an update on Facebook: “Brandon was a loyal teammate and friend who excelled on and off the field. He will be deeply missed.”

The Manchester Blue Devils were slated to face Bowdon in the Class A Division II final on Monday night, marking the school’s first championship game since 1997. Smith was an offensive and defensive lineman for the Manchester Blue Devils High School Football team.

As the Manchester community grapples with this loss, mental health support will be made available.

Kid CUDI, masters degree
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 11, 2023

Kid Cudi Earns Master’s Degree, Shares Special Moment With Mom

Kid Cudi received his honorary master's degree in fashion design from Istituto Maragoni Miami.

Kid Cudi is celebrating a monumental moment. The hip-hop artist has obtained his master’s degree, sharing to social media of the “special” moment with his mom.

The rapper, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, announced the news on Dec. 9. In the post, Cudi displayed pics of him in his creative cap and gown alongside his mother.

“Today was a really special day,” the 39-year-old wrote.

“Man, words cant really express how I felt/feel now in this moment. I’m happy, I feel complete, accomplished, validated, all the things that bring immense joy. My mom sharing this moment [with] me was everything. She got emotional, and it was such a special memory we’ll have together forever. I never walked across any stage. I got my GED in high school and only did a year of college. My mom finally got to see me achieve what I thought id never do. And it was beautiful.”

Cudi received his honorary degree in fashion design at Miami’s Istituto Marangoni Miami. The school also posted its newest graduate on its official page.

“This honorary degree from Istituto Marangoni Miami recognizes Scott’s (@kidcudi) accomplishments and vision in shaping the scene of modern fashion and luxury with Members of the Rage (@membersoftherage),” shared the institute.

“Recognizing the inspiration he is to young creatives. Is an honor for us to present this to the world of fashion worldwide and also a statement in the continuous pursuit of education in fashion and design, it is the future and the present of creativity.

Cudi’s clothing line, Members of the Rage, will donate a portion of sales from its pop-up store to the school’s scholarship fund. As for the rapper, this academic accomplishment is an inspiration to his fans, and he has promised his new alma mater that he will be back “very very soon.”

RELATED CONTENT: Kid Cudi Confirms Cassie’s Story That Diddy Allegedly Blew Up His Car

Harvard, Claudine Gay , education, Ivy League, black woman in power, Fox News, Harvard, republican, Tammy bruce, Faulkner
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 11, 2023

500-Plus Harvard Faculty Members Sign Letter Supporting President Claudine Gay

More than 500 Harvard faculty members have signed a letter urging the Harvard Corporation not to fire school president Claudine Gay after remarks she made regarding anti-semitism on campus drew backlash.

The faculty at Harvard University is publicly standing with the school’s president, Claudine Gay.

More than 500 educators at the Ivy League institution have signed a petition calling for the board not to fire Gay for her remarks on antisemitism on school grounds.

According to Reuters, the letter of support was sent to the Harvard Corporation, a 13-person entity authorized to fire Gay, on Dec. 10.

The move comes after multiple university presidents have been condemned over their words on antisemitism. Gay was included alongside many other presidents, including those from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), to testify at the U.S. House of Representative on Dec. 5 about the matter, especially as it pertains to free speech on college campuses.

In the letter, which follows a primarily Republican-backed petition for the removal of the presidents, the professors called for the corporation to “resist political pressures” that have resulted in the resignation of one of those involved in the congressional hearing, UPenn’s President Liz Magill.

In the letter, the faculty urged the corporation “in the strongest possible terms to defend the independence of the university and to resist political pressures that are at odds with Harvard’s commitment to academic freedom, including calls for the removal of President Claudine Gay,” as detailed by the Harvard Crimson, Harvard’s student newspaper.

All three leaders have faced significant backlash for their unwillingness to provide a definitive answer to a conservative lawmaker’s question of whether students calling for a genocide of Jewish people would violate their institutions’ codes of conduct. In response, Gay was adamant that it “depends on the context.”

The inquisition was fueled by the international conversation regarding the Israeli conflict with Hamas, which has also resulted in students protesting for Palestine to be targeted as anti-semitic by the school’s Zionist community.

Gay, Harvard’s first Black female president, has since apologized for her words.

RELATED CONTENT: Harvard President Insists Antisemitism Comments Were Taken Out Of Context

rap, hip-hop, covers, book, cover, Darryl James
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 11, 2023

Hip-Hop’s First Newspaper Cover Collection Compiled In New Book

Darryl James, author, publisher, journalist, and filmmaker, along with Tenacious Books, a boutique warehouse for self-publishing authors, present "The Rap Sheet Legacy Collection."

Originally Reported by Blacknews 

Darryl James, author, publisher, journalist, and filmmaker, along with Tenacious Books, a boutique warehouse for self-publishing authors, present The Rap Sheet Legacy Collection, an art book featuring the high art covers of Rap Sheet, the world’s first hip hop newspaper.

Styled like the original Rolling Stone Magazine on quarter-fold newsprint, Rap Sheet’s covers were each works of art when released in the 1990s. The logo and the design of Rap Sheet were reflective of the art form — cutting-edge design with high art from true artists, including the designer of this book, Giulio Costanzo, an original designer of the magazine.

James comments, “The plan is to produce a limited-edition of the book that will be signed and numbered, with Rap Sheet covers, rare photos of rap artists, and pictographic memories from events, including the Rap Sheet Conference and the ground-breaking pay-per-view concert. The Rap Sheet Legacy Collection will contain cover stories, selected photos of events, and ephemera from the 1990’s.”

James has curated his collection of Rap Sheet covers to present an art book from Hip Hop, commemorating the most cutting-edge magazine from the 1990s, an era viewed as the Golden Era of Hip Hop.

This art book, The Rap Sheet Legacy Collection, will be signed and numbered, containing covers of Rap Sheet, the world’s first Hip Hop Newspaper. The book will be sold for $75 and will be discounted to $50 upon release. Orders can be made at RapSheet.com or Paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/Z9JBX9EPPHEXS

“We’re only producing a small number,” said James. “As items from the Golden Age of Hip Hop continue to grow in value, this edition of The Rap Sheet Legacy Collection will also increase in value, since there won’t be very many produced. I’m only making a few available for $50 and the remainder will be sold for $75.”

James co-founded Rap Sheet in 1992, along with Jeffrey Stern, who had just sold Details Magazine, with the goal of servicing the hip-hop underground across the nation as well as the hottest artists on the cutting-edge of the art form.

He is also producing a documentary on rap music from the 1990s for release in 2024.

For more information, or to place an order for The Rap Sheet Legacy Collection, visit RapSheet.com

For press inquiries, contact 800-481-0016 or info@rapsheet.com

RELATED CONTENT: “The Night Puff Tried to Kill Me”—A Gritty Memoir Of Survival In The 90s Hip-Hop Scene

spades, tournament, south, Carolina, Hilto Head, 7th, annual
by BLACK ENTERPRISE EVENTS

December 11, 2023

7th Annual Spades Tournament Is Going Down In Hilton Head, South Carolina

The Seventh Annual Spades Tournament is scheduled for February 21-25, 2024, in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Originally Reported by Blacknews 

The Seventh Annual Spades Tournament is scheduled for February 21-25, 2024 on the Beautiful Island of Hilton Head, South Carolina. This year’s tournament will take place at the Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Resort at 40 Folly Field Road inside the Crystal Ballroom. The host hotel is the Palmera Inn & Suites located at 12 Park Lane.

The 7th Annual Spades Tournament, which is produced by the World Association of Spades and benefits the Coach William DeBarr, Jr. Scholarship Endowment (Fund), was founded in 2016 by Coach William DeBarr, the eldest son of Matthew DeBarr who knew he had to do something to keep his dad dreams alive and that was playing cards.

So 7 years ago, DeBarr started putting small teams with a small pool of money in local community centers, and over the past three years, the tournament jackpot has grown into awarding a 1st place take-home prize of $5,000. In addition, the tournament is now being held in a ballroom which allows more space and more room for more teams to participate.

Regarding last year’s tournament, DeBarr comments, “We had teams come from Virginia, North Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida, so this year we just want to continue to grow the event and have teams come and enjoy the island as well as play the hand that you are dealt with.”

The World Association of Spades has its handbook of rules. Players should not come to the tournament and play the card game like they would with family members at a family reunion. The event also has a Tournament Director.

Early registration is only $400 if you submit payment by December 31, 2023 (4 players max) and the regular entry is only $500 with the deadline of February 9, 2024 (4 players max). The first-place winner will take home $5,000. 2nd place is $1,500, 3rd place is $1,100, 4th place is $750, 5th place is $600, 6th place is $500, and the last and final 7th place is $400.

The game is played in the following way: Double elimination, best 2 out of 3. And each team is guaranteed 4 games. In addition, the proceeds from the event will be used to provide annual scholarship awards to assist qualified students who are in pursuit of a post-secondary education.

How to Attend:
To register for the 7th Annual Spades Tournament, visit https://7thannualspades2024.eventbrite.com

About the Founder
Coach William DeBarr was born and raised in Charleston, SC, where he attended high school and also graduated from Denmark Tech majoring in Hospitality Management in Denmark, SC. Instead of returning home, he decided to stay in Hilton Head and marry the love of his life. Coach spent 30 years coaching football at all levels in the Beaufort County School District. After work and on the weekends, he found time to play a hand of spades with his neighbors. As a child, he developed a love and passion for playing cards underneath an oak tree which helped him to meditate.

He is now the founder of the Coach William DeBarr, Jr. Scholarship Fund, a 501(c)3 organization managed by the Community Foundation of the LowCountry in Hilton Head Island, SC. Thanks to many contributions from local businesses and individuals in the past, the scholarship fund has been able to provide financial support to many post-high school students in the community at large seeking to further their education. All sponsorships and contributions are 100% tax-deductible.

Business owners who would like to make a donation, become a table sponsor, or make a contribution product to the event’s swag bags should contact 843-540-0603.

For press inquiries, contact Andrea Murray, AMES at atmurray125@yahoo.com or 888-981-7469 (SHOW)

RELATED CONTENT: Chip Off The Old Block: Charlie Woods Helps Florida High School To Golf State Title; Tiger Woods To Play In Tournament

majors, grace, Jabari, trial, this is going to make me sick, surveillance video
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 11, 2023

Jonathan Major’s Ex Flees Courtroom After Videos Shown: ‘This Is Going To Make Me Sick’

Jonathan Majors' ex Grace Jabbari was overcome with emotion after a video of the alleged assault played in the court room.

Jonathan Majors’ ex, Grace Jabbari, was overcome with emotion multiple times during her testimony after a video of the alleged assault was played in court.

Jabbari and Majors were back in court on Thursday, Dec. 7, as the actor’s attorney repeatedly played a surveillance video showing the actor lift her and thrust her into the vehicle, AP News reports. It was the fourth day of the high-profile trial, and video evidence was used to undermine Jabbari’s testimony that her head slammed into the vehicle’s doorframe when she was thrown back into the car.

“I really don’t want to watch it again,” Jabbari said through tears. “This is going to make me sick.”

Majors was arrested in March for allegedly assaulting Jabbari in the back of a chauffeured car. Jabbari claims Majors struck her on the side of the head and fractured her middle finger after she confronted him about a text message he received from another woman.

Prosecutors claim that, after exiting the vehicle, Majors threw Jabbari “like a football” back into the car. Majors’ legal team attempted to dispute the claims by playing zoomed-in surveillance footage.

“There were multiple pushes, multiple injuries,” Jabbari said, noting Majors’ alleged “violent temper” throughout their two-year relationship.

Jabbari fled the courtroom in tears when forced to watch police body camera footage from her initial conversation with police.

She could be heard sobbing while Majors sat at the defense table looking down. She returned a few moments later and apologized for her outburst. She begged the court not to rewatch the footage.

Majors’ legal team went on to play surveillance footage from inside a nightclub Jabbari attended the same night of the attack where she was seen drinking and dancing despite the “excruciating” pain she claims to have suffered as a result of Majors’ attack.

Jabbari claims she didn’t want to be alone following the attack and ventured off to Loosie’s nightclub, where she bought a bottle of champagne and a round of shots with new friends she had made.

“I wasn’t focusing on pain. I was just trying to have a nice time,” Jabbari replied. “There were these lovely people there and I felt safe with them.”

Lawyers for Majors questioned how she could lift a champagne bottle and shot glasses with the same hand she claims to have been injured. Jabbari is expected to return to the witness stand for her final day of testimony on Friday, Dec. 8.

RELATED CONTENT: Jonathan Majors’ Ex Claims He Showed ‘Rage And Aggression’ During Their Relationship

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