Real Time with Bill Maher

Once approved as a host, you'll gain these benefits:

• Fill out your podcast's info
  Ripple.fm already has your pod's artwork and title. You can add your links and expanded info about your show and its hosts.
• Get a "Host" badge
  Your "host" badge is shown on all your comments so your listeners know they're chatting with the host!
• Moderate discussions
  Unlock abilities to moderate, edit and delete comments posted about your show on Ripple.fm.
• Connect and network with your podcast's listeners
  No more broadcasting "into the void". Ripple.fm puts you directly in contact with your most loyal listeners.
• Manage community memberships
  By default, anyone can join a public podcast's community. As the official host, you have the option to make your community memberships more exclusive, adding a registration/approval step, or even selling access to your community.
• Sell access to your podcast's community
  Charge membership fees for people to become members of your podcast's community. A great way to monetize your show!

The approval process is simple:

1. On your podcast's website, publish a link that points listeners to the page on Ripple.fm where they can join your podcast's community. We recommend putting in the main navigation as well as in the show notes on each episode, and label the link "Join our community!". We also recommend promoting your community on air to your listeners!
   For Real Time with Bill Maher, that's this page
2. Once your link is published on your podcast's website, complete the host claim form, and include the URL of the page where you've added the link, so that we can view and verify.
3. Within a few business days, we will review your claim and if approved, we'll update your status as a host. You will receive an email regarding your host status.

If you have any questions about becoming verified as a host, please contact us.

To add multiple hosts (co-hosts) to your podcast follow this process:

1. All hosts of the podcast must register for free as fans of the podcast on Ripple.fm.
2. One of the hosts submits the first official claim as a host of the podcast.
3. Once one host is approved, this host will have access to manage this podcast and invite other co-hosts for instant approval.

It's always free to be approved and keep your status as a host of your podcast. This includes giving hosts the verified "host" badge, and the ability to manage the content displayed for your podcast on Ripple.fm.

We plan to introduce to paid plans which add additional benefits and capabilities as hosts. Details on these extra capabilities will be rolled out to hosts in the near future.

Nope! Your public podcast can remain hosted with your current hosting provider. You should not make any changes to your public podcast, nor its feed in iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc.

By default, some of the public info about your podcast, such as its artwork and title are automatically imported to Ripple.fm when your fans add your podcast to their favorites.

As a verified host, you will have the ability to fill out your podcast's information with descriptions, links, and more.