Buzzsprout Conversations

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Jack Rhysider turned a one-man hacker-stories podcast into Darknet Diaries, a show pulling roughly 2 million downloads a month and 28 million downloads a year. In this conversation he breaks down exactly how he did it: the storytelling techniques he studied, the marketing campaigns that worked (and the ones that didn't), realistic download benchmarks for new shows, and how the podcast now out-earns his old career as a network security engineer.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why Jack hides his face online, and the early doxxing scare that made him a privacy advocate
• How Ghost in the Wires, This American Life and Reply All shaped the show, and why he almost quit after four episodes
• Finding your podcast voice: the voice coach, Mr. Robot, Ira Glass and Malcolm Gladwell experiments
• Telling criminal stories with empathy without glamorizing crime, and why he says "criminal" instead of "hacker"
• Using Google Alerts (like "hacker sentenced") to find complete stories
• The email campaign that got Darknet Diaries into The Guardian three months after launch
• Why Jack publishes his download stats, and the numbers that put a show in the top 50% and top 20%
• The word-of-mouth call to action that drives growth ("text a friend right now")
• "Tapping on shoulders": how to land guests who never say yes
• Separating yourself from your show to handle rejection, criticism and praise
• Do Apple Podcasts ratings and reviews move the needle? (Jack says no)
• How blogging about podcasting connected him with Apple, YouTube and hosting companies
• Growing by going deep into a new community (the dubstep episode)
• Taking a three-month break, and the "always caught up" content strategy vs. the Gary Vee firehose
• Monetization: host-read ads, Patreon, Apple Podcasts subscriptions and reinvesting in a team of nine
• Jack's advice for anyone thinking about starting a podcast

Links from the episode:

• Darknet Diaries: darknetdiaries.com
• Darknet Diaries public stats: darknetdiaries.com/stats
• Jack's podcasting blog: lime.link
• Darknet Diaries episode mentioned: "Chartbreakers" (gaming the Apple Podcasts charts)
• Books mentioned: Ghost in the Wires by Kevin Mitnick, Out on the Wire by Jessica Abel

Buzzsprout Conversations is brought to you by Buzzsprout, the easiest way to start, grow and monetize your podcast. Enjoyed this episode? Text it to a podcaster friend who needs to hear it.

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Adam Curry, the “Podfather” and co-creator of podcasting, explains Podcasting 2.0, value for value, and how to build a podcast community that helps sustain your show.

From his first pirate radio station in the Netherlands to No Agenda and Podcast Index, Adam shares what he’s learned about finding a co-host, inviting listener feedback, and defining success beyond download numbers. He also talks about being a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience and why he still believes in audio.

In this conversation:

• How to find a co-host through conversations you already enjoy
• Why listener feedback makes a show better
• How No Agenda developed its value-for-value approach: time, talent, and treasure
• How Bitcoin’s Lightning Network enables small payments and revenue splits
• Why Adam and Dave Jones built Podcast Index, and how Podcasting 2.0 brings listeners, developers, and podcasters together

Chapters
00:00:00 Adam Curry: the Podfather’s podcasting journey
00:01:52 Being a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience
00:06:29 Pirate radio: how Adam Curry got started
00:21:44 How to find a podcast co-host
00:27:52 Why conversation and audio keep listeners engaged
00:34:59 How podcasting changed broadcasting
00:40:12 Defining podcast success beyond downloads
00:48:00 Value for value: how listeners support No Agenda
00:52:54 What early adoption taught Adam about value
00:58:41 Bitcoin Lightning payments and revenue splits
01:03:16 Building community through listener participation
01:08:19 Why Adam Curry and Dave Jones built Podcast Index

Explore the projects discussed
Podcast Index
Value for Value

Enjoyed the conversation? Share it with a podcaster who’s thinking about building a community around their show.

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In this video, I interview Jordan Blair from Dreamful Bedtime Stories about how her podcast skyrocketed to the top 1% globally, thanks to the invaluable input and support from an engaged audience.

Jordan shares strategies for not only gathering feedback but leveraging it to continually enhance the show's content. She also goes behind the scenes of producing a story-telling podcast, from hand-picking enchanting tales to scoring free music for your podcast.

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In this episode, I am joined by Sarah Li-Cain, who has built a successful career in podcasting and freelancing. And you might recognize her from some of the videos on the Buzzsprout YouTube Channel! 

Sarah shares how she transitioned from a full-time teaching role in China to a freelancer in the US. She shares the discipline and commitment that have been pivotal in her success as a freelance writer and podcaster. As well as the challenges she faced - juggling parental responsibilities and making her side hustle work. 

Sarah leaves us with valuable nuggets on content repurposing and podcasting in business. She explains how to maximize the potential of each platform, providing tips on securing podcasting clients as brands increasingly enter this space. Overcoming fear when launching a podcast and the necessity of a solid strategy in content creation are also discussed. Regardless of where you are in your freelance career, Sarah's experiences and advice offer valuable insights.

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What if you could harness the power of podcasting to connect with a diverse audience, share your passions, and even open doors to new opportunities? Badr Milligan, the engaging host of the Short Box podcast and founder of Jax Podcast Roushee Night, is here to show us how it's done. Milligan's decade-long journey in podcasting is a treasure trove of insights and experiences that he readily shares, from the evolution of podcasting technology to the art of prepping and outlining for conversation podcasts.

Join us as we explore Milligan's unique promotional strategies that are deeply influenced by his love for music and hip hop. Discover the impact of physical flyers and street teams, and how they contributed to the success of his podcast, both at home and abroad. We also discuss his daring experiments with live shows and using platforms like TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Milligan's pragmatic yet creative approach to marketing his podcasts is sure to inspire and educate budding podcasters.

But it's not all about the tech and tactics, Milligan's success story also illuminates the importance of creating value for the audience, and building trust with them. We delve into the monetization of podcasts, looking at how he launched a Patreon and expanded his network. This episode also features a riveting discussion with Adam Curry on the 'value for value' business model, emphasizing the importance of trust and respect towards your audience. So, tune in for an inspiring and informative episode that reveals what lies beyond the mic in the world of podcasting.

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Ever wonder what it takes to leave the comforts of a steady day job and plunge into the unpredictable world of online content creation? Meet Tom Buck – a seasoned podcaster, successful YouTuber, and, in his previous incarnation, a digital media teacher – who made this exact transition. Join us as we navigate the story of his transition from the classroom to the digital sphere, the multiple income streams that keep his creative engine running, and the often-underestimated hurdles of starting anew in unfamiliar territory.

From the importance of embracing authenticity and having the right gear, to the art of tackling excuses, we delve into the intricate world of content creation. Hear straight from Tom how he broke free from the confines of societal norms, embraced his true self, and found his voice as a creator. Discover how he overcame the self-imposed limitations of gear and realized that it's not about having the best equipment, but rather about making the best use of what you have. The conversation uncovers the truth about gear as a disguise for the discomfort that comes with content creation.

Beyond the creative journey, we also venture into the tricky landscape of monetizing content while staying true to your craft. Tom shares his insights on the benefits of sponsored videos, creating online courses, building supporter communities, and leveraging affiliate marketing. You'll hear the remarkable story of how YouTube's algorithm served as the matchmaker between Tom and his wife and why being uniquely 'you' is the magic ingredient for attracting the right audience. We wrap up with a crucial reminder of the importance of taking the first step in your creative journey, regardless of your gear or experience level. Because the best time to start is now.

Tom Buck's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tombuck
Courses: https://himynameistom.com/courses
The Enthusiasm Project: https://enthusiasmproject.buzzsprout.com/

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0:00 Introduction
0:25 How Arielle got started in podcasts
0:50 Founding Earbuds
1:54 Why is marketing important for podcasters?
3:32 Identifying your podcast's audience
  - What We Talk About When We Talk About Podcasts by Tom Webster: https://soundsprofitable.com/guide-and-article/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-podcasts/
5:45 What makes a show recommendable?
7:30 How do you hook new listeners?
  - Jordan Harbinger Starter Packs: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/
10:01 How to grow your podcast
13:18 Getting featured in podcasting apps
  - Counter Programming: https://shiraandarielle.buzzsprout.com/
  - Get featured on Apple Podcasts: https://www.buzzsprout.com/blog/how-to-get-your-podcast-featured-in-itunes-new-and-noteworthy
  - Get featured on Spotify: https://airtable.com/shrd0oasoTLijGglG
18:14 Benefits of having a podcast trailer
  - Trailer Park: The Podcast Trailer Podcast https://pod.link/1663965044
20:41 How to make a great podcast trailer
  - Buzzsprout Ads: https://www.buzzsprout.com/ads
22:16 Podcast Ratings & Reviews
24:59 Why Arielle loves Podcast Newsletters
27:32 Platform Risk
  - Enshitification of the Web: https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/21/potemkin-ai/#hey-guys
30:13 Promoting a podcast with social media
36:00 "I have a closing remark"
  - Adopt a Listener: https://tinkmedia.co/adopt

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In this video, we interview Ross, host of the Smells Like Human podcast. We discuss his process for using Buzzsprout Ads, how he achieved 7,000 monthly podcast downloads, and why feedback is essential for podcast success. 

If you want to learn how to boost your podcast downloads and reach a wider audience, this video is a must-watch!

Smells Like Humans is a weekly podcast that brings a humorous perspective to the quirky and curious aspects of human behavior. 

Check them out here: https://www.smellslikehumanspodcast.com/

====== Time Stamps ======
0:00-6:40 - Smells Like Humans Podcast 
6:40-9:37 - Setting Podcast goals
9:37-12:12 - How Ross grew his podcast 
12:12-14:48 - Tips for creating a podcast promo 
14:48-19:18 - Benefits of using Buzzsprout Ads 
19:18-25:02 - Tips for indie podcasters 
25:02-27:04 - Why feedback is important for podcasts

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Francesca Amber hosts the Law of Attraction Changed My Life podcast, the UK’s number-one podcast for self-improvement. In this interview, you'll hear about Francesca's podcasting journey, the lessons she learned along the way, and her monetization tips as a top earner using Buzzsprout Ads.

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What does it take to transition from a stay-at-home mom to a successful media mogul? Tune in to our riveting conversation with Twila Dang, the dynamo behind Matriarch Digital Media, who fearlessly forged her own path in the podcasting industry. Her candid tales of resilience, determination, and the power of networking are bound to inspire. Discover how Twila recognized her potential, leveraged her skills, and created a thriving digital media company that doesn't shy away from empowering discussions about women's health and identity.

Twila's journey is not just about personal growth. It's also about creating content that strikes a chord with its audience. Matriarch Digital Media, with its flagship shows Gynacast and Endocast, has become a beacon of empowerment and a safe haven for women to discuss topics often swept under the rug. Twila's third podcast 'Me Before Mom' steps up to remind mothers of their individual identities beyond motherhood. Learn how Twila has mastered the art of understanding her audience's needs and navigated the intricate world of contracts and intellectual property rights.

Venture into the future with Twila as she shares her insights on the evolution of podcasting and its intersection with traditional radio. Her emphasis on the need to protect your intellectual property, create your own resources, and retain control of your content is a call to action for aspiring podcasters. We wrap up our conversation on the importance of a dynamic content library and understanding the metrics behind your podcast downloads. So, plug in your headphones and get ready for a journey that will leave you motivated to chase your dreams, empower others, and leave your unique mark in the world of media!

Twila Dang, founder of Matriarch Digital Media, shares her journey of transitioning from radio to podcasting, why it's important to dream big, and some things you should know before joining a podcast network.

Check out Matriarch Digital Media and follow Twila on Twitter