Buzzsprout Conversations

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Welcome to Buzzsprout Conversations, the show where we dive into the real-life stories of podcasters in the middle of their podcasting journey. You'll hear stories from famous podcasters as well as everyday podcasters, just like you, share stories about how podcasting has impacted them and the things they've learned.

  1. 20 Aug

    How Jack Rhysider Grew Darknet Diaries to 2M Downloads a Month

    Send us Fan Mail 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 advocateHow Ghost in the Wires, This American Life and Reply All shaped the show, and why he almost quit after four episodesFinding your podcast voice: the voice coach, Mr. Robot, Ira Glass and Malcolm Gladwell experimentsTelling criminal stories with empathy without glamorizing crime, and why he says "criminal" instead of "hacker"Using Google Alerts (like "hacker sentenced") to find complete storiesThe email campaign that got Darknet Diaries into The Guardian three months after launchWhy 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 yesSeparating yourself from your show to handle rejection, criticism and praiseDo Apple Podcasts ratings and reviews move the needle? (Jack says no)How blogging about podcasting connected him with Apple, YouTube and hosting companiesGrowing 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 firehoseMonetization: host-read ads, Patreon, Apple Podcasts subscriptions and reinvesting in a team of nineJack's advice for anyone thinking about starting a podcastLinks from the episode: Darknet Diaries: darknetdiaries.comDarknet Diaries public stats: darknetdiaries.com/statsJack's podcasting blog: lime.linkDarknet Diaries episode mentioned: "Chartbreakers" (gaming the Apple Podcasts charts)Books mentioned: Ghost in the Wires by Kevin Mitnick, Out on the Wire by Jessica AbelBuzzsprout 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.

  2. 13 Aug ·  Video

    Adam Curry on Podcasting 2.0, Value for Value & Building Community

    Send us Fan Mail 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 enjoyWhy listener feedback makes a show betterHow No Agenda developed its value-for-value approach: time, talent, and treasureHow Bitcoin’s Lightning Network enables small payments and revenue splitsWhy 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.

  3. 23/10/2023

    Jordan Blair: Secrets to Succeeding With Audience-Driven Content

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

  4. 16/10/2023

    Sarah Li-Cain: Building a Profitable Freelance and Podcasting Career

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

  5. 26/06/2023

    Badr Milligan: How 11 Years of Podcasting Led to Unexpected Success

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

  6. 15/05/2023

    Tom Buck: Leaving a 9-to-5 to Focus on Podcasting and YouTube

    Send us Fan Mail 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/

  7. 27/04/2023

    Arielle Nissenblatt: Mastering the Art of Podcast Marketing

    Send us Fan Mail 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

  8. 23/02/2023

    How Ross Grew His Podcast to Over 7,000 Monthly Downloads

    Send us Fan Mail 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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Welcome to Buzzsprout Conversations, the show where we dive into the real-life stories of podcasters in the middle of their podcasting journey. You'll hear stories from famous podcasters as well as everyday podcasters, just like you, share stories about how podcasting has impacted them and the things they've learned.

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