How Jack Rhysider’s Darknet Diaries Podcast Gets 300,000 Downloads Per Episode

Would you like 300,000 downloads per episode? Are you willing to work for three weeks to get media exposure in 2% of the outlets you contact? Are you willing to work for months on your first episodes and ask others to give you HONEST feedback on your show? Are you willing to ask questions that might potentially show you that your show is boring? Jack has, and he has created a great show. Today on episode 758 of the School of Podcasting I have the honor of looking into how Jack has grown his Darknet Diaries podcast.

Jack was looking for a podcast about hackers/hacking and couldn't find any (especially in a narrative format). The solution? Create the podcast YOU want to hear and see if anyone else would be interested in listening to your podcast.

 

Jack Rhysider's Favorite Marketing Books

Make Noise: A Creator's Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable - Seth Godin Gary Vaynerchuk Traction: How Any Startup Can Achieve Explosive Customer Growth -Gabriel Wineberg Superfans: The Easy Way to Stand Out, Grow Your Tribe, And Build a Successful Business - Pat Flynn Dave added: Will it Fly Pat Flynn

Connect with Jack

Darknet Diaries

Lime.Link Podcast Blog

Jack's Patreon Page

Dog Podcast Network Final Week Before Launch

The Dog Podcast Network is launching a new show on their network called "Dog Edition" and today we talk with James Jacobson about the final preparations. You can earn money sharing stories that include dogs. 

TIMELINE

00:03:34 How Many Downloads Does Jack Get 00:04:44 Jack's Launch 00:07:04 Jack Sent Out a Survey 00:08:03 What Part is Boring? 00:08:37 Why Did You Use a Survey? 00:10:01 Negative Feedback 00:10:30 Do have any kind of focus group? 00:10:59 How do you find these stories? 00:12:58 Your Podcast On Auto Pilot 00:15:03 How did your early listeners find you? 00:16:36 10,000 Stickers in a day 00:17:30 Reaching Out to the Media 00:20:10 How long did this strategy take? 00:21:33 How Long Had You Been Blogging? 00:22:34 Secret Weapon: Your Attitude 00:23:06 Marketing Strategies 00:23:57 Early Monetization 00:25:32 How Long Did it Take to Go Full Time 00:26:16 How Did You Grow Your Numbers 00:26:54 Don't Gloss Over Your Ask 00:27:16 How Did You Know It Was Time to Start a Patreon? 00:27:56 Deep Dive Into Patreon 00:32:20 Using Castbox as a Benchmark 00:34:29 The Curiosity Headline Approach 00:37:52 He Has Good Descriptions 00:40:03 A Deep Dive Into The Apple Charts 00:43:20 Favorite Marketing Books 00:45:49 Is there any Downside to a large audience? 00:48:57 Jack Got Tracked 00:50:53 Meeting Fans With Divulging Your Identity 00:51:51 Advice For Wanna Be Podcasters 00:56:19 Dog Podcast Network 01:02:02 Please Share The Show

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What Was That Like Podcast

Dave's Patreon Page

Episode on Podcast Surveys

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2025 Audience Survey

I Want Your Opinion

I am doing an audience survey and I want your input to help me make this show exactly what you want. If you have a few minutes, I have a quick survey at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/survey25

2025 Audience Survey