#258 Pat Flynn - 15 Years of Online Business Advice in 65 Mins
Jan 1, 2025
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Pat Flynn, an online entrepreneur and influencer known for Smart Passive Income, shares his insights on 15 years in business. He discusses building his popular YouTube channel, Deep Pocket Monster, and emphasizes the necessity of emotional connections with audiences. The conversation explores the future of content creation, navigating authentic connections amid competition, and strategies for podcast growth. Flynn reflects on the importance of vibrant communities and the evolving landscape of media, providing invaluable advice for anyone looking to thrive in the online space.
Success in online business hinges on understanding and serving your audience, leading to trust and meaningful connections.
Building a loyal community is crucial, as relatability and shared experiences can significantly enhance audience engagement.
Creators must adapt to evolving content landscapes by experimenting with new formats and leveraging data for effective storytelling.
Deep dives
The Power of Short-Form Content
Short-form content has proven to be highly effective, generating substantial views and revenue. One notable instance showed a video achieving over 15 million views and earning $72,000 from ad revenue within a short time frame. The speaker emphasized that there is no real penalty for quantity in short-form content, making it a viable strategy for creators. In just the last month, $14,000 in ad revenue was generated on YouTube shorts, alongside an additional $5,300 from TikTok using the same videos.
Serving the Audience Leads to Success
Success in business is closely tied to how well one serves their audience, beginning with understanding their needs, dreams, and obstacles. The speaker shared their experience with an architecture business that began by helping individuals prepare for an exam through a study guide. One satisfied customer’s commendation led to a significant influx of new clients, demonstrating the power of word-of-mouth and personal connection. The core principle shared was that prioritizing service and generosity ultimately leads to a rewarding return on investment.
Building Loyalty Through Community Engagement
To transform followers into loyal fans, creating a strong sense of community is essential. The process starts with relatability and small wins, gradually fostering trust until individuals evolve into dedicated subscribers. This connection can be deepened by showcasing shared experiences among members, reinforcing the community's strength and involvement. By making audiences feel invested in the journey, they naturally become engaged and eager to support the creator.
Authenticity in Storytelling
Authenticity and vulnerability play a critical role in connecting with an audience, showcasing that imperfections are relatable aspects of the human experience. The speaker emphasized their approach of sharing both successes and failures openly, allowing audiences to see the real challenges behind entrepreneurship. This openness not only builds trust but also offers valuable lessons to others navigating similar paths. By being genuine and relatable, the barriers between the creator and the audience diminish, resulting in meaningful connections.
Embracing Change and Innovation
The landscape for content creation continues to evolve with technology, requiring creators to adapt and innovate. The conversation highlighted the importance of experimenting with formats like video podcasts, recognizing that better reach can be achieved through platforms like YouTube. Creators must balance traditional approaches with the demands of new formats, utilizing effective storytelling techniques to engage viewers. Embracing change also involves leveraging data and analytics to refine content strategies for continued growth and audience connection.
Not many people know this, but Pat Flynn is the reason I started my podcast.
Back in 2020, I was broke, clueless, and desperate for a way out, I bought a $60 microphone.
That mic? It came from an affiliate link on Pat Flynn’s website.
I binged watched every piece of content Pat had:
How to start a podcast
The best mics and software
Editing tools I’d never used before
Fast forward to 2025, and I just recorded episode 258 of my podcast—with Pat Flynn himself.
In this episode, Pat shares the lessons, failures, and surprises from 15 years of building online businesses—including generating over $10M in revenue.
We talk about:
How he built and grew Deep Pocket Monster to 1M subscribers
The importance of emotional connection in your content
Why small, vibrant communities are the future of business
The reality of staying relevant in a changing landscape
Is it blind luck? Or the compounding effect of 15 years in the game?
Pat breaks it all down.
If you’re building a content business or just starting out, this is an episode you can’t miss.
(00:00) Preview (00:30) Importance of Serving Your Audience (03:03) How to Create Raving Fans (07:02) The Power of Consistency and Experimentation (12:38) Will AI Take Over Online Media? (17:56) Why Video Podcasts Do Better (19:13) The Benefits of Podcasting (23:19) Pat Flynn’s Short-Form Content Strategies (28:29) Short Form vs Long-Form Content (34:02) The Art of Storytelling and Emotional Engagement (36:39) Building Community (39:17) Starting as a Newcomer in a Niche (42:03) Understanding People and Building Loyalty (45:57) Transitioning to Community-Based Learning (51:52) Investing in Startups (59:18) How to Get Sponsorships and Build Relationships (01:02:01) The Importance of Thumbnails