Creator Science #69: Jack Rhysider – 300,000 downloads per episode as an indie podcaster
Aug 17, 2021
Jack Rhysider, the mastermind behind Darknet Diaries, dives into the world of hacking and cybersecurity storytelling. He shares his journey from a security operations expert to a successful indie podcaster, achieving over 300,000 downloads per episode. Jack discusses his innovative production process, pivotal marketing strategies, and his decision to remain independent rather than joining a big network. He emphasizes the importance of crafting engaging narratives and building a loyal audience through authenticity and community support.
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Inspiration for Darknet Diaries
- Jack Rhysider was inspired by shows like Radiolab and This American Life.
- He noticed their captivating storytelling, even for mundane topics, and wanted to emulate that in a podcast.
High Production with Small Teams
- Initially, replicating Radiolab's production quality seemed daunting to Jack Rhysider as those shows have large teams.
- Discovering shows like Criminal, produced by smaller teams, gave him the confidence that high production was achievable independently.
Storytelling Framework
- Use the storytelling framework "This is a story about X, but Y happens instead" to structure your narrative.
- The "but" creates intrigue by setting expectations and then disrupting them.
