Flip your curiosity right into a thriving enterprise!
When Harry Duran launched the Vertical Farming Podcast in 2020, he had zero expertise or connections within the trade— he simply wished to be taught extra about vertical farming.
But by way of strategic partnerships and consistency, he has established himself as a number one voice on this rising area.
Quick ahead simply over three years later, and the part-time challenge has generated over $80,000 in income.
Tune into episode 586 of The Aspect Hustle Present to be taught:
- What made him interested by vertical farming
- Techniques for touchdown high-profile visitors
- Artistic approaches to securing sponsors
- Methods for increasing right into a media community
- And rather more
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Sparking Curiosity
The seed for the Vertical Farming Podcast was first planted when one among Harry’s podcast manufacturing purchasers gave him the e book Abundance by Peter Diamandis in 2019.
The e book discusses future applied sciences, together with a short point out of vertical farming that piqued Harry’s curiosity.
Desperate to be taught extra, he rapidly ordered the e book The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century by Columbia College professor Dickson Despommier and skim it inside a day.
Harry noticed this as the proper alternative to observe his curiosity by way of beginning a podcast on this area of interest.
“There was a chapter in regards to the future know-how of the world, how the world goes to be better wanting ahead,” he shared.
With over 9 years of expertise internet hosting the interview-based present Podcast Junkies, he already had the abilities wanted to conduct long-form conversations with trade leaders.
This was the proper automobile to be taught extra in regards to the trade, even with out material experience.
Launching the Vertical Farming Podcast
Harry fittingly named the podcast “Vertical Farming Podcast” for direct search engine optimisation alternatives.
He secured VerticalFarmingPodcast.com and social handles like @VerticalFarmPod to stake his declare within the area.
To construct early traction, Harry began compiling his “Dream 100” visitors—an inventory of CEOs, founders, and thought leaders in vertical farming he hoped to e book.
He started chilly outreach, mentioning the massive names he was already talking to. Whether or not confirmed but or not, this demonstrated momentum and enchantment to key figures within the trade.
To construct social proof and opinions, Harry encourages listeners to charge the present at ratethispodcast.com. He reads new opinions on upcoming episodes, which helps drive engagement.
When selecting his podcast classes, Harry chosen Science, Expertise, and Nature. He found that having Nature because the third class pushed the present to #1 in smaller nations all over the world.
This allowed him to tout being the “top-ranked vertical farming podcast globally.”
In March 2020, COVID-19 threatened to derail the podcast proper as Harry was getting ready to launch.
However he reached out to preliminary visitors like David Farquhar of IGS (Intelligent Growth Solutions), and so they have been nonetheless desirous to report conversations amidst the uncertainty.
Because of Harry’s company advertising background, he knew vertical farming corporations possible had inactive commerce present and convention budgets.
So after recording with David, he requested if IGS can be open to sponsorship.
David linked Harry with the CMO, Jeff. Harry pitched a 13-week “season” sponsorship for $9,000—about half the price of a convention sales space.
Intrigued by this area of interest advertising alternative, Jeff agreed pre-launch.
This secured Harry’s first $9,000 earlier than publicly releasing a single episode!
“Deal with Your Visitors Like Gold”
With main funding secured, it was time to provide content material. Harry adhered to his motto: “Deal with your visitors like gold.”
He made certain every CEO visitor was snug, letting them take breaks throughout lengthy interviews.
The manufacturing group additionally did intensive enhancing, so every episode actually showcased the visitors in the absolute best gentle.
Harry is equally dedicated to sponsors. As a title sponsor, IGS has:
- Main advert learn earlier than every episode
- Mentions in all social media posts throughout platforms
- Shoutouts from Harry on his private profiles
When a sponsorship interval winds down, Harry offers first proper of refusal to proceed working collectively.
Many sponsors have re-upped to maintain the connection going.
Making a Compelling Media Package
To draw future sponsors, Harry wanted a polished media kit, even with low preliminary downloads.
He highlighted his private social following from Podcast Junkies to emphasise trade expertise.
The media equipment contained listener opinions, Apple Podcasts rankings in smaller nations, and viewers demographics.
This framed the area of interest podcast as a high-quality manufacturing reaching the precise folks.
It additionally featured the CEOs and founders interviewed up to now.
Scrolling by way of these, sponsors might see Harry’s entry to all the key gamers in vertical farming.
The tiers included Title, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and single-episode sponsorships. Nonetheless, Harry priced the one episode prohibitively excessive to discourage one-off placements.
Rising the Viewers
When it comes to listenership progress, Harry targeted on partnerships with aligned vertical farming media retailers and creators.
For instance, the Vertical Farming Podcast is now featured within the well-liked trade e-newsletter iGrow News. This common publicity helps convert readers into listeners.
Harry has additionally expanded the present’s presence by attending vertical farming conferences and researching corporations receiving funding on Crunchbase as prime targets.
He companions with sponsors in preparations like discounted tickets in return for a sure variety of podcast adverts.
Moderating panels at these trade occasions has bolstered Harry’s credibility. Introducing himself because the Vertical Farming Podcast host builds recognition.
Turning into a Credible Supply for Vertical Farming
Regardless of beginning as an outsider, Harry is now seen as an authority in vertical farming.
He’s recurrently approached for media partnerships, occasion participation, and trade steering.
This notion shift stems from persistently interviewing the innovators and CEOs driving the vertical farming area ahead. Harry’s curious layman perspective resonated with these desirous to be taught extra.
He additionally ensures visitors have an awesome expertise. This motivates them to eagerly return and unfold the phrase in regards to the present.
Income Streams
The core income to this point comes from $80,000+ in sponsorships.
With roughly 2,000 downloads per episode, Harry estimates a $25 CPM (price per mille) would solely generate round $50 per episode.
As a substitute, he targeted on securing high-value, B2B sponsors keen to pay premium charges to succeed in this area of interest however engaged viewers. New sponsors usually come by way of introductions from previous visitors.
Secondary revenue streams Harry is exploring embody a vertical farming job board, fractional CMO companies for trade startups, and partnerships with aligned media corporations.
Extra Platforms
Along with the podcast, Harry created a Vertical Farming Jobs board to match openings with candidates within the area.
He additionally began a weekly e-newsletter known as Vertical Farming Weekly that curates 10 high headlines in regards to the trade. Distributed by way of Beehiiv, the e-newsletter has grown to round 1,600 subscribers and helps drive site visitors to new episodes.
Harry arrange a LinkedIn group called Vertical Farming Community as one other gathering place for dialogue and sharing updates.
On the technical aspect, he makes use of Podpage for the podcast web site and Captivate for dynamic internet hosting and distribution to varied platforms.
A Day within the Lifetime of Harry
So what’s a typical day like for Harry operating this area of interest podcast empire?
He’s discovered over time with Podcast Junkies to dam off availability for interviews. Harry makes use of a instrument known as SavvyCal to restrict recording instances to Tuesdays by way of Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This ensures he could be totally targeted on every visitor dialog. He’ll schedule one or two interviews per week throughout these home windows.
The Fullcast group handles the enhancing and manufacturing work after the recordings are captured. This lets Harry concentrate on conducting the interviews.
He additionally consists of pre-written textual content that every visitor can simply share on social media to assist promote their episode. This makes it easy for even busy CEOs to get the phrase out.
With manufacturing and promotion streamlined, Harry is ready to commit time to partnerships, occasions, and different alternatives to develop the podcast and total enterprise.
This work construction has enabled Harry to maintain producing 110+ high-quality episodes over the previous three years as a solo podcaster.
Errors and Surprises
Launching a enterprise in a very new trade inevitably results in some surprises and studying experiences.
Harry admits he initially spent 1000’s of {dollars} on issues that didn’t pan out earlier than discovering a mannequin that labored. At first, failures could make you’re feeling like a failure.
However he discovered over time that it’s a must to construct up that “entrepreneurial muscle” and anticipate some losses. Every failure teaches you one thing about what doesn’t work.
As an entrepreneur, it’s a must to preserve transferring ahead by way of errors and false begins. The universe rewards momentum.
The largest shock for Harry was going from zero visibility to being a revered voice known as upon for occasions and partnerships in vertical farming.
This transition from curious observer to trade spokesperson occurred sooner than Harry anticipated. Nevertheless it exhibits the facility of consistency and delivering worth to a distinct segment over time.
What’s Subsequent For You?
Transferring ahead, Harry goals to construct out a bigger “CEA Media Group” targeted on the broader managed surroundings agriculture area.
This might possible contain launching extra focused podcasts on area of interest matters inside vertical farming and adjoining classes.
He’s enthusiastic about forming new partnerships and persevering with to determine Fullcast as a premium podcast manufacturing company serving purchasers in these industries.
Along with his established credibility and numerous revenue streams, the chances are broad open to create new exhibits and develop his authority.
Harry’s #1 Tip for Aspect Hustle Nation
“Take imperfect motion.”
Key Takeaways
Harry’s recommendation for replicating this success consists of:
- Take it severely from the beginning – put money into manufacturing high quality, visitors, branding, and many others.
- Goal high-value B2B sponsors keen to pay premium charges for area of interest outreach.
Episode Hyperlinks
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