Build Your SaaS – bootstrap in 2021

<p><a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90927453/acquired-number-1-tech-podcast-sensation">Fast Company</a> called <a href="https://www.acquired.fm/">Acquired</a> "the #1 tech podcast sensation." I've been a huge fan of the show for years. So, I was surprised when they contacted me and wanted to switch to <a href="https://transistor.fm/?via=buildyoursaas">Transistor</a> for podcast hosting!</p><p>Since switching, they've had a breakout year. Their clips started showing up everywhere on my social media feed; they had chart-topping episodes on Nintendo, Nike, and Costco, and they interviewed the CEOs of NVIDIA, Uber, and Charlie Munger. </p><p>And this was the year that Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal (the co-hosts) both went full-time on the podcast. Podcasting is now their job.</p><p>With all of that activity, I thought Build your SaaS listeners would be interested in hearing my interview with David about their entire story:</p><ul><li>How they got started, how they built momentum over time,</li><li>how they were able to double their audience every single year since 2015, </li><li>And how that momentum ended up Attracting an incredibly valuable audience that they've now monetized through sponsorships. </li></ul><p>This interview has so much that podcasters, creators, and indie entrepreneurs will find super helpful and inspirational.</p><p>🔥 <strong>Key moments:</strong></p><ul><li>(0:00:00) – A breakout year for Acquired</li><li>(0:01:45) – What is the Acquired podcast about?</li><li>(0:02:40) – How the Acquired podcast got started (origin story)</li><li>(0:07:23) – How Ben and David's co-hosting relationship works</li><li>(0:09:00) – The 3 big goals that made them want to start Acquired</li><li>(0:11:38) – How did listeners respond to the first episodes?</li><li>(0:14:55) – The best reason to start a podcast</li><li>(0:15:30) – The secret to how Acquired attracts new listeners</li><li>(0:18:13) – How they got featured in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and Spotify</li><li>(0:24:18) – How they got their first podcast sponsors (and why it wasn't about making money)</li><li>(0:27:58) – Why they give their sponsors a white glove, 11-star experience</li><li>(0:34:13) – How to get more word-of-mouth referrals for your podcast</li><li>(0:37:00) – Acquired's unconventional approach to podcast ads</li><li>(0:41:54) – How the Acquired podcast's growth machine works</li><li>(0:48:05) – Why their NVIDIA podcast episode went viral</li><li>(0:50:48) – Why they switched from Libsyn to Transistor for podcast hosting</li><li>(0:57:18) – The rise of the "independent, boutique podcaster."</li><li>(1:02:27) – "The future of podcasting doesn't belong to Gimlet, NYT, NPR..."</li><li>(1:06:22) – David Rosenthal's advice to aspiring podcasters</li></ul><p><strong>Thanks to our monthly supporters</strong> </p><ul> <li>Pascal from sharpen.page</li> <li>Rewardful.com</li> <li>Greg Park</li> <li>Mitchell Davis from RecruitKit.com.au</li> <li>Marcel Fahle, wearebold.af</li> <li>Bill Condo (@mavrck)</li> <li>Ward from MemberSpace.com</li> <li>Evandro Sasse</li> <li>Austin Loveless</li> <li>Michael Sitver</li> <li>Dan Buda</li> <li>Colin Gray</li> <li>Dave Giunta</li> </ul> <br><p>🎙️ <em>Podcast hosting is provided by</em> <a href="https://transistor.fm/?via=rubyblend"><em>Transistor.fm</em></a><em>.<br>📺 Learn </em><a href="https://transistor.fm/how-to-start-a-podcast/"><em>how to start your own podcast</em></a><em>!</em></p> <strong> <a href="https://www.patreon.com/jonjustin" rel="payment" title="★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★">★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★</a> </strong>