If I Started an Online Business From $0, I'd Do This

Watch This NEXT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlK2P76_ZZs Want me to give you some help with your content business? Book in a call with me to discuss working together: https://app.iclosed.io/e/voics/incubator 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. Check out Pat’s YouTube: @patflynn My Socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/darrenlee.ks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-lee1 (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