Get Out Alive Podcast
About the Company
"Get Out Alive Podcast" is a wildlife-focused podcast that explores animal attacks and provides advice on how to coexist with wildlife. The podcast is produced bi-weekly, and its audience includes wildlife enthusiasts, true crime fans, and those interested in learning about wild animals. The company also sells merchandise related to the podcast, contributing to its monthly revenue.
The podcast was co-founded by Ashley Bray and her high school friend, Nick. Ashley, with a background in Wildlife Biology, and Nick, a military veteran with outdoor experience, created the podcast to fill a niche they identified—honest discussions about the dangers of wildlife and how to prevent attacks. The podcast stands out for its approach of offering practical advice, something Ashley found lacking in other wildlife or true crime podcasts.
Idea Behind Company
The idea for "Get Out Alive Podcast" stemmed from Ashley's frustration with her job in wildlife conflict management, where she couldn't always be honest about the dangers of wildlife. Conversations with Nick about these experiences led to the idea of creating a podcast that not only discussed animal attacks but also provided advice on how to avoid them. Ashley's interest in true crime podcasts influenced the format, but she wanted to ensure that their podcast would offer solutions, not just recount tragic stories.
Ashley and Nick recognized a gap in the market when they discovered that the existing wildlife podcasts either shamed victims or didn't offer practical advice. They decided to create a podcast that could educate people on coexisting with wildlife while also being entertaining. Despite their lack of experience in podcasting, their passion for wildlife and desire to create something unique drove them to start the project.
Creating the Company
Ashley and Nick faced several challenges while creating the podcast, including a lack of knowledge about podcasting equipment and production. They relied on advice from other podcasters and purchased affordable equipment, such as USB microphones, to get started. The duo initially recorded their episodes multiple times until they were satisfied with the quality, and they chose a format where Ashley would narrate the stories while Nick asked questions and provided reactions.
The logo and branding were created on a tight budget, with Ashley commissioning a logo for just $10. They also built their first website using Wix, which served their needs until the podcast outgrew the platform. The initial episodes were recorded over two months before the official launch, allowing them to refine their content and interview guests in advance.
Launching the Business
The podcast officially launched on July 14, 2021, with a trailer to build anticipation and attract subscribers. Ashley leveraged her Twitter following to promote the podcast, which helped in gaining initial listeners. The podcast also launched a Patreon page, offering different tiers with various benefits, which quickly attracted supporters. Despite the initial challenges, the podcast experienced rapid growth, with a 330% year-on-year increase in listeners from 2021 to 2022.
To further promote the podcast, Ashley appeared on other podcasts as a guest, which proved to be an effective marketing strategy. The team also created merchandise featuring popular quotes from the podcast, which they sold through their website. The success of the podcast allowed them to reinvest in better equipment and eventually led to the creation of a more robust website using Squarespace.
Earnings
"Get Out Alive Podcast" generates approximately $400 per month from Patreon and merchandise sales. The podcast has 44 patrons, with most subscribing to the highest tier. The business operates with an 80% gross margin, with monthly costs around $250 for services like podcast hosting and website maintenance. The podcast has seen significant growth, with plans to expand its content, increase the frequency of episodes, and hire additional staff, including an audio editor.
The founders aim to grow the business further by exploring new advertising opportunities, partnerships, and possibly expanding into wildlife conflict consulting. The company, now an LLC, has ambitious plans for the future, including building a podcast studio and incorporating more multimedia elements into their content. Despite the challenges, Ashley and Nick have successfully turned their passion for wildlife into a profitable and growing business.
