the 3rd biggest podcast in the world

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So we started watching a new show this week on Peacock — and the premise is WEIRD.

Basically, a husband and wife become friends with their plumber…who ends up being a serial killer.

Instead of calling the cops when they find out…they start a podcast with him.

Now that I think about it…’weird’ is an understatement.

Anyway, the show is called “Based on a True Story” and we binged all 8 episodes in 2 days (don’t judge).

So why am I telling you this? Because a big chunk of this week’s newsletter is about podcasts — and how the 3rd biggest podcast in world was started by a guy that lives in Clermont!

But before we dive into that…here’s the skinny on some local business news you didn’t know you wanted to know (until now).

📍 Keepin’ it Local 📍

A New Indoor Sports Complex Could Bring in the Big Bucks for Seminole County

A new study from a Chicago real estate advisory firm shed new light on the expected financial impact of the project.

Standing out in their findings is the projected $1.4 billion dollars that the project will bring in net new spending in the county.

If their analysis pans out, this would add to the significant boon the sports tourism industry is already contributing to local business, especially in the restaurant, hotel and entertainment space.

Among other findings, the study also noted that the facility could add 382 new full-time jobs for Seminole county.

The Opening of ‘Urban Air’ in Hamlin is Postponed

Construction of the 60,000 sq ft Urban Air Adventure Park (at the New Independence exit of 429 in Winter Garden) started in July of 2022.

The soft opening was scheduled for this weekend, but we’ll have to wait a liiiiiittle bit longer before can can tap into the 20+ indoor attractions that will likely make my 37 year old body feel like I did the equivalent of 17 CrossFit workouts.

If you and your kids are looking for anything from bumper cars & trampolines to slam dunk zones & climbing walls…head over to their website and stay tuned (they have a 40% off coupon on the site!).

Could Orlando Become Semiconductor-Central?

A local nonprofit, Bridg, is looking for considerable federal investment to boost semiconductor manufacturing in Orlando.

The nonprofit is hoping to eventually expand on existing semiconductor research and manufacturing at the NeoCity mixed-use development in Kissimmee to become a full-fledged tech hub.

Investment from a $52 billion dollar federal fund stemming from the CHIPS and Science Act could be the first step toward making that dream a reality.

If Bridg succeeds, it could be a major boon for Orlando as it would add plenty of high-paying jobs to its economy and likely draw more investment from other companies in the industry.

🔥 Hot Take 🔥

An Orlando entrepreneur is building an empire around…wait for it…

BROWN NOISE?!

Timmy and I recently chopped it up with Brandon Reed — the creator of the 3rd largest podcast on the planet…12 Hour Sound Machines. The podcast has been downloaded over 90 MILLION times.

You read that right. 90 MILLION downloads of a podcast where every episode is….noise.

Check out the full episode with Brandon below (and make sure to subscribe to the channel while you’re there)— my jaw was on the floor for about half of it…and I was laughing hard enough to wet myself during the other half.

My hot take?

As incredible as Brandon’s story (and the business he’s built around it) is…a podcast is NOT the channel you should invest in if you want to build an audience from scratch — and this is coming from a guy who’s company has produced hundreds of podcasts for B2B companies.

Brandon’s podcast is a utility — his audience literally can’t sleep without it.

Unfortunately, distribution inside of podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts is obnoxiously limited (unless you’re Brandon). You can reach the people who already follow your podcast…and that’s about it.

So how do you build an audience from scratch?

I’m way under-qualified to answer this question…but these are the 2 things I’m focused on to build Orlando Business:

1. YouTube — If you play by their rules and understand what their algorithm wants…the platform will put your content in front of new eyes & ears that you’ve never reached before. With just 59 subscribers, our YouTube content has 31,743 views in the last 28 days. That’s just bonkers.

2. This newsletter — In the last 2 weeks, I’ve talked to 2 different people who are acquiring newsletter subscribers for less than $1.15 per subscriber. With programmatic advertising, you can get targeted newsletter subscribers for 50-65 cents per subscriber. For $10k, you can build an audience of 10,000 people that could potentially buy your products or services — if that doesn’t boggle your brain, I don’t know what will.

🥳️ Have Some Fun 🥳

• The Kennedy Space Center is hosting the 40th Anniversary of American Women in Space with a specially ticketed Afternoon Tea. It’s happening today and tomorrow (June 15-16) at 3:30pm with an $83 price tag on top of your regular admission.

• Speaking of afternoon tea, Orlando has a new Alice in Wonderland themed bar! You can reserve a spot in the Balcony Birdcages for $10/person, hang out in the Red Queen’s Piano Lounge for $61/person, or enjoy some hookah with Absolem himself for $100/person. Reserve your spot(s) here.

• If you’re looking for something fun on Father’s Day this Sunday, check out the Father’s Day Celebration at Boxi Park - Lake Nona. If live music, games, and BBQ are your thing…this has your name all over it. This free event starts at 12pm. More details here.

That’s a wrap! If you liked this week’s newsletter, forward it to a friend 🙂

Hugs & smooches,

James