Tuesday feels like a practical day, right? For sharing experiences so others can benefit.
As The Podcast Guy people expect me to be the single source of expertise on everything audio marketing and podcasting. That is absolutely not the case. Sure, I bet I can answer all your questions – but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m the only one out there devoted to the cause.
Even Jesus had a hero!
Who do I turn to when I need advice or inspiration on taking my podcasting efforts to the next level? There are dozens of people in my network who make a big difference to the way I roll. A near-numberless number. The world shapes us!
So it was a bit of a challenge narrowing it down to 5. But challenge is why we’re here, so here’s my take on the five people who have helped me become who I am in the world of podcasting, and equally, are folks I recommend to you:
- Ray Ortega. I lost my podcasting virginity to this guy. Quite a statement – but he’s quite a guy. Ray will give you everything you need to learn video and audio podcasting. He produces amazingly-insightful podcasts into the dynamics of podcasting. He’s a great and personable presenter, and makes fruit and vegetables fun as the founder of the Produce Picker Podcast. Ray recently started to unleash morsels of mighty podcasting solutions with his Podcast Quick Tips show. Ray is a technological troubadour, and finds answers where there were none. Legend.
- Cliff Ravenscraft. If passion was a name, it would be Cliff Ravenscraft. The guy has created thousands of episodes within his highly-respected Generally Speaking Podcasting Network. Though we lost him for a while to the masters of internet marketing, Cliff is back body and soul among us and his shows are all the better for his experiences on the other side. Treasured is his knowledge, his Truman Show-esque way of living the podcasters’ life on show with his family in tow, and his recent adoption of YouTube to not only make us hear what it takes to be a pro podcaster, but also to show us. In our eyes. Big up, Cliff!
- Jay Walsh. Jay’s the breath of ProPodder. Jay’s managed to learn everything in the universe and distill it into fascinating pearls of wisdom he titillates and captivates us with on a regular basis via the ProPodder pages. Jay’s latest missives include how to train your voice and a list of incredible marketers to follow. Campground Pirate Radio is one hell of a listen, too. I thought I knew what rockabilly was until the Great Lord Jay laid down a picnic blanket replete with a banquet of audio paradise and let us listen to his unhindered mind.
- Karin Hoegh. Karin; lovely, wonderful Karin. Had Denmark been a woman and spat out a single offspring, Karin would have sated all our needs. Karin is the Danish Queen of Podcasting, having written, consulted, coached, sold and devoured practically everything about the art form available. She’s a friend to the podcasting stars the world over, and as a fellow Ambassador of the European Podcast Award is guaranteed to be a driving force in moving podcasting to the next level of success. The continent is humbled and honoured to count Karin Hoegh among its number. Thank you.
- Nancy Duarte. I had the honour of talking to Nancy for a recent InspiRadio show. I’d heard she was appearing Thinking Digital, a conference I was due to attend. I’d learned her team had created Al Gore’s presentation, An Inconvenient Truth. I was spellbound before the phone clicked wide open. My mind was ambushed with a million thoughts as she spoke. It was one of those ‘I only wish we had three days together so I could plough your mind and become impenetrable and bulletproof’ moments.
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Then Nancy captivated the crowds at Thinking Digital by sharing some thoughts from her second book, Resonate. Chris Brogan fell under her spell soon afterwards, and though Nancy and her husband Mark have been telling tales for a powerhouse of global brands for quite a few years now, you sense she’s still in the ascendant as the world wakes up to the power of story. Nancy’s other book, Slide:ology is a technical expose of the presentation. A third book-baby is on the way. Stay close and tame the tale.
Those are my hot five for today.
Share the five people who have inspired you the most in your profession. We all love to learn from the masters!
