Though I’m not predisposed to offering content customarily available only to my fantastic, gorgeous subscribers, I feel that giving you the skinny from my latest newsletter is a significant benefit to the podcast community at large.
I was having a chat just now with a good friend of mine who produces podcasts professionally. She explained that it was difficult finding people to pay for her services as a podcast producer. And it’s hardly surprising: As a medium, podcasting is both immature and largely unproven.
Early adopters have always been risk-takers, whether trading stocks or buying 1st-gen products. Ultimately the ratio of satisfaction and delight to disappointment is high – but it takes a tipping point to get the mainstream interested in any new stuff, like podcasting.
Two of my words to live by trading as The Podcast Guy in 2012 are simplification and justification.
If we can’t make podcasting easier, most people will forego the huge opportunities of web radio in favour of a simple life blogging.
And if we can’t prove it works, who will listen?
It’s for that reason I want to share with you my year in review and my hopes for the future. Read on – and for more of this next year, don’t forget to subscribe and become a VIPodcaster by dropping your email in, stage right…
First of all: HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Second of all – wow!
Wow because you’re reading this, for which I’m profusely thankful. I looked up profusely just in case I meant profoundly, but no – profusely apparently means ‘beyond appreciative’ and that’s exactly what I am that you’re here with me on this journey.
Web radio and video has really been stepping up its game this year and the fact that (as of this email hitting your tray) you and 29 other people have expressed great excitement in finding out more about how to do it yourself, gives me great joy. I almost want to open up another advent calendar window, ahead of time, to lick a chocolate in your honour. But that would not only be bad luck: It would mean one less chocolate to share with the last 11 days before the Big One, and then I’d be all sad.
After last month’s vletter which garnered roughly the same interest as my invitations to a wallpaper decorating party when we moved into our house last year, I decided to regain my senses and figure that since you probably just want the news in a tidy format with none of the bells and whistles associated with having to watch me, this would be an appropriate way to reach out to you.
What a year it’s been!
So as we stand on the cusp of a brand new year, separated from us by the act of shovelling baked bird into our wanting mouths, I wanted to reflect on how far we’ve come in 2011.
Podcasting has never been more popular or widespread. YouTube unveiled Live to its beta testers, the BBC just announced 1 billion podcast downloads (read http://www.thepodcastguy.com/blog/lets-celebrate-1-billion-downloads/), and in many countries smartphones – the single best way to stream or play back downloaded audio or video shows – have become ubiquitous.
As the Ambassador to the European Podcast Award I’ve been flooded with awe at the creativity and commitment of hundreds of podcast producers. That being said, being part of the award has demonstrated to me just how few people go into podcasting with clear motives and focus on long-term gain. In much the same way as you can’t rush pregnancy, when you start your web radio or video show you have to be in it for the duration to yield something beautiful. Where podcasts and babies deviate is in the nappy-change: Though you have to constantly strive to keep your podcast fresh, feeding it new content doesn’t mean having to clear up afterwards.
I was able to talk about the big picture for podcasting (with nary a Pampers in sight) with Anna Piazza when Spreaker, my favourite live broadcasting platform, called up asking for an interview. I hope you find time over Christmas to check in and have a listen – I think you’ll pick up some useful tips and hopefully get inspired to start podcasting or take your show to new levels of success:
http://www.thepodcastguy.com/blog/that-int
What for 2012?
Here in the UK we have a big celebration imminent. In a few months time the Olympic torch will reach us and over 70 days, it will travel 8,000 miles in 16,000 hands (or thereabouts, subject to people with only one arm).
But it’s not fair that only London has the fun. I’m fully anticipating an Olympic year myself, helping more businesses, bloggers and brands than ever create staggeringly-great podcasts for their communities.
This month I’ve gone into hibernation – a productive hiatus, no less – to understand exactly which areas of web radio and video production need my attention. In any sector there are a great many people competing for your attention and while I fully understand the basics of podcast production are always useful to have around, right at this present time I’m thinking focusing on content is the most valuable use of my time.
One thing I can promise you is regularity and consistency. I’ve gone overboard in creating content this year, but on a schedule that can be best described as sketchy. I’m thinking I’ll be putting together weekly articles that carry more gravitas, and a monthly show all about web audio and video under the moniker of The Podcast Guy Show. I’m always seeking guest posts and guest appearances, so don’t hesitate to drop me a Tweet @thepodcastguy so we can have a nice chat.
I can also guarantee integrity and help you on your way with accurate and inspirational information. Having been a journalist for most of my adult life, and latterly working in a digital marketing environment, I can offer you a unique perspective on how to find the kind of content your listener community needs, and will love, and then give you strategies for making sure the most people possible are affected and inspired by it.
One more thing…
I can hallucinate on what you need, but I won’t know for sure unless you tell me. So irrespective of whatever stage you’re at with your podcasting prowess, I want to hear from you about the things you’d most like to learn about in 2012.
Drop me an email at [email protected] and together let’s make your podcasting journey more exciting and meaningful than ever before.
2012 will be an incredible year for us all. The tightening of belts in an economic sense means we’ll all have to refocus our marketing efforts on what makes the most sense at the lowest cost, and the wonderful news is that podcasting inspires, educates and entertains customer communities in a way no other medium can. So if you’re looking to connect more deeply with your customers, to create meaningful relationships to last the test of turbulent times, now is the perfect time to start your web radio or video show.
Now loosen that belt and go talk turkey!
Have some fantastic festive frivolities.
Dave
