Arroe Collins Pod-Crashing

Pod-Crashing Episode 33: Staying Independent

It’s completely natural to wanna build a big bright and beautiful podcast then market the hell out of it.
Wait wait. That last part is the ugly shoe in the picture. To market the podcast? You know, to push your stories and creative spirits onto every possible platform known to mankind. Not just this time but every time. To throw yourself into the center of the kingdom of hashtags and @ symbols.
If you have famous people on the episode you visit their pages and those belonging to the products you brought up in the talk. Push! Make those connections with listeners and or clients for the businesses you agreed to help promote.
I’m not gonna lie to ya. The hardest part about podcasting is the butt kicking received after you post an episode. Marketing your magic is mind blowing important. Living that life and style doesn’t put a dent in your day. The insurance company would label your vocal vehicle a total wreck.
This is why so many podcasters refuse to market or do all they can to get hooked up with a broadcast company or internet radio station to get a solid push. I know from experience how dangerous this decision can be.
As my Mom would say, “You’ve gotta watch your P’s and Q’s and please dot every I and cross every T”
Never give up ownership. Stay independent. I know people who’re putting their podcast episodes on privately owned servers. Those controlling the visibility have interesting ways of saying, “We’re cheaper than anyone else. Heck let’s just give you the data space free!” Sounds great until you realize the keeper of the keys is collecting tiny chunks of cash from the hits and downloads you’ve generated.
Go ahead put on the boxing gloves. We all like a good Rocky Balboa story. Sadly I’ll betcha there’s an itty pitty paragraph somewhere in that handshake that clearly states they make all or part of the money made. Not only that, but there could be another paragraph that removes you as the owner of the podcast. The very second you post it on their server it could belong to them. It’s their digital farmyard and you’ve been invited to ride the horse but not fry up the chicken eggs.
Stay independent. It hurts like hell when the digital partner steps from out of nowhere with a sign that reads, “You’re mine exclusively. If you’d like to keep growing together the simple task at hand is to remove everything you have off all other platforms but this one.”
Dangerous game. Each of your outlets has its own listener base and 99.9% of them aren’t forking out the email addresses attached. The second you disconnect from those human ears due to a tiny misunderstanding it’s no different than starting all over.
It killed me when SoundCloud wiped me off their map. All of that time and energy spent writing, producing, posting then promoting the piss out why they were the hottest thing on the podcast planet. I didn’t even get a kiss goodbye. Then I got hit again with an internet station that I was trying to help bring listeners to by letting them tap into my reach. Blew up in my face. How the eff could this happen to me twice?
Stay independent. Play nice with the privately owned server geniuses but watch your back. The bigger and better your podcast gets the more their analytics go up. Make sure you always get your numbers. Look to see them in real time. It’s too easy to cut and paste then correct a little here and a lot there.
Building a partnership does have its perks. A bigger company and or appearance looks great to potential advertisers. Those spending the bucks in sponsorships know how many startup podcasts are out here. They want to build a relationship with a product that delivers sale or service to their product.
When joining forces know of the expectation. It’s not always about power but rather who making sure that everyone on the team delivers? I spent some time with Sean Morrow of the Who Is podcast. We talked about his mighty team of two. Plus a crew of producers.
A ton of research and travel goes into this weekly presentation. Hour long conversations edited down to storytelling soundbites that bring out the historic content. The podcast is about political figures and decision makers. Everybody in business has taken a strange road to get on top. Sean has to be exact. That means his team has to show up.
The reason why I say it that way is because of the number of stories I hear from fellow podcasters that trusted their partnerships. Amazing amounts of time went into the startup but the follow through kept hitting mountains and walls.
Sean Morrow knows how much time goes into each of his episodes. There are 14 presently finished but he’s releasing them one week at a time. Think about it. 14 shows equals 14 weeks. That a lot of time to keep the pump operating. I can’t imagine what it would do to the shows morale if a new episode was required every day.
Because I book 7 to 10 interviews a day and post 5 and more episodes Monday through Friday having a team is a dream. I spoke of it a lot while pulling off four decades of terrestrial radio. But here’s where I’m gonna be honest. Because I’ve had so many twists, spills and stumbles with developing partnerships the awareness button is always on high alert. I don’t deal well with other people’s times on the clock or laziness. I’m a Pitbull on steroids when it comes to staying focused with this project. Too many of my radio dreams were lost because those in control made bad decisions.
You should’ve heard me cheer out loud this past week when Joe Rogan was sharing a priceless podcast conversation with comedian Pete Dominick. Rogan clearly spoke with authority when he said, “Stay in control.”
That doesn’t mean Joe’s doin it alone. Every so often his producer chimes in. Chelsea Handler’s as well. Both are in control.
Sharing the episode making is a brilliant way to move the industry forward but if everybody’s got equal say and play that sounds like a storms on the way. I learned a very valuable lesson a couple of radio jobs back. If you’re ever put in a team work situation. You need three things to find success. A dick, a dork and a deer.
So what’s the moral of the story? Watch your back. The moon is always promised but I’ve yet to see the cow jump over it. Hanging out with the idea of joining strings with others always sounds interesting by way of being perked up by something new. Think long term. I mean several hundred episodes and more. The bigger this podcasting thing gets the more you’re going to see broadcasting giants taking huge chances on those that’ve dedicated their blood sweat and tears. Agreements will be made. Hearts will be shattered. Incredible podcasts will then go silent. And all you had to do was keep control.

Pod-Crashing: Episode 32

Building your community. We hear a lot about that. If you’re a podcaster and it’s not your thing. You’ve still gotta get on board. Posting your episodes on the digital platform without using the other tools is like walking into a restaurant just to use their bathroom. You didn’t buy anything. You used their water, paper products and their customer service space.
I’m amazed at how many podcasters aren’t on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Even more shocking are the number of talkers that won’t go anywhere near a blog to help push their numbers up. I love Mix.com. It’s free. Post the URL and let your episode take a ride on the wild side.
Communities are organic. As much as it hurts knowing how long it takes to shape a listening audience it’s not always a good idea to fork out money you’re not making to a group that’s promising you more listens and followers. Kind of a dangerous game to play if your podcast features copyrighted music. The more people you’ve get hooked up means the streaming fees are going up up up.
Posting on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pretty much means your circle of supporters are the only one’s getting it. Unless you gain the courage to start accepting people you don’t know. That in itself sinks a lot of podcasters into a mode of self-protection. When I bring it up to podcasters I usually get shrugged shoulders or oh hell no. I don’t a huge community to feel like I’m doing a good job with my episodes.
I was listening to Joe Rogan’s Facebook live rebroadcast as a podcast. The master of all things digital media loves the idea of inviting friends over to do nothing more than sit around smoking pot and talking about everything under the sun. And oh boy do they. In an odd ball way I found it to be engaging.
The only downfall that served as a constant reminder to bail was how bad the vocal quality sucked.
The episode was unbelievably unedited. It wasn’t as studio smooth as we’re used to getting. But you’ve got to hand it to Rogan. The Dude’s got a plan to keep his numbers alive and kickin.
The way I Facebook Live and or Skype the conversation is by running the computer through the control board. While the cameras are on the Adobe Audition is capturing everything. Maybe it’s the commercial production person from terrestrial radio trying to push he’s ego into the mix. The one thing that’ll crush your somewhat healthy or new list of followers is the horrid echo caused by the room.
I love the idea that podcasting can be recorded in any place of choice. Building that community requires you to be in the public eye. I have a great time hosting 5 to 7 telephone conversations while sitting on the patio at Panera Bread. I’ll invite guest hosts to join me. It creates talk while listeners watch.
I talked with Holly Frey and Tracy V Wilson from the podcast Stuff You Missed In History Class. They totally dig doing their episodes in front of group of people. It requires a lot of confidence to put on the earphones and get locked up in talk while sitting in public. I had a program director stand next to me at a live radio event during the 90’s. Every time I talked on the road he’d come over on live radio and hit me, throw nurf balls at me and make wild faces that would bust open a giant can of laughs.
Learning how to tune out your surroundings allows you to stay focused on your community that’s tapping in via the digital platform. Then again maybe your episodes don’t require that. No matter where you stand there’s still got to be a left or right hand on the heartbeat of why you’re reaching for analytic numbers.
Building that community. Before I was kicked off SoundCloud I’d personally write a note to every person that checked in. I don’t know why the other platforms don’t allow you do that. I was getting some hot numbers because time was spent saying two words, “Thank you.” I got kicked off the platform because of my music interviews. Itty bitty snippets of sound from a new album or catalog from the past were being used. I was talking to the makers what’s the big deal right?
Unknowingly I was breaking copyright laws and was forced into SoundCloud prison. Here’s what made the entire process preventable. When I started using the platform I had a different email address. After a couple of years I stop using it. SoundCloud was sending me warning letters over and over. I was totally disconnected from the email. So they booted me.
That’s another area you need to be careful with. What email are you signing up with? That would be your business community. These people need to always have a place to get your attention. When something’s not right they’re not coming to your front door.
Speaking of that email. Are you letting your listeners send you mail? Yeah yeah that’s just another way to be slammed with a virus. Create a second or third Google account. If it smells like a virus on that page it’s gonna be instantly tossed into Spam.
It’s fun to answer questions on the air from listeners. It opens the door for you to talk about episodes that were posted a week or a month ago. Your community will love you more if you take the time to slip in a billboard. The question is asked and your answer is totally promoting the episode. All the more reason to never do this on Facebook Live cuz you may think you’ve got a good memory until the stuff isn’t instantly working its way to the listening audience. Then your episode gets weighed down by ums, ands and well hell I forgot.
So what’s the moral of the story? Don’t just stand there with your hands in your pocket. You’ve been given a world of tools to craft a huge community of faithful followers. But for some reason we think they’re gonna just pop up and love ya. Even if they did what’s happening on the next episode that’s gonna keep them there?
Picture yourself on a kayak four miles out on the Atlantic Ocean. That’s your podcast. Unless you’re looking to become a human raisin, you’ve gotta find some land! Water! A worm for your hook so you can eat seafood!
Building a community means getting into the community. It means utilizing the strength of why we podcast. To make connections. To create conversation. To be accepted for your hardcore passion and drive for professional wrestlers that wear bowling shirts while trying to enter an upscale nightspot.
Set aside 15 to 30 for each new episode. If you talked about peanut butter and the brand that’s made it famous. Let your community expand by posting your episode on their Facebook or by hash tagging their beautiful name. Use your @ symbol. Your community will begin to grow and the only thing you spent was time massaging the ears of people you may never meet.

Pod-Crashing Episode 31 Controlled Chaos

A single snap shot of our present place on the digital platform and barely anybody can figure it out. There’s a lot of guessing going on and you’ve gotta love it.
Heard a quote today, “When I jumped onto this there were no forefathers.”
Sharing that message was Michael Stevens who’s helped strengthen YouTube’s footprint into something other than free music and crazy self-created smartphone videos. His show Mind Field gets into the head and heart of why we feel fear, have anxiety and face every other emotion available to mankind.
Michael went on to say, “If they aren’t watching you. They’re watching someone else.”
He’s right. YouTube fans and followers know what they’re looking for because it’s delivered on demand. They may be leaving you but they’re not leaving the platform. Just give me that big beautiful search engine.
As podcasting continues to gain in popularity its visibility must become clearer. Hardcore listeners know where the episodes are. The average newbe to the platform continues to struggle with what the difference is between Apple Podcasts and Castbox, Deezer, Spreaker and even Podcast Addict.
iHeart Radio has earned their rightful place at the top of where listeners are making connections. The search engine can be a little tricky. You’ve got to have the name of the podcast exact. Which is a big issue for many show creators. I’m horribly guilty of it. Every one of my podcasts are not street speak. I have Unplugged and Totally Uncut, Like its Live, Poetic Elevation. Unless you know what to look for it goes against the natural flow of reaching for what you seek.
Spotify is also a pretty good sized owner of the podcast pie. Through a free digital hookup on Anchor the Spotify platform is gaining in numbers. Who better to know that than a huge amount of podcast promoters that have taken over Linkdin and FaceBook with How To videos filled with promises of locating a stronger listening base for you.
I’ve sat through a lot of webinars. Taken boxes of notes. Questioned by questions. It takes me back to what Michael Stevens was saying, “When I jumped onto this there were no forefathers.” Millions of us are striving to reach the same success goal. How we’re getting there is the multiple layered story. How I got to my first million probably won’t work for anyone else. I’m honest enough to call it being at the right place at the right time.
Maintaining what I started is murdering the clock. Podcasters like Jake Brennan on Disgraceland keeps his episodes on a track of once every other week. Will Ferrell does his in seasons. We don’t know if he’s knocking out 8 to 10 episodes in a week. Maybe we’ll find out more since he and iHeart Media have teamed up to create what looks to be the globes first comedy podcast network.
I was talking with actress Missi Pyle about her podcast called The Mother Load. Two moms talking about raising young children in 2019. The challenges, the chores, the victories and struggles to keep your career alive while loving those brought to life.
In every podcaster’s voice I talk with I hear the journey. The expectation of trying to keep up. The disappointments of not getting enough downloads of listens for potential advertisers. Everybody’s good day always has the potential of helping others make their way down an extremely twisted river with so much fish to eat but getting to them requires more than a worm on a hook.
Comedy Clubs are capitalizing on the popularity of podcasting. Mommy-casts pull in so many female fans that food and wine sales are going through the roof. To land on that stage you’re gonna need deep pockets or huge numbers. I’ve seen comedians play to a room of 25 or less. How does a podcaster react when the club rented shows a couple of people sitting on stage still hacking it up and rolling around like two kids driving mom crazy?
I don’t know if I could pull something like that off. My interviews and motivational shows are designed to be one on one. To talk with the person that happened to check in with you. Don’t get me wrong, I love a live stage with a big amount of people expecting something from my flow of creative energy. As a podcaster though… I don’t think that’s my thing.
“When I jumped onto this there were no forefathers.” Michael Stevens went on to say that as podcasters we need to become more of a community and not linear. Another words lean away from the microphone and wink at those watching the performance. From that ledge you say something like “Don’t wing it. Prepare for it. Listeners are smarter than you. I know where the next button is.”
Most of us get our podcast lessons from listening to the giants that’ve been doing it for decades. Today I was checking out Joe Rogen and Kevin Smith talking about how podcasters have become addicted to creating seasons. That’s when the host does 12 to 15 shows then takes off a few weeks. Kevin and Joe both agreed that it’s just wrong. This isn’t television. Podcasting shouldn’t be treated as such.
Rogen’s into the performance as well as the game. He knows the importance of being loyal to how he’s designed the total package program layout. He’s doing seven episodes this week. Which doesn’t sound like much until you realize his interviews are up to two hours long. He likes to win and doesn’t let anything get in the way of a winning performance.
Compared to that, my style of podcasting is completely different. That’s part of the soul of doing it. Nobody’s truly sticking to a format or corporate driven approach to getting the job done. We’re artists and artists to their own thing. The majority of the episodes I do are 7 to 14 minutes long. Then I program the hell out of the platform. I do it like a radio station lays out music. Three of my fifteen podcasts get five episodes per day. 5:30 am suddenly becomes 3 pm. Then it’s time to show prep for tomorrow’s conversations.
This isn’t anything new to my lifestyle. For forty years I’ve always been associated with specialty programming on terrestrial radio. Now I can do it the way I hear it not by playing the same 15 songs on a weekly countdown or penning out and executing a Classic Rock Update that barely clocks in at 55 seconds. Writing my own rules meant fighting for my own space. I’ve been known to get extremely protective while dealing with outsiders that haven’t lived the path.
So what’s the moral of the story? No two pieces of clay are worked the same. The Potter doesn’t know the end result until it’s fired with all that glaze. Podcasting is no different. The goal is to head into everyday knowing you’re committed to making a ton of mistakes while never going over the top with affection when an episode exceeds the listening limits. Tomorrow a new day. Bring the game.

Pod-Crashing Episode 30: Are We There Yet
We’ve talked about it multiple times. Podcasting’s history. It’s been trudging along since the late 1980’s. Gained some speed during the birth of the iPod generation and has lightly floated around at an uneven pace without any real race.
Podcasting’s always been that nearly next to underground thing comedians, politicians, home studio junkies and maybe a few teachers have done. Hey man you can say anything. Play anything. Make it your own thing or copy someone’s pretty good thing. Those dropping vocals on the platform clearly stayed true to their ambition, “We aren’t radio. We are us.”
Better technology and cheaper data lifted listeners to a new level of connection. Millennial’s that loved NPR started gravitating toward podcasts because of the power of choice. We are that layer of people that dig it when we can get it on demand.
It’s completely natural to think we’re living in the Golden Age of content consumption. Whoa whoa slow down. Not a lot of people on this side of the microphone are leaping onto that idea just yet. I mean compared to my early steps through hairy jungles and bitterly cold snowcapped peaks of 2012 forward, the information generation has latched onto some huge support from iHeart Radio, Radio One, NPR and small terrestrial station owners that think it’s a cool way to give advertisers an added benefit. Buy our radio station and we’ll toss your commercial onto a podcast free!
Podcasting’s gettin some love and affection but it feels like we’re only six month into a marriage. The endorsements are coming in. Just today on Bob Pittman’s Math and Magic podcast, the legendary Walter Isaacson totally lifted his hat and praised the platform because it’s bringing the world back to storytelling. Who better to know that then the writer and creator of Disgraceland Jake Brenna. I asked him if we were living in the pioneering days of AM Radio mid 1920’s.
From his heart he believes this new age of tossing out thoughts and journey’s is still 40 years from becoming a true super power. He used my mid-1920’s reference while explaining how long it took terrestrial radio to true become a part of the entire nation. Movies the same. Where we are today with motion pictures is lightyears beyond those initial first shots.
So it got me thinking. Technology over the past 100 years has pushed the human mind and spirit further than any other time in history. Why would it take another 40 years of podcasting to truly be seen as a powerhouse form of entertainment, communication, teaching, building and making money?
Because it’s still a guessing game. Those that should be doing aren’t. It’s not part of their threads of success because the old way is still working. There’s no interest. Bob Pittman loves the idea that teens and adults in their 20’s are hopping onto the podcast scene. Remember he’s the dude that created MTV. The I-Gen generation is fearless and has spent the past 15 years getting exactly what they want on demand.
As each member of the I-Gen team grows inside their careers they’re bringing with them an experience. This is how podcasting worked for them as a creator and as a listener. Once a position of decision making is reached that opens the field of communication to be replanted.
As of right now there’s way too many podcasts on the platform that should be making money but where’s the sales staff? You can’t keep pouring a lot of energy into an idea if nothings coming back. Podcast creating demands time. Thirty plus episodes feels fun. Advertisers need hundreds with huge listening and download numbers.
Those fronting the advertising budget need a return on their investment. Sixteen hits a day isn’t exciting enough for businesses to play. Here’s what makes the game even tougher. Where is your listening audience? Johnny’s Burger Shack on Broadwater Ave isn’t interested in building a relationship with folks in a town 2,000 miles away.
Talk about a buzz kill right? No! It needs to be talked about. Super Mega podcast connections like PodcastOne went the route of bringing in the big dogs like Adam Carolla, Laura Ingrahm, pro wrestler Steve Austin, Dr Drew, Shaquille O’Neil and more. Big names bring in clients.
It’s moments like this that you gotta pull off an out of control but completely natural gut check. Is David available to take on Goliath one more time? Jake Brenna from Disgraceland is onto something. He knows how pretty the podcast adventure smells right now cuz for the first time terrestrial radio bosses are seeing the potential of money being made.
How do you jump onto that gravy train? Let me ask you this? Are you sure you want to? Don’t forget what we talked about a few paragraphs back. Podcasting is nearly next to being underground. There’s been a lot of pride put into the roots of this machine from people that still believe, “We aren’t radio. We are us.”
I learned one very important rule during my 37 years on that tower of power. Radio sales people are hungrier than the on air talent they’re selling. Somewhere out there are budding ad agencies searching for podcasts that have healthy analytic numbers. More importantly… podcasts that are destine to stick around and not suddenly disappear from the map because you weren’t the mood to perform this week and the one before that too.
What we need are podcast lifestylers that want to make money away from their corporate radio job. To step out at night or during lunch and pull off something that’ll probably get them fired. You know… conflict of interest. But you can’t put your home front on the line until you’re comfortable with the writers, producers and performers that are addicted to the podcast sickness.
I’ve yet to meet another me. Not conceited. A man of truth. In the studio everyday 530am til 4 pm and later. Hundreds of people write to me about needing to make money from their podcast. I always ask, “When did you post your last show?” Um last month. Maybe next Thursday. No wonder an army of sales executives aren’t marching this way.
Marc Maron gives us two shows a week. Joe Rogan the same. They travel the world every week and still pull off episodes that are longer then every Star Wars movie combined. If you don’t have the time then think about creating a twelve show season. Hit the streets promoting the crap out of it. Make a lot of noise and shake up the atmosphere with your art.
The podcasting trail is no longer a little chunk of land with patted down grass. There’s dirt where there was once green. One day the greenway maybe paved. In order to call it a success the path can’t be a half mile long. I hike Kings Mountain State Park for a reason. Over 20 miles of incredibly different leg busting lung piercing trails designed to kick your ass.
That’s what’s gonna catch the eye of a chance taking sales force. Cause a conflict of interest.

Pod-Crashing Episode 29: Shapes and shades

The many shapes and shades of this thing called podcasting. The new age way to blog. No really! That’s how it got started. A ton of words were being tapped into the face of a computer. Everybody was doing it. The postal worker, the sewing machine lady, the ice cream teen. We were communicating! Yeah… maybe a little.
There they were! The writer’s thoughts! Nicely crafted paragraphs. But you weren’t picking up their vocal inflections. The reader was forced to use their own interpretation. I endlessly received daily emails from readers that couldn’t figure out my mess.
A trainload of research hitting a brick wall. Before podcasting I tried V-logging. Taking my blogs and reading them on video. I totally sucked at that! I tried too hard to create a connection. Plus the amount of time that goes into editing. Especially when the screw ups were total bonehead moments. It was making the videos bumpy and pretty small town market uncool.
Everybody’s got their own story as to how they got hooked up with a podcast. I was a terrestrial radio junky with an ego the size of every holiday and I needed a stage. A performance. An outlet! Being there in 2012 felt like the moment my daughter and I shared while riding horses on my Uncles ranch in Ranchchester Wyoming.
She asked, “Where are the trails we’re supposed to follow?” My only reply was, “Make it up as you go.”
Oh I can’t gp back and listen to the early day podcasts. I had one of those fake disc jockey voices. If I was telling the story of a musician or actor it sounded like a Casey Kasum reject project. I knew how to talk over the intro of a song on the radio but damn this new level of podcast play where there’s no music had turned into a beast!
Honestly it’s been fun. To physically explore newer ways to perform by way of creating a listening community has been incredibly engaging. But there are many shapes and shades in the game of podcasting. Just as there were in Blogging. You can get on there and say pretty much whatever you want. To rely on improv requires skill and craftsmanship. Even with those two tools in the box, I’ve heard some brilliantly funny comedians totally suck with the podcast.
I think its body language. When we see the funny people on stage their facial expressions and body movement sell the punch line. Comedian Jared Freid knows of the separations. He won’t take his podcast to a live public performance. He doesn’t want fans and followers of the podcast to suddenly be thrusted into an atmosphere that’s based heavily on the performance and not a conversation.
Which you can clearly hear when Dax Shephard and Chelsea Handler take their podcasts outside the comforts of four walls and a dog or cat lying next to your feet. As much as I love their podcasts I usually don’t make it to the end because as a listener I feel like the Uber driver that can’t stop the car and party with you.
Let’s get back to the body language. If your episodes sound a little flat and out of tune. Let’s put a mirror in front of your microphone and study your patterns of delivery. My studio overlooks a beautiful forest in south Charlotte, NC. Everything is facing the window. I can see my reflection. No conceit. I’m talking to that person. I’ve made them part of my conversation. The best part is? I can have earphone hair and they can relate. They have it too!
Keeping track of your body language allows you to shape your thoughts and how they’re being delivered. Too much energy can easily be seen as well as heard. 99.8% of all podcasts are listened to by one person. Not a group. It isn’t the family hour year 1933. One person. Your voice. Their ears. Share a conversation. Don’t blast their eardrums.
Which I kind of do when I’m hosting motivational episodes on The Choice, Lyrics From Billy’s Forest and The Daily Mess. There are times I get so emotional that it feels like my hearts about to implode. Keeping it under control requires an honest man’s walk. Really! I take a two mile hike with my dog Jazzie and listen to the episodes. I study their behavior outside the studio. Am I yelling or getting too preachy? How will followers react?
The many shapes and shades of this thing called podcasting.
Bob Pittman totally utilizes the strength of his one on one-ness. The CEO of iHeart Radio has this way of developing a relationship with his weekly guests and mindfully includes the listener. He’s very much aware of our existence. Whereas many podcast hosts think along the line of I’m here and you are living vicariously through my performance.
For Bob Pittman it’s almost as if we can see him embracing each question and or reaction with nothing but body language and total awareness of where his fans and followers are in their day or night. The microphone is part of him. He’s not sitting behind a large silver cylinder projecting his baritone vocals. It’s almost like there’s no mic in the studio. Which allows his emotional connection to paint pictures on this side of the podcast.
The reason why I bring up the microphone is because it’s a serious game changer. You’ve seen the pictures of the performers with desktop stands or the long arms stretching across studio boards. That microphone sits right there in front of their face. All things being shared must move through it and you’ll turn off your body language to make sure those vocals are perfectly pushed forward. Those speaking think you have to sit up straight, pull your stomach in, uncross your legs and don’t lean on the table.
Do all you can to break that habit. While watching the classic sitcom Cheers did you ever see Woody Harrelson reaching for the microphones above? Sports announcers wear headsets for a reason. Let the body do what comes natural. That doesn’t mean to go out and buy a pair. Great quality at that level of play means you’re gonna pay.
Go to a comedy club and study them there people on that microphone. Headliners make the vocal catcher part of their movement. Openers and features are still trying to muster up a plan to somehow get the other hand in on the job.
So what’s the moral of the story? Be yourself without making listeners feel like you’re in a can. Constantly ask, “Do I sound natural?” Be confident without forcing it. If you’re taping yourself during a podcast such as Facebook Live. Someone’s being cheated on. Viewers want to be looked at and listeners need you to talk to them. You can try to do both. But it sounds like it. Besides, those that Facebook live it have the worst microphones! Most of the time you can barely hear the conversation.
Don’t be just the performer. Be greater in post production.

Pod-Crashing Episode 28:

I listen to a lot of podcasts. I study their behavior. Not as in numbers but the way each episode infects or affects my extremely busy day. Being a Broadcaster locked up in a control room can be a lonely place. It’s no different than a banker, movie theater GM, computer programmer and so on. The modern business world has shaped itself into a cluster of several offices with each player trapped inside 8 to 12 hours at a time.
Podcasting is companionship. Whatever your taste, someone has designed a show. You feel like you belong. You part of. The content is stored in memory baskets to be used during those moments when you’re back to being face to face with friends and family.
Podcasting is the new love song. It’s the Country song where the singer’s lost his wife, house and big ole dog named Bart. It’s that political friend that doesn’t get upset with your points of view or religious traveler always reminding your heart to locate peace before war. It can be funny, informative, far fetch and a total disconnect.
Outside of my typical weekly run with Marc Maron, Dax Shepard Chelsea Handler and Bob Pittman’s Math and Magic, I took in Alec Baldwin’s podcast Here’s The Thing. I love that actors, musicians, book authors and CEO’s aren’t afraid of putting their stories out there. These hosts are up front and center capturing the perfect and awkward moments.
Some conversations are mindful of the open space while others dig in and cough up the dirt. That’s because the hosts, their producers and others involved are focused on the product. They know exactly what they’re shooting for. Nobody’s winging it. Nor are they podcasting to become comedians, doctors, mansion sellers or football and basketball heroes.
The stories shared aren’t the hosts with ample amounts of show prep. The guests have been given a place to plant their experiences and adventures. They’re allowed to take their time and truly express every emotion required to bring the story forward.
This is why listeners tune in. As the host, it takes a lot of discipline to let your question sit out there longer than someone appearing on The View or James Corden. I get their speed and determination. Their interview methods are madness pressurized by time bombs connected to clocks and advertisers.
That doesn’t mean you let the guest take over the show. One of the golden rules of radio news interviewing is to never let the person you’re talking with hold the microphone. Once it’s out of your hands you may never get it back.
If you’re lucky enough to land someone for 20 minutes or longer, a performance discipline has to be ready to Rock. There I was about to have a conversation with television star and Shopping Channel guru Suzanne Summers. She was promoting her Tox-Sick book. Oh she’s very good at selling merchandise. One question deep into the conversation and woof! She was on the Kentucky Derby track reaching for the roses. It happens. Post production is your net. Rather than fight for the microphone, participate with their answers and get a deeper more affective conversation. Edit edit edit.

There are so many different interviewing techniques. The one focal point you need to always keep in touch with is the listener. What’s the content? How is the content being delivered? How is it being received? Is it strong enough for listeners to make it part of a future conversation?
I hear from other podcasters all the time about how a show could’ve been brilliant for listeners if the guest would’ve been more involved in the conversation. Most podcasters know how to equal out the content and conversation but feel like they’re letting their listeners down because one half of the episode features a disengaged second person.
Once again, edit edit edit. I had a conversation yesterday with a book author that’s penned out a psychological reference book about a comic book villain. Hardcore detail. Brilliant experts featured. Sound bite answers. Very short and to the point. That’s not a conversation. That’s feeding a news room reporters ear which makes it easier to slip it into a three minute newscast.
So I started stepping away from the book. Maybe too much away. He’s written a book about a comic book killer. I simply asked, “Have you ever thought about putting yourself in a prison cell with a real killer and breaking down their life like you have with this comic book killer?” Boom lights out! His only reply, “Not my thing.” I took on his answer. I wanted a story. I needed content. I had invested time and energy in show prepping. This wasn’t going to be a blah blah blah episode. I took him out of his interview mode into a pit of discomfort.
The editor in me has to go into the conversation and turn it into an attraction. The author stopping could very well be the headline. Now answer the question why. Give it some front space, a lead in, allow listeners to hear your side. Then move forward to get a reaction.
This is what I call podcast companionship. Being real with those who’ve chosen to jump on board. I didn’t hit my first million by dropping trash on the highway. It’s been about being faithful to listeners that show up. Not everybody famous or on their way is a good talker. I respect everyone that shows up. As a professional though I’m gonna get them into a Cheers Bar mental state of just talking. To hear the real voice. We all have stories. The mission is to share it.
For many of us we aren’t lucky enough or big enough to land the one and two hour conversations like Joe Rogan. Joe is very good at what he does because he’s extremely comfortable with his guests and he lets them talk. Although today… while listening to the Black Keys, the band wasn’t quite finished yet and interrupted Joe. The host peacefully sat back and let them get to an incredible payoff.
So what’s the moral of the story? Keep one eye on your performance while keeping the other on those receiving it. Howard Stern knows how to conduct a conversation because he hears it in his heart to move on or it’s going to get old. Through my experiences, seven minutes into any conversation and somebody’s repeating stories. Lock your guest in and keep them on track to your needs.
A great friend who interviews every top dog in Hollywood once said to me, “I don’t care how big the person sitting next to me is. If they aren’t delivering. I get up and leave.”

Pod-Crashing: Episode 27 The Interview

Maybe it’s because I come from a forty year terrestrial radio background or it’s the sound of my father’s voice, “Don’t be a know it all.” Getting guests for your podcast is a wise step in building your community of listeners. But it has to be the right show and episode.
I would never bring in a third party on The Choice because the conversation shared is hardcore one on one character building, repairing and forgiving. The soul of the show is transparency. Having others drop in thoughts removes the relationship from a personal meeting into a radio performance.
I like having guests on Unplugged and Totally Uncut and View from the Writing Instrument because both podcasts serve as a great stage for singer/songwriters, musicians, actors, famous chefs, authors and artists. Share your story or someone will write it for you.
But how do you get them? Great question! I have a better one. Once you get started how are you going to keep up with the mind blowing time eating pace doing interviews demands? A ton of energy is required. The majority of it will never be heard. It’s all behind the scenes! PR people need answers. They book quickly. Sitting around waiting to figure out if you want the conversation it’s too late.
Something else that leaves a bad taste in a PR person’s mouth? Calling yourself an interviewer then shoving the identity aside in a month. They have bosses that need answers. Gotta show em numbers. Who’s doing it? Where are they from? How many listeners will be reached?
I’m blessed with the opportunity to talk with many in the lime light as well as those who’d like to get back in. Knowing this still doesn’t guarantee me an interview. There’s a comedy club in town that keeps saying, “Blank blank blank isn’t available. They don’t do podcasts.” I instantly howl with laughter. That’s a promoter that’s never listened to a podcast! I get why “they” think it’s not a good move. They need to sell tickets now. In this town! Not Butte, Montana.
Comedians dominate the digital stage. They love the idea of breaking bread with someone that’s not demanding anything more than a brilliant conversation. Let this be a lesson though. When PR folks say no… it’s ok to feel like crap but don’t show your ass.
Back to the original question. How do you get the interview? You ask! During those cold dreary early days in 2012 I’d write a story, produce it then send it to the musician or actor through Facebook. The note always read, “It would’ve sounded better if we could’ve heard your voice instead of mine. Share your story or someone will write it for you.”
I never said no to a conversation. Johnny the barking monkey with a fist full of pennies is coming to town… wanna talk to his owner? True story! Elton John’s in town. I get a phone call, “You wanna talk with his road manager?” Damn straight I do! He’s probably got bigger stories. That’s how I learned how everybody before the concert meets in a room to watch soccer. Talk about team building.
No matter what your niche there’s always someone out there wanting talk about it. You’ve gotta find the needle in the haystack. Reach out to the PR people. Knock on their door over and over again. 90% of the time you’ll finally get booked for an interview because another radio talent or podcaster is needed for a ten minute slot to make the tour complete.
Just two minutes ago a PR company reached out to me about talking with a CBD expert. Instantly I’m thinking, “Oh heck yes! There’s a lot people don’t know. Content, content, content!”
Then comes the next email. We need a media press kit. How much input do we have in the conversation? Do you have any case studies? Have you worked with any other CBD brands? Heavy duty hardcore questions that put them in total control. I get it. No problem. Oh wait. There’s one issue.
Let’s break this down. First. We need to step away from the studio. Count to ten. Breathe in breathe out. Here’s what I got out of that. I love the idea of them reaching out to me to help share valuable information about their product. I’m over a million strong with the platform so good move.
Here’s where I reach up and delete the email. I was ok with the media kit. I’ve got analytic numbers for their case studies. I’ve never talked with a CBD company. So what’s the problem? They want control of the final content. That’s not a conversation. That’s an info-mericial. Not for free. No.
This is what you’re gonna have to wade through while building your interview library. A ton of people are waiting to talk. It’s not as difficult as you think. I landed R&B legend Jermaine Dupris just over an hour ago. Then I picked up 60 Minutes Producer Kyra Darnton. Only to be hit with the CBD firm. This is comedy man. You can’t find this kind of entertainment anywhere but behind the scenes of a podcast.
So what’s the moral of the story? Know what you really want and stick to it. If you want guests then make it happen. Be faithful to the PR people and do all you can to help them social network what’s being promoted. Wait wait. Hold on a second. Something just hit me. Let’s clarify one thing. What is a guest? Does it have to be a person of fame? An expert in a specialized field? Can it be Shelia who lives down the street and everybody thinks she’s got a great radio voice?
Ultimately it’s up to you. I book guests based on how I can super serve those tuning in. Content is the only rule I play by. If it’s too inside and the listener no longer feels like their part of the conversation. You’ve got get Shelia out of the control room. Know your beginning middle and end. Have answers for the PR people. Protect your podcast. If it looks and sounds like someone’s gonna use up your digital space to cash in. Make the decision and be good with it.
Have fun with your guests. More importantly create authentic conversation.

Create The Echo

Being on a podcast journey requires one simple digital platform acceptance: The moment you post... It no longer belongs to you. Which is usually how you can
tell the difference between a terrestrial radio talent and someone that planted their first seed in the open fields of podcasting.

Downloading your episodes is a huge feature because potential advertisers need to know those numbers. If they aren’t showing up? It becomes that little box that doesn’t get checked at decision time. Not everybody’s hot on this performance plan. Only because I’ve spent 40 years bringing radio to life I’ve bumped into many talent that don’t podcast because of a lack of control. They don’t like the idea that anyone at any time can download their episode and paste it to unknown pages.

It took me just over a year to warm up to the idea. I wanted to collect the analytic numbers not someone else. The RSS feed turned out to be the hero. I could put my podcasts on any digital outlet and still get the credit. But what about the downloads? You have to play the game like musicians and actors. There’s nothing you can do. We live in a download it for free zone. Think of it as servicing your listeners. Let them have it. It’s still your show because you’re the creator of the echo.

Listeners sharing your episodes isn’t stealing. It’s helping to push you beyond the initial small circle. Promote the fact that your podcast is on different sites. Dani Shapiro from Family Secrets has help craft that marketing into place. She isn’t afraid to share with her listeners where they can find her stuff iHeart, iTunes, Spotify and more.

Create the echo. Be open to the idea of not being exclusive. I ran into that problem a few years back. I was asked to take every episode down and put them on an exclusive site. Keep in mind I’m that dude that didn’t really like listeners downloading and now I was fighting to keep the 75 to 100 podcast sites rocking. The more you echo the bigger your numbers. It’s the business of podcasting talking not the performer.

I learned a very valuable lesson during that struggle. The question came up, “Who owns the episodes?” We brought in the lawyers. If your podcast features musicians, authors, actors , politicians and other public figures ultimately the guest has control. They can ask you to remove a show no questions asked. It’s their product being featured. If something doesn’t feel or sound right they’ve got every right to ask you to take the wind out of the sails.

Of coarse I’ve experienced this. When you think you’re doing something good by giving someone free space and time and it comes back to bite you. The guest was a rep for a weight loss live a better life product line. The conversation went brilliant! Totally got into the groove and learned a lot. Before the episode could be posted it had to be run up the ladder to every boss, legal team and whomever else was making the decisions. That absolutely cool conversation wasn’t approved. They wanted to redo the podcast and give the guest the right words to say. I walked away. Which created a different kind of echo. The really cool guy willing to give us free advertising was starting to look like a jerk.

I’ve had Country music stars in my studio showcasing their brand new songs. I’m the type of interviewer that wants to hear the inside sleeve story. I love digging in deep and feeling the reason and purpose of why the song was brought to life. We laugh, we cry, we get so serious and yet so real. Then the record company calls and says, “Don’t even think of posting that episode. We’ll get back to you.”

I’ve had conversations with huge actors that do nothing but promote a product the entire time. I refused to not post it. The PR department didn’t like the decision.
They were doing their part to clear the way for the actor to be on the air now it was my job to live up to their expectation. Which is why I created the podcast On The Corner Of Walk And Don’t Walk. If the talent is dead set on selling a product go for it. It just won’t make its way to the more listened to podcasts. It’s still posted! It still gets numbers. It just can’t be used on a podcast known for real conversations with less commercial speak.

I created an echo. A solution that serves all involved. These days I do hardcore research with the PR departments to locate their ambitions. What I’ve learned is that everybody always has something to sell. They wouldn’t be talking to you. Sell the product without sounding like an info-mercial. Create the pace, the mindset and ask less questions while creating more statements. It’s amazing how engaging a conversation becomes when the host shares a statement then steps back for the guest to begin their thoughts. If I’m locked in on asking questions it gives them too much room to promote Taco Bell.

The echo is about sharpening your skills as an interviewer. Rather than run down a list of prepared points of interest. Talk to them like a neighbor. We know how they are.The moment they find something new they want to talk about it. Somehow someway the conversation goes 45 mins to an hour. Why can’t the actor or musicians sales call be the same?

Create the echo.

So what’s the moral of the story? Play fair. Be aware. Know the game. Play it the same. Expect to face mountains. Don’t create valley floors. 7 years ago when I started this mess big business wanted nothing to do with it. Those big pockets have arrived and they’ve got a plan. A mission. A vision to make on demand listening more than a hobby. Latch onto a great reputation. Feed it everyday. Podcasting is no different than anything else. There will always be challenges and changes. Just know what to do when and after you create an echo.

I’m Arroe and that’s Pod-Crashing

Pod-Crashing Episode 25: The Seven Truths Of Podcasting


This past week I was invited to break out of the studio and sit with future Broadcasters. The subject? Podcasting! The importance of investing your personal time and creative space to what’s quickly becoming a good sized puzzle piece in the world of content connection.

Each lecture was four hours long. Oh yeah. When you call me to the stage we’re gonna plant the seed and wait for the first leaf to leap out of the soil.

During those ticks on the clock we covered seven main areas that most podcasters never tap into. My father used to shout, “No matter how much it might hurt or comes across as being boring. The truth
is always the best way to lead.”

Truth number one of the seven. When it comes to podcasting it’s easy to start. Even easier to quit. It’s like looking at a really cool bottle of ice cold beer on a very hot Carolina day. You can’t wait to pop that
top and pour those natural juices through your system of choice. The biggest mistake always takes place during the first big gulp. Podcasting comes across as being free spirited and fun until you need to
get the work done. Suddenly that bottle of beer become funny tasting earth water. You forgot to read the label. It’s strawberry flavored with a twist of lime.

Easy to start. Easier to quit. I love listening to the stories of those getting started. They’re so excited about launching the episodes and instantly there’s 150 to 200 listens. That’s right Captain that oh wow
factor of making the right decision to be a podcaster has pumped up the volume in your heart. You’re gonna make money! But now you’ve got to plan and execute shows number two, three, four and so on. What? The analytics are showing a huge drop in the numbers. That vision to hit one million quickly begins to fizzle and those well invested ten hours have started sending out invitations to find a new sport.

Easy to start. Easier to quit. This totally leads me into the second of the seven truths. Just because I’ve seen many people kick off a podcast then drop it off like a dirty diaper doesn’t mean you’re gonna feel
the same storm. The second truth? You are your own story. How I reached my first million can’t be compared to your journey. The layout of decisions and reasons for each season are completely in tune with your own universe. Podcasting is a beast blessed with many faces. We might see eye to eye on which platforms to use and what it’s like to watch a totally nothing episode become your biggest attraction in months but ultimately your story as a podcaster will walk it’s own path.

This is why it’s wise to join a podcast community. To compare the bumps and bruises. To try new ways to produce or interview. Social media techniques versus just posting it to Blogger.com The podcast
adventure is a wild ride that always has a story of its own. It’s yours. And I have mine. I keep a journal. Documenting what I’ve tried and why. When it doesn’t work out I go back into the journal and locate
the areas of weakness. The best way to build a skyscraper is from the ground up. If you think you’re starting out on the 13th floor then you should also expect there to be no elevator. All things that move in an
upward motion start beneath the surface of dirt.

Truth number three. Practice, practice, fail, practice. The only way you’re gonna bring light to an otherwise silent spot on the wall is to figure it out. Podcasting is like sex. A lot of people show up thinking
they know how to use the tools. You’ve got to practice. To locate that voice. This isn’t terrestrial radio. Developing the right pitch volume and tone demands a little love and affection. Practice, practice, fail
practice. Be nice to your creative self! When it’s not paying off like you dreamed that’s not a red flag for you to pick up a country song and play it backwards. You’re not getting anything back.

When new ideas hit me. I write them down. I plan out what could be the execution. The first attempt never makes it to the air. I listen to the episode in the car. I listen to it in a stinky burger laced place
with a food rating of 83%. You are judged by what’s listened to in the moment. The moment it drops then you’ve got to know in your masterful soul that this is a new podcast that will have lots of episodes.
Don’t quit it before it’s time because its evolution no longer matches the original vision.

Truth number four. Don’t let your friends critique your podcast. The further you keep your art away from those who love you most the more fun you’re gonna have putting it out there. Friends try to be nice.
Friends think you can handle the truth. Friends will lie when something is out of tune or over baked. If they want to hear your craftsmanship let me locate it on their own. Google is a wonderful tool. If they
bring it up in a conversation do all you can to break free of it. Save your friends for other occasions such as crashing a new Cheesecake Factory.

Truth number five. Weekly versus daily episodes. I do them both. That doesn’t mean I like it. Two truths already discussed come into play. You are your own story and practice, practice, fail, practice. I come
from terrestrial radio. We do shows everyday! You get used to the energy. I have three podcasts that get attention once a week. The numbers are high but individually they aren’t generating enough steam
to keep this engine on the tracks. I grasp the idea of why so many prefer to use the once a week approach. I do love it though when I go to Marc Maron and Dax Shepherd and the boys have brought me
some quality content and conversation several times during the week. What do I do? I keep going back to them. The more we listen the more advertisers enjoy sponsoring them.

Truth number six. Never too early to start but you’re fifteen years behind. Think about that for a moment. When I first jumped into podcasting in 2012 it was already in forward motion. No matter how hard
I worked on developing my own voice and style I was still fifteen years behind. I totally respect those that took huge chances in the years before me. It prepared my 2012 stage. This was way before
iHeart Radio began to support it. Long before Spreaker and Anchor.fm. Before those platforms began to unfold I spent a ton of time searching for radios to post the interviews and features. I gave my stuff
away just so I could learn how to play.

Today’s new podcasters have it a little sweeter. Everything you need is right there for the taking. Oh wait. That brings me to a truth. Easy to start. Easier to quit. I’ve always looked at this cool way to share
conversation as being our KDKA in Pittsburgh. That little torch knew it could and proved it. It hit the air in 1920. Alan Freed, The Real Don Steal, Wolfman Jack, Casey Kasum, Dick Clark, Howard Stern and
every local small town hero wouldn’t have been heard if someone hadn’t planted the seed.

Truth number seven. The very second you begin a podcast your longterm vision is to reach 100 plus episodes. You have to think like this! You aren’t going to get valuable advertisers by sluggishly playing
along. Someone’s gonna ask, “How many episodes have you posted? What’s in your catalog? How long did you say you’re going to do this?” They always told us in martial arts that we can’t master the
punch, kick or block until we’ve done it 100,000 times. There was a time in radio when the old timers would tell the young bucks, “You’ll never be looked at as a pro in radio until you’ve been fired three
times and divorced just as many.” The longer you spend in between these sheets the more you’ll understand what they mean.

There you have it! Seven podcasting truths. Grab your light sabers and take up sides during this battle in the galactic core of a universe that looks brighter than the Northern Lights.

I’m Arroe and that’s pod-crashing

Heard someone say the other day, “The one thing that should always appear at the top of your podcast list is your ego.” I chuckled. Mainly because it’s the one tool in the box that’s gonna get you in and out of trouble. It’s going to be your biggest cheerleader and top notched judger. Somedays the ego’s not there or it shows up too strong.
That’s the area of the ego the person wanted future podcasters to pay close attention to. When the ego is multiplied to super amped status. When nearly next to everything on the episode is about me, me and me. A guest is sharing their experience only to be interrupted by the host.
It’s too easy to get locked up in this habit. Nobody’s doing it to one up the visitor but rather to relate with. To have something in common. A reaction. Heard too often the listeners begin to think today’s show is brought to you by me, me and one more me.
First of all don’t hang up on your ego. You need it for every show. Think of your podcast as being bigger than life. Believing in your product gets people excited. Sure the ego can take you overboard and it may come across as being an alpha dog moment. Just don’t be the storyteller all the time. Ask short questions. Make even shorter statements. Get your guest engaged in you which is then transferred to your listeners.
I host three self-help podcasts. The Choice, Daily Ray of Light and The Lyrics From Billy’s Forest. They look and smell like an ego driven monster. As host I read from journals of personal experience. Teaching other creative minds how to push their abilities without injuring their capabilities. Laid out like a heart on a sleeve are the steps and stumbles. The goal is to recover with a winning spirit and attitude.
Through transparency listener connections are made. It’s never been an over the top ego trip. It’s confident, compassionate and filled with courage. Knowing where the thoughts are going keeps the episodes focused. Becoming aware of how the written words are delivered requires a truthful ear. Listen to your podcast in the car on a busy road. Sit in a crowded Panera Bread with ear buds blasting. Put yourself in the same place your listeners are and see if the ego is getting in the way of building a bigger community.
There’s a reason why content is the number one need for listeners. Without your personal journey, I might as well be listening to a bump on a log. Inflection needs your history. Its texture controlled by the edges of your imagination attached to an ego.
Turn your podcast into a drinking game. Each time you say I or Me it’s a free shot of your specialty.
You’ve got to remember this is all coming from a person that believes there’s an “I” in teamwork. Teams require the strength of being an individual before becoming stronger as a community of creative minds.
I totally grasp what the person was sharing. It’s easy to put yourself out there too far and be judged by the indentation your ego created in a very fragile and still truly undiscovered new world of broadcasting. But you’re gonna need that ego when you sit down with potential advertisers that have heard of podcasting but don’t trust it to bring them business.
The line I keep hearing, “Wow I can definitely feel your passion for what you’re doing and it’s obvious that you’ve dug in deep and want to see this through. I need some time to digest this. I’ll get back to you. In the meantime go out find an intern that’s willing to do some grunt work for ya. Someone that knows the world of podcasting because they live it.”
Swiftly you turn to your smart phone. You need an instant pick me up. Right there in plain sight your ego sees how fast the numbers are growing in the UK and Japan. Yeah but here’s the bigger truth. What do those listeners in foreign countries have to do with Keith Hawthorne Ford in Belmont NC?
Sharing your strength and belief in what’s being delivered is a door opener but that chunk of wood hanging on hinges can easily slam if the product being presented has no legs to keep growing in new directions. The ego tends to get in the way of hearing about other methods of reaching a different more dependable audience.
I’ve spent the past seven years designing and redesigning. Shuffling everything including my interviewing technique. Ask the questions in ways that can get the conversation on several podcasts rather than a well-defined niche that happens to like Rock stars that eat bacon on Fridays.
A lot of feelings get hurt within the invisible walls of let’s do it my way. If you make it beyond seven episodes you’ll begin noticing how hard your heart is becoming. The attitude of in it to win it. Convincing your ego that landing ten listens today is still a victory. Oh wait! You just made 13 cents on Anchor.fm. Greatest show on the planet.
Podcasting is no different than a Renaissance Festival. There’s a lot of crafting going on and it’s the confident artist that figures out a way to be heard and listened to constantly because in the process of learning they put a muzzle on the ego. Go into every project expecting to be bruised. If the internet trolls don’t send you wickedly induced emails then celebrate the occasion.
Be open to talk with other podcasters. Facebook has specialized groups always willing to share new tricks on how to build your following without losing your foundation. Be humble while being encouraging and that requires bits and pieces of a developed ego. If that monster gets out of hand step back a few feet and count to ten.
An injured ego has been trained to silence the artist. Be present with your feelings while understanding how easy it is to injure yourself. When that happens the next move could lead to fewer episodes. The most common excuse, “My job was getting in the way or I just couldn’t think of any new subjects.”
When those words start falling off the edge of your lips there’s nothing anyone can do. Latch onto a book about podcasting. Scan the web for ideas you can steal. Write a letter to the host of your podcast and tell him or her that you miss them. Rebuild that ego with encouraging comments that might actually make you giggle.
So what’s the moral of the story? Non-podcasters are starting to take note of how this new age of communicating content is raising the level of confidence inside the giving hearts of those that love to talk. Although I’ve been known for doing it… The great vibe the ego is giving off doesn’t work for everyone. Sharing the adventure is a huge part of the fun. To get friends and family involved most of us would a podcast studio for them in their homes.
The moment they drop in a hot cup of truth about not being interested in when a few under the breath remarks are made. Keep the ego intact. You’re going to need a fit for a king confident walk for those days when Paul McCartney’s PR crew says he’s calling in at 2pm eastern and the phone never rings.
So in a huge way I agree with the original seed in this conversation, “The one thing that should always appear at the top of your podcast list is your ego.” It’s good to have one but very damaging with it gets out of control. And please please whatever you do. Do not use those closest to your everyday heart soul as a place to get applause for your loyalty to podcasting. You’re setting yourself up for the big hurt.