Subscribe via: iTunes | Google Play | RSS James D'Amato is the host of the ONE SHOT Podcast, co-founder of the ONE SHOT Network, and half of Paracosm press. Links:

• One Shot Podcast
• One Shot's Youtube
• Twitch
• One Shot Network's Patreon
• The Dungeon Dome Kickstarter

Show Notes:

• James views his creative work as using tabletop roleplaying as a storytelling medium.
• It's harder to build an audience than it was 5 years ago, but the podcasting buy-in is lower. Marketing is one of the primary challenges.
• James learned about and fell in love with RPGs in college.
• James practiced stand-up comedy in high-school.
• Other comedians just seemed like sad tired old men, and that didn't look like it led to a good place.
• He took an improv class and saw that the instructors didn't seem unhappy.
• He moved to Chicago to improve improv, and was introduced to Earwolf's "Improv for Humans."
• He and his friend Alex decided to create a show of their own
• Podcasting doesn't require passing through a rigid system to book gigs, and allowed them to set their own schedule.
• They created the Overshare, which was picked up by Peaches and Hot Sauce
• Patrick O'Rourke approached James and asked him to create an Actual Play RPG podcast.
• James saw that most Actual Play shows were DnD focused, when gaming is so much broader.
• They came up with a format that allowed them to tour different game systems with a rotating cast of guests.
• Their focus on a broader game base and high caliber performances helped them take off quickly.
• Starting now would be more difficult as podcast quality has generally risen over the years.
• Everyone has their own path into how they do what they do, and directly following someone else's path isn't effective, but if you look to the successes of a lot of people, you can figure out how to make "you" work.
• One of the big factors in One Shot's success was Pat O'Rourke's focus on quality equipment.
• If you're dong an Actual Play podcast, have a microphone for each player to have a competitive footing. James recommends the Yeti Blue Pro. It offers both USB and XLR line options, and is thus upgradeable.
• The free software Audacity is a perfectly adequate piece of software for every level of podcasting.
• James believes that Twitch is the future of entertainment along with Netflix and HBO.
• The successful production companies cater to narrow niches.
• Podcasting is radio on demand, Twitch is the equivalent of live television. Twitch is where the money is going to be.
• Time is their biggest limitation; One Shot Podcast is a full time job, but Twitch is also a full time gig.
• You will soon see RPGs designed to operate within what opportunities Twitch provides.
• James's new project is the Dungeon Dome, his first attempt to really take advantage of the medium. It's a PvP gladiator game, and he's running a kickstarter to fund it.
• The story arises from the procedural stories generated by the interactions between the characters.
• Spectators will be able to impact the matches.
• Backers will have greater influence. They can create items and events that are featured in matches.
• High level donors will be able to co-create characters that will exist within the context of the game space.
• The key is that they are offering engagement rather than exclusivity.
• After Dungeon Dome's first season of 15 episodes, James will focus on game design and new narrative projects.
• The bulk of One Shot's income comes through Patreon
• Patreon is not a place to build an audience, it is a place to monetize the audience you already have. You need to have the actionable audience.
• This audience is going to be 5-10% of your total fans for podcasts, less than 1% for less engaging art forms.
• Give yourself the time to grow before deciding if you're a success or failure.
• Podcasts are higher engagement than other media. You spend an hour or so a week with the hosts in your ear. This creates an intensely intimate investment.
• You are acting on this good will. You don't need to treat it like a product, or a kickstarter. You are giving the people who think of you as a friend the opportunity to contribute to your existence.
• Don't let Patreon pressure you to the point where your life suffers.
• Successful milestones focus on how your life will improve, rather than potential future projects.
• Have faith in yourself as an artist, and never break yourself on a project. If something requires you to destroy your life, it's probably not worth it.