In the world of radio, Podcast Movement is a new conference on the scene. Many broadcasters readily attend events like the Radio Show, RAIN, the Worldwide Radio Summit, Conclave, state broadcaster association get-together, and hopefully, DASH. For public radio content creators, it’s PRPD. So a conference devoted to podcasting is something out of most everyone’s center of attention.
Until now. As podcasting has become a buzz word in both commercial and public radio circles, most of the aforementioned conferences devote perhaps a session or two to on-demand audio. So an entire conference focused on podcasting is an entirely new thing.
Next month, Podcast Movement takes place in Chicago, and many radio broadcasters will be in attendance soaking up al there is to know about on-demand audio, and how it fits into the overall landscape. We will be among them. But how did this unique conference come about, and who’s the force behind it.
Enter Jared Easley, a genuine entrepreneur. He has been called the Zig Ziglar of the podcasting world. In the past couple of years he’s started a podcast, written a book and co-founded Podcast Movement which is the world’s largest event of its kind devoted to all things podcasting. Here are his 5 reasons why radio broadcasters should be in Chicago for Podcast Movement. – FJ
My mother taught me the fundamental idea that “flattery will get you everywhere.” That may not be true, but let the buttering up begin anyway. The radio broadcasters that I know are intelligent and reasonable people. They have incredible experience and industry skills developed over time. They are also not likely to fall for any gimmicks or short term broadcasting related fads. That said, why would fellow radio broadcasters (like the smart ones that I know) be interested in Podcast Movement which is the #1 conference about podcasting?
1. Your Broadcast Skills
Podcasting has experienced a lot of momentum and growth over the years. Unfortunately, not everyone who podcasts understands how to create a radio quality production. A lot of podcasters do not know how to pronounce and enunciate certain words or phrases on the mic. Some podcasters have been guilty of falling into the “shock jock” or NPR clone stereotypes.
We know that there is more to radio than that. Radio broadcasters have extensive experience that the podcasting community as a whole can learn from including segmenting shows, show prep and applying those nuances that relate to the delivery of the show (just to name a few). Radio pros have incredible value to teach and bring to the “new media” table if they are willing to pull up a chair and enjoy a 20 ounce glass of “That’s Nice… Now Let Me Show You How The Big Boys Do It.”
2. Increase Your Market
I spoke recently with Kraig Ehm. Kraig is a Multi Media Producer for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for Michigan State University. He has 35 years of broadcasting experience. Kraig understands the competition for eyes and ears that everyone in commercial radio encounters.
He started working with their afternoon radio person to create short podcast episodes primarily to expand the market of the afternoon show. The mini podcast episodes are niche and appeal to an audience online that are now tuning in on a regular basis. Kraig is excited about Podcast Movement because he understands that radio and podcasting combined are powerful tools to increase the broadcast radio market and grow the audience. Podcast Movement’s schedule includes several sessions that will further explore these ideas in detail.
3. Creative Strategies for Repurposing and Monetizing Existing Content
Podcast Movement also features a variety of presentations and panel discussions that will share relevant ideas on how to take existing content and repurpose it for monetization opportunities. One simple idea is to make existing shows not only available as podcasts, but to limit the window of their free availability. The raving fans will subscribe to the monthly fee to access the older shows. Marc Maron with the WTF podcast does this, as do many other successful podcasters. This could be very easy for radio broadcasters to implement as well. This is just one idea among the plethora of possible missed opportunities that can be adapted, adjusted, and improved upon.
4. “Your Network is Your Net Worth” – Tim Sanders
Shannon “Shan Man” Hernandez is an on-air talent for 98 KUPD (Hubbard Radio/Phoenix). He participated at Podcast Movement last year and enjoyed many takeaways. However, the biggest value from being at the event was the opportunity to network and connect with some incredible minds in the industry.
Shannon mentioned that three or four connections from Podcast Movement led him to one solid contact that has proven to be a game changer for his career and future opportunities. Podcast Movement also provides a unique environment for radio broadcasters to network, share ideas and learn from other public radio broadcasters. It seems like a shame that the two worlds rarely interact.
5. Your Competition Will Be There
Podcast Movement is seeing a large increase in attendance from radio this year. Your competition is likely attending this event. Permission to name drop some organizations that are already leveraging podcasting to build additional audiences for their current radio audience (and will also be at the event):
ACAST, ADLarge, Air, American Public Media, AmplifiMedia, Audioboom, BBC, BuzzFeed, CBC, Edison Research, ESPN, Gimlet, Google Play, Hubbard Radio, Huffington Post, iab, Inc, Jacobs Media, Midroll Media, Nielsen, NPR, Panoply, Public Media Marketing, PRI, PRX, Radiotopia, Scripps, Slate, Spotify, Spreaker, StreamGuys, Third Coast International Audio Festival, Tow Center, Triton Digital, WBEZ and WNYC Studios. Whew!
Podcasting and radio combined have the power to create an exciting symphony where broadcasting skills, industry experience and existing content are orchestrated together. Why would radio broadcasters not want to increase their market by leveraging this opportunity? Podcast Movement will help shed some light on the possibilities and provide new ideas that will continue to get the message to the people. Let the record also reflect that my mother thinks that attending Podcast Movement will make you smarter and better looking. I love that woman.
Our Digital Dot Connector, Seth Resler, will host a Podcast Makeover panel with executive producer of NPR’s “Car Talk” and “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” Doug Berman, superstar Tom Leykis, consultant and author Valerie Geller, and Spreaker’s Rob Greenlee at the 2016 Podcast Movement Conference.
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