Want to do a podcast: read this ebook
It's no secret media, like a lot of industries, has endured its share of major changes due to transitions in the technological landscape. Many folks who run large media conglomerates are getting paid handsomely to devise strategies that best implement ways to maximize a shrinking bottom line.
Lots of them fail.
It's one thing to say changes are happening. It's another to recognize where the model is going and how to play a functional role in the process.
During his extensive work career behind the scenes at radio and television stations in Tucson, Brian Baltosiewich knew change was happening, and he could see the traditional electronic media model was in danger. He also recognized that podcasting was going to be a more viable player on the media landscape.
It's in Tucson where he devised the idea for radio exiles, a collection of out of work radio personalities who could bring their audiences with them in the Internet age via the podcast alternative. Since leaving Tucson for a television job in Charlotte, Baltosiewich took the concept with him, and is instrumental in a number of podcast projects in The Queen City.
He's been part of podcasts since before the word was a fixture of our nomenclature. So it seems natural Baltosiewich would write a handy, easy-to-read, instructional breakdown on the podcast process, entitled The Podcast Pep Talk.
"I've seen a bunch of books that tell readers 'launch a podcast, you can make a million dollars,'" said Baltosiewich. "For most of us, that's just not true. I wanted to write an honest depiction of what it takes to do this, that it's not all rainbows and unicorns and that if you're in it for profit you're probably not going to make a lot of money."
The Podcast Pep Talk breaks down the process, from the importance of having a voice, of being interesting, of talking about a subject that might be unique, or unique because of the specific spin, of the critical aspect of quality sound and the monetization process.
"Like anything worthwhile, it's a ton of work," Baltosiewich said. "A lot of people think it's easy and after four months or so they hit the wall and then miss a show, and then it becomes easier to miss a week and then they just stop doing it. The trick is to push through that four-month wall."
The book even includes an interview with John Oliver prior to his breakthrough on HBO's Last Week Tonight. In the podcast realm, Oliver got significant notice through "The Bugle," and in his interview with Baltosiewich, discussed how that came about and what went into its explosive success.
"I love podcasting," Baltosiewich said. "It's opened a lot of doors for me and I've been able to meet people and talk to people I may never have met otherwise. It's a lot of fun. I hope I can do it another 15 years."
He hopes you can too. Just read the ebook.
"I think I'm appropriately honest in the book, when it's necessary- and sufficiently enthusiastic when needed, too," Baltosiewich said. "I think there's room for all of us to find an audience."
The Podcast Pep Talk is available for download on multiple ebook platforms.
He's not the only one ebooking it
Soon-to-be erstwhile Tucson Weekly Media Watch columnist John Schuster has teamed with sportstalk radio host Mike Luke on an ebook project entitled 1SportsMoment. The first installment in what might be a series focuses on current NFL franchises.
The ebook takes the Rushmore concept—the top four of any subject—and narrows it to one event. Clearly, an approach like that lends itself to the potential of heated debates among fans.
Schuster spent the better part of 30 years covering sports in a print and radio capacity. Luke is the co-host of Kevin and Mike, which airs weekdays from 3-6 on KCUB 1290 AM. He also hosts pre and postgame broadcasts for UA football and men's basketball games.
1SportsMoment is available on the Amazon.com ebook platform.
Maybe there will be a podcast too.
KGUN tweaks morning show, jettisons coverage on KWBA
Scripps owned KGUN TV 9 changed the hours of its local news program Good Morning Tucson from 5-8 to 4:30-7. Good Morning America airs at 7.
The move also led to pulling the plug on KWBA TV 58's morning addition. KWBA is currently filling the space with sponsored programming from 7-8, and Law and Order: Criminal Intent, from 8-9.
