Bypass NPR: Podcast!
I really think there are a lot of folks who didnt make the cut who have ideas and tallent to take their peices and turn them into Podcast shows. Anyone thought of this?
I guest host on a weekly podcast on geek culture. Check us out at www.secretidentitypodcast.com
We have a nice growing following, and its a simple enough process for most folks to do! I urge those standing outside the winners circle for this, to look into creating their own broadcast.
delicious
diggApparently this is a new free host for internet radio to both create and broadcast internet radio shows:
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/06/07/make-...ion-ubroadcast/
I have no idea how it is, but plan to check it out.
NPR isnt ready for GEEK! BUT you are! And we give the listener what they want!
Get your geek on with Secret Identity with Brian and Matt (and former quest hopeful Sarah the Anime Librarian!)
...of equipment I would need to do a podcast? Also, if I want to be able to go to other locations to interview.
ADQ
-------------------------------------------
The Non-Profitess
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/6914
The contest is over for me, but please give me some constructive criticism at the above link. Thanks!
How much would a digital recorder run me, d'ya think?
ADQ
-------------------------------------------
The Non-Profitess
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/6914
The contest is over for me, but please give me some constructive criticism at the above link. Thanks!
I recently bought a digital recorder I'm really happy with. It seems to me, the recorder matters less than the quality of the external mic. -ez
I'd be happy to send you some options off-board. I don't really want to be pushing items specifically or advertising or what have you. But there are a few good ones in the $300 range for sure.
"It's all in the mind, you know.” - Spike Milligan
Like several hundred dollars. Probably at least $250.
But maybe someone else knows of cheaper options. But i don't necessarily recommend buying the much cheaper versions unless someone has a good experience with one. bad equipment can be worse than no equipment in some ways. like as in you get it and then you realize it is bad and never use it...
Hopefully other people have suggestions.
Elizabeth
My entry at Public Radio Quest:
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/7572
My College Radio Myspace (feel free to friend me!):
http://www.myspace.com/girlsongprimerradio
to do things outside you might want to get a minidisc recorder with a mic input, or a digital recorder. Some digital recorders are better than others, and i am not an expert on that.
You could plug in the same mic (if it is one of those dynamic mics) into a recorder as you could plug into your computer.
I have a minidisc recorder but I would warn you that they aren't made to upload really, well maybe the new ones are, but you would have to feed it real time into your computer. For me that is not an issue, because I have the mixing board and so the sound doesn't really deteriorate.
Hopefully other people have info about quality digital recorders that can upload directly. That might be your best bet. Easiest anyhow.
Elizabeth
My entry at Public Radio Quest:
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/7572
My College Radio Myspace (feel free to friend me!):
http://www.myspace.com/girlsongprimerradio
NPR and PRX both stand for excellence, that is why this quest was so fierce. That aside. Is there a reason why people are avoiding the idea of selling CDs of their work for people who want them?
So much of the content would be great for school teachers, professors, homeschooler parents who might not be able to interview the mayor, leading researcher, the Lakers, etc.
Even the radio drama stories would be interesting to play for English classes.
No one needs to starve.
Get a sponsor. Remember you have something BROADCAST can't deliver...a finely honed niche market where EVERY listener is interested in your show. Think of your podcast as your own station. Who wants to listen and who has something to help your listeners?
(Not exploit--EX: You have a music show, and someone has a site/company selling quality fair priced used gear, that helps them, that helps you.)
I just bought a mic, a recorder, headphones and I am looking for a copy of Cool Edit. If I can do this...
Sally
Opportunity is a whore, don't wait for her to call you back...knock down her door. ;0)
NOT winning this contest was the best thing that could have happened to me. Want to know why?
Tuesday morning I woke up with an shot of optomism and energy that came out of nowhere.
Ever since then I've been working on my own project which includes not only a radio show, but a message board, a website, and a blog.
In two days I've already got my domain and hosting, my message board (which needs to be configured), a timeline, the majority of my web content, and a blog started!
It's like all those weeks of waiting for the judging to end, I was stewing on things and envisioning what I wanted to happen if I won---and then, when I didn't win, I was still leftover with a perfectly formed vision that just needed to be executed!
I'm not in this for money, and none of this stuff is expensive---just things that I never thought of doing until the contest. I have a really clear vision right now and I've been possessed with some kind of wonderful energy!
Theresa Bakker said that she gets that "butterfly" feeling in her tummy when she knows she's heard or read something right---and I have had that same feeling all week.
I have a PLAN, yo! :-)
ADQ
-------------------------------------------
The Non-Profitess
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/6914
The contest is over for me, but please give me some constructive criticism at the above link. Thanks!
You are awesome!
Elizabeth
My entry at Public Radio Quest:
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/7572
My College Radio Myspace (feel free to friend me!):
http://www.myspace.com/girlsongprimerradio
I know you are going to bring your passion to a much wider audience than you've found here. It's a sure thing. Let us know when we can flock to your new site and fill out lists galore. It feels so good when we know what our plan is, huh? I'm rooting for you.
Theresa
Thats Wonderful Q! Go for it!
Love comics? Anime? Sci fi? Gaming? Firefly? Star Wars? All the above? Then get Geek on NPR! Vote for Red Shirts Rising! http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1202
As a looong-time podcaster (upwards of 3 whole years), let me be the first to say that podcasting can give you chops, an audience of thousands, and a warm feeling about yourself. What it won't give you is a place on NPR.
I have a few podcasting friends who have built mini-empires and fewer still who have turned a significant profit on the venture or made the crossover to radio. I'm a first-rate fan of the industry, but I think perspective is key.
Not to sound like a PRX lapdog, but what they bring to the table is invaluable and hard to capture in podcasting: a direct connection to NPR stations world-wide, a good sense of "what plays in Peoria" (and other Illinois cities), mad production skillz, and the wherewithal to make it happen.
So I say: start your podcast, learn your chops, and build your audience—but also submit your work to PRX, Transom, et al, if public radio is your passion.
/soapbox
The thing that keeps me from giving energy to podcasting is all the limitations on use of copyrighted material.
Where can I read something simple to explain the laws- any suggestions?
"Happiness is the best revenge!"
Shelly, let me first point you to this thread which has a somewhat-in-depth discussion of this issue.
That said, I produce a music podcast and here are the criteria I use for what I will play (disclaimer, I also have a relative who is a lawyer, so I feel a little more frisky than most when it comes to legal issues):
- Music that I have express permission from the artist, label, and/or promoter (read: copyright holders). This takes a lot of work at first, but as you do this successfully, labels and musicians will begin seeking you out and requesting you play their music.
- Podsafe or Creative Commons music that musicians have expressly allowed others to download. (You can find these by googling "podsafe music", etc.)
- Music that artists/labels have made available for free download on the Internet (Myspace, Purevolume, LastFM, etc. — this is admittedly more of a gray area, but one that I am willing to set a precedent on.)
One more disclaimer is that I play almost all independent music, so I'm low on the radar. Another successful podcasting friend plays more mainstream music and purchases licensing ($$) through ASCAP, BMI and the RIAA so he can play tracks covered by these royalty organizations free and clear — without having to contact artists/labels directly each time. (He also has several sponsors to help foot the bill.) Depending on your niche, it's another route to explore.
One more soapbox item on starting a podcast: be very clear on your niche and your audience. There are 1,233,247 independent music podcasts, many playing the same music. What is the draw/slant/focus that makes yours stand out and will draw a crowd? For example, I decided to try and redefine one of the most maligned and quality-poor musical genres in our generation. Is there a fresh take or a running thread that will unify your podcast and give your listeners a reasonable expectation from week to week?
Good luck!
Try PodSafe Audio -- I see they have forums, so maybe that's a good place? I don't have a ton of experience but a number of fellow podcasters have raved about this site:
Agreed, but my meaning was that many people here seem more concerned about getting their unique voice out vs. making a career in radio. I dont care if I ever turn a paycheck. If what I have to say get to, and lights up people than I dont care if I do something professional and multi-recieved, or something that plays for a select group of people who are likely to be inetrested in what I have to say.
NPR is great, but it only does a certian thing. And lets be honest, much like its corporate counterparts, it does try to play for the biggest audiance. And sometimes the really unique ideas and voices get left behind for that.
I've seen a lot lately here and on websites about the search talking about how much of NPR is starting to all sound alike. Ira glass seems to be an exception.
In podcasting, you dont worry so much about that, because you can selectively promote where you think your audiance is. :)
I agree, NPR is a wonderful thing but maybe not the best platform for some of us here.
Love comics? Anime? Sci fi? Gaming? Firefly? Star Wars? All the above? Then get Geek on NPR! Vote for Red Shirts Rising! http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1202
Having left a full-time public radio job behind (for now, maybe forever) - I know just what you are saying. Mind you, it was at the local level and I was never making the big bucks, but what I realized is that I have something to say no matter if its being used to pay the rent or just to make a connection. That is the spirit I'm celebrating here. You say it much better than me, so thanks for saying this.
Theresa
Really, ladies, I'm right behind you. Biggest advocate of podcasting on these forums. I think the people from this contest have what it takes to create fantastic, mind-blowing podcasts. I like to give everyone a reality check from the start, however, to reduce burnout and further disappointment. Podcasting gives my an unbelievable creative outlet. If you're good at it, though, it gets pricey. See, it's not just about not making money, it's about COSTING money. And it can be significant.
Example: If you make a podcast that is 50 mb (1 hr. show) and you have 10 listeners, that's 500 mb of traffic (downloads) per show. Easy for most Web hosts to handle.
If you get warm and have a show that has 100 listeners x 50 mb, that's 5 GB of traffic. You might need a new host ($) for this.
If you get hot and have a show that has 1000 listeners x 50 mb, that's 50 GB of traffic. You'll definitely need a new, perhaps semi-dedicated, host ($$) for this.
Good problem to have? Perhaps. 1,000 is not quite critical mass for advertising, however, but enough to make a dent in your budget.
Just food for thought. I love you guys and am looking out for friends. And count me as your first podcast subscriber.
Its true but there are ways around this. For example, Secret IDentity offsets cost by selling SI goods on Cafe Press, and does a nice take in.
Advertisers too can help with site hosting for big podcasts. Most of the time its banner ads on your site that kind of thing.
If you go to the SI podcast page, and e-mail Brian and Matt they'll fill you in on more ideas for cash. :)
Love comics? Anime? Sci fi? Gaming? Firefly? Star Wars? All the above? Then get Geek on NPR! Vote for Red Shirts Rising! http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1202
Right, the money. Geez, I was really enjoying the weather over here in Oblivionville.
You're right, Pete. I'm smelling it now, anyway. I guess my niche might be the least popular podcaster. Keeping it cheap while I preach my message.
Kay, I'm going to go check out your EXPENSIVE hobby right now. Wait, maybe my niche will be posting pieces for other people's podcasts. Are you looking for submissions?
Thanks,
Theresa
But I'm not talking about an onramp to established public radio programs.
I'm taking about a place where people could collaborate and network and listen to other people's stuff without wading through the documentaries and NPR-style stories. Again, not that there's anything wrong with that. I'm glad PRX exists and I plan to become a member someday when I'm ready to pitch to a national audience. But for right now, it would be nice to belong to or help start or just visit a place - whether its website or blog - that is not geared towards getting paid or picked up by an NPR-type organization.
I'm looking for the amateur, not in the sense of inferior, but as original, different, maybe less polished. I'm wondering if there could be a central place to post podcasts or if it already exists.
Public radio is my passion, but I also believe it will take new forms and will expand to include something other than the model we're used to.
Thanks for the references into podcasting. I'll look those up and follow those links and stay in touch with Rexy and others, fer sure.
Theresa
All you've really gotta do is set up a blog. It's possible on almost all blog sites now to upload audio content. You set up a blog and invite all the people you want to network with as contributors (and have contact info on the blog so that new people could get put on, too). Then, people upload their content and everyone can leave comments with constructive criticism.
Done!
I use blogger, but there are a squillion blog sites out there now and they're all FREE!
The interweb is so kickass. =)
I've been wanting to, but this whole thing got me motivated to sort it all out! Now if I can just get my new computer to talk to all my software...its being STUBBORN.
http://web.mac.com/painkillerthepigeon
Be Believers!
"It's all in the mind, you know.” - Spike Milligan
I checked it out and tried to leave a comment, but the comment page wouldn't let me. Elizabeth V. figured it out. She IS a smart, sensible young woman, just like you always said.
Anyway, as soon as that familiar musical interlude started I felt like I was home, then came the unexpected and refreshing twist. And then you write about pirates, the scourge of my bein' It just so happens I know one of the contestants on Pirates of the Reality Ocean. I'm feeling a little pirated-out over here, too. And then, well, I don't want to give it all away.
Once again, I am in awe of you for figuring out how to do something like this and just doing it. It's gorgeous and original and if I were a programmer, I'd figure out a way to make money off of you. Harsh, but true.
BTW, I found some beautiful songs of yours on MySpace, which I'm not a member of nor a fan of. Is there anyway I can download them someplace or buy a cd? Seriously, I'd pay cash for independent, righteous music making like yours.
OK, cheers.
I realized last night that I created a monster, well a nice monster with the DIO Challenge. I'm going to start up a blog today for all of us who want to hone our skills together, upload audio, compare notes and bounce ideas off each other. I think it'll be fun. So, stay tuned ...
ez
I think at least one of the DIO challenges should use Ronnie James DIO as a topic/subject.
kthnxbi
;)
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