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(By Fletcher Brown) If Day One was all about the basics, then Day Two was about finding the “devil in the details.” Panel One was “Building a Podcast with Convergence Journalism.” Yes, I too squealed with excitement when I read the title. While this was not the most well-attended panel I saw, it was one of the more interesting. Primarily, this panel would have benefited television, radio, or print media professionals looking to expand their brand through podcasting. Hosted by Boston 25 News’ Dalton Main, we learned convergence journalism incorporates various types of media i.e. digital, video, audio, print, etc. Dalton insists that traditional media must conform to this model, and soon. Boston 25 News has had a great deal of success pulling from their archive of short, local news stories and going in-depth into topics of community interest. New England’s Unsolved in particular. Why is this so relevant to traditional media? According to Dalton’s data, 16% of 18-34-year-olds have an income of $150,000 or more. Of them, 27% have a four-year degree (2018 Infinite Dial Survey). Considering that demo is often a traditional media target, it bears noting. Sixteen percent is not a large number, but that 16% are avid podcast listeners, so there is your opportunity.
The day afforded more opportunities to hear about how to sell your podcast, how to balance podcasting and life, whether it is with your job or with your personal life, if you podcast full-time. There was one workshop that gave aspiring podcasters insight into an area often overlooked: trademark and copyright law. Attorney and host of Last Name Basis, Patrick Kondas, shined a light on some of the darkest corners of content creation, advising content creators to be aware of what constitutes a trademark or a copyright, when you are in danger of violating one, and how to obtain one. The process is very involved, and he recommends just hiring a lawyer first. Starting with a basic Google search of your show name or concept is the best first move. Don’t skip this one. Really do your research before you launch.
The day ended with another popular podcaster workshop: “Starting Your Own Podcast.” Session speaker Steven Ray Morris is head audio engineer for The Exactly Right Network, and/ host of _The Purrrcast _and See Jurassic Right. He also produces/engineers My Favorite Murder, Do You Need A Ride, Ologies with Alie Ward (editor), and Jensen Holes: The Murder Squad. Morris offered his take on where and how to begin. Can you have a conversation for an hour, either with yourself or a friend, and not get bored? Practice and practice. If you don’t like your first attempt, do it again differently. Be consistent. Don’t be afraid to have more than one project. Your tools (audio equipment, software, etc.) matter, but they don’t have to be the expensive high-end models in the beginning. Morris offered recommendations for affordable recording equipment like Tascams and Zoom H4Ns. Searching basic beginner podcast sets-ups is relatively easy to do, but don’t be afraid to ask questions. I made a shopping list.