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Steve Adams runs the Hiking Radio Network. Currently the network has 6 shows, 3 are still live, including his own called Mighty Blue - On The Appalachian Trail - The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis. To grow his network he’s looking for five new hosts. Here’s what he has in mind…
At the end of episode #284 Steve tells his audience he believes there’s a dearth of hiking shows that can be done that cover all aspects of hiking. Over the next couple of months Steve says he’ll be looking for five people that want to start a new hiking podcast.
They have to use the same software Steve used when he first started his show. He’ll come up with their artwork, a website for their show, he’ll edit them and make them part of his network. And, the hosts can keep all the sponsorship money they can get. Having the shows on the Hiking Radio Network will give them a captive audience to start with.
We reached out to Steve to find out how he got started and why he’s trying to grow the network now
PBJ: When and why did you decide to launch your show? Steve Adams: I hadn’t expected to do a podcast; I was simply trying to record an audible version of my Appalachian Trail books. Apparently, my British voice seems to hit a spot with Americans and a friend suggested that I should record my story in my own voice. At a local library, I met a bunch of podcasters who set me on this journey, almost exactly five years ago.
PBJ: At the time was anyone else doing a similar show? Steve Adams: There were a couple of hiking podcasts but I ignored any comparisons. I quickly learned that podcasting is about consistency and have never failed to release an episode at the correct time.
PBJ: Were/are you really having a mid-life crisis? Steve Adams: Not sure if I was having a mid-life crisis. I just thought it was a catchy subtitle.
PBJ: How did you get your show out to listeners in those early days and what kept you going, what kept you interested in doing the podcast? Steve Adams: A friend of mine, Glenn Hebert, owner of the Horse Radio Network, saw my show on Apple podcasts a s followed from the beginning. His insights have been invaluable.
PBJ: You’ve turned the show into a network. How difficult was that? Steve Adams: I would put the episode on Facebook each week and it grew by word of mouth. What changed it for me was the amount of positive affirmations I got from listeners each week. My guests were clearly having an impact upon people lives.
Glenn was always pushing the positive side of having a network and, when I realized I could do it, I looked around for people with the qualities I was seeking. I found Anna Huthmaker and Julie Gayheart to host shows. They have both continued, never missing deadlines.
PBJ: What are your revenue streams and how significant is the revenue? Steve Adams: The show has had occasional sponsors, though the income has risen in the past year as I’ve explicitly requested donations. I’ve had several $500 checks, with several monthly recurring donors. I won’t reveal the amount of donations but my costs are now more than covered.
PBJ: Tell us about the latest project you’ve launched to find new podcasters. Steve Adams: I now really know how to do this and have offered to teach five potential podcasters how to do this. I’ll be editing, the shows will be on my network, and each show will have its own website within the HRN website.
I’m at various stages in the process with six potential shows. One thing that is clear is that people have a reluctance to actually record themselves. Pressing “record” is possibly the main thing that stands between any of us and becoming a podcaster.
Reach out to Steve Adams to congratulate him on growing his own podcast network at steve@hikingradionetwork.com