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(By Troy Price) If you like to listen to a good science fiction story, there is a podcast for that. If you like a good tale of horror, there is a podcast for that. Are fantasy stories your thing? There is a podcast for that. Do you identify as a young adult? There is a podcast with hundreds of stories for you to download. These podcasts: Escape Pod, Psudopod, Podcastle, and Cast of Wonders are all part of Escape Artists Inc. They are one of the best examples of a podcast network out there.
Here are the six reasons I think these folks have it together and why their podcasts and network should be on everyone’s favorite podcasting app.
1. All of the network’s podcasts fit tightly under one cohesive theme. Escape Artists shows provide quality short audio fiction using podcast technology. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few magicians have approached them and asked to be part of their Escape Artists network, but they have kept what they offer very limited and on brand. You can listen to any of the podcasts and know they are part of Escape Artists and being part of the network is something to be valued.
2. At the beginning of each podcast on the network, the lives and achievements of the contributing author and voice talent is highlighted. Even before hearing the episode I know if the person is an award-winning author of if they are new to the field. Either way, I am ready to root for the coming story. Also, each episode’s show notes provide links to the author’s other works. This often drives me to their website for more. I have been known to buy multiple copies of books and donate to an author’s GoFundMe campaigns because I become so connected to them through their work.
3. Each show is edited and hosted by people who understand the genre of literature featured on each podcast. As well as being entertained by gripping science fiction and horror stories, I have learned about the details of what makes a good story. For instance, how a sense of isolation is needed for a horror story to work or how even a story of high science fiction must connect to a reader’s daily life.
4. Escape Artist Inc.’s business model, amazingly, pays contributing authors and voice talent. Their model provides exposure and financial compensation for their work. This ensures quality content and production in every show. Working for exposure is sometimes valuable, but a paying market does interest a different crowd.
5. Show hosts, voice talent, and authors are all shared among the shows on the network. Every so often a different voice welcomes you to the podcast. They announce they are from PodCastle, filling in this week. This minimal cross-promotion reminds the listener that the other shows are out there and often encourages me to catch up on the past episodes that have been sitting on my phone for a while.
6. The Escape Artists Inc. website (http://escapeartists.net/), as well as the websites for each of the podcasts, feature the work of the podcasts with opportunities for support tastefully presented in the margins. They split the right proportion of screen real estate between content and solicitation. Also, each show still has active forums where fans discuss the stories. This keeps people on their website for more branded engagement.
There you go, six reasons I think Escape Artists Inc. is one of the best podcast networks out there today. Learn from them. Emulate them. Listen to their stories. Who knows, you might get hooked as you improve your podcasting efforts.
_Troy Price is the co-founder of _Front Porch Studios_ in Berea, Kentucky. He’s been involved with podcasting for over a decade. Reach Troy by email at _Troy@frontporchstudios.com.