Here is the Bittorrent link and direct MP3 download for the EGC clambake for January 11, 2005.
In this episode, I speak aloud my Spock/Dr. Who simile; I talk about my new art; I play a snippet from Jim Christian at Posithink.net; I play a quote from Michael Butler that calls me self-involved and I talk about American Heartbreak’s European tour as an example of a podcast business model; I play a song by Jill Sobule; I discuss the most recent Gillmor Gang episode and Mike Vizard’s podcasting skepticism and why I think he is wrong; I play a song by Sonia Tetlow and then turn out the lights.
This episode is sponsored in part by the fine folks at iPodderX!
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Posithink
- Rock and Roll Geek show
- American Heartbreak
- Jill Sobule
- The Gillmor Gang episode I quote
- Doc Searls
- Sonia Tetlow
Cool! I have yet to listen to the episode, though. I’ll catch up with my other podcasts and will listen on my way home from work.
Dave: Love the logo! Very nicely done and professional. Did someone do this for you or did you hack it in Photoshop? I’m going to have to look into doing something like this for my podcast. Keep up the great work, man!
looks great!
Dave, I didn’t listen to your report so I don’t know if you mention this, but I read somewhere that Sonia Tetlow is now playing bass for someone who’s making money … [checks ST website] … oh yeah, Cowboy Mouth. Shudder. Well, it could be worse.
Guys, thanks for the feedback on the logo. Glad you like it. I had an artist do it for me – my graphical abilities are for poop.
Chris, I did know that and mention it in this. I don’t know why you are shuddering – CM is a fine band. I saw them all the time in grad school in Louisisana. I’ve never subscribed to the theory that one gets extra-credit by starving for their art. If she’s able to pay the bills singing and playing guitar, I’m happy for her. Many can’t.
Dave – great logo. Shades of The Shadow.
Hey Dave –
This was the first EGC I have ever listened to. I need to make some comments on your differences with Mike Vizard.
A couple of things:
1 – You conform to some basic paradigm of radio broadcast. You have theme music at the top and bottom of your show. You Intro/outro the music you play. Are these not “radio elements”? Are these not the same things the “big media” companies will do if they get a hold of podcasts?
2 – Your show is sponsored by someone. Is this also not an element of radio? IT’s funny because in the clip you play – the comment is made about the little guys making sources of content. AND then Vizard says – “Then don’t you need to sell ads around the sources of content?” Well – isn’t that EXACTLY what you have done?
I mean – he’s looking at the eventuality that some of the “little guys” eventually become “big guys”. The debate is really – “Is podcasting just a new delivery mechanism that big media hasn’t caught on to yet, or is it a whole new thing that big media won’t catch on to?” I think honestly, it’s naive to think they won’t catch on. I think that he’s a bit too cynical about podcasting at the end – “What is the point of the exercise?” But at the same time I think he’s anticipating the eventual entry of big media into the podcast space. Hell, it’s happening very fast already – NPR has put one program out there already as a podcast.
The other point I want to make is that you talk about CD sales – yes you can sell Cds a myriad of ways, and yes you can podcast and distribute a myriad of ways, but I think you have to ask yourself at the very least – “how do I make enough money to EARN A LIVING” at this? Because if you’re going to talk about a business model for podcasting – a business model implies a way to make a full time living, not just a part time job where you make a little extra cash. How many bands are actually making a living selling CDs out of the back of their trunks, or at their shows, or…etc? See what I mean?
I’m not sure – but it seems as though you probably have a day job – and even you mention how having a sponsor and such covers some of your expenses. Well you’re covering the rest because this is a passion for you. What about making a living podcasting? How about we do a better comparison – how about making a living blogging? How many people can do that? I don’t think ANYONE is making a living doing just a blog! I see podcasting in the same space right now – anyone can do it, but few stand out.
I see how you think Vizard’s scoffing at that. He’s not – he’s just talking about the eventuality of what happens when big media gets hold of podcasts. Who will people pay attention to? Will they pay attention to the little guys, like the bloggers? Or will they pay attention to the podcasts from big media – with their slick production and bumpers and sweepers and bells and whistles? Well, like now with blogs – I think they will likely pay attention to BOTH. And therein lies the crux of the issue – who will be able to turn podcasting into a business enough to make a living at the very least?
I may have rambled, but I hope I’ve given you some stuff to ponder. It’s funny, because I was sitting in my car listening to your podcast – yelling at my frickin’ radio the way I’d yell at the radio if Rush Limbaugh was on. I think THAT says something – the way I now use podcasts is the same way I use traditional radio. I just have new “little guys” to listen to instead of “big guys”. Podcasting is radio, and that can’t be denied.
–*Rob
His name is Rev1. Check him out at Rev1.net.
Rob, podcasting is not radio. It is audio. But not radio. Just as blogging is not the same as a newspaper. Maybe your experience with it is very similar, but that doesn’t make it the same.
You state that because Dave uses some of the “tools” of radio (bumpers, etc), it is essentially radio. That is horribly flawed logic. I write my grocery list with a pen. Comic books are inked with pens. Does that make my grocery list essentially a comic book?
What Dave is getting at is that podcasting can be whatever you are willing to make of it. It is not bounded by the same things a radio show is. So you can make your own show and provide whatever you want and if you happen to want to make money from it, you can, just don’t think you have to do it the same way it has always been done. The delivery model for these shows is changing, so can the business model. And unlike radio and TV you don’t HAVE to conform in a podcast. On a radio show you HAVE to do certain things to get your show delivered to a significant number of people. In podcasting you HAVE to do certain things also, they are just very different and way easier things.
excellent logo dave…
rob – you state up front that you’ve only listened to this edition of egc, would suggest you go back and listen to other podcasts dave’s done, it could have helped to better inform your opinions instead of kjo-ing the way you did…
since your offering up free advice, i’ll add mine to you – you might want to consider a trackback for a comment that long next time – that way you can actively be known and a connected part of the ongoing dialogue – whether you agree or disagree, it just shows you have some cahones…