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Brian Baltosiewich
Brian Baltosiewich on Podcasting
We’d like to introduce everyone to Brian Baltosiewich. Brian has taken his radio talents and turned them into a business on the Internet. He’s taken his 20 years of broadcast experience and vision about the web and combined the two, capturing his love for an industry he was “exiled” from. His company www.radioexiles.com features professionally-produced podcasts from radio pro’s who have lost their gigs. We hope you’ll check it out. In his first blog here on radioink.com Baltosiewich writes about why it’s important for everyone in, or exiled from, radio to learn to podcast.
They're On To Us
(By Brian Baltosiewich) It's not much of a secret that the government hasn't quite figured the Internet out, at least in terms of regulating it. In fact, as far as podcasters are concerned, the sky's the limit. The only thing I tell Radio Exiles' podcasters is, "Don't get us sued." As professional broadcasters, we know what's right and what isn't.
The Carolla Comparison
A few weeks ago, I got to talk to Adam Carolla about podcasting, for the print edition of Radio Ink that was distributed at the Convergence Conference in June. I'm going to write in depth about my talk with Carolla in the next couple weeks, but there's something I think that needs to be addressed regarding my discussion with him first.
It's About Prime
Full disclosure: This column is about a podcast on that Radio Exiles site that I have something to do with. But it's an interesting story, and there's something to be learned here.
Making Niche Internet Radio Work
I know I'm supposed to be writing about podcasting, but this caught my attention as something you should be aware of. There's an operation in Mississippi that has caught on with what may be the niche-iest of niche markets…and is making it work.
School of Pod
The Carolina School of Broadcasting is the oldest stand-alone broadcasting school in the United States. The studio doors opened on January 2, 1957, and it's been operating continuously ever since. It goes without saying that the school has seen the radio and television industry change a little. AM to FM, black and white to color, to HD, analog to digital, and rest assured that whatever's next, the CSB will adjust to that, too.
Hello, Buglers!
Most Americans recognize comedian John Oliver (pictured) from The Daily Show, or from his stand up. He’s the smart, witty, British comic who points out America’s faults while at the same time reassuring us that everything is going to be ok- that the same things that got us into trouble will get us out of it. You know what else John Oliver is? A former radio talent turned podcaster.
One Laime Podcast
Podcasting hasn’t just provided a renaissance for radio pros, it’s proving to be the next thing for stand-up comics. You know about the success Adam Carolla. But comics like Harland Williams, Marc Maron, Greg Proops and scores of others have taken to the interwebs, and other comics have shown up on their podcasts as guests. Comics who won’t do mainstream media interviews will do another comics’ podcast.
Keep Your Podcasts Fresh, But Not Too Fresh
(by Brian Baltosiewich) There’s something for all of us to take away from the Facebook Follies this past week. In case you’ve been in a coma, Facebook rolled out a drastic change to their platform and the public backlash was, let’s say, considerable- and overwhelmingly negative. What lesson can you take from Facebook as you build your Podcasting career?
Is Podcasting here to Stay?
(by Brian Baltosiewich) Someone asked me if I thought podcasting was going to last. I was a little taken aback by the question, it’s still so “new” and I’m so immersed in it right now that the thought podcasting could be a flash-in-the-pan had never occurred to me. Taking a step back, the answer is clearly no. Everything has its successor, and clearly, nothing is permanent. The next big revolution is around the corner.
In Podcasting Not Everything Works
(by Brian Baltosiewich) If you’re a radio personality looking to move into podcasting, there’s something you need to be aware of. Not everything that worked for you on the radio, will work in a podcast. And I’ll be honest with you, some who were lined up to be podcasters at Radio Exiles chose not to do a podcast, because of what I’m about to tell you. It’s that big an issue for some.
In Podcasting There Are No Rules.
(by Brian Baltosiewich) Podcasting is the Wild Wild West. The new frontier, and because of this there are no rules. This means you can do- or say- almost, anything you want. I spend a lot of time talking with the new podcasters at Radio Exiles about their brand and what they can do in a podcast. One of the things, I think, our podcasters like about having a show here is that there are no PD’s or consultants looking over their shoulder. They’re able to develop their shows any way they like. It’s a freedom most of them didn’t have in terrestrial radio.
How To Get People To Listen To Your Podcasts
(by Brian Baltosiewich) You’re podcasting! Welcome to the club. Now how do you get people to listen? Let’s say, hypothetically, you’re not a national figure with bottomless pockets and millions of built-in listeners. Start with the local markets you worked in. Send releases to everyone you can think of in the media in those markets. Podcasting is unique enough and it’s early enough that you may be breaking new ground in those markets.
Radio Ink Blog on Podcasting Generates Slew of Letters
(by Brian Baltosiewich) Last week’s blog (Can You Make Money Podcasting?) generated some response! Enough that it might be worth addressing some of the comments I received and clarifying some of the points the article was attempting to make. “Bill” wrote: “The question is not whether you can make money, but how do you get people to listen to your podcast?” Actually, in that particular blog, the question WAS can you make money. It’s right there in the title. We’ll address the “How Do You Get Them to Listen?” question in next week’s blog.
Can You Make Money Podcasting?
(by Brian Baltosiewich) It's the million dollar question. It’s the question I get asked most often. Can you make money podcasting? Full disclosure: I don’t know.I believe you can. But it ain’t easy. If you look at the podcasters who are “successful” it starts and ends with Adam Carolla. Carolla is building out his own studio now where his podcast empire will continue to grow and set the standard for all of us.
How to Podcast Part III
Time to record. You may have your own recording/editing software. Radio Exiles launched with an old copy of Cool Edit, but really any software that can handle multiple tracks, multiple formats and export to an mp3 will work just fine. We recently switched to software built specifically for podcasters, called “Propaganda.” I like it, it’s easy to use, was really inexpensive, and handles multiple file types like a champ. It does take a looong time for final conversion of files once they are edited, but it’s a small price to pay. Also, we don’t use this attribute, but it can upload your podcast to your site without dealing with another software program.
How To Create Your Own Podcast
In my first blog entry, I explained to you why it’s important for every radio professional to podcast, or at least learn how. Let me summarize: Because it’s just what you do. It’s in your blood. It’s who you are. Radio may have quit you, but you cannot quit radio. Furthermore, there are a LOT of bad podcasts out there. Listeners need you. Podcasting is the Wild Wild West of the industry. The new frontier. The Future of everything we’ve ever done. I can’t overstate it. If you are not prepared to be a podcaster, you could be left behind. Thirty percent of internet users listen to some sort of Internet radio.
Everyone in Radio Should Podcast.
We’d like to introduce everyone to our latest blogger, Brian Baltosiewich. Brian has taken his radio talents and turned them into a business on the Internet. He’s taken his 20 years of broadcast experience and vision about the web and combined the two, capturing his love for an industry he was “exiled” from. His company www.radioexiles.com features professionally-produced podcasts from radio pro’s who have lost their gigs. We hope you’ll check it out. In his first blog here on radioink.com Baltosiewich writes about why it’s important for everyone in, or exiled from, radio to learn to podcast.
