MM2S015: Season 1, Episode 15
By: Ken Boone I love those TV spots for Boost old-timers’ milkshakes featuring a Golden Aged photographer, who drinks and swears by the product. In one of the ads, she is on a photo shoot with a very young, very hip band. In another, she refuses to divulge her age. And so on… Another ad I like is from Etsy (the crafty/artisan online marketplace), where the heroine is told by naysayers that she’s too old to pursue her dreams. As for me, I’ve decided to follow my post-retirement dream of producing spoken word media. Starting with podcasts, then moving on to capturing live events such as conferences, I’ve now added voice acting to the mix. When I began this podcast last September, my intent was to use it to help dispel some of the disinformation surround the upcoming elections. In a small way, I was trying to defang the “monsters” on the other side of the aisle. We were also ass-deep in the Covid-19 battle. We were still in lockdown, social distance, mask-wearing mode. The vaccine was still “somewhere over the rainbow”. And little did we know that there were forces out there trying to unravel our way of life. And finally, I wanted to use this show to promote the shows I produced for other hosts. Unfortunately for the listens, the other shows went into “podfade”. So, what is podfade? That’s when you stop your podcast without notice. It doesn't end intentionally. You just run out of energy or don't want to do the work anymore and just stop producing episodes. As sad as it is to see a podcast “fade out”, it’s not uncommon. Many podcasts “fade” after just 7 episodes. In fact, the mortality rate, or fade rate is well over 50%. I have this small show with a small audience and even smaller prospect for future growth. That leave me with this question… “is it a failure? Am I a failure?” Here’s the short answer – HELL NO! But, if I don’t consider my show a failure, then what should be considered a failure? Looks like a research job for my trusty Google machine! How to ensure long-term success as a podcaster Let’s start with this fact: most podcasts fail. Maybe not immediately, maybe not in the first few months. But eventually most podcasts fail. Arm yourself with that fact and you’ll be equipped to deal with the challenges you’ll face. What is failure? It’s when the podcaster simply gives up. They burn out. They decide it’s not worth the time and invest their talents elsewhere. Of those almost one million podcasts out there, it’s estimated that a little over half are still active and most of those will eventually succumb to “podfade” too. No need to be discouraged, there’s hope. At our core, we are creators and communicators. We’re not trying to launch these shows as merely another marketing stream. The content means something to us! So, let’s examine the five reasons why most podcasts, and podcasters, fail, as per by Mr. Beeyard:
Building a successful network of spoken word media requires time and effort. So, I’m planning for the long term. The only strategy that matters is the one that sees me producing new episodes repeatedly. I must remind myself that this is the thing that I would do if money were no object, and I could never fail. I must be honest and vulnerable on your show to attract the right people. It might turn off some, but I believe I will gain you a legion of listeners who “get it.” Those are the only people who matter. I found a community of other podcasters who understand the journey. My expectations are modest. I’m giving myself the time and space to play around, experiment and make mistakes. This podcast is entering its second year, so I’ve more than beat the odds! Most importantly, I’m still having fun! Because, if I’m enjoying the journey, I’ll keep coming back again and again. Even if just two or three can hear me! As for the hosts of the shows I produce, one of them has embarked on a journey of self-actualization, while the other has transitioned back to her first love – music. And if I need them to record another episode, they’re just a text a phone call away! Today's Quote “Be willing to go alone sometimes. You don’t need permission to grow. Not everyone who started with you will finish with you. And that’s OK!” Shannon Kirk, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of the website “WillWriteForBoots”
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MM2S014: Season 1, Episode 14
By: Ken Boone Well friends, my vacation is over, and I’m ready to make the push to our anniversary date of my podcast, November 30th. That will be three years since we started this journey. And I, as the Gospel classic states “feel no ways tired”. Before I went on hiatus for the month of July, I produced four episodes of this podcast dealing with a return to normalcy from the pandemic. While progress has slowed down considerably for a number of reasons, we can, with caution, get our lives back on track. I must admit that I’ve grown accustomed to my new normal. The health anxiety, change anxiety, and comfort anxiety concerning change hasn’t really affected me! I feel pretty safe. That leads me to this question: Now that I’m back in a good place physically, mentally and spiritually, what am I going to do with myself? What can I do if I get hit with another bout of anxiety? Dr. Garry Spink, a psychologist at Rochester Health, suggested the following calming techniques to use if I ever find myself anxious again: Relaxation, mindfulness, meditation, visualization and belly breathing exercises. He said that “These exercises can help you replace your body’s stress response with something that helps you feel more relaxed.” I’ve tried them, and they work! Now, for My Vacation “To-Do” List I had a whole bunch of stuff I promised myself I’d do while this podcast was on hiatus. I used the stress-coping guidance I found on the CDC website, which was:
Now for the Hiccup in My “Getting Back to My Music Plans” For almost 50 years, I’ve considered myself a musician. I was dedicated to music, or so I thought. I briefly took piano lessons when I was about 7 years old. It was then that I realized I lacked the discipline, or desire, to put in the practice it took to get good at it. Running scales wasn’t my thing. I did find that I wanted to be on stage. I won’t even begin to talk about my neediness at the time! Eight years of trombone followed. I thought I was good until my failed audition to the High School of Music and Art told me otherwise. I blamed that failure on a dented slide. Not on the fact that I didn’t practice for the audition. During this whole period of my life, I sang in a Boys’ Choir that eventually became world famous. They even had Pepsi Cola as a corporate sponsor. I don’t really put that on my resume’, but I’m proud of my time there just the same. For over 40 plus years, I’ve fancied myself a Gospel singer, songwriter, and producer. I didn’t make a lot of noise in that genre (a whimper, to be precise), for the most part I enjoyed that time. So much so that I thought I could pick up where I left off… this time on the bass guitar instead of the piano. Boy, was I wrong! After a few months, I started sounding pretty good. But my lack of dedication to practice reared its ugly head yet again. I tried to play the bass for just 15-30 minutes per day. That only lasted for a few months, at best! At least this time I was honest enough to admit that I just didn’t have the passion to push myself with music. That admission was liberating! OK, let’s take a quick break. Enter the Spoken Word And we’re back. My wife, Celia, always asks people this question, which is worth repeating: “If money were no object, and you could do anything, with zero chance of failure, what would that something be?” I wish I was posed that question decades ago. It might have prevented a lot of the screwups of my past. Around three years ago, I was wrapping up my gig as finance and accounting consultant for an independent record company. The owners were selling the business and moving into retirement, and I wasn’t quite old enough to draw a pension and get Social Security benefits. Fortunately, another gig came along in the nonprofit space. These people needed help with marketing and promotion, which is something I had experience doing. It was there that I jumped into the world of podcasting. It was like meeting an old friend for the very first time. It seemed to come very easy for me, which was partly true. It was also something I was willing to devote long hours into getting better. I produced over 20 episodes for that client. I would have gladly done more for them, but they scaled back when their funding got shaky due to Covid. I also created several different podcasts and produced over 100 total episodes, each one more fun to produce than the last one! So, What Did I Do on My Vacation? Back from my trip around Robins Barnyard and back on the mic, I’m pleased to report that for the month of July 2021, I did the following:
This vacation gave me the opportunity find an inner peace. To be totally comfortable in my own skin. Coming to terms with the musical elephant in the room now allows me to enjoy the artistry of others. And I can do it without a dose of jealously, which was my typical reaction! I also listen and enjoy the work of other podcasters and voiceover artists. I do admit that I try to pick up tips from them to help me get better. Imitation is the highest form of flattery! I remember getting a summer reading list from my teacher at the end of each school year. At least from the teachers who cared. I also remember the first assignment I got when I returned to school which was writing a brief theme describing what I did on my summer vacation. I always looked forward to writing that essay, because, by impressing my new teacher with my skills with paper and pencil, I set my trajectory for the entire school year. That, and always trying to be the first kid to raise my hand with the answer. But that’s a story for another episode, or blog post. Let’s just call this my audio back to school essay. Today's Quote “You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.” Les Brown, American Author and Motivational Speaker |
About the HostKenneth E. Boone, Sr. is a writer, podcaster, music lover, sports enthusiast, and retired accountant. Archives
May 2024
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