Here are a few thoughts that have been distracting me as I hunker down and edit my film.
In case I didn't go into enough detail in the show, or worse, if all that detail confused you, let me explain a couple things.
In
one segment I'm talking about the "Fishbowl" of podcasting. It's a term
that has the same currency among podcasters as kleenex has within the
general public. With podcasters, the fishbowl syndrome means we have
created a world that is not only unique, but separated from most
people. Information gets in, but nothing is getting out. And because
it's comfortable there's a risk no one inside the fishbowl will make an
effort do something about it. This is the same experience every avid
hobbiest has, the difference is that podcasters, participating in a
"social" media, where communication means community and community
building, there is an evangelical weight on their shoulders.
Another
term used a lot, ad nauseam really, is "monetization" which I'm not
sure is a real word. Apple's dictionary doesn't recognize it.
Monetization's intended meaning within the podcasting/social networking
community is the process of converting you podcast/social media into a
money making machine. Essentially turning your hobby into a job. That
sounds like a terrible idea when you put it like that.
What
makes some people roll their eyes when they hear it is that the
constant request for "how to" monetize is becoming a cliche. There are
a lot of facets to podcasting, and monetization is a valid piece. But
it's importance is often/sometimes inflated beyond it's real stature in
this emerging medium. And, I have come to believe that the fact that
the con people feel this way, and the pro people continually request
"how to" points to the fact that no one knows how to.
It's like the get-rich-quick telethons on weekend and early morning TV. Never the same guys, always a different method.
Links mentioned in this show:
