Getting others to contribute to your podcast

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by fatBuzz on February 18, 2008 at 7:17

It's a tricky one. I had limited success with the old 'send in an audio comment' routine with listeners. I had a bit more success getting bands to talk about their music (take the old Spotlight shows, for example).

As for why people are reluctant to get involved, no idea. And as for the bands, tut tut...They should be prepared to give something back if the podcaster in question has helped THEM out!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Martin aka GD on February 21, 2008 at 10:30

Been there done that Gabor, the whole band interview thing. To be honest I think finding a band with something interesting to say is harder than getting a band to do an interview. I have done quite a few interviews over the past 3 years, some I've "aired", some were simply scrapped because they would have sent my listeners to sleep. Now I tend to only interview people that I have got to know over several months. Given myself time to learn a bit more about what makes them tick, gained their confidence, so that when the time does come for that interview, it's like two old friends having a chat over a pint and normally what was planned to be a 2 minutes quickie between songs ends up as half a show of music and chat.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Phil Coyne on February 23, 2008 at 16:56

Depends on your audience a lot of the time. If you can get a conversation going with a regular listener via email or IM or whatever, it's sometimes more beneficial than audio comments. Bands are often more than happy to record drops for a show if they know you're going to be promoting them via your show.

Never had a bad interview with a band on the show. It's been a while since I've done it, but I've always tried to find people that are interested not only in just promoting their wares, but who also have an interest in podcasting and where it's going.

The gigs have been a different affair. A lot of the time I think it's very strange for the bands to get used to being interviewed before they perform, although we've been able to show the personalities of everyone interviewed, something you don't always get when you go to see and independent band play.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tim from Radio Clash on February 25, 2008 at 22:01

Hold a gun to their heads.

It's the only way.

I'm a single host of Radio Clash because my cohost and I both got fed up of chasing (me) podcasting (him) together...hence I sometimes get guests on, which is usually good, but I miss that dynamic. As regards interviews I only tend to interview people I know reasonably well; and like - reasoning being I know I can get a rapport AND I know something of how they tick. Knowing your subject and chatting beforehand is a big help.

BTW you think getting contributions for a podcast is hard? Try a mashup album!
Artwork, PR, creating your own tracks, and a LOT of chasing and a lot of dropouts. Ouch. Not to say mashup artists are flaky....err but they are LOL. I'd guess it'd be the same for any compilation / album compile. A lot of work.

• ▶ Reply