Two of my very best friends have launched a fledgling podcast called Somebody’s Wrong on the Internet (SWOTI). It’s a discussion format generally on political issues, with a little bit of pop culture, often with a specific diversity / race angle (both commentators are people of color.)

I’d like to explore an online strategy for the podcast. It’s an interesting challenge because it’s a little bit like a business start-up and but it’s also a little bit like trying to launch a musical career or something.

Neither I nor my friends know much about podcast production – I’m planning to research the podcast landscape to understand the very basics like benchmarks for successful audience size and operating budget. I’d like to explore a way to develop cross-media content – corresponding blogposts that are shareable on Facebook feeds, videos of recording sessions especially with guests, teasers for twitter, maybe an app that brings in content or resources mentioned on the podcast or quizzes or surveys where listeners can provide feedback. Ultimately, I think the best approach is to try to build a community and forum for discussion of thoughtful content that regular listeners can access and contribute to.

POST Structure

People –

• Audience
• Potential guests
• Potential commercial support

Objectives –

• Build credibility
• Build audience: determine reasonable weekly size
• Bring in financial resources: look into an operating budget (do you have to pay to book guests?)

Strategy –

• Create an online following that is engaged in the dialogue
  • provide feedback
  • build a following that will act as further advertisement and brand emissaries
  • generate enough buzz to bring in real guests

Technology –

• Podcast content (obviously)
• Website
• Email distro
• Twitter teasers
• Shareable facebook content

Will have to work through what the promise, the tool, and the bargain all are for the podcast and the potential participants in the community.