Podcasts. Yes, they are a thing. According to Google, the Podcast was invented in 2004. They are everywhere now and seemingly everybody has one. An information page on Apple’s website claims that on its platform alone there are more than 750-thousand shows and more than 24-million episodes. Apple says its podcasts are available in 155 countries and in over 100 languages. So, as you can probably deduce, they are popular and far reaching.
Armed with that information and knowledge, let me pose a question to you, “Is it a good idea for a play-by-play announcer or reporter to branch out and start one of his/her own?” Um, YES! This is especially true if you are a young broadcaster trying to hone skills and showcase your abilities. Why not get in on it and take advantage of another way to move you forward in your career?
Why? What is the value of a podcast? For you younger broadcasters, it’s a tremendous way to get more and more of your personal content out there for an audience. Use your connections in the industry to come on your podcast and interview them. The interview has no time constraints on it, because after all this is not on the air and not subject to a “clock” or the end of an inning. You can ask questions that you might not normally ask on air to showcase your subject’s sense of humor. This exercise can make you much more comfortable in a normal interviewing segment as well. The environment is so much less stressful and it will sound that way.
Your podcast will allow your base audience, those that are listening to your broadcasts during the season, to hear you in the off-season. It’s important to stay top of mind and connected to your listeners. Plus, it’s a good forum for you to showcase your personality and other interests. To build your brand and name recognition. When I did my podcast a few years ago, I felt like my opinion segments allowed me some freedoms that a normal broadcast wouldn’t. I got to express thoughts about not only sports, but television and movies and other pop culture events.
This is such a great opportunity to go “unplugged” or unfiltered. Show that sense of humor and build a relationship and trust between you and your audience. Not only will this help your podcast, it will help you in your regular gig.
Depending on how you approach your podcast mentally, it should be looked at as a labor of love. Don’t think of your podcast as extra work because this is again, free content with your name all over it. Hosting a podcast doesn’t have a deadline like your normal work life in sports might. Do it when you have time, but try to keep it on a regular schedule for people to catch on to your podcast. Once a week? Once every other week? Once a month? Up to you, but try for a little consistency for subscribers to keep up with you and your work.
Podcasting is also a great way to promote your social media platforms. Most of the time you will advertise what’s on your latest episode via Twitter, or Facebook or Instagram. It’s another way to build that portion of your brand. People who are loyal to your podcast will in turn be loyal to your social media as well.
Some of these podcasts are produced via a team or a radio station, but you can do it on your own. It doesn’t take a lot of expensive equipment, but if you choose to produce it, there will be an element a time investment. It’s good practice on a creative front to make it your own and to experiment with what works and what doesn’t. Advance these practices to your “day job” and you’ll be amazed at how much better that work becomes.
I don’t mean to exclude the veteran play-by-play announcers and reporters. Just because you’ve been in the business a long time, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn a new skill. Stay relevant with your entire audience, not just those that remember life before cable TV.
I think it’s a good thing to expand your horizons and take the leap into the world of podcasting. For us veterans, it’s not a situation where you’ll need to further a brand or become more visible. It’s more along the lines of continuing to produce content in your “off-season”. Allow your fans, listeners and fellow broadcasters to hear you all year round. They may learn something about you in the process which can only help the cause moving forward.
With technology being what it is, your audience is listening at their leisure and in different places. Commuters on their way to work are using apps to listen to podcasts on trains and buses. Those that drive also have the ability to listen in their cars with Apple Play and Android Play nearly standard features in automobiles now. Your podcast is readily available and in the hands of nearly everyone with a smartphone. Think of the possibilities.
The best part of the podcast is, you decide how long it is, you decide who’s on it and you decide when it gets produced. It’s a blank canvas waiting for you to paint. Unleash your creativity and see what happens.
Andy Masur is a columnist for BSM and works for WGN Radio as an anchor and play-by-play announcer. He also teaches broadcasting at the Illinois Media School. During his career he has called games for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. He can be found on Twitter @Andy_Masur1 or you can reach him by email at Andy@Andy-Masur.com.
