Digital Ambassadors
Early this year while listening to Mark Kermode's excellent radio documentary The Business of Film, I was introduced to the term Digital Ambassador. When I had finished laughing and making crass jokes about Wolf Kahler and Ferrero Rocher, I actually pondered the phrase and spent some time researching it online. Like most contemporary buzzwords despite being nauseatingly hyperbolic and overwrought, it did have a functional definition. Furthermore it soon became apparent that I and many of my podcasting and blogging colleagues are indeed examples of this very group.
Early this year while listening to Mark Kermode's excellent radio documentary The Business of Film, I was introduced to the term Digital Ambassador. When I had finished laughing and making crass jokes about Wolf Kahler and Ferrero Rocher, I actually pondered the phrase and spent some time researching it online. Like most contemporary buzzwords despite being nauseatingly hyperbolic and overwrought, it did have a functional definition. Furthermore it soon became apparent that I and many of my podcasting and blogging colleagues are indeed examples of this very group.
This label is of course "marketing speak", however it is not without merit. What it does is demonstrate the significance of bloggers and other content creators and the role they play in promoting products. Most modern marketing campaigns across many leisure industries appreciate the value of fans and the contribution they make in getting "the message" across. The phrase "going viral" may well have become a bit clichéd but it is ultimately what most PR companies want. It is both far reaching and cheap.
It is interesting the way the whole citizen journalism concept has gone from being a threat to the mainstream to an integral tool. If you have a genre specific product to pitch these days, you don't necessarily go straight to the regular press. A targeted promotion at an event such as ComicCon can be far more effective. Albums from established musicians are sometimes given away free to the fan base. Even the small niche market fan blog can receive marketing material and access to advance previews. Things are not what they use to be and promotion is no longer a closed shop. The so-called Digital Ambassadors provide a convenient fast path to the communities that need to be reached.
In many respects this practise has already existed within certain communities. Games developers have frequently courted popular fan sites and podcasts to ensure that their message is heard. A Casual Stroll to Mordor was virtually an unofficial member of the Turbine community team during LOTROs heyday. Dulfy.net makes an invaluable contribution to the Guild Wars 2 community. So it's hardly surprising that the significance of fan sites has now spread to other markets. I am still not one hundred percent sure of the value of some of the You Tube personalities that are currently popular, but the numbers they command cannot be ignored.
Naturally when commercial entities start courting independent bodies such as blogs and podcasts, there is scope for conflicts of interest and ethical U-turns. Ultimately it is down to each individual to decide how they respond to a request to lobby and promote. Whatever your personal stance, I think that the fact that there's actually a specific term for our online endeavours shows that what we do is of value. Most certainly it proves that blogging and podcasting is not dead. How can it be? After all we're Digital Ambassadors.
The Burton & Scrooge Guide to Podcasting
This is a somewhat self-indulgent post. I like to listen to podcasts as well as produce them myself. I have very particular tastes, not so much in respect of content but more with regard to presentation, style and quality of production. As a result I aspire to make the Burton & Scrooge podcast in a certain fashion and to a specific standard. But as everyone has their own personal tastes I fully understand that other podcasters may wish to do things differently. Hence this article is not being held up as a de facto guide. It is simply me sharing my process.
This is a somewhat self-indulgent post. I like to listen to podcasts as well as produce them myself. I have very particular tastes, not so much in respect of content but more with regard to presentation, style and quality of production. As a result I aspire to make the Burton & Scrooge podcast in a certain fashion and to a specific standard. But as everyone has their own personal tastes I fully understand that other podcasters may wish to do things differently. Hence this article is not being held up as a de facto guide. It is simply me sharing my process.
Format and structure versus informal chatting:
I listen to a lot of talk radio. It may be a sign of my age but I am beginning to prefer it to TV, especially with regard to news. Without visual input clouding the issue, you get to focus on the language. As a result, this very much shapes my view on podcasting. I like shows with a clear structure, a measured running time and the editorial strength to stay on topic. So I am a great advocate of planning, drafting show notes and discussing with my co-host Brian or any guests well in advance of recording. This does not mean that the entire show is mapped out in advance but it does allow points and counterpoints to be raised in an orderly fashion. It also allows the participants to marshal their thoughts. A good discussion is after all a logical process. A structured plan means that people know exactly what is being discussed and can craft an appropriate response. You can address the question that is being asked, rather than what you think is being asked, remain focused and not get side-tracked or derailed.
A planned approach also means that equal time can be given to all involved in the podcast. Balance is required because some people by the strength of their personality can sometimes dominate a conversation. That doesn't always make for good listening. However do not over do the planning or you can kill the natural conversational aspect of the show. Riffing off each other can be good and make a show more accessible. Informal chatting can make those speaking more "likeable" for want of another phrase. Although podcasting isn't a popularity competition your listeners do needs to be able to relate to you. So don't be too much of an asshole. If this is your "schtick, then you may find that you paint yourself in to a corner.
Do your research:
It's a simple point but it can elude us all at times. If you are going to reference anything in your show, make sure you have the relevant details in front of you when you discuss it. Never try to bluff or pull unsubstantiated facts out of your butt. If you have an opinion, then ensure you can back it up with some facts. Because if you don't there is no end to the armchair experts who will leave lengthy comments pointing out that you are wrong and that you should be burnt as a witch. Another thing worth remembering is to practise in advance any names or words that have unusual pronunciation. Write them down phonetically if need be. Gamers often have complex and esoteric handles. If someone has taken the trouble to write in or has done something worthy of discussion, then the least you can do is get their damn name right.
Using the right hardware in the right environment:
Let us be candid with regard to the technical quality of your podcast; there really is no excuse to producing a show that sounds shit these days. The tools of the trade use to be very expensive and only available to those who worked in the industry. This is no longer the case. With a decent quality gaming headset or desktop microphone, used in conjunction with Skype, Google Hangouts or Audacity, you can produce a show of an acceptable audio quality. Take some time to do some basic tests to ensure optimal sound performance. Don't just assume that whatever software you use to record is working. Double check it. Podcasting also requires the participants to focus and concentrate, so it's best to record in an environment free from distractions and ambient background noise. So turn your phone off or put in on silence. Don't have to TV running in the background. Make family, friends and anyone else you share a space with aware of the fact that you are recording so they don't disturb you. If you have a wireless headset, don't take a "comfort break" in the middle of the recording. It really isn't a pleasant thing to have to listen to. Take some time to have a warm up chat first, before recording or going live.
Editing:
Lots of people like to record their shows live. They then simply upload what has been recorded. This is perfectly fine approach that suits some shows style. I personally like order, structure and streamlined discussions. So I edit the shit out of the Burton & Scrooge podcast (despite trying to make things simpler so I don't have to). Brian and I often record twice as much material than what is actually used. I like to remove all the "ums" and such like from the final edit. I also like clear endings to discussions and neat segues in to the following piece where necessary. All of which requires rather intensive editing. Now the thing is editing is hard work and very time consuming. It is an activity that can sometimes curbs my enthusiasm for podcasting. Yet it can greatly improve the quality a show. It is wise to remove a joke that may not be understood, or cut a digression that takes the discussion off track. Imposing a running time upon the proceedings also forces you as an editor to keep only the most relevant material in the show. If for technical reasons, a part of a show is sub-standard, then lose it. This means making some tough calls sometimes.
Have fun and enjoy yourself:
Don’t forget to have fun while podcasting. If you are locked in to a regular schedule of recording, then the entire process of podcasting can become a bit of a chore. If you are not in the right frame of mind when recording this can become apparent to the listener. So don't half ass things. There is nothing wrong with taking a break or doing a shorter show. Ranting occasionally can be fun and even cathartic. But don't overdo it or you will simply lose credibility with your audience. If you are fortunate to produce a show that becomes popular, don't lose your sense of proportion. Don't get delusions of grandeur just because you do a show that a few people listen to.
Podcasting is great fun and an excellent opportunity to discuss, debate and hangout with likeminded people. It also offers a chance of a discourse that is not filtered by corporate interests or any other financially driven criteria. You can learn a lot by just listening to regular people chatting about the things they enjoy and feel passionately about. There are lot of different ways to podcast and my way may not be right or appropriate for everyone. However I think that my approach may prove suitable to some aspiring podcasters. As ever feel free to comment and share your thoughts. I'm always interested to hear the experiences of my fellow podcasters.
Out With the Old
I’ve been blogging and podcasting for over half a decade and as a result I’ve left a trail of material scattered across the internet. Maintaining multiple sites and hosting old content costs both money and time. Although the world is treating me relatively well at present, I am not a man of limitless resources. Therefore I have decided that it is time to close some of these sites and archives.
I’ve been blogging and podcasting for over half a decade and as a result I’ve left a trail of material scattered across the internet. Maintaining multiple sites and hosting old content costs both money and time. Although the world is treating me relatively well at present, I am not a man of limitless resources. Therefore I have decided that it is time to close some of these sites and archives.
The first to go will be the back catalogue of Contains Moderate Peril podcasts. These are currently available via Libsyn, the old CMP website and iTunes. All one hundred and seventy three episodes will cease to be available after 31st October. If you wish to keep any for posterity, my advice is to download them now while you still can. This will also affect the Council of the Unwise podcast but there are only a few instalments of that show. Please note that the Burton & Scrooge podcast is still alive and kicking but is not subject to a regular schedule. Brian and I produce it strictly on an “as and when” basis.
I will be closing the old Contains Moderate Peril website at the end of this month. Rather than leave a trail of broken links I shall set up a global redirect so that wayward traffic finds its way to the current CMP blog. It’s a shame to lose an established presence on the internet but I feel that the current situations with two websites co-existing simultaneously, to be both confusing and detrimental to traffic. All previously posted content has been successfully exported and saved.
Despite what I and a lot of others people where told a few years back, you can function as a human being quite efficiently without Facebook and Google + accounts. Both are closed communities that require individual input, which creates more work. In the past I have simply reposted content to these platforms, which on mature reflection is counterproductive. If anything it takes traffic away from CMP, so I have terminated both of these services forthwith.
I would also like to reiterate that I shall no longer be directly involved in the running of the Newbie Blogger Initiative. I shall be closing the existing site and the forums at the end of this year and will not being renewing the domain name next May. If someone wishes to utilise the current .com address then they may wish to get in touch prior to the domain name lapsing.
It would seem that a lot of veteran content creators are currently facing similar issues to mine or at the very least trying to balance their creative desires with the realities of the real world. Unless your life remains static, there is no way you can avoid the shifting demands of modern life. I would not be surprised if we see several high profile community members scale back their online endeavours or even cease them entirely in the not too distant future.
Support Your Local Podcasts
A recent discussion between the various contributors of The Gaming and Entertainment Network highlighted a recurring g theme; that of listener comments and reviews. My own experiences are that you only get any real feedback and an indication of whether you’re doing a good or a bad job, when you announce that you’re quitting. This issue never seems to go away and despite a wealth of tools to make the process easier, it’s still hard to address. You can’t force your readers or listeners to leave comments and you don’t want to start badgering them over it. Often if your audience is listening to your show while at the gym or commuting, then they can’t always address any call to action immediately. Yet feedback, both good and bad, can have a positive impact upon bloggers and podcasters. Creativity abhors a vacuum and echo chambers are also unhealthy.
A recent discussion between the various contributors of The Gaming and Entertainment Network highlighted a recurring g theme; that of listener comments and reviews. My own experiences are that you only get any real feedback and an indication of whether you’re doing a good or a bad job, when you announce that you’re quitting. This issue never seems to go away and despite a wealth of tools to make the process easier, it’s still hard to address. You can’t force your readers or listeners to leave comments and you don’t want to start badgering them over it. Often if your audience is listening to your show while at the gym or commuting, then they can’t always address any call to action immediately. Yet feedback, both good and bad, can have a positive impact upon bloggers and podcasters. Creativity abhors a vacuum and echo chambers are also unhealthy.
Not so long ago many pundits where predicting the death of podcasting but it remains a popular medium. You Tube and live streaming seem to have found their own niche and in some respects it’s a case of never the twain shall meet. Visual mediums have specific strengths and this is especially true when it comes to gaming. However audio content has distinct advantages, allowing listeners to focus on the topic in-hand. I think this is one of the major selling points of podcasts. The medium also requires the hosts of shows to marshal their thoughts and be far more coherent in their discussions and analysis. Or at least it does on those that I listen too.
Social media is constantly evolving and often new mediums go from being the province of fans and niche markets, to standard business tools. Podcasts, blogs and streaming channels are awash at present with corporate white noise. That may not necessarily be a bad thing, but they have an agenda and are often far from impartial. This is why it is essential that fans, amateur broadcasters and other fringe groups continue to make their voices heard. They may not always be impartial or without bias but they can provide a much needed counterpoint and a degree of balance. They also have less reason to lie to you. Obviously there are always a few individuals who are driven more by ego and personal gain than by fandom. However these can be easily filtered out.
So I strongly advocate rigorous support for podcasts. Sure I have a vested interest but I also do so out of principle. It is always good for consumers to have choice and alternatives. Gamers are also more likely to listen to recommendations from friends and shows that they feel they have a rapport with. So next time you enjoy a podcast that you downloaded for free, that someone else has taken the time and effort to prepare, please consider providing feedback by leaving a comment or a review. Also, tell your friends and other potentially interested parties. Reaching a greater audience can have all sorts of positive benefits for content creators; benefits that can be passed on to the listeners.