Hi folks, we're getting set up for this session now. I'm Legendary Liveblogger Carl Meyer (thanks Bill Curtis), Im community manager at CAJ. Today we have Russell Gragg, Halifax Examiner / Free Speech Radio News and Erica Butler, freelance journalist. Remember to use the conference hashtag #CAJ15 and the session-specific hashtag, if you want, is #CAJ15audio. Also, come say hi! I'm the guy crouched over the way-too-small laptop stage right.
Dear People Actually At the Conference, a PSA in case you didn't catch me. The gala is sold out, but you can still get tickets! Go to the registration desk before lunch.
First piece of advice from both panellists: use a stand-alone microphone. If you're going to spend money on equipment, get a separate mic, don't use your phone.
As a guy who's into recording found sound and screwing around with it to make music, I wholeheartedly agree with this :)
Erica recommends hindenburg.com and audacityteam.org.
Russell says: Are you thinking of starting a podcast? Ask yourself: Why? It's a bit like saying, I'm a writer, I'd like to start a magazine. Make sure you figure out content as well as the shell around the content.
Another issue: You don't have to go forever. Russell says he's a fan of miniseries. So think about that. Erica also talks about difficulty level-- harder to do weekly investigative podcast than say, chatting about movies.
Erica is going through models. Crowdfunded, subscription-only, partnering with an existing media organization. Russell agrees there is a market now for legacy media to pick up podcasts. They want a piece of the action.
Audience member wonders about process - pitching stories, getting commissions, then creating product? Or going out, creating product, then trying to sell it? Erica says a bit of both. Similar to print: You might need to have done interviews even to know what you've got to be able to pitch.
Russell says there's also the idea of an audio synopsis. 60-second teaser, for example. Give that to a potential buyer rather than completing 6 or 12 minute piece.
Fun fact: I am a big Emily Bazelon fan based entirely on her appearances on The Colbert Report.
