This Monday’s guest article continues the pro storytelling series from documentary podcaster and filmmaker Doug Fraser. “When someone asks you what your story’s about, chances are you dive into describing the plot,” Fraser begins. “What if someone asks you what your story means?”
A strong theme is an essential part of every compelling story arc. Creators often have trouble defining and developing theme, but “having plot without theme guarantees a story won’t live up to its full potential.” Fraser illuminates the concept with clear, entertaining examples to fortify any narrative.
“You should be able to sum up a story’s theme in a single sentence. Doing so chisels away any trace of ambiguity and reveals your story’s core, bare and untainted,” Fraser asserts. “Establishing my theme early on in the podcast writing process, even if I change it later, creates a beacon of light for me to follow.”
Spotify’s “latest money move has arrived in the form of new Spotify Original and Exclusive podcasts for Australia,” reports Harry Domanski of TechRadar. The company has revealed a slate including shows from Vice and satirical news site The Betoota Advocate.
In late January of this year, the company launched its Daily Drive feature in Australia which combines music with short-form podcast news shows. Domanski notes that the number of weekly podcast listeners in the country has increased to 22% over the last three years.
The company has also announced the return of Spotify Sound Up in 2020. First run in 2018, the workshop is designed to “raise the voices of First Nations Australians by offering applicants the opportunity to receive podcasting advice, equipment, and a grant that would enable their idea to reach market.”
Kyle Wilson of The Podcast Host has the lowdown on guerrilla marketing for podcasts ― a “low or no-cost way to create a buzz around your content.” This DIY method allows you to “get creative with your offline marketing efforts,” meeting potential fans in person to generate organic interest.
A familiar example is Red Bull’s famous extreme-stunt campaigns, the post explains. The drink company sponsored “the world record for the highest skydive ever recorded,” grabbing attention “across every news channel on the planet that day.” Wilson’s suggestions are much more down-to-earth.
Your strategy will depend on your target audience, whether you’re organizing a pop-up event or promoting your show with temporary chalk drawings in public places (really). In one instance, the creators of A Scottish Podcast made promotional “beer mats, which could be used and then left in pubs.” All in all: Step away from the laptop.
Happy Monday, readers, and thanks to Audioburst for this Evolutions takeaway: “The best part of the entire experience, by far, was having the chance to hear the podcasters’ ideas and feedback first hand.”
Cheers,
Team PM
A correction: On Air Fest in Brooklyn begins this Thursday, March 5. Friday's issue misstated the date. The event is a hub for “audio creatives and inspired listeners,” featuring over 100 artists including Ira Glass, Talib Kweli, and Michael Barbaro.
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