PodMov Daily: Wednesday, October 14

Episode 306: Your Midweek Update

Guest Feature: No Path to Podcasting Income is the Same

Before Melanie Scroggins, Hailey Thomas, and Gina Horkey started Podcast Production School last fall, they’d each discovered podcasting in different ways. Their individual journeys show how podcasting can create income streams, whether approached from a business perspective or grown out of passion.

Inspired by an episode of Radiolab, Scroggins experimented with her first podcast in 2017. Soon after, friends with businesses came calling. “Wait…someone wanted to pay me to make them a podcast?” she asks, looking back. “That’s how my podcast hobby turned into a podcast side hustle and, eventually, a full-time gig.”

Over the last year, the three have found a niche in preparing small businesses to launch, manage, and grow podcasts. They’ve written their round-robin guest feature to illustrate realistic opportunities in audio, and how to “stretch your creative muscles and even earn some extra money while you’re at it.”

Weekly Recap: Industry-Leading Keynotes at PM Virtual

This week’s update announces even more outstanding PM Virtual keynotes and speakers. Misha Euceph (Dustlight Productions), Manoush Zomorodi (TED Radio Hour), and Nora McInerny (Terrible, Thanks for Asking) will present the timely keynote “Intellectual Property & Podcast Creator Rights.”

Read on for another industry-leading keynote reveal (Hint: It involves The Daily from The New York Times). Looking to make connections between sessions? Check out events like Ghoul’s Night Out, presented by She Podcasts and Libsyn on October 20, and the Podcasters of Color Networking Event hosted by ABC News on October 27.

In other news, a Halloween tradition is coming to PM Virtual. Seth Resler of Jacobs Media will host the Trick-or-Treat Podcast Challenge, where a panel of professionals will critique the first 30 seconds of up-and-coming podcasts. Submit your show to be considered — if you dare.

Pre-Built Audiences Deliver 50% Increase in Sales

Unleash your marketing campaign’s fullest potential by making sure you reach the right audiences. Claritas has the power to identify and segment high-performing audiences for enhanced speed-to-market. The industry leader in advanced modeling capabilities, Claritas helps you identify and engage with those showing the most potential for your business.

Leveraging Claritas’ ability to find the best audiences with the highest potential for each advertiser, The Seattle Times helped increase new high-value donors by 10% and increased monthly sales by 50% for a jewelry client. Read the case study for details.

Using tens of thousands of consumer behaviors, including demographics, lifestyle and media preferences, and technology use, Claritas can pinpoint the right audiences when they’re in the buying mindset, leading to more effective marketing and greater sales.

Here's what else is going on:

• High score: On Friday at 11:00 am CT, Lore composer Chad Lawson will present “Beyond the Theme Song: How Music Makes the Podcast Mood.” Part of the Charlotte Podcast Festival, the virtual session will focus on weaving songs and stories. Registration is free. 

• A toast: The Writers Guild of America, East has begun organizing within the scripted podcast space. The WGA Audio Alliance seeks to secure compensation, benefits, and credit for writers “as production companies look to the independent community for the next big hit.”

• Lucky number: Keegan-Michael Key stars in the horror podcast series Aaron Mahnke’s 13 Days of Halloween. Premiering October 19, the last terrifying tale (daily episode) comes out on Halloween. It’s produced by Lore creator Aaron Mahnke, Blumhouse, and iHeartMedia.

• Red carpet: The Podcast Academy has set its first-ever awards show for March 28, 2021. The Ambies (formerly called The Golden Mics) will honor podcasts, individuals, and teams in 23 categories across the audio industry. Nominations will be open starting October 19.