Whether you are a newbie creator or a seasoned audio professional, The Podcast Show can be a real opportunity to connect with what really matters to you in the industry
As the audio industry in the UK prepares their calendars for chunks of 15-minute meetings that get interrupted by other 15-minute meetings at The Podcast Show… we thought we’d share exactly how we would approach this week to get the most out of it, no matter who you are.
To set the scene: The Podcast Show is an industry event that brings together creators, companies, newcomers and platforms to discuss new innovations, share new projects and collaborations, and probably most importantly – connect with everyone face-to-face. This is your chance to meet your internet peers in real life! So here is how you can make the most of it this year:
If you are an indie creator… Focus on collaboration
As an indie creator attending the show, try to do just one thing: make podcasting feel less lonely. Being an indie podcaster can mean doing it solo. This trade event is a space for you to connect with other people doing the exact same thing and to share knowledge, tips and to foster relationships that would help you sustain your passion for audio. This could mean connecting with people who would be up for cross-promotion, guesting or sponsorship, but it could also be finding a match in a production company and taking that leap into being a professional podcaster with a crew and an ear piece. Meeting some of the production companies you have seen make similar successful shows to yours can help you understand what you might need for them to produce your podcast too (and if they are truly a good match).
If you are a production company… Upskill and try new tech
The Podcast Show could be your best bet in getting your hands on some of the new tech and tools that would help you elevate your shows. It’s a good idea for a couple of people from your company to attend the show too to really get a couple of opinions on how this new tech could also work for you. This could include sound design, more streamlined post-production software, or next-gen recording set ups that just make sense for your current set up. Just as an example, we will definitely be at the show talking about our virtual studio – and it is innovations like this that can help you to future-proof your next projects.
If you are looking to work in audio or have just gotten your first podcasting job… Network and learn
For those attending as their first foray into the audio and podcasting industry, or for newbies who have just gotten jobs in the space – this is your perfect chance to meet everyone in-person and to figure out where you want to go next. Attend the talks and try to wrap your mind around how the industry works. This includes understanding the craft of audio but also the tech behind it and the distribution, as well as how ad sales work and how platforms support creators. Don’t be afraid to attend a talk and stick around after to meet the panelists. These hosts, producers and experts in their fields would be happy to answer questions. Networking is one of the best ways to truly grasp the ways in which audio travels and to help you understand your own place in the industry.
If you are looking to grow your podcast… Find us! (and ask questions)
Obviously, if you are at The Podcast Show to try to understand how your podcast might reach more audiences – find a member of the Podcast Discovery team! In addition, also focus on simply asking a lot of questions. Speak to everyone in the industry, from platforms to advertisers, to indie creators, and figure out what people might be looking for in a podcast and what success stories they have. The industry is still young and we all have a lot to learn. Don’t yuck someone’s yum when it comes to podcast marketing either – what works for one show might not work for yours – but it is still worth learning about it! This could also be a good place to learn about how you can build monetisation streams for your show or how else you might be able to cater to your superfans.
So finally, we will see you there!