Now that I have been podcasting for almost 5 months, I am starting to see what goes on behind the scenes of podcasting. From long to short edits, from clean to explicit, from serious to funny, etc. Each podcast has its own theme while attempting to stand out in the crowd. Like any business, you have to produce a unique product that people want to buy, or in this case download, or listen.
Every podcast has its own demographic that it reaches. Some are going after one aspect of World of Warcraft, while others are focusing on a select focus group, while others are focusing on everything about the game. Each podcast had to start somewhere, even the big name podcasts with thousands of downloads a week were once podcasting noobs. Once upon a time, that big podcast was just starting out, but they paved the way for the rest of us to get our feet on the ground and produce our own product of our own quality for our own audience.
As a huge podcast fanatic, I can say that I listen to a large range of podcasts, a lot of those that I don’t talk about, or mention. I listen to each podcast for a different reason and have stopped listening to many for one reason or another. I listen to a podcast based on how they present their product. If I am listening to a World of Warcraft podcast, I expect that 95% of the show will be about World of Warcraft. If I listen to a podcast a few times and I don’t really see them talking about World of Warcraft, I don’t feel like they are an “official” World of Warcraft podcast and I stop listening.
No matter if a podcast has 1 person listening, or 1 Million, the person behind the microphone is still an every day person. They may become an internet celebrity based on the fact that they took the chance on making a podcast, or putting their voice out there. But each of them still breathes air, eats food, and puts their pants on one leg at a time.
So, lets walk into one of my day dreams for a second, and yes, I will be wearing pants, so don’t be scared.
*Insert Scooby Doo mystery music here*
I’m walking down the street of New York City, one of the largest cities in the country. As I walk down the street I see people walking in all directions going about their every day life some talking on their phone, others listening to music, some looking lost, some rushing, some walking slow. I don’t see a single face that I know, and no one knows mine. If I walk up to 10, 000 people that day and say, “Hey Stranger, have you ever heard of Epicinsanity?” All 10,000 of those people will respond with some form of no, either directly, or through colorful curse words. To them, I am just an every day person. Now replace me with Brad Pitt, and repeat the same scenario. You will get different results.
Those 10,000 people knew something that a lot of people don’t understand, I am an every day person, just like 99.9% of other podcasters, bloggers, YouTubers, Twitch Streamers, etc. We are all just people. We need air to breathe, and water to stay hydrated.
Almost right away after our third episode of Epic Questions hit iTunes/Stitcher, I got some amazing advice from a experienced podcaster. They told me that you have to remember why you started podcasting, and that you are still you no matter how many people listen to you.
So, you may be asking yourself, why did you start podcasting? And thats a simple, but complex answer. I personally started podcasting because I wanted to produce a product that would educate, inform, and enterntain each and every person who took the time to listen to 1, or all epsiodes produced. I always have something to say about everything, and I have a large gaming knowledge base and wanted to be able to give people a chance to hear it, or read about it. If we got 1 listener, or 1 Million, it doesn’t change me as a person.
But, I didn’t start podcasting to become a celebrity, or held on a pedistal. I didn’t start podcasting to get special attention, or have the chance to brush elbows with those podcasters I have been listening to for all these years.
I struggle to keep my focus, I struggle remembering who I was and where I came from. But the I work hard at keeping myself focused on who I am, and I remember that when I walk down the street of my town, I am still just that guy with the beard in passing. And I like that feeling. It makes me remember who I am, but it doesn’t hold be back from where I am going.
If you question if I am really focused, come roll an alt character in my guild, and talk to my guild and myself. They will gladly let you know who I am because each and every one of them will let you know that I am just that annoying guy in vent, or in guild chat that just never stops talking!
Hello. My name is Josh.
I put my pants on, one leg at a time. I don’t have a personal assistant to help.
I sleep in a normal bed, not on a bed of money, or feathers.
I breathe the same air as you.
I am an every day gamer.
