MWGblog

Grape Radio got some nice local Los Angeles television coverage today.

What does “subscribe to a podcast” mean to the average person? I learned tonight that it is confusing to the newcomer.

I was having a conversation with a thoughtful and smart entrepreneur friend of mine. We discussed podcasting and he asked a few questions as a new Mac user. He wanted to know if he could right click on a podcast link to have it automatically download and queue to load on his iPod. I admitted that functionality did not exist without additional tools or steps but that he could just click the “one click subscribe” button. He said “yes, but what if I don’t want to subscribe.” We had a disconnect. “Why don’t you want to subscribe?” He said he didn’t want to give his person information just to get a podcast. Wow! I was inside the bubble and he was outside. I knew “podcasting” sometimes caused the “I don’t own an iPod” response, but I had missed the subscribe issue.

Lesson: smart people who are new to podcasting still find the terms confusing and off-putting. Easy to say it is their problem, but if you are building a business in podcasting – this is our problem.

For a good description of what we are up to with GigaVox Media, take a listen to this interview with my co-founder, Doug Kaye. [Link]

I sold my insurance businesses almost 18 months ago. While every now and again I get a relevant email at the old email addresses, it is almost always from folks who are not up to date with my endeavors. After almost ten years with these email addresses it is hard to drop them. That said, I got tired of the Spam repositories these mailboxes have become. Too much work for the rare relevant email. So, I decided to delete them. If you wonder why I have not replied to your email check the email address. Try the “Contact” tab at the top of the site.

I accepted an invitation to speak at CES this year. Looks to be an interesting panel along with friends, Eric Schwartzman, Jason Van Orden and moderated by Tim Bourquin. It is an important topic: Audio and Video Podcasting: The Right Way To Use This Medium for Marketing. That plus the Las Vegas location made it a no brainer. I’ve been to CES a few times and always had a great time. [Link]

MommyCast, which PodShow once dubbed a “premier podcast” on its network, has parted ways with the company after only a year.

In doing some research for a presentation on podcast monetization I decided to include content on MommyCast and their reported $100,000 to $200,000 Dixie sponsorship deal. When looking at their site, I noticed I couldn’t find a mention of PodShow anywhere. I quickly checked on the PodShow network and noticed that their MommyCast content was ancient. I sent off a quick email to the producers of MommyCast with my observations and asked if something had happened. The email back said:

With respect to any announcement regarding Podshow: we have concluded our relationship with them, and wish them only the best.

Interesting.

Update: To ensure there is no mischaracterization, I received a very cordial and friendly email in response from MommyCast. The quote above was their statement regarding my question about the relationship with PodShow.

I have decided that for the two year anniversary of Reel Reviews, it is time to tackle one of my all time favorites: Seven Samurai. For a film guy, this is a big deal; to take on one of the all time greatest films is a commitment. I’ll post it on October 17th, the two-year anniversary of my entry into podcasting. Curious how the whole thing started? Here is the first edition of Reel Reviews: Sam Peckinpah’s original, The Getaway. Unlike many, I have kept up every show, including the always embarrassing #1.

Since I was feeling a little nostalgic – here is my first appearance on the Daily Source Code from September 15th 2004. As you might guess, I am asking audio quality questions.

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By the way, anyone want to hear DSC #1? Being early to the podcast game means I have most podcast pioneer’s episode #1. Last week Dave Slusher and I ended up having a great discussion with some folks at the Portable Media Expo explaining the history of podcasting. It is a bit weird to be an authority on the real history of podcasting. I must say, as exciting as it is now, it was also a great time when it was a small community.

Update: OK, so I got delayed. What else is new? I ordered some new gear for the podcast studio and it has not arrived yet. It is something I’d like to use on this episode. Please be patient.