Podcast VS Radio

 

Podcast VS Radio

Podcasts and radio are very different in their styles and platforms aside from the similarity of the two being audio programs. Podcasts are recorded, edited, and published onto a streaming or on-demand website to be listened to by the audience whenever they desire. On the other hand, broadcast radio is a scheduled live audio program that allows the listener to tune into the station at any time, even though some may have missed a part of the show. Because of this fact, radio broadcasters have found the need to reintroduce themselves, their guests, and the topic from time to time to ensure everyone listening has caught up.

Audiences listen to podcasts online using one of a streaming service or podcast aggregator, whereas broadcast radio is listened live from a radio station. Radio shows are almost always produced and recorded by more prominent companies, but any group, organization, or individual can record podcasts. Individuals with no experience who want to share information with or entertain their audience often opt to register and post free podcasts online to publicize on other social media platforms for their audiences to see.

Radio stations appeal to a much larger group of people as compared to podcasts which are more niche. Radio shows are planned according to the locality, city, or country’s interests and requirements. By contrast, podcasts can be listened to by anyone in any part of the world that shares the same views and interests as the podcaster.

I've got some experience with this. In 2009, I was the manager for the Hunt Life Outdoors Show. I put together the show, worked with the distributor, and served as the affiliate liaison.

When we decided to attempt syndication, we first had to decide whether we were going to record it or do it live. Because we wanted to be current, we chose to go live. In hindsight, I believe it was a bad decision, because it's very expensive….you have to book satellite time. We also decided to enlist the help of a distribution company. That decision, or rather the company we chose, turned out to be a bad one as well. We spent a ton of money and maxed out at about 35 affiliates.

About a year later, I decided to start my own show. I recorded it at home, got it on two stations myself, but decided to stop because a solid job opportunity presented itself. Were it not for the job, I would definitely have continued.

This question is rather ambiguous about the show itself - is it daily, weekly? Talk, music? How long is it? I could give a more specific list if I had more info. As a hypothetical, here is a list of “"must-haves” for a weekly show:

1. A solid product. It needs consistently good content with quality production. Consider the length of the show, and if it actually justifies the time you're giving it. To succeed, every minute has to deliver.
2. A track record on one station. Testimonials from Program Directors are vital, especially in the beginning.
3. Good market analysis. Is there anyone else doing a show that even remotely covers the same ground your show covers? Find every potential competitor and tear their show apart to find out how you can appear different and better.
4. Smart options. If you really want to do the show live, try to offer stations replays or a recorded version. Offer a 2-minute daily version of the product as a “starter”. Selling two minutes is much easier than selling sixty.
5. A quality USP. Before any station will agree to give up one minute of their airtime (the only thing they have to keep them in business), they need to know they can make money off of you. You must have that information ready to present immediately, because they're much more interested in that than the content of your show.
6. A network. Remember that PD from the first station that loves your show? They know other PDs, and those connections can get you in the door. Rarely will these connections directly result in a new affiliate, but at least the conversation can start.
7. A big wallet. You will need marketing, so you will need to find sponsors - the bigger, the better. Grow them as you grow your affiliate base. Build that network, too….they all know each other, and it's a big feather in your cap if you can hand-deliver local sponsor leads to your affiliates.

This, of course, is if you're solely interested in terrestrial radio. If I were to do a show now, I’d opt for a podcast or an internet radio station instead….take it straight to the people.

What can I talk about on my radio show?

Congrats on your radio show! Many radio shows are just music, with a presenter, (under pain of death!) doing links of between 20 to 40 seconds. Not much meaningful info you can squeeze in to that slot!

You can squeeze more speech in by “talking up the intro”. Some song intros are as long as a minute! Most are much shorter. This requires quite a lot of skill and practice. I spent hours and hours practising.

Or you could talk over a “music bed” this has the advantage that you can talk longer and to the listener, it won’t seem as long as “dry” speech.

Olly Murs hails from Witham in Essex, which is 10 miles from my radio station. Does someone know him, went to school with him? Prerecord this person’s reminisicences and include in your show.

Have a guest who belongs to an Art Club. Ask him/her what her favourite music is. Play it for them on air. Look up songs that have “picture” in the title and play them. You can search these easity online.

Listen to what other radio presenters do. You’ll soon learn some ideas yourself. Ask other people at your radio station. They will be delighted to help, I assure you!

Have a good show! (and shows!)