Event Podcasting - Advertising once per year problem.

[Slone]

Hey all,

I'm covering the Alaska Iditarod Sled Dog Race from Anchorage Alaska to Nome Alaska. This event draws in spectators from all over the world, and my Podcast and Videocast will be the first ever coverage of the race.

My Challenge:
1.) Podtrac offers advertising to podcasters after 3 some months of surveys etc.. So finding an advertiser is going to be hard. Additionally I won't get anyone to fill out a survey, because they are listening for race updates etc... Not to vote or any of that crap.

2.) Whatever Podshow has lined up - I don't think will be ready by the time the race starts - even then I have no idea what they have in the works. I just don't know what Podshow has going on... So I can't look that direction... Though I would not mind! Even as a test...

3.) I could go Local, but let's face it... I'm in Alaska. I mention Podcasting and go through all my education, it's just scary. A last resort I may go small sponsor...

I know this race coverage is going to be a hit! I have press already lined up to pump up the podcast, and let's not forget it's a race known and watched around the world. I'm also scared that Libsyn won't be able to handle the load with all the downloads (should it be a huge success.) I have yet to speak with them...

This podcast and videocast featured once per year is going to be well produced with a lot of good content planned. How do I go about finding a annual advertiser, and does anyone know of anyone who can help me seek out a good advertiser.

I wish Podtrac, Podshow, or someone offered a special event auction for advertisers.

Thanks for your help or ideas...
Scott

[tabulator32]

I have been trying to communicate with places like mediabids.com to see if I can set up an account with a podcast (as opposed to a magazine or newspaper).

Barring that, I got a sponsor by advertising on...dare I say it? E-Bay!

8)

[Cheri]

Wow Kurt! What a great idea.... It certainly wouldn't hurt to put it up there and you might get some PR from it as well!

I would recommend hitting some of the potential advertisers on your own. No one is going to be able to sell it with the enthusiasm that you have for it. Yes, it's time consuming but try some of the bigger ones.

I would start with the Alaska Tourism Board, the Cruiselines that have cruises to Alaska, is there a special forum, websites related. What about the sponsors who are sponsoring the event. See if any of them would want additional exposure.

Good luck! Its sounds great!

[SFEley]

3.) I could go Local, but let's face it... I'm in Alaska. I mention Podcasting and go through all my education, it's just scary. A last resort I may go small sponsor...
So don't go through all your education. Say "it's downloadable radio content," and point potential sponsors at your site. They'll figure it out.


I know this race coverage is going to be a hit! I have press already lined up to pump up the podcast,
This is exactly the sort of thing you should emphasize to potential sponsors.

Your best bet here really is to try to sell it yourself, I think. Who sponsors the Iditarod? Talk to those people. If you don't know which people to call, use your contacts at the Iditarod... Hopefully you're making connections with the event organizers to ensure that your podcast gets good placement to view the event and some access to notable figures to interview. While you're working out those logistics, you can slip in a couple of "By the way..." questions and maybe get some names and numbers. Can't hurt to ask, anywya. (Esp. since the scale of advertising you'll be looking for doesn't compete with the scale of advertising the Iditarod itself most likely gets.) >8->

Oh, and last thing: if you don't have a media kit already, make one now before you talk to anyone at all. Endurance Radio and Skepticality both have some good examples.