An Expo Idea that actually helps Podcasters

[Steve Pinder]

The expo that was held in Nov 05 in Cali seemd to be a get together instead of promoting podcasting. I wasn't there, so I'm only going by what I heard.
If there is another one in the plans, I think it needs to be focused on educating people that don't know about podcasting.

I think it should be attached to something else, like:
Expos for

1. Musical hardware, equiptment, etc...
2. Computers and software


Here's a stretch
3. Broadcasting (Radio) ouch!


Just my opinion


Steve Pinder
www.karatekast.com

[kinkysex]

I agree, in theory. However, I think that's something Curry would do, or apple. They have a vested interest in the 'big picture' and deeper pockets.

We should maybe think more about educating our target audience.

Example: Steve Pinder sets up a booth at a martial arts expo with a banner that says, "Karate Kast". You have booth babes (gotta love 'em) hand out cd's, brochures, and demonstrate on a big screen tv how to download a podcast.

This way you're promoting a product for you and helping all of us. More importantly (I think) you are motivating people not by new tech, but by your show - which I'm sure they'll love. :lol: You also have the motivation of much higher numbers.

I guess I'm saying, "forget jaded industry folk and go for real people."

[Craig]

The expo that was held in Nov 05 in Cali seemd to be a get together instead of promoting podcasting. I wasn't there, so I'm only going by what I heard.
If there is another one in the plans, I think it needs to be focused on educating people that don't know about podcasting.
I have to disagree. First off all, the November expo generated a large amount of press that had the effect of promoting podcasting to a lot of people who didn't already know about it. A lot of those articles (if not most) included a description of what podcasting was and served as an introductory education for readers.

Second, as someone who not only attended the expo but spent a lot of time staffing one of the booths, I can tell you that there were a lot of attendees who were brand new to podcasting, many of whom had very little idea of what it was. So the expo itself did serve as an educational vehicle, and it was the promoters intention for it to do so (for podcasters at least, which I assume is who you're talking about).

That said, an expo is generally not the ideal way to educate people about something. For the most part you go to an expo because you already know about something and you want to learn more. Otherwise it's unlikely you'll even know the expo is taking place. At best, you attract a small percentage of the people you want to target.

There are many other, better ways to educate people about podcasting and the internet is probably the most effective way to do it. So while I applaud your intent Steve, I think you need to broaden the scope of your proposed implementation!

Craig

[Steve Pinder]

Tom, I agree with you on this.

That is a good Idea.

Steve Pinder
www.karatekast.com

[kinkysex]

Tom, I agree with you on this.

That is a good Idea.

...and don't forget the giveaways - raffle off on iPod to bring people back to your booth at the end of the event!

[KidderKaper]

The thing with an expo/conference is the audience. Back in my production days we'd go to conferences like NAPTE. The audience was two-fold, one was television networks doing their best to make the advertisers like their next season lineup, and content producers trying to sell their shows to the networks.

Perhaps we'd have a large enough audience if we had audio vendors (mic's and stuff) trying to sell to us, and us trying to get sponsors interested in us. It is possible that we get our listeners to this show too as there may be some fans that want to meet Steve, Prof. Tom, Violet Blue, PK & Jay, Dawn and Drew etc.

I'm not certain if we'd fit in well to an already existing expo market. It would be cool to be at the Macworld expo, but I don't think we're going to nail our audience there.

If anyone is thinking of putting something together, I'd be all over joining that party so let me know.

Kidder Kaper
host of the Sex is Fun! Podcast Radio Show

[womengrow]

I guess I'm saying, "forget jaded industry folk and go for real people."
I think this is really excellent advice. It's wonderful to have other podcasters digging your show, but in your case your real target audience, I assume, are individuals interested in Karate or Martial Arts in general.

I'd print up business cards with your podcast info on them (instructions for subscribing on the back side) and start handing them out to anyone who talks about Karate or Fiteness or Working Out with you.

I'd imagine there are Karate bulletin boards online. Put your webpage in your signature and start posting there.

[tsidock]

I have to disagree. First off all, the November expo generated a large amount of press that had the effect of promoting podcasting to a lot of people who didn't already know about it. A lot of those articles (if not most) included a description of what podcasting was and served as an introductory education for readers.

Second, as someone who not only attended the expo but spent a lot of time staffing one of the booths, I can tell you that there were a lot of attendees who were brand new to podcasting, many of whom had very little idea of what it was. So the expo itself did serve as an educational vehicle, and it was the promoters intention for it to do so (for podcasters at least, which I assume is who you're talking about).

That said, an expo is generally not the ideal way to educate people about something. For the most part you go to an expo because you already know about something and you want to learn more. Otherwise it's unlikely you'll even know the expo is taking place. At best, you attract a small percentage of the people you want to target.

There are many other, better ways to educate people about podcasting and the internet is probably the most effective way to do it. So while I applaud your intent Steve, I think you need to broaden the scope of your proposed implementation!

Craig

I was there also, And I agree with Craig, although I did not spend much time on the floor, instead attended as many of the seminars as I could. I already knew about podcasting, already had a podcast and I knew why I was there. I think you can divide the experience into at least three pieces.
1- The floor, get to know the vendors who will provide support for us and find out what they have in the pipe. Let the vendors know, what we as podcasters need from them.

2- Seminars, OK, this is learning, but it is big picture stuff. "Where is this thing headed? Where is the audience? Where is the money? " It's year one, we already have an EXPO and nobody really knows. But we learn that people at all levels are interested in us!

3- Offsite, you would end up missing #1 and #2, but hey, that was one heck of a party!

-- Edirol wasn't interested this year, but Marantz was there with all their wares. Software vendors were falling all over us to test their betas.

It only cost me about $500 to attend, I came back with at least that in T-shirts. No regrets, I be back for the next one.

Podcast Alley is a better venue to find answers.

Tom

[Steve Pinder]

My audience is growing, and I have just under 1000 subscribers. Also, we have signed a contract with Chuck Norris' World Combat League, and every month, they fly us to the events so we can record from ringside. I have a good producer also.
I hand out Business cards all the time, but what I'm trying to do, is to get even bigger. I dont want to settle for anything.

Is that bad?

Steve Pinder
www.karatekast.com

[SFEley]

I think it should be attached to something else, like:
Expos for

1. Musical hardware, equiptment, etc...
2. Computers and software

Podcasting does appear to be getting fair coverage in both segments. The NAMM expo a few weeks ago sounded from the coverage as if several manufacturers were pitching podcaster-targeted products, and Apple had quite an emphasis on podcasting at the Macworld Expo with the new GarageBand. (Steve Jobs created a podcast on stage in his keynote, and there was a podcasting table on the show floor.)

[Craig]

I hand out Business cards all the time, but what I'm trying to do, is to get even bigger. I dont want to settle for anything.

Is that bad?
Of course not! You want to think bigger than an expo though. In your case you have a very specific target audience which is fanatic about the subject you're covering, so your best bet may be to put your existing listeners to work for you in doing some guerilla marketing. Get them excited about and involved in the show in a way that makes them want the show to succeed and motivates them to go out and spread the word about it. Word of mouth is your best friend here.

Craig

[monkey_one]

guerilla marketing sounds right up my alley


getting people interested in podcasting sometimes its one person at a time .
my coworker didnt know squat a couple of months ago
but I slowly have shown him itunes podcast alley and some other sight .
walked him through how to download a podcast on to his computer
now he has a 60 gig video ipod and loves podcasts (bastard)
and is gearing up to do his own show (which will probbably be more popular than mine (bastard))
LOL
I am not saying all this to gloat I am saying that to educate one person and get them excited sometimes is better reaching a large group if they dont know where to go or what to do or are not interested or excited about podcasting.

[Steve Pinder]

Craig,
I just realized something. You know my friend and producer. Allen Aguirre


Steve Pinder
www.karatekast.com