► Tell us about you and your podcast
My name is "Biggdaddy" Ray Hansen. I have been a festival and venue promoter, emcee and deejay since 2004. I am a former president of a Blues Society and newsletter editor. Based on my interest in Blues music I started my radio show in 2004 at a local college. This show grew to being a featured syndicated show in several states, the UK, Canada, Amsterdam and the coast of Spain as well as the United States. Several years ago I was inducted into the official Blues Hall of Fame. The radio show is Blues Therapy and it has been a finalist for Best Blues Radio Show (Empire Awards) for 14 years straight. I have been sharing my show via podcast for over 7 years now. I receive new Blues and Blues/Rock music continually from the best record companies, agents, and directly from the artists.
My show is called Blues Therapy Radio because music is therapy. My listeners are folks who love great Blues music-usually with a Rock edge but not exclusively.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I started podcasting after a suggestion by a former station manager where my show is hosted on a terrestrial station.
My initial goals were to find a way to offset the costs of doing my show by making a little money and, of course, to reach more listeners.
I started the podcast back in 2013, about 9 years after I started doing the radio show.
Because I keep recordings off all my shows I was able to start podcasting the same day I chose a podcast service.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
I release a new show every week-usually around Tuesday evening. The show I release is the same on that is aired on FM radio during the weekend prior.
After doing this show since 2004 I have a routine schedule that breaks down to a few tasks each day (about 5 days a week) In all a 2 hour show takes about 4-5 hours to produce from start to finish.
By doing incremental tasks I can fit in production in the evenings after my day job.
I spend about $40/week and it all comes out of my pocket. I would love to get advertisers and sponsors to help but I will keep this show going regardless.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
I gain very little monetarily. I actually lose money every year but what I get mentally is un-measurable. I enjoy the process (mostly). I love the music and I really love sharing great music with listeners.
Yes I absolutely take sponsor ships. I believe last year I made only about $100 but it was growing until I needed to leave that podcast server for this one.
I got my first sponsor through word of mouth.
I had about 50 downloads before I got my first sponsor. I think it helps to occasionally ask listeners to consider sponsoring. Sometimes you get lucky.
I will continue to seek sponsors by using social media and in show requests as well. My current download numbers are just being created since I only just joined Podbean. At the two former podcast servers I averaged over 100 downloads a week.
Podcasting benefits me by putting a little money back in my pocket to help offset expenses and it helps me knowing these incredible artists are being heard by many more people.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
Because each episode starts out as an FM radio show I record in a studio at home that I built. I use Focusrite system for the mics and Presonus for the headphone system. I also utilize Audacity which I became very adept at out of necessity.
I actually don't interview guests very often but when I have they have asked me.
The preparation for each episode starts a week early when I prepare a playlist (approx. 24-28 songs) from CDs and electronic submissions received from artists, their managers or record companies. Once a playlist is created the next step is to come up with bullet points that I can use to introduce each artist. This is typically a 30 second intro. I generally play 2 songs from each album which allows me to play a dozen albums each show.
► How do you market your show?
Each week I upload my radio show to the podcast server then I include the link and a short description and share it with social media (usually multiple Facebook pages with like interests). I have used Mailchimp but need to develop a better list of listeners who wish to receive weekly notifications. Additionally it's pretty easy to find my show via Google and I have a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as well.
I think the most useful marketing channel has been Facebook thus far.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
My advice for new podcasters is to do your research. All the information you want is online. Also it helps if you have a mentor. Above all make your podcast interesting and useful. Find your niche and go for it. If you want to learn more about me just check out my social pages especially facebook.com/Bluestherapyradio
I have learned that there are so many ways to get the word out about your podcast and many are free. I also learned how rewarding a podcast can be when you can actually see how many listeners you have. In FM radio that's impossible unless the station is paying for a streaming service. Good luck!