► Tell us about you and your podcast
I'm Rae Leigh a Singer Songwriter from the Gold Coast in Australia and host of Songwriter Trysts podcast.
Songwriter Trysts is an intimate space where artists gather to discuss the love of songwriting. Writing songs and the journey that one makes into this ancient art form is powerful stuff. Songwriters have something to say and this is a space to delve deeper into their songs, where they come from and what they are creating.
This show is for Songwriters, people learning the songwriting craft and people that love the music of the artists on the show.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I decided to create a podcast but wanted to find a subject I was interested in and that I could provide value to. When I researched available podcasts on Songwriting I found that many were now in-active and that it could be a niche I could look into.
I listened to all the songwriting shows I could find and enjoyed Song Exploder &
Sodajerker. I decided I wanted to create a space where songwriting could be celebrated and discussed and the stories and people behind the songs could be shared.
This podcast opens the discussion around songwriting, where it comes from, how and why songwriters are drawn to it. It was born out of desire to connect with people during the COVID-19 lock down and support songwriters to share, inspire and learn.
It took around 3 weeks to go from initial idea to releasing the first podcast, and it's been non stop ever since. The first 3 episodes launched 0n 3rd August 2020.
Its been an amazing journey which I will continue on as along as I provide value to the guests, listeners and myself .
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
I release two or more episodes a week. It takes around 5 hours per episode for production, marketing and editing. I had some consulting from a friend who is an audio engineer and have my own studio so am able to do the production myself. I also create all the graphics and promotional material for social media and the website using Canva.
Before Covid-19 hit I was performing and releasing music full time, I'm still recording and writing music however found value in running the podcast as I'm also learning as I go and love supporting and encouraging the songwriting along with it.
My husband who is an IT consultant and project manager has stepped in to support me and work as a husband and wife team. He handles all the online distribution and website development. He's incredible with communications and marketing and finding the best ways do deliver this podcast to our listeners.
So far this podcast is 100% self funded, we are working on some grant applications and have a space for people to support the podcast through our website and it's something we are always open to suggestions about and advice.
At the moment the podcast and my music is a full time job, though I am acting and modeling again when jobs come up so I schedule and plan those podcasts in advance.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
I am currently looking into sponsorship to help make the podcast sustainable but have no current revenue.
Podcasting benefit at the moment for me is about getting to talk to great songwriters and learning there story and tips on songwriting and sharing it with anyone else who wants to learn at the same time. The value that has been created by the relationships with the guests has been priceless.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
I use RINGR to record podcasts long distance, otherwise I use Pro Logic at home. I have Rode Podcast microphones and stands attached to an iMac Pro with studio equipment.
I have reached out to the artists directly via FB/Instagram and via their agents and I've also got a form on our website where we get regular applications from artists all over the world submitting their music and information for consideration. We welcome anyone who is recording and releasing original music to apply.
Before each episode I listen to their music and get an understanding of the artist.
► How do you market your show?
I release the episodes through the Anchor platform that distributes across many mediums. We have built our own website and got the podcast listed on IMDB. We are on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & Linked in @SongwriterTrysts
At the moment breakdown of listeners are:
Apple Podcasts 44%
Spotify 17%
Other 39%
I find that Facebook has the best results over Instagram but I find my guests more from Instagram than Facebook. I have just started sharing on LinkedIn too.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
Have your branding content ready to go that can be easily reproduced, keep it simple and make sure it's something you can continue to grow and maintain. It should ad value to your guests, to your listeners and mostly to you, if you can find something that will do all those things your onto a winner.
Equipment is key for interviews not in person. Don't accept phones and headphones when studio quality recording is available if they use a professional microphone and headphones in a computer the audio quality is so much better and makes for a better podcast for the listeners. Poor audio can be really hard to listen to and distracting from the message and content of the actual show.
I got help from Dylan Blacksmith from musicmindscollective.com