► Tell us about you and your podcast
My name's Frankie B and I produce a podcast called "Frankie B's Reggae Session", which is a 45min - 1hr music show where we showcase new and current reggae music and artists in an uninterrupted musical showcase.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I've always had a deep love for Reggae Music. I grew up in Santa Cruz, Ca as a latchkey kid (my parents both worked and were rarely home), so to pass the time when I wasn't in school, I would go to as many Reggae Concerts as I could find. I have a deep respect for the artist and producers that create such amazing music on a shoestring budget (most times). This podcast to me is about spreading this music to people all over the world and promoting artists and producers that rarely get the exposure they really deserve. Anyone can find a Bob Marley album, so I focus the time on my show to the smaller artists that you wouldn't hear otherwise.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
Life is always a balance isn't it? This is not my day job and finding the time to do (what is now) a weekly podcast is not always easy, but when I make the dive into each episode, more often than not, producing this show can make a rough day at work a bit better. I fund the show out of pocket, but it's worth every cent.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
Although I have a sponsor in Savory Spice Shop, there is no real financial gain there. We love each others' product and enjoy helping each other out. Which is what this is all about for me.
If you want to get into Podcasting for financial gain, it is definitely possible, but it really needs to start with a passion for what you're doing. If there is no passion, your listeners will hear it and tune out.
After almost 6 years of producing these shows, the benefit I receive from this is getting to work directly with record companies and artist that I am a genuine fan of. When it all comes down to it, I am still that same super fan of reggae music from when I was a kid in Santa Cruz. So when I get to talk to some of my favorite artists, and the kid in me is jumping out of my skin, it makes every penny I put into this show worth it.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
The process has changed over the years, but every show starts with a loose theme (an Artist Showcase, Dub, Dancehall etc), then I build a setlist and work it out either on my turntables, Adobe Soundbooth or Avid ProTools. I then listen to the show and make the changes I feel it needs, listen to it one more time and then post it to my Podcasting Host.
► How do you market your show?
I promote each show on my Facebook Page, Twitter, Instagram. All my listener stats are provided by Podbean, which does a great job to help me understand what is working with people or not.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
We are all so lucky that podcasting is in the state it is. Just in the past couple years, people are realizing the amazing amount of entertainment options and flocking to listen all around the world, which makes Podcast providers jobs that much more exciting. So if there is a subject you are passionate about and have the drive to share with the world, it's worth it to dive in and experiment with creating your own show. The financial investment is minor compared to other mediums and you really can make it your own.