► Tell us about you and your podcast
Shane Waters - Former Private Investigator, Deputy Coroner, Investigative Crime Journalist, education in Forensic Psychology with two years of experience at one of the nation's largest Crime Labs.
My podcast is Foul Play, myself and co-host Wendy Cee create scripted series based on our own on-the-ground investigations. This season is called The Maps - two serial killer best friends evolve from hunting animals to humans. Torturing and murdering an estimated 80 people and dumping many of them in abandoned California wells. The locations of many victims remained a secret until one of the serial killers started drawing a map to the locations. Our podcast features interviews with family and friends of victims.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I started my podcast in very early 2016 simply because the type of podcast I wanted to listen to wasn't available. My initial goals were to try to help tell stories of tragic crime cases and hopefully provide leads to detectives.
When I started podcasting there really weren't a lot of instructions on how to edit interview audio and podcast production. An Emmy-Award winning music Composer taught me how to edit and produce so I used that knowledge for podcasting. The first episode took two months.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
We release a new episode every other Tuesday. We go to the area the case happened in, so in the case of this season The Maps we traveled to California for several weeks. After our investigation, we build our scripts in a timeline and produce them into a story where you hear what happened from both a narrator and people with first hand knowledge.
I am a full time podcaster now, but initially podcasting was just a hobby. We pay for our hosting and advertising costs through podcast sponsorships and Patreon support.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
Initially I started podcasting just as a hobby. My dad was hit by a drunk driver and my uncle stepped in as a second dad. When my uncle suddenly died it prompted me to start this podcast as a hobby, something to get my mind off the tragic loss.
My podcast grew relatively quickly, within the first year I had a steady listener base of 10,000 people. The second year is the first time I became interested in sponsorships in my episodes. I felt like that was a good time for me because ads do take away from the content - so if you aren't making much money from them then it's not worth it.
I've created so many friendships with other podcasters and listeners. When I attend crime and podcasting conferences it is such a pleasure to meet familiar faces and old friends in the field.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
We utilize Zoom Field Recorders (F1) when recording the on-the-ground investigation. Software is Studio One 4 Professional, and narration on a Shure SM7B through a PreSonus AudioBox iTwo.
Our guests are friends or families of the victims related to the case we are working.
Episodes are scripted, but during interviews we prep by finding all documents related to the interview subject. We draft specific topics to discuss along with any clarification statements we need.
Most interviews are in person, however we do utilize Zoom if an interview subject isn't available in person.
► How do you market your show?
Listeners can find us on all podcast outlets including iTunes podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foul-play/id1118716786
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
If you want to start a podcast, then start a podcast. Don't feel like your first episode has to be perfect and don't go out and empty your savings on equipment and software. Utilize cheaper USB mics and free software until you can upgrade slowly in the future. I also think you shouldn't start selling merch or create a Patreon until you hit 10,000 total downloads. If you don't have a steady listener base you will spend too much time on those other things when your time is better spend creating quality content.
Something that I found helpful is listening to podcasts similar to what you are wanting yours to be - and take notes on what you like and don't like. I also find Trello boards are super helpful for me to remain organized surrounding all the details of podcasting.