Michelle Beadle to Bloggers to Jimmy Traina: Does Everyone Need a Podcast? Pt. 2

Some people loved what I said, some people hated what I said, but thankfully, the majority of people were intrigued from what I said.

If you didn’t read Part 1 of Does Everyone Need a Podcast? then check it out and come back to this column when you’re finished.

Immediately, the question I was asked from most people was, “If you find the format boring, then what do you want to hear?”

My answer seemed vague to them.

I kept saying that I wanted to here something original, something different; I just don’t want to hear the same thing that everyone else is doing.  Easier said than done—I know.

I explained that it wasn’t about my ideas of what I want to hear, it’s about your ideas of bringing something unique to the table.

People still couldn’t fully grasp what I was saying.

To me it’s as simple as this.  If I replace you on your podcast, ask the same questions to the same guest and nothing is different, then you’re doing something wrong.

Go ahead and analyze that statement.  It’s simple, yet it’s oh so true.

My hope is that I will listen to your show, each and every episode, because of you.  If you’re good enough, and the format is good enough to bring me back no matter the guest or the subject matter, then you’ve succeeded.

Think about this.

All the best podcasts and radio shows that people listen to have an audience because of the person running the show.  Howard Stern’s listeners listen because of Howard Stern.  Bill Simmons’ listeners listen because of Bill Simmons.

The majority of other successful podcasts create the same effect. 

They have a quality product because of themselves, not because of who they’re talking to or what they’re talking about.

If Rex Ryan is doing his book tour and doing interviews on 50 different shows, why will I listen to your interview of Rex rather than the other 49?  That’s what podcasters need to figure out.

Some people were upset with me for my attack on Jimmy Traina and Michelle Beadle.

Yes, I was critical of both of their podcasts, but hopefully they understand where I'm coming from.

Maybe they’ll ask themselves, “Why am I doing this podcast?”

As long as they're dedicated, doing it for the right reason and not just using it for an easy added paycheck for them and their company then I can't really complain.  If they truly want to give us listeners a podcast that is meaningful and different then I'm all for it.  

Once they decide on their reasoning for doing a podcast, and are happy with the answer, then hopefully they'll ask themselves how they can set themselves apart from everyone else out there.

Is that asking too much to ask of these two?

I don’t expect podcasters to be overnight successes; I understand there’s a process you have to work through in any craft.  I do expect podcasters to be themselves and give me something I can’t get from every other podcast out there.

One of the most hits I ever got in one day on my Web site was when I created the Tiger Woods Mistress Slots game; a game that was featured on Jimmy Traina’s Hot Clicks.

After I created that popular post I said to myself, “I don’t ever want to create anything like that this again.”

To me it was a gimmick post.  Anyone can create gimmick posts.

If my site is to be recognized then I want it to be for my writing.  I’d rather get 50 readers every day who appreciate my style of writing then 50,000 readers who come to my site because I can create a funny casino game.

My writing should set me apart and not be gimmick that everyone else can do.

Sometimes when you're successful and it seems like you're doing everything the right way, you forgot the reason you started doing what you're doing in the first place. 

So make me want to listen to your podcast because of you, not because of who you're talking to.

Don’t be replaceable.  It’s as straightforward as that.

Because right now, when I listen to most podcasts, most of you are replaceable.