This series is all about Libsyn’s podcasters. Its sole purpose is to introduce these awesome podcasts to the world as well as share their podcasting insight to empower the community!
Q & A with James from By Association
When did you start podcasting?
I started in 2011.
A couple of shows have come and gone since then and I’ve learned a lot.
I went from podcasting about one specific soccer club to an entire soccer league. Now I’m producing a more broad show about soccer, but in many ways, it’s still pretty niche.
Why did you start podcasting?
I just wanted a place to express my passion.
I was a big podcast listener for a few years before I started making my own and it was always something I wanted to try.
I think if you’re a passionate and creative person and listening to podcasts, it’s only a matter of time until you’ll want to try it yourself.
I grew up recording myself on cassette tapes as a kid, pretending I was on the radio.
So when podcasts came along it was like I was suddenly given permission to do it as an adult!
What’s your show about?
By Association is a narrative podcast about soccer.
I tell all kinds of stories in documentary style, ranging from personal narratives to historical moments and various aspects of soccer culture.
For example, young players struggle with life at an elite youth academy, the story of Iraq’s national team who brought hope to their war-torn nation.
And the history and culture of foosball.
I try to bring as much variety to the show as possible and I want it to reflect the diversity of the sport.
Soccer is global and no matter where you are in the world, as fans we are all connected by our love for the game.
That’s the essence of By Association.
What’s your podcasting set-up? Hardware, software, CMS, etc.
I’ve accumulated quite a bit of gear over the years and what I use depends on the situation.
For recording in the field, I use a Rode NTG2 shotgun microphone paired with a Zoom H5 recorder.
I also use this at home for recording my narration – inside a walk-in wardrobe!
For phone/Skype interviews I have a Rode Procaster microphone paired with an Allen & Heath mixer which all runs on a MacBook Pro.
I edit and produce in Pro Tools.
All my scripts are written up in Google Docs and I manage episodes, notes, research and story ideas with Trello.
I typically have multiple episodes in production at any one time and I’m always thinking ahead so Trello is great for keeping track of it all.
As for the website, I use Squarespace. Easy to use, looks great and gets the job done.
How have you promoted your podcast?
Mainly Twitter and Instagram.
They’re the only places I’m active so that’s what I use.
The best thing about having a show like mine is that I’m slowly building a back catalog that retains its value and is always relevant.
I regularly share past episodes, especially around relevant dates, events or anniversaries.
I’ve also experimented with short videos on social media to promote specific episodes.
I use Buffer to schedule promotional posts which certainly helps because consistent, quality promotion requires a lot of work.
But most of all, I rely on interactions with my existing audience. That connection is far more valuable and I think you have to let your work speak for itself.
You can’t expect anything overnight but hopefully, over time, word of mouth begins to spread.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
Everything! When it comes to podcasting there is no substitute for experience and just jumping in and getting started.
By Association would be very different had I not produced two previous podcasts, even though those shows were very different themselves in style and format.
Embarking on any creative project is always a learning experience and a journey. There are no short cuts, only hard work. So be patient, make mistakes and just have fun. You’ll get better!
All you soccer fans out there, say hello to your next obsession! How about SUBSCRIBE!! There can never be enough stories and conversation about soccer, especially, in the way that By Association does it!
If you are passionate about a sport and would like to tell stories and expand the sport’s reach, consider starting a podcast. We’d love to host your media, and if you need how to podcast help, we have a monthly Podcasting QuickStart FREE webinar!
