This series is all about showcasing Libsyn 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 chente from Masacote
When did you start podcasting?
I’ve been podcasting since 2011 but it has not been until recently that i’ve become a podcast enthusiast. Both as a listener and as a producer.
Why did you start podcasting?
The short answer for that would be to be funny to a wider audience.
In the beginning, I participated on a weekly podcast which dealt with current events and news. Things that were trending on social media, in the newspaper, TV and stuff like that. It was five of us and since I’m a comedian, I was there mostly to make jokes and such.
The thing is that I was never on top of the conversation. I’ve never been a topical comedian and more often than not I felt like if i where part of the audience listening in on a conversation that was far too sophisticated for me to have valid input.
These guys knew the ins and out of politics and the agenda’s of certain media outlets. Meanwhile, I wanted to talk about movies, share what had happened to me on the mall or tell a story about a recent nightmarish stand up gig I’ve had.
In other words, I felt that my presence there was not the best thing for their audience or for my goals so that ended about 30 episodes in.
The podcast went on for about an additional year. Just in case you’re wondering, I’m still great friends with those guys.
So after that I totally dismissed podcasting feeling that it wasn’t a medium that could benefit me. Until about two years later.
As an actor and comedian, I worked in a play here in Puerto Rico that went up 22 times (a very good number by Puerto Rico’s standards). So i’m in this incredibly funny and successful play and working with one of the Islands most beloved and well known comedians: Shorty Castro.
During our 3 month working schedule, we became pretty good friends. He’s 86 years old and i’m 30 so it made for some awesome conversations and story telling (mostly from him to me and to the rest of the cast for that matter).
One day, before heading out to the theater to work with Shorty, I decided to punch his name up on google to see what i’d turn up. The outcome was sad. There was close to nothing aside from a Wikipedia page on the “Giant of Comedy” as he is known on the island. When I realized this, I decided to google other well known comedians with similar results.
From this point on, I decided that, at least for my own enlightenment; I’d try to talk to as many comedians and humorists as I could. I’d record these conversations, and in turn I would create some sort of database for at least some of the greats. The result of that idea has been “Masacote”. In case you’re wondering, yes the Shorty episode happened and it was a very memorable one.
What’s your show about?
It’s a show mostly about comedy. Oh, and it’s in spanish. I interview local comedians or internet humorists but have also interviewed musicians and actors. I basically try to record great conversations.
What’s your podcasting set-up? Hardware, software, CMS, etc.
I have a super basic set up: a blue yeti microphone to a computer with Audacity.
How have you promoted your podcast?
I always use social media to share my podcast. Mostly Twitter and Facebook although i also have Instagram and Vine. Those last two just don’t work for that sort of promotion I think.
I take great care developing the copy that’s going to accompany my link (to the podcast). Just writing “check this episode out” won’t cut it in my experience. Maybe I’ll write something cool about my guest. Or maybe a nice quote that’s actually in the episode. Just don’t sound generic and put some thought into it.
Also, having a picture with my guest always helps. I’m a horrible photographer and we’re usually alone so they’re mostly bad selfies but they’re definitely more “shareable” than just the art of my podcast.
Seeing the same art over and over might make them (my friends or twitter followers) believe it’s the same episode they heard.
Speaking about guests, I’ve found that guests have a lot to do with promotion. If my guest has a twitter or a Facebook, he or she usually shares the episode too. I never ask them to do so, but most of the time they do.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
Always have headphones on while recording.
Is this not the most interesting story on launching your podcast? If you’re a Spanish speaker, love comedy and really dig the history behind it you MUST subscribe to this podcast!
If you’ve finally figured out your idea and decided it’s time to just do it, we’d love to support you in the process! Host your media with us.
