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This series is all about libsyn\u2019s newest podcasters. Its sole purpose is to introduce these awesome podcasts to the world as well as share their podcasting insight to empower the community!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIllogical.” Not really. In fact it makes perfect sense. This latest Rockin’New Libsyn Podcast is all about delving into the world of Star Trek and it\u2019s so full of life, excitement, intelligent conversation and humor with a couple of fabulous hosts, we had to split this feature into two!<\/em><\/p>\n You\u2019ll get the first co-host John Champion on this post and tomorrow you\u2019ll get the mighty Ken Ray, so y’all come back now ya hear?<\/em><\/p>\n About 3 years ago. I started doing (and still do!) a podcast called \u201cDVD Geeks<\/a>\u201d which is all about new\/recently released DVDs and Blu-rays and all the special features that come with them.<\/p>\n Rod Roddenberry and I started discussing the idea for \u201cMission Log\u201d in late 2011. By February of 2012 we had brought in Ken Ray<\/a> and started playing around with sample episodes to see if the show would even work.<\/p>\n \u201cDVD Geeks\u201d was created as a TV show, and we had a blast doing that for a few years. Eventually, it was so expensive to carry on as a TV show not to mention having to answer to many masters and get bounced around through all the business and bureaucracy of TV when you\u2019re a small, independent show.<\/p>\n Podcasting seemed like a great alternative where we could do whatever we wanted, maintain control of the show and not have the huge overhead of TV.<\/p>\n There\u2019s much less pressure, and the gratification is immediate. We can post an episode and then get feedback from the audience right away.<\/p>\n We feel much more connected to our listeners by doing a podcast than we ever did on TV.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cMission Log<\/a>\u201d is about \u201cStar Trek,\u201d but more specifically it\u2019s about the ethics, morals and messages within the \u201cStar Trek\u201d universe.<\/p>\n We figured the best structure for the show was to cover every episode – of all the various \u201cStar Trek\u201d series – in order, but rather than just review them, seriously<\/em> investigate what the shows are about.<\/p>\n Every \u201cStar Trek\u201d fan rightfully praises the shows for being about more than just action\/adventure in space, but we wanted to see if there are consistent themes and messages that are still relevant to our lives in the 21st century.<\/p>\n First and foremost, it\u2019s fun. Even if I think it won\u2019t be fun, as soon as we start recording each episode I\u2019m reminded instantly that I love doing this show.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s any level of fame to come along with this show (and having the Roddenberry and Nerdist names behind us doesn\u2019t hurt), that will only serve to make it more fun.<\/p>\n Again, having an audience that\u2019s actually engaged in what you do makes the work that much more satisfying.<\/p>\n I use a 2011 15″ MacBook Pro running Mountain Lion, Yeti Pro microphone and Bowers + Wilkins P5 headphones.<\/p>\n Ken is in New York, and I\u2019m in California which means we record the show as a Skype call. Ken does the editing, and we upload all the show elements to Dropbox when it\u2019s ready for Nerdist to distribute.<\/p>\n We set up the basic social media – Facebook and Twitter – a couple of weeks before we launched. More importantly, we wanted to make sure we went straight to the fans.<\/p>\n We all attended the most recent \u201cStar Trek\u201d convention in Las Vegas where we handed out 2,000 postcards and even participated in some panel discussions to get the word out.<\/p>\n Going back 3 or 4 years ago, I wish I had the technical confidence that I do now. I would have launched my other show as an independent podcast much sooner.<\/p>\n As for \u201cMission Log,\u201d I don\u2019t think it would have made any difference, but I wish I had known how much work this was truly going to take.<\/p>\n Ken and I will watch each episode 3 or 4 times before recording and spend a lot of time taking notes and formulating our ideas.<\/p>\n I wish I had sat down months ago and read books like \u201cThe Ethics of Star Trek\u201d and started taking my notes then.<\/p>\n I\u2019m much more concerned about audience engagement. \u201cStar Trek\u201d fans love to talk about \u201cStar Trek\u201d more than anything else.<\/p>\n If they are talking to us or about us, then we\u2019ve done at least half the job. If they are challenging themselves with the ideas we present or seeing new elements in the shows because of something we\u2019ve discussed, then I\u2019ll know we\u2019ve done a great<\/em> job.<\/p>\n Podcasting has gotten me in front of some audiences I never thought I\u2019d be addressing, like leading a session on ethics and humanism at Star Trek Las Vegas.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve also been able to interview some really creative people and, because of my other show, I\u2019ve been exposed to some great movies I may have otherwise missed!<\/p>\n First of all, bring something different. There is no subject that hasn\u2019t already been discussed in a podcast.<\/p>\n We never wanted to be \u201cjust another Star Trek podcast,\u201d and we wanted to find a specific, new angle. Know your subject, and plan to go an inch wide and a mile deep.<\/p>\n Your job as a podcaster is to not just record the show and publish it but also put yourself out there to the world as someone who listens to your audience and interacts with them. The audience doesn\u2019t just find you – you have to go find them.<\/strong><\/p>\n When we started \u201cDVD Geeks,\u201d I saw that as an extension of something than already existed. Now it\u2019s a part of my regular routine and one of my primary focuses.<\/p>\n \u201cMission Log\u201d launched as part of a bigger, existing brand, but I would certainly say the podcast is a necessary element of staying fresh and relevant.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be afraid to team up and cross promote. No show exists in a vacuum.<\/p>\n Also, take your show directly to where your fans and potential audience already is. Find conventions, trade-shows and other places where your potential audience has already gathered.<\/p>\n These guys are ready to take you deep into the Star Trek universe, farther than you\u2019ve ever gone before! If you aren\u2019t interested in Star Trek, this show will still appeal to you as the discussions are all about the depths of the human condition\u2026and we are all human no? \ud83d\ude09 SUBSCRIBE<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n If you want to reach out to The Mission Log Podcast you can do so by emailing missionlog(at)roddenberry(dot)com, calling 323-522-5641 or following @missionlogpod<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n What are you waiting for? Start your podcast<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nQ & A John Champion from Mission Log<\/a><\/h2>\n
\nWhen did you start podcasting?<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nWhy did you start podcasting?<\/h3>\n
What\u2019s your show about?<\/h3>\n
Fun, Fame or Profit? Why are you doing the show?<\/h3>\n
What\u2019s your podcasting set-up? Hardware, software, CMS, etc.<\/h3>\n
How have you promoted your podcast?<\/h3>\n
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?<\/h3>\n
Do download numbers matter matter to you? or is audience engagement key?<\/h3>\n
How has or has podcasting helped create opportunities for you?<\/h3>\n
What advise would you give a new podcaster so that they keep going!<\/h3>\n
Did you start off podcasting and that lead into a business or did you see podcasting as a necessary support for an existing business?<\/h3>\n
What piece of advice would give others looking to generate revenue from podcasting whether directly or indirectly?<\/h3>\n
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