Why am I involved with Podcamp?
The idea of an unconference is alluring, sure…I mean it’s like finding out you can attend a magical tea party with Alice in Wonderland for goodness sake.
But, I don’t know if you have noticed this…I’m not a big podcaster. I don’t edit my audio even when I do podcast – it’s the reason I’m so fond of BlogTalkRadio – if you have to be live, there is an excuse for all the foibles and faux pas that you make while on the air. It’s part of the magic of broadcasting, instead of being seen as not being “polished” enough.
But really, I’m a writer. A blogger to be more precise, since I don’t sit around spewing out poetry or sci-fi all day. Yes I wrote a book, but it’s a business book on networking (something I’m profoundly good at, in case you were wondering) not really something that a true writer would write.
It is entirely possible I harbor some unhealthy stereotypes when it comes to writers. My apologies if you are a writer and see my explanation as unkind or less than accurate. It isn’t intentional, it’s just…I think of a writer and I think of someone holed up in a cubby-hole of an office slaving over and pining for and being suicidal for their art.
I don’t think of me writing a book on how you can make more connections with other human beings by talking to them in the right way as being a “real” writer. I think it makes me an author, yes…but not a writer. A business book doesn’t feel artistic or deep or meaningful. Sure it will help people, oh there is no doubt of that, but indoor plumbing helps people too, that doesn’t make it art.
Back to podcasting. There are people making money podcasting, I mean enough money to support a family and everything. That is good times. I have never made a dime from podcasting, nor have I tried. It seems a little silly considering I even know someone that has a business specializing in podcast advertising. But still, I hesitate.
There are people having deep thoughts all over people’s speakers all over the world. There are social networkers and early adopters of all shapes and sizes participating in a dialogue about web trends almost every moment of the day somewhere.
Honestly, what do I have to say that is any different from what is out there now? Maybe a show on networking…but really…a one trick pony show is no fun. Is it? I wouldn’t think someone would want to listen to networking tips every single week.
Unless it was a “get your week started right” Monday morning kind of thing – but then that requires me to be awake and talking on Monday morning. Not so difficult, since I’m up at 7:15am CST every weekday, but it’s those darn toddlers of mine. They don’t like being quiet for extended (read: two minutes) periods of time.
So, it could be time constraints or familial obligations that keep me from podcasting. On the other hand, maybe it’s because I’m so entrenched in reading online that audio never seems that alluring. I listen to music in the background most of the day, and it is in the background. I may not even be sure what song I’m listening to at any given time, but I can always tell you what I’m reading.
So I think I need to rethink the whole Podcamp experience. Am I looking to meet the smart kids and finally get a chance to hang out with them? If that’s the case, isn’t going a little inauthentic?
I’m on the fence about attending, participating, and even speaking (which I have an opportunity to do in June) – what do I have to share with podcasters that holds any real and true value for them? What do I say? Do as I say, not as I do?
That would be very, very not okay.
Mood: Confused and thoughtful. (Yep, I totally just put a mood on my blog, I’m so 1998!!)
Technorati Tags: podcamp dc, podcamp ohio, unconference, who should attend podcamp
photo credit: philcampbell
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One Response to “Why am I involved with Podcamp?”
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Yep – I’m a Joiner!
Podcamp isn’t just for podcasters. We talk about blogging too AND social networking.
Suggested topic for Jennifer Gnaidecki:
How to market your business through blogging without actually making it sound like selling.
Just my thoughts!
Kristen