iHeartradio-Firings-Bankrupt-Media-Future-Bob Davis Podcast 893

Radio Talk

I don’t always talk about radio in my podcasts these days. However when something most noteworthy happens, I do. Learn more in iHeartradio-Firings-Bankrupt-Media-Future-Bob Davis Podcast 893.

Displacements Or Firings?

Recently the biggest radio company in the United States unexpectedly announced it was firing over a thousand employees. Especially relevant is the fact that the company used such obtuse language in its press releases, it confused news writers and listeners.

You Got A Future?

Moreover this event has kicked off a lot of discussions about the ‘future of radio‘ in this country. In addition suddenly all my friends and clients are asking me to comment.

Not much

First of all, radio doesn’t have much of a future. At least not as we have known it. I’ll tell you why in iHeartradio-Firings-Bankrupt-Media-Future-Bob Davis Podcast 893 and in a recent podcast I did about the history of top forty radio. You can find it here.

Content Creators Struggle Too

Furthermore all not rosy in the digital media world either.

It’s All About Revenue

While it seems like everyone who has ever worked in the radio business has an opinion about how iHeart ‘screwed up’, the bottom line is revenue. An industry that scaled to a certain point based on the old business model, simply can’t support that scale anymore.

Digital Marketing

In contrast various forms of digital marketing are all the rage, sucking all the revenue from ‘traditional’ forms of advertising as well as media production. Digital platforms are producing huge numbers while we haven’t quite figured out how to monetize individual content creators very well yet.

Disruptive Technologies Rule

Finally we’re living through an extraordinary moment in history. Due to disruptive technologies we’ve seen more traditional businesses destroyed and whole industries laid to waste. Broadcast radio and television are just two of them.

Tower of Babel

Even more, considering the tower of babel that is American Corporate Business Speak, I wonder how well other industries and businesses are actually doing.

On The Beach

In conclusion it’s tough to lose your job no matter what you do. Because of the realities in radio these days, I am afraid there will be many more people on the beach.

Sponsored by Reliafund Payment Processors

iHeartradio-Firings-Bankrupt-Media-Future-Bob Davis Podcast 893

 

 

Nocturnal-Thoughts-Seasonal Changes-Bob Davis Podcast 867

Night Owls Unite

I am a night person. Always was and will be. These days though it’s getting ridiculous. Staying up really late for a free wheeling talker in Nocturnal-Thoughts-Seasonal Changes-Bob Davis Podcast 867.

Extreme Night Person Here

Anyone who knows me is well aware of my scheduling extremes. Especially relevant are the changes I go through when the seasons change. Suddenly also Minnesotans are beginning to get scratchy throats and head colds. Here it comes.

Schedule Flip and SAD Light

First of all, sometimes I stay up so late I end up coming back around. This is what I call schedule flip. Then use something called a SAD light to reset my body clock. During this process I am in schedule hell. Staying up late and waking up too early.

Texts From Friends

Second as I am in the midst of this sleep schedule nightmare I am getting texts from friends. “Did you cover the Trump Rally?“, they want to know. So, unfortunately I have to address these questions in Nocturnal-Thoughts-Seasonal Changes-Bob Davis Podcast 867.

Dumpster Fire News

Because if I have learned anything traveling across the country and covering primaries and caucuses it is that the media loves a dumpster fire. Certainly Minneapolis did not disappoint, with dueling enthusiastic supporters of the president and protesters.

Traveling And Reporting

Above all it looks to me like the question, “Is It News?” hasn’t occurred to anyone. Certainly nothing wrong with getting a bunch of people together to collect email data and campaign contributions and to have something to post on social media. That goes for both sides in these cartoon political times.

Real News? Funny, Right?

Meanwhile the real news? Not getting addressed and ‘bubbling under’ when it comes to real coverage. The situation with Turkey and the Kurds. Stories about the Repo markets and federal reserve returning to a form of quantitative easing you would think would be unnecessary, what with the booming economy.

Talk It Out

Consequently it’s time to just talk it out. Kind of a transition between some of my heavily researched recent podcasts.

Summer’s Long Goodbye

As a result it’s a long goodbye to a great summer and the difficult transition to fall in this podcast. And considering my sleep schedule please don’t fact check on this one!

Sponsored by Fitness Together Private Personalized Training and Nutrition and Reliafund Payment Processors

Nocturnal-Thoughts-Seasonal Changes-Bob Davis Podcast 867

 

 

 

 

Podcasting Life and Business After Four Years-Podcast 622

What’s it like to support yourself as a podcaster? I looked up the other day and asked, “How long have I been doing this?” 2009 was the actual start date. I’ve been in business supporting myself as a podcaster exclusively since 2013. Learned a lot of lessons in that time. It seems like I’ve been in business a lot longer than nearly four years. Hear some of those lessons in Podcasting Life and Business After Four Years-Podcast 622.

Soul killing corporate jobs aren’t for everyone

Some business owners wish for the peace of collecting a paycheck and doing what the boss wants. Not me. Going into business for myself has been a path of self discovery and self realization. You say goodbye to eight hour days and regimented work schedules. No more guaranteed paychecks. Some months are great. Some aren’t so great. You’re ‘On It’ pretty much 24 hours a day. Freedom is one of the rewards. Wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Self Realization

Surprisingly, how I spend my time has become one of the top priorities. I can do anything I want. Is what I am doing with my time going to benefit the business? How does the business grow? What is the core business? How is that going to change? Self Realization is one of the big benefits of being in business alone. No one around to give orders. Good decisions accrue to the business owner. So do the bad decisions. Thus, you spend a lot of time thinking things through.

Content Creators

Centuries of business have been about consolidating physical space. Farmers need more land. Ranchers need more space for more cattle. Retailers always want to open new locations. Content creators have real estate in cyber space. With the right tools we can make that space as big as it needs to be. A new world requires a complete change in thinking. Content creators don’t just have to change the ‘working for the man’ mindset, but how we think about what we do as well.

Podcasting As A Business

Podcasting is still a fledgling ‘industry’. We podcasters are cutting a new trail. As an advertising medium Podcasting works. Smaller podcasts can yield very good results too. Podcasts big and small tell stories and provide basic information on highly specific topics unavailable anywhere else. Podcasters make an authentic human connection with the listener not found in broadcast media.

Walk and Talk

The rules of the Walk and Talk Podcast are no prep, no plan. Just talk. Join me. What came up in this podcast are the life and business lessons I’ve learned since I started podcasting. If you’re considering going into business for yourself, especially as a content creator, do what you love. Passion for the work will get you through a lot of rainy days.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Podcasting Life and Business After Four Years-Podcast 622