RISE Episode #248

Is It Better to Create Video or Audio Shows? The Podcast Answer Man, Cliff Ravenscraft, Chimes In

Today on The Rise To The Top: The #1 Show For Mediapreneurs: The Podcast Answer Man, Cliff Ravenscraft, is in the house for a spirited conversation (to say the least)! We have a big time discussion on whether the term “podcast” sucks, and whether it is better to create/consume AUDIO podcasts or VIDEO podcasts and much more. Feel free to hop in below in the comments.

I use RISE partner Wistia for video hosting because they rock. Check ‘em out.

Audio Only Player:

Click here to download the audio file.

More About Cliff:

Cliff RavenscraftCliff has an amazing story of someone that started with podcasting as a hobby in 2005 and now it is his full time career/job/occupation/passion. Make sure to check out his network of shows at GSPN.tv and my favorite show that he does, Podcast Answer Man.

Cliff mentioned a few awesome links you might want to check out to help you out:

  1. To find out how Cliff makes money from podcasting (and how much), head to PodcastAnswerMan.com/income.
  2. If you want an amazing set of free tutorials to get started with podcasting, check out LearnHowToPodcast.com.
  3. Finally, if you want to get serious, Cliff’s Podcasting AtoZ course starts on November 1st and is the the most amazing and comprehensive podcasting class I’ve ever seen. Period. If you want to hop in before the deadline head over to PodcastingAtoZ.com and enter the promo code “RISE” when you sign up for $99 off. Sweetness awesome.

This Episode Of The Rise To The Top Is Exclusively Sponsored By GoToMeeting:

GoToMeetingNow most of you know GoToMeeting by Citrix is the easiest way to have an online meeting. And now they are stepping up their game with HDfaces. Can you guess what it is? Ding. If you guessed awesome video where you can now SEE the other members of your meeting, you are correct. I know a bunch of RISE nation has been using it since I started mentioning it on the show and I’ve heard nothing but good things. Wanna try it free? Head to GoToMeeting.com. Click the “Try it Free” button and enter the promo code RISE for 30 days on me.

Bandwidth and Hosting Sponsored By Shopify:

ShopifyShopify makes opening an online story easy. So if you’ve ever wanted to open an online store, now’s the time. Here’s why: The Shopify Build Your Business Contest has over $500,000 in money and prizes. Grand Prize winners will meet and talk with (three former RISE guests!) Tim Ferriss, Seth Godin and Gary Vaynerchuk, plus much more. Also, by entering the promo code “RISE” when you set up your store, you will get two months free (SWEET!).

Subscribe To The Rise To The Top Updates:

You can join the 200,000+ The Rise To The Top enthusiasts by becoming a subscriber absolutely free.

Have You Seen These Episodes?

Fun Facts, News, and Notes:

Show the world you are fluff-free with an official fluff-free t-shirt!

Have you nabbed a copy of my book Smarter, Faster, Cheaper: Non-Boring, Fluff-Free Strategies for Marketing and Promoting Your Business? You can grab the first chapter for free right here, and you can buy it on Amazon or anywhere books are sold.

Comments

  • http://www.brooksbell.com Gregory Ng

    Really, really enjoyed this interview. Thanks David for finally having Cliff on the show! Of course I feel like I need to chime in on the audio/video debate. I think both of you guys are right. But it greatly depends on the goal of the show.

    I know that Cliff places a lot of weight on the huge potential audience that consumes audio only content while at work and in the car. For my show, audio simply doesn’t work. They need to see the products I’m reviewing. They need to see the reaction on my face after the first bite. Audio simply doesn’t work. Is it a pain to keep a clean studio and to always have to be presentable on camera? Sure. But for shows like mine, it’s well worth it. I know that Cliff values superior audio but I believe popular shows benefit from great charismatic content, not audio quality.

    I concur with syndication benefits as it pertains to video. I gain tons of new viewers through channels like Roku, Tivo, etc — consuming my content in ways that I would never think only because they were surfing for new ideas while on their TV.

    The other point that was not mentioned, however, is the impact syndicated video (and accompanied video thumbnails) has on Google Search. Video thumbnails by nature capture more eyeballs than text only listings with search results. That is something audio can never do.

    • David Siteman Garland

      GN – Always great to see your name pop up :) Great points as always. I definitely, definitely agree your show has such an important visual element that makes video mandatory.

      Ah yes, good ole video SEO. So true. Hope things are rocking at Freezer Burns!

  • K. Alan Martin

    I’m a video junkie. I canceled my cable subscription a few years ago and only sit down to enjoy what can be offered on Roku. That is how I found Rise and became a member of the Rise Nation. Twice a week I actually schedule my lunch break away from my office ( which is literally 25 steps from my house) so that I can sit on the couch and watch the show. I was really annoyed the day that you posted the audio only interview of the motocross dude. If I remember right, after a couple minutes of looking at the same picture, I switched over to Netflix and watched an old episode of Cheers.

    Keith Martin
    turningthecompass.com   ( new site build)

    • David Siteman Garland

      Keith – That is awesome to hear! Made my day. Haha, I remember that interview well. He was supposed to be connected to his computer (of course) and he called me from his phone from a race track!

  • http://twitter.com/papodcast Rob Robideau

    Cliff mentioned the lower production costs of audio only content, but there are also the ongoing costs associated with distribution. Lots more bandwidth means more $$$ too, with so-so returns on that investment.

    That last small portion of your audience(video) often costs you the majority of your budget.

    • David Siteman Garland

      Rob – That’s good a point. Video that can be relatively inexpensively, but I do understand the point for sure. 

  • Guydavis02

    David I really enjoyed the interview with Cliff. Being a visual learner I have always preferred video. When I watch/listen to the Rise at home I focus because of the video. I listened to an audio podcast called 3 wine guys a few months ago and I found myself putting dishes in the dishwasher during the podcast.

    • David Siteman Garland

      Ah that is an excellent point. Perhaps audio only allows for more flexibility but less focus totally understandable.