Thinking of creating a weekly bourbon podcast, thoughts?

[bourboncc]

I'm thinking of creating a weekly bourbon/American whiskey podcast, and am wondering if there is an audience for one? Would you guys be interested in something like this? What is the general consensus on technological savvy among bourbon/whiskey drinkers?

I'm thinking of featuring news, reviews, interviews, etc. Would any of you be interested in contributing with phone-in reviews? If I see some interest, I will start working on it. I already run another podcast (music related), so I have all the equipment necessary to produce one.

[mrviognier]

My first thought? Weekly is a very ambitious project. I'd suggest starting out bi-weekly...or even monthly. Second, you'd need to ask yourself who the audience is for this. Then I'd check out podcasts from competitors (both bourbon-related and beverage-related) to see how you would/could differentiate from the rest.

To be successful, you have to have compelling content. Interviews with industry leaders, news that's of real interest to Bourbon fans, etc. I doubt that folks would tune in to listen to reviews from nobodies like us.

[bourboncc]

My first thought? Weekly is a very ambitious project. I'd suggest starting out bi-weekly...or even monthly. Second, you'd need to ask yourself who the audience is for this. Then I'd check out podcasts from competitors (both bourbon-related and beverage-related) to see how you would/could differentiate from the rest.

To be successful, you have to have compelling content. Interviews with industry leaders, news that's of real interest to Bourbon fans, etc. I doubt that folks would tune in to listen to reviews from nobodies like us.

[mrviognier]

...we don't get a lot of bourbon makers visiting this far south.

[bourboncc]

That's what phones and digital recorders are for. :grin:

[cowdery]

WhiskyCast is the gold standard and I can tell you that Mark works his ass off.

I also think there are more out there than you may know. I can think of more than 2 off the top of my head. Ralfy is a vlog, but certainly in the mix. There have been others that started up, both audio and video, though I don't know how many of them are still active, nor how active they are. That, in itself, is cautionary.

You also have to consider the many, many standard blogs. They're all competing for the same eyeballs and (what? earballs?).

But with any enterprise like this the question is, what do you bring to the party that is unique?

[bourboncc]

WhiskyCast is the gold standard and I can tell you that Mark works his ass off.

I also think there are more out there than you may know. I can think of more than 2 off the top of my head. Ralfy is a vlog, but certainly in the mix. There have been others that started up, both audio and video, though I don't know how many of them are still active, nor how active they are. That, in itself, is cautionary.

You also have to consider the many, many standard blogs. They're all competing for the same eyeballs and (what? earballs?).

But with any enterprise like this the question is, what do you bring to the party that is unique?

Yes, I definitely agree that it would be a serious undertaking, and the real question I'm having is are there enough people out there who would listen?

The differentiating factor would be the fact that it'd be bourbon/American whiskey specific, a little more laid back and humorous, and would allow listeners to phone-in/email reviews, questions, etc.

I also agree that after looking at the laundry list of dead whisky podcasts in iTunes, it makes me have second thoughts. I know trying to get interviews recorded and edited, whiskeys tasted, questions answered, etc, from week to week would be quite a task.

By the way, Chuck, I'm working through your book right now on my Kindle and am loving it. I would love to see an updated version sometime in the future, specifically with info on some of the craft distillers who've popped up recently. Also, is your documentary available anywhere online for purchase? I don't even have a DVD player hooked up to my TV and have gone completely digital.

[cowdery]

Sorry, but the documentary is only available on DVD and, for that matter, VHS although I haven't sold one of those in many years. (Still have a few.) I'm sure you have a computer that will play DVDs.

I've been thrilled with Kindle and it's helping me break the logjam that has prevented me from getting another book out. Writing very much about micros may still be premature, but you can definitely expect more Kindle products from me in the very near future.

Bookmark my Amazon author page for updates.

[bourboncc]

Sorry, but the documentary is only available on DVD and, for that matter, VHS although I haven't sold one of those in many years. (Still have a few.) I'm sure you have a computer that will play DVDs.

I've been thrilled with Kindle and it's helping me break the logjam that has prevented me from getting another book out. Writing very much about micros may still be premature, but you can definitely expect more Kindle products from me in the very near future.

Bookmark my Amazon author page for updates.

I bookmarked your author page, anxiously awaiting any more Kindle-ready publications :bowdown:

Also, have you ever considered publishing your DVD on the iTunes store? Might help sales, as I'm sure the Kindle book has done.

[keith18]

I bookmarked your author page, anxiously awaiting any more Kindle-ready publications :bowdown:

Also, have you ever considered publishing your DVD on the iTunes store? Might help sales, as I'm sure the Kindle book has done.

I am a pretty regular podcast consumer, and I'd totally be interested in listening to a bourbon podcast.

[Beer&Bourbon]

There are a few podcasts that I listen to regularly. I'd check it out for sure. I'd be more interested in history of the industry and different brands/ labels than amateur reviews though. I'd certainly check out interviews with bourbon industry folks as well. Good luck and let us know if you get something going!

[timd]

I've got a couple of decades in broadcast with radio. Producing a weekly show of any quality is a real chore, much less one with limited source material and competition for those resources.

I think you'd find the "interest" in an American Whiskey-focused podcast is very high, but the consumption - and repeat listeners - is another story. I'm confident the IDEA is a good one... but the execution will determine if you do well or not.

For that matter, you have to decide what "doing well" is - 200 downloads? 2,000,000? Are you doing it for fun? Is this a revenue stream? What's your goal. You also have to establish a format (which Mark @ Whiskycast has done amazingly well - he's got a broadcast background).

My company built Mark's iPhone/Android apps and I've known him for a while - and the problem with any other hobbyist podcast in this space is that Mark is already there - with a great, very well produced program and he's got high-level access to resources. He's also consistent in that he produces weekly. Anybody who tries to get into the Whisk(e)y space has to contend with Mark, Ralfy, and at least 4-5 others I know of in the podcast space, and as Chuck mentions there's the 30+ "good" blogs and forums such as this one for sources of info.

All that said - it depends on what "success" is to you and what your goal in doing the show is. If you just want to enlighten yourself and share what you find, then there's always room for you in the space because the digital world has unlimited capacity - but if you want to monetize and/or create a "brand" then you've got a huge uphill trek.

Just because others have tried and failed doesn't mean you will do the same! One word of advice: do about 4-5 shows, get them "in the can" and then publish - this gives you a large buffer of material to allow you to tweak/edit a lot more, and will cover you on those "off periods" when there's not any new content or interviews/plans fall apart - that way you can be consistently GOOD - not just consistent.

Good luck!

[jaycamm]

I'd listen to it.

[BobF]

True! Still trying to figure out the best way to record phone calls. It looks like Skype is probably my best option.