it’s amazing how an interest in a TV, video game, sport or other non-work interest can connect you with others who will inspire you to work in areas you had not considered. One of my favorite podcasters and inspirations to pursue that avenue in my business is Cliff Ravenscraft. You may have heard of well known podcasters like Leo Laporte or CNET personalities like Tom Merrit and Molly Wood but sometimes you come across someone who has no previous experience and lives outside the big media centers but has a passion that make him or her just a popular. One such person is Cliff Ravenscraft. Cliff and his podcasting partner and wife, Stephanie live in northern Kentucky and are producing some of the most popular podcasts on the Internet. At one time you would have needed a contract with a radio network to get where he is now. This is the power of the new media. It’s one of my dreams to start a similiar podcasting network in the Upstate of South Carolina.
Yesterday (9-27-2007) Cliff started the process of leaving a family business and starting out of his own. I have asked Cliff a few questions about his decision to make his podcasting and new media business a full-time venture and he was gracious enough to answer these questions. If you are or are thinking about starting your own business I encourage you to learn from Cliff’s experience and share with him yours.
1.) When did you first seriously consider going into business for yourself?
I’ve been thinking about this since February 2006. I never seriously considered it until December of 2006. I chose to go ahead and pursue a career on my own part time outside of my own full time job in January of 2007. By May of 2007, I had come to the point where I needed to either go into this full time or quit my career as an insurance agent. At that time, I choose to stay with my career in insurance and go back to podcasting, new media, and technology as a hobby. Once I made that decision, I had become more miserable than I’d ever been in my life. As of this week, I’ve come to realize that I must step out of the boat and take the leap of faith to pursue my passion.
2.) If I’m correct you have got most of your audience through your LOST podcast. What would be your advice about working on something fun instead of serious?
For me, I don’t think fun or serious is the issue. I believe that you need to work on something you are PASSIONATE about. People love to follow people who are passionate about their same interests. There are some very serious podcasts with huge followings as a result of a person who is passionate about they topic they address. This is the critical key!
3.) Your podcast answer man podcast is great. Have you thought about pursuing other means of training and encouraging other podcasters?
Yes, I’ve already been working in the field of podcast / new media consulting work both face to face and by phone. This will be very much a part of my business plan going forward. There is also a section in our community forum ( http://www.gspn.tv/forum) where folks are already exchanging ideas and encouraging each other in this area. I’m also considering the launch of a Greater Cincinnati Podcasters group in our Tri-State area of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. I may even be working with a friend to create the first ever PodCamp Cincinnati. So yes, I am certainly very interested in training and encouraging others in the area of podcasting and new media.
4.) What would be your advice for someone who is thinking about podcasting but hates to hear their own voice?
Don’t where headphones when you record. Honestly, I don’t know that I can objectively answer this question. I love to hear myself talk which is evidenced by more than 400 podcast episodes that I’ve produce in only 20 months. I will tell you that my wife hates to hear her own voice and she simply doesn’t listen to any of our own podcasts that she is in. However, if you are the producer of a podcast, I seriously suggest that you simply get over it and listen to your show. People around you have been putting up with the way you sound since the day you were born. Just give it a shot!
5.) You are one of the few “regular people” (and I mean that as a compliment) who has a podcast network of shows that sounds professional. What would be your advice to others who don’t have a broadcast background like Leo Laporte and his group.
You are right. I have not broadcast history at all. I think that all my listeners would agree that I have just as much passion for podcasting as a Leo Laporte. If you have the passion. As for professional sound, it is simply amazing what just a few pieces of audio equipment can do to really make you sound just as good as someone who’s been in broadcasting for the past 35 years.
6.) What is your greatest fear in regards to this next step in your life?
My greatest fear is that I would not be able to make enough money to pay the bills and that if this fails, I’d be back in debt which I’ve worked so hard to get out of these past several years. It’s a real fear that is in my mind, but it is one that I’m not too terribly afraid will happen. I’m quite confident that this is where I’m being called to go and in my weakness God’s strength is made perfect.
7.) What is your biggest dream in regards to this venture?
My biggest dream is that I’ll wake up each morning and say… WOW, I LOVE WHAT I DO!
On a final note, I want to acknowledge that much of my success has more to do with those who consider themselves to be a part of the ” GSPN.tv community.” Since the earliest days of podcasting, it had been my desire to find people who shared my common interests, build relationships with them, and encourage them to build relationships with others who also listen to our podcasts. It’s been awesome to have as many as 14,000 downloads of a weekly show at one point in time. However, it is the 200 to 300 people who interact with me and each other on Facebook, on twitter, and the GSPN.tv Community Forum that really motivate me to keep doing what I am doing and pursuing my passion.
Thanks so much Cliff for taking time for this interview! - Patrick
