The countdown has officially begun. Newcastle's first Podcast Festival is less than a month away.
From February 19 to 21 a series of informative workshops and discussions will take place at Newcastle Digital Library on Stewart Avenue, with the aim of educating Novocastrians about all things podcasting.
A podcast, for those not in the know, is a spoken word series about any topic. A digital audio file is streamed and can be downloaded by the listener through a device. True crime podcasts, in particular, have proven popular in recent years and have even resulted in criminal charges being laid.
In fact, an investigative journalism program about the murder of teenage girl in Baltimore, Maryland, became a pivotal moment in the evolution of the podcast. The associated podcast has been downloaded millions of times.
The word podcast is attributed to the blend of the words "iPod" and "broadcast".
Earlier this year Newcastle Podcast Station was named Best Podcast Production Studio in NSW in the 2021 APAC Australian Enterprise Awards. Melanie Sargeant, owner of Newcastle Podcast Station and Newcastle Podcast Festival director, said it was "a massive honour".
"I got contacted out of the blue to say we'd been nominated, then to say we'd won the award.
"We were too busy at the tail end of last year to supply any form of evidence to show we were worthy but I'm stoked that their research indicated we were on the money," she says.
"I'm also so proud to be a Novocastrian and to have beaten all the capital city contenders."
The festival caters for people who want to learn how to access podcasts of interest; for those who want to gain the confidence to get behind the microphone; and current podcasters keen to gain more visibility or use it to earn money.
Newcastle Podcast Festival
There are also two school-targeted programs at Newcastle Libraries: Newcastle Storytellers and Professional Podcasters of the Future. All events can be booked online at newcastlepodcastfestival.com. There are only 30 tickets available for each event
February 19
Podcasting as Storytelling and Lifelong Learning Medium (2pm to 3pm). A conversation with Josh Earl, Jamie Sy (SingularityU), Carol Duncan (broadcaster and Lost Newcastle podcaster) and Chris DeCristofaro (Sachem Public Library NY/The Library Pros).
How to find the perfect podcast for you and where you can access it (3pm to 4pm) The staff from Newcastle Digital Library will welcome you to the world of podcasting and help you find the perfect podcast for you.
Monetising Your Podcast (4pm to 5pm) There are many and varied ways to make money from your podcast. CEO of OMNY Studios Sharon Taylor, Melanie Sargeant and other podcasters will show you how.
Hear What's Next: The Future of Podcasting (5pm to 6pm). Keynote from Sharon Taylor (Omny Studio) about exploring upcoming technology, consumer trends, programming and more.
February 20
Getting out from behind the mic: the key to creating a successful live event (10am to 11am) Learn from Rachael Evans, business coach for the auto aftermarket in Australia and NZ and the host of Whispering Loudly, an Apple Featured podcast.
How to Get Started with Your Podcast (11am to noon) With Melissa Histon, host of Hey Soul Sista podcast, founder of The Sista Code and Got Your Back Sista.
How to get your podcast seen and develop a visibility action plan (Noon to 1pm) How do you create an engaged following? How do you leverage social media and all the free tools available to you to widen your audience and keep them excited and engaged for your next podcast? Alana Nixon, host of Oversubscribed Podcast and social media expert, will guide you through everything you need to know.
What are The Different Types of Podcast and Why Should You Have One? (1pm to 2pm) Are you creating a brandcast to showcase and engage your brand fans or are you a personalitycaster or influencercaster? Maybe you have a niche interest and aren't even concerned with downloads? That makes you a hobbycaster. Presented by Melanie Sargeant, owner of Newcastle Podcast Station and podcast producer and host of NHM - I Got It From My Mumma.
Planning your podcast: the importance of scripting titles and show-notes (2pm to 3pm) Join professional writer Laura Jackel for this insightful presentation that will help you to entice people to click on your podcast and download it.
How to Keep Your Subscribers Engaged (3pm to 4pm) Featuring Shaun Wood, a social media guru who has toured the world as a parkour athlete and is host of the All Good Podcast.
February 21
Why Every Company Should Have a Brandcast (10am to 11am) A brandcast can be a valuable extension of your company - it will engage and educate your brand fans and help you find new ones. With Melanie Sargeant and Anglicancare's Kylie and Michelle from popular Anglicancare brandcast Let's Talk Seniors.
Don't You Know Who I Am? Making it as a Podcaster (Noon to 1pm) Josh Earl is an internationally recognised comedian and podcaster who regularly appears on The Project.
Learn how to book talent and be a great podcast guest (11am to noon) Where do you find extraordinary guests and even when you do, how do you convince them to come on your podcast and then share it? Delve deep with Kelly Glover, the founder of international talent booking company The Talent Squad.
Josh Earl Modern Contemporary - Stand Up Comedy Show (3pm to 4pm at Civic Playhouse) A show about seeing things differently, failing spectacularly and trying to make sense of it all.
Newcastle Podcast Festival Awards (5.30pm at Novotel Newcastle Beach)
