The Brokeback Podcaster is a term you’ll find in the introduction of my book. This is the person that adamantly says that you should never make money podcasting, but then complains that they’re tired of doing the editing stuff and wish they could hire someone to do it for them.
They say that money in podcasting is evil, but then complain that they had to stay up until 3 in the morning preparing the next episode of their podcast. Then their partner gets mad at them for staying up late.
I wrote about the brokeback entrepreneur about a year ago. It came out of my frustration with some entrepreneurs who wanted me to bend over backwards, but not compensate me for my time. Or, worst yet, their idea of compensation was to barter a basket of candles and hand lotion. I’m not kidding.
I thought I left the brokeback entrepreneur behind when I re-entered the technology field, but sadly, I now find them here. And they’re no longer a brokeback entrepreneur, but now, a brokeback podcaster.
The article I wrote back in February 2006 on the 7 Ways to Spot a Brokeback Entrepreneur (And How to Avoid Them) is so relevant now that all I need to do is replace the word entrepreneur in the article with podcaster.
That being the case, here are the 7 characteristics of a brokeback podcaster:
- Brokeback podcasters always pick your brain.
- Brokeback podcasters copy from you instead of thinking of fresh, new ideas.
- Brokeback podcasters attend or sign up for every freebie that you offer.
- Brokeback podcasters are uncomfortable when you upsell your products or services.
- Brokeback podcasters will seek to barter their services with you.
- Brokeback podcasters expect you to drop everything for them.
- Brokeback podcasters hang out together.
My goodness, I actually see myself in one of the characteristics above. That will change. Quickly. And if you see yourself in any of the characteristics above or if you need tips on how to avoid the brokeback podcaster, go to the article and look for the How to Avoid Them tip under each characteristic.
What other characteristics does the brokeback podcaster exhibit that I missed? Let’s have some fun here.
Tags:
podcasting,
podcasting for profit,
brokeback podcaster
Because Steve makes some interesting and valid points I will use this analogy: Most local bands want to “make it” but realize that they never will so they accept that making music is a hobby and continue to do so as they see fit in hopes that despite the odds they will “make it”. On any given night there might be 2 or more of these local bands in your town playing.
If faced with the prospect of seeing one of these 2 or more bands on a Monday night (for whatever reason) and there are only 2 people in the bar would you rather see:
a) The band who recognizes that there are only 2 people present so they play with little or no passion, with complaint about the lack of audience, and use a crappy sounding amplifier sitting in the basement of the bar instead of hauling their quality amplifier because to them “it’s only for two people so why bother, they don’t matter”.
b) The band who recognizes that there are only 2 people present but despite that fact (or perhaps in spite of it) play the best show they might ever play, smash their guitars into their huge expensive amplifiers which broke their backs when hauling them to the bar, and simply play for the joy of performing for anyone who will listen regardless of the size of the audience, possibly because “there are only 2 people here, let’s play a show that will blow them away. Let’s give them something to talk about for a long time after”.
c) Neither band and sit at home watch reruns on tv.
Personally, I choose option “b”. With podcasting, when your audio could potentially be on the internet for eternity, it seems even more pertinent that you bring your best product to the table regardless of your intentions of money or otherwise. I’m not saying buy a new car instead of carpooling, I’m agreeing with Leesa in that when you get to the game bat homeruns exclusively. Who wants to be on the team with the guy who can barely hit a ball and doesn’t ever show any real signs of interest or improvement?
Interesting post, I agree with what you are saying. Not to be contrary to Steve (whom I do respect and whose podcast I do enjoy) but I do think it is “wrong” for someone playing on the beer league to complain about the practices. If you don’t like it then why do it? If you’re going to take on a hobby (or anything else) I think you should embrace it fully. Why go through life half-heartedly, where is the reward in that?
Regarding the specifics of your post, we (speaking for my co-podcasting wife, without her knowledge) have had more than one person imitate or flat out steal content or ideas we communicated to them, I’ve noticed the “drop everything and hang out with me” syndrome, and have definitely noticed podcasters hanging out together as a sort of support group (I’m not sure I find anything wrong with that in itself, I might remove that from your list). It’s too bad that social graces exclude one from pointing out the idea thiefs because I think the podcasting world would find fascinating how frequently this occurs (in fact, I just heard a unique term I once used on a podcast last night, I Googled and Yahooed to verify, it’s unique to me). And that isn’t to say we ourselves aren’t guilty of taking someone else’s ideas and running with them…but we have been inspired and (hopefully) taken them a step further or into a different direction that only our minds could go. Steve, I know you have done that, taken an idea of ours and run with it, and I appreciate that you acknowledged as much to us, and respect you for expanding on it in your own way. I think what Leesa is referring to is something completely different. It’s the difference between inspiration and imitation.
I understand exactly what you’re saying, Leesa, and I agree. If you’re in this strictly for fun and not to make money then have fun with it and don’t complain about the process or get out and find something else you enjoy 100%. I think what the people who are commenting above are missing is that you are referring to hobbyists, not those in this for making money. Or am I wrong? Wasn’t the original post about the “brokeback podcaster”, not monetizing podcaster? Don’t people realize you make money in podcasting?
Perhaps another sign of the “brokeback podcaster” would be a defensive/quick draw attitude as opposed to being open to change and suggestion.
Big difference between an entrepenuer and a podcaster: The former exists to make money, while not necessarily for the latter. What’s wrong with not expecting to make money, and liking some parts of podcasting but not others? So it’s wrong if you love playing on a beer league softball team but you complain about the practices?
For you podcasting is a business, and that’s great, and I’m glad that you can make it work for you that way. But for a lot of podcasters, this is just a hobby. Some may want to monetize down the line, for others it will always be a hobby. What exactly is wrong with that? And, furthermore, if it is just a hobby and not a business, what’s wrong with trying to do something on the cheap (like borrowing someone else’s bat or carpooling to games in the softball example)?
1,2,3,5, and 7 describe the Podcast Pickle network. Although, number 2 is a mix of copying and fresh ideas on the Pickle network.
That is a GOOD thing, I wouldn’t change it for the world. If that is the silly label you want to give it, then call me Brokeback and proud!
I am really starting to wonder if you just post these posts to drive traffic. (What am I saying, of course you do) Leesa, this post does nothing for the podcasting community except add to fuel to a pointless fight.
I see myself in most all of those (except the candles and the hand lotion part.) At least, I used to be like that. Now, I understand where the entrepreneur makes his or her money because I’m in the process of doing the same thing.
Hmm, I may be a Brokeback Podcaster. 1. I don’t know it all, so I try to get feedback from others. 2. In all reality the wheel can only be invented so many times. 5. I love to barter if it works out for both parties. 7. I like to hang out with other podcasters, at events like Expo, or Podcamp.
I met 4 of your 7 points for being a Brokeback, but I love for people to make money. I really love it when they are friends of mine. I have never thought podcasting for profit was evil. I hope everyone I know gets rich in podcasting. I personally think your points need a little work, but what do I know. I am just a Brokeback Podcaster
I have run into this person in every aspects of life as an interior designer, contractor and my healer. Neighbors knock on our door to ask for the paint colors I use on the outside of the house. A professional organization I belong to wanted to set up a free teleconference for the members with noted authors giving a free lecture, she then went on to complain that ‘the members’ would balk about paying for a long distance call. Great article and right on the mark (dare I say money, hee hee). These are the takers in life, they take and take. Rarely give back. I don’t work with them anymore.