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Leo Laporte
Podcasting’s Terrible Twos
Leo Laporte
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[runtime: 00:24:05, 11 mb, recorded 2006-09-29]
Podcasters need to assert their independence, spread the word to the millions of internet users and capture the true value of their work. Leo Laporte, the man behind the TWiT podcast network and various television and radio shows on technology, speaks about the choices podcasters need to make in order to avoid the mistakes of radio and television. Just a couple of years old, podcasting has emerged as a new and exciting medium that can take full advantage of a participating and global audience.
Laporte began his bold initiative to move away from the iTunes and iPod monopoly Apple has held over podcasting by suggesting Netcasting as an alternative name. Apple lawsuits and confusion among the general public – due to the connection with iPod – are a barrier to the growth and development of podcasting, according to Laporte.
Getting the word out is the most important thing podcasters can do, and Laporte has a few suggestions for the podcasting community. Podcasts should not be fighting amongst each other for listeners; instead working together to expand the already staggering breadth of podcasting and improving the quality of existing shows will help podcasting grow in this crucial period of the new medium's life.
Laporte's experience with advertising on the TWiT network is a shining example to the community how podcasts can build lasting relationships with its audience and not sell out to the business world. Letting go of the old media mindset about advertising, and not relying on numbers alone is the most important way to capture the true value of podcasts – it is the relationship with their audiences that count.
Leo Laporte has worked as an author, speaker, and broadcaster. Laporte has written software for CP/M, Macintosh, and PC compatible computers including the popular open source programs, QDial and MacArc for the Macintosh. He has written four bestselling Technology Almanacs. Leo Laporte’s 2003 Technology Almanac was Pearson Publishing’s Book of the Year in 2003.
Currently Leo hosts a radio technology talk show on KFI AM 640, Los Angeles every Saturday and Sunday from 11a to 2p, and Call for Help. He hosts and produces some of the most popular podcasts in the world including this WEEK in TECH, Security Now!, Inside the Net, The Daily Giz Wiz, and FLOSS Weekly under the TWiT.tv banner. Laporte was named Podcaster of the Year in 2006.
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