Earlier this month, the City of Bend launched a new podcast. It’s a first for our Communications Department and there was a lot of thought that went into developing this new channel to connect with our community members.
Inside Bend gives listeners an inside look at our local government from the perspective of the people who keep our city running. It’s a chance for us to share some of the innovative ways our local government is responding to our community’s needs and helping shape Bend’s future. We get to have in-depth conversations while highlighting the incredible people behind the work. It provides a completely different way for us to tell a story (works great for complex topics!) and engage people where they already are.
In launching the podcast, our team had its fair share of learning opportunities:
- Researching and buying recording equipment
- Developing a format
- Branding (albeit light branding)
- Developing story ideas
- Structuring the production and distribution
- Learning all about podcast directories (and which ones to prioritize)
It was a lot of work getting the first episode published. So far, we’re seeing some early success with the podcast. We’ve already received one pitch from someone who wants to be on Inside Bend!
If you produce a podcast (or are thinking about it) or pitch to podcasters, you might want to sit in on this month’s Media FAM Tour with Podcast Pros. It’s from 12 to 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 15.
During the virtual tour, attendees will talk with two podcast hosts about the nature of podcasts, and how and when to pitch these often-independent producers. Mac Prichard, host of Find Your Dream Job, and Lillian Karabaic, host of Oh My Dollar!, will weigh in on what podcasters are looking for and how communicators should leverage this medium to reach their audiences with accurate information.
I’m looking forward to learning some podcasting best practices and getting ideas for developing content.
If you want to join us for the Media FAM Tour, register below:
