Supporting Unique Podcasting Spaces Like Afros and Audio
Podcasting is Going Through Some Things
This is a short post and different from what I usually share.
One of the key tenets of the Podcasters Getting Paid project is to support unique audio spaces that wouldn’t otherwise exist. Last year I had the opportunity to speak at Afros and Audio in Philadelphia. Afros and Audio is a space created to support African-American podcasters in both their creative and professional work. Unfortunately the 2023 event which is being held in a couple of weeks is currently at risk of being cancelled due to sponsors pulling their sponsorship.
No, not because of the event, but because they’ve reevaluated their finances and then decided (late) that they were no longer able to do what they said they would do. What frustrates me is that it is more than likely that these sponsors were aware that they had financial headwinds months before pulling out.
This is the third podcasting event this year (including She Podcasts) that has had a similar experience.
What is Going On?
I 100% believe that you can earn money as a podcaster. I also believe that as an industry, podcasting can be profitable. I am left wondering, however, what is going on behind the scenes?
Are we seeing an NFT style crash where our initial enthusiasm was inflating the perceived earnings? Or, is there an industry wide evaluation of what their priorities are and adjusting accordingly.
The team from Afros and Audio doesn’t know that I’m sharing their story and hoping that we can do the following:
Spread the word-maybe there are companies or supporters that we know who would be a good fit for a collaboration. Here is a video from Talib, founder of Afros and Audio, sharing what is going on.
Pledge what you can-Every little bit helps. The link goes to a PayPal donation page.
What frustrates me is that in 2023 we’ve heard the story over and over again of these events not being supported She Podcasts is one such example.
I’m so frustrated by all of these stories :(
Michelle