An Idea For Creating Buzz

When the topic of Content Creation comes up, the first thoughts I have are print publications, websites, applications, social media, and podcasts. Each medium is unique in how information is presented, but the methods of coming up with the information and material is the same.

Everything begins with an idea, and this course started with me providing three ideas to the instructor.

Without really knowing what ICM528 was, other than a class on creating content, I was a little lost regarding the types of ideas I should be coming up with. My mind is an idea machine. I could be walking down the street and come up with idea after idea. But those ideas are more along the concept of, “Wouldn’t it be great if I…,” or “What if there was an option for…”

So, I began thinking about the types of mediums that rely on content creation. Social media plans require content to drive traffic and get clicks. Websites rely on content to present information on products or services. Podcasts rely on content to keep people coming back to hear what happens next.

That last line reminds me of the movie, “Private Parts,” by Howard Stern. As the self-proclaimed “King of All Media” was building a reputation on terrestrial radio in the 1980s, Stern found ways to push the limits on regulations set forth by the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC. One time, as portrayed in the movie, he gave a woman an orgasm on the air, which led to several sponsors of the show dropping their funding to the station. He would also play the “Match Game,” on the air, where the host would give a term and characters would write down the first thing that came to mind. One example of this was when the host said, “<blank> a doodle do.” Of course, the first thing that came to mind was, “cock.”

There is a scene in “Private Parts,” where station management was looking at the ratings and trying to figure out why Stern’s were off the chart, and the answer given the most was that people wanted to see what he would do next. He created buzz with the content he presented on the air.

Although I do not agree with some of the raunchiness Stern presents on the air, I look up to him because of the fight he took on for free speech. In fact, he sort of inspired me to come up with the idea of pitching a seven-part podcast on the seven dirty words, which the late-great comedian George Carlin created a comedy bit on in 1974.

Each episode of the podcast will focus on one of the seven dirty words. So, for example, the first podcast will be on the word “shit.” The problem is that a host cannot just start a podcast on one word and expect it to be great, and that is why research is critical.

Research is the backbone of content creation, and without it a host may find himself at a loss of words during the show.

Doing a show on foul language opens several avenues for discussion. Things like the definition of the word, where it was derived from, other terms that could be used to describe the word help lay a foundation for the discussion, as do court cases where someone’s freedom of speech was infringed upon because of the word’s use. In addition to those areas that research could be conducted, interviews with first amendment experts could help fill the gaps, along with interviews with members of the community, the clergy, and other guests.

While the topic may be sensitive to some, the idea of taking such a topic to find out why certain words are ok sometimes and not ok at others may help bring to light a bigger issue, and has the potential to take a podcast from a planned 7-series show to even more.

I have never done a podcast before, so research comes into play even more when it comes to the ins and outs of creating the show.

To make the show sound professional, certain microphones may work better than others, so doing a search on the internet and looking through blogs and reviews will help with deciding which microphone to purchase. The same research can help when looking into how to put the podcast together and then how to market it for listeners and profitability.

Ultimately, this podcast has the potential of gaining a following, so taking the right steps to put it together properly are of the utmost importance.