When I attended the PodCamp conference, a new media community gathering, a couple of weeks ago, I ran into many people working for a company in the Internet marketplace or running their own Web-focused businesses.
I also met several people who decided to attend the free, two-day event so that they could explore and learn more about how to get work within the online marketplace. These people were so excited about what is happening on the Web, they were determined to find a place professionally.
One of them was Ed Gough (aka "Dr. Vibe"), an enthusiastic blogger and podcaster with a plan to turn his passion into a new career, and leave behind his work as a telecommunications employee.
After having lunch with Ed, it was pretty clear he had found a new calling so I was curious to find more about his experience with podcasting, and how he was going to make a career shift. Here's some of our conversation:
Mark Evans: When did you get into podcasting? What was the spark that got you started?
Ed Gough: I started podcasting about three and a half years ago. The reason I started podcasting was I wanted the opportunity to have a show where black Canadian men could express themselves. I also wanted to get involved in the digital revolution. It would also provide a way for me to provide an outlet for people to express their opinions freely.
Mark Evans: What is it about podcasting and social media that you like so much?
Ed Gough: It's the opportunity to have others share their story for others to hear. Many of these stories have the potential to have a positive impact on others.
Mark Evans: What's the focus of your podcast and blog, and how do you find people to interview?
Ed Gough: The Vibe and Vegas Show is a podcast in which we discuss, debate, share and sometimes laugh about various subjects from a black Canadian man point of view. Our goal is to stimulate thought and discussion so that black Canadian men and those who care about them can work, share and grow together. At first, I asked friends to appear on the show. Now, it is a combination of asking people and referrals.
Mark Evans:. What kind of marketing do you do to build your audience?
Ed Gough: I try to go to a few key events to discuss the show with people. Other than the site itself, word of mouth and trying to build a following via a Facebook page, I am not doing anything else at the present time.
Mark Evans: You've got a day job that pays the bills but do you see podcasting become the foundation for your next career?
Ed Gough: I don't know if it will become the foundation for my next career, but I do see a great opportunity for it providing an extra income stream.
Mark Evans:. Where do you see yourself and social media in the next three to five years?
Ed Gough: I see myself becoming one of the leading black Canadian experts in the field of social media. Where will social media be in the next five years? That is a very good question. I believe that social media will become even more a part of individuals' and companies' daily lives. In what way? We will soon find out.
Special to The Globe and Mail
Mark Evans is a principal with ME Consulting, a content and social media strategic and tactical consultancy that creates and delivers 'stories' for companies looking to capture the attention of customers, bloggers, the media, business partners, employees and investors. Mark has worked with three start-ups - Blanketware, b5Media and PlanetEye - so he understands how they operate and what they need to do to be successful. He was a technology reporter for more than a decade with The Globe and Mail, Bloomberg News and the Financial Post. Mark is also one of the co-organizers of the mesh, meshUniversity and meshmarketing conferences.