52 Episodes and Counting

One of the goals that I set in place for Finding Elara was to have 52 episodes. Because that would be a years worth of once a week episodes. Then things changed. Everything that I do with Finding Elara is Volunteer. I do it because I love sharing what I have learnt on my adventures and I interviewing so many different guests that have continued to expand my knowledge and growth.

When I came back earlier this year for season 2 I decided that I wanted to get 2 episodes a week out for the listeners to rebuild and establish a new foothold for the show. I was confident that I could make it work, but I knew that it was going to be an absolute time suck and would take me away from my writing time. So I interviewed 10 people and I decided to put the show out twice a week for these 10 interviews. Then, do another 5 interviews that would have the same format but released weekly again. I have been following the trends of the show and depending on the guest. The listenership fluctuates.

I know that there are still heaps of things that I need to learn to make the show better, I can always improve on my interviewing skills and make sure that I am more patient with my guests. I need to fix the questions. Especially in the worldbuilding episodes.

My vision for those episodes were to play around, like a mini improve- Writer style. But when I get more of a diverse guest list then I may be able to get different creatives that would be able to bring my vision to life. I am putting the people on the spot a little, maybe next season I will tell them in advance and get them to prep something for the interview. I am always open to suggestions and the people in the discord channel and the face book group have been fantastic.

Before I do an interview, I always put the Bio in the chat and see if I get any questions come through. They have been fantastic so far and I hope that it continues.

I really like the Treasure chest concept and giving thins away to people. Is is so nice that the guests have been so generous with the gifts, but the social aspect, although it sounds cool, is not really hitting home. I am not sure how to twat that just yet, the tam have suggested to make it more click-batey and it feels a little disingenuous, but that is likely just me. I need to get over it and be marketing positive.

Talking about the Team. The people that I have met withing BCP have been amazing! They are the wind in my sails sometimes. Especially the Audio Girl, Izzy. Her help has been above and beyond and I am so thankful that she is here to support.

One of my friend Garry has also stepped up in an amazing way, he has stepped in as the media manager and sends all the posts on the Finding Elara group and makes the images for the show advertisement. I keep on building his list of things to do and I just hope that I don't give him too much and he decides that it is enough.

There are costs involved with the show so I have been reaching out to sponsors and supporters to try and get enough coming in to cover those. I have not been so lucky so far, but I have got a little bit and that is better than nothing.

If you have been on my Ko-fi/findingelara then you will see that I am trying to raise $5000 and interview 500 guests. With the episode that has just come out last Thursday Angela Hughes I now have 20, so there is a fair way to go!

I am trying to use this podcast as a platform for BCP and help the business grow and develop into something that I know will be amazing. So that will take time and fortunately, I have years!!

Any way, I thought that I would do a post that is just me rambling and saying YAY for 52 episodes.

If you want to see the show noted for the newer episodes then they are on the Bushlandcastletproductions.com website.

I am going back to working on season 2 episode 16 that comes out next Tuesday.