The History of Podcasting

The History of Podcasting

by AdvertisingMarketingPublic RelationsSocial Media

The History of Podcasting

The history of podcasting is celebrated each year on International Podcast Day. Each September 30th, over the past two decades we recognize a valuable opportunity for podcasters and their listeners to connect online.

There are various reasons for creating and distributing a podcast, with emphasis on entertaining, educating, and promoting. But whatever a podcaster’s purpose, creating and deploying a podcast can hold significant value for a brand, company/organization, or individual.

At SCG Advertising + Public Relations, I’ve had firsthand experience producing two separate podcasts, and I’ve learned much about crafting quality content that engages listeners while sounding as smooth as possible. Each episode I produce provides a learning opportunity for both my client and me.

Podcasts can be a powerful tool to help amplify messaging efforts and drive a conversation; they connect people with an audience that finds value in what the host is discussing.

Some fun historical facts about podcasting, according to InternationalPodcastDay.com :

  • The first modern podcast went live 20 years ago
  • The term “podcasting” was pioneered in a 2004 Guardian newspaper article
  • George W. Bush was the first president to have his weekly address delivered as a podcast
  • And … SCG can help you create your next podcast

 

I’m beginning to work on a brand-new project with the social media team to produce an official SCG podcast titled Coffee and Tea with SCG. We are looking to launch the podcast in early fall, and you’ll be able to listen to it on our website.

Mental Health Awareness

Wherever You Go,There You Are

by Community AwarenessSCG News

 

Mental Health Awareness

On January 31, 2024, Elmo said to followers via X/Twitter, “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” 

 One response was “Elmo, we are tired.” Another was, “Elmo girl… I’m having a quarter life crisis right now and I can’t get my stuff together to finish this last semester. I’m mentally burnout out and I have a lifetime of working to go.”  

 The fact that many social media users responded to a fluffy Muppet about their mental health struggles says something (very loudly, I’d suggest) about the state of America’s mental health. We’ve got a crisis.   

 According to shortlister.com: 

  • 21% of American adults (about 50 million people) are dealing with mental illness 
  • 5.44% report experiencing a severe mental condition  
  • 4.8% of American adults report seriously considering suicide  

As someone who has had their fair share of mental health challenges, which I addressed in my last mental health related blog, there’s much I’ve learned (and still am learning) about coping with mental health struggles. Here are a few highlights:  

  1. Never feel afraid to reach out for help and talk about how you’re feeling. Falling into hyper-independence may feel good for a while, but you don’t need to feel that the only way to deal with problems is to bottle things up. Remember – it’s better out than in.  
  2. Make time for “non-doing.” I recently started reading a book titled “Wherever you go, there you are”. The topic of “non-doing” is “the ability to simply let things be and allowing them to unfold in their own way.” Don’t sweat the small stuff, and if there’s big stuff to be sweating about, rest assured that it will all be figured out one way or another.  
  3. Let yourself be upset for as long as you need, but don’t dwell in the doom of it all. Life is very hard, and no one ever said it would be easy. But how we cope with how we’re dealing mentally and physically is how we build resilience so we can tackle the next obstacle in front of us.  
  4. Surround yourself with people who support you, rather than tear you down. Whether it’s your family, friends, or a romantic partner, being able to have people around who genuinely support you in your good moments and at times when you struggle makes a difference in your life. No one needs to be surrounded with negative put-downs, overly critical conversations, or unsolicited advice. Sometimes, we just want to air our grievances and move on and heal. 

And lastly:

5.You don’t need to get everything done in one day. Learn to delegate tasks in both your home life and especially your work life. While this can also prove to boost your mental health, it will also boost your productivity, which is a double win.  

 Social media is a great tool to use to communicate with loved ones and friends and even give someone a space to take away the stigma from mental health awareness.  

 I’m grateful I work in an environment where positive well-being and mindfulness are promoted. Happy Mental Health Awareness Month.  

SCG is an advocate for mental health awareness and supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. For more information on this organization, please visit https://afsp.org/. You are not alone.

valentine's day

Valentine’s Day: What’s with all the hype?

by AdvertisingMarketing

valentine's day

Each year, just prior to February 14, sweethearts the world over strip every retail location of chocolates, roses, and those greeting cards with the lacey frills. It’s Valentine’s Day – but really, what’s all the hype about?

 

It all began long ago as a Christian feast honoring a martyr named Valentine. As folk traditions evolved, the day began to focus on romance and love. According to one legend – believe it or not – Saint Valentine had defied an emperor’s orders by secretly marrying couples, thus sparing these new husbands from serving in the military.

 

But, what’s the connection between Valentine’s Day and the greeting card market?

 

According to https://corporate.hallmark.com/valentinesslideshow/#:~:text=Hallmark%20founder%20J.C.%20Hall%20began,greeting%20card%20designs%20in%201915, Hallmark founder J.C. Hall began selling Valentine’s Day postcards in 1910. At about this time, postcards were declining in popularity … which, in 1912, prompted Hallmark to add greeting cards to its line.  So, while Hallmark didn’t actually invent the holiday, it did solidify it by permanently connecting Valentine’s Day to the practice of sending cards.

 

Interesting, right? But, is February 14th now simply a sprawling marketing scam? Maybe not. Instead, I’d call it a clever way to market an otherwise mundane product, the greeting card, to the public.

 

According to: https://www.driveresearch.com/market-research-company-blog/valentines-day-statistics/

  • As many as 52% of consumers celebrate Valentine’s Day
  • 45% of Americans who celebrate incorporate some type of travel
  • The average consumer spends nearly $200 on their Valentine
  • 46% of consumers will receive a gift they don’t actually like, including candy, flowers and – you guessed it! – greeting cards

 

This DriverSearch report also notes that mixtapes are the least desirable of V-day gifts, with only 13% of people expressing interest. As a musician, I disagree – and so have curated two playlists, one for those who love Valentine’s Day, and another for those who … don’t.

 

Valentine’s Day: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5W0wr7l2PMA97rcAG6YfHD?si=0ab2ff3fa81940ef

ANTI Valentine’s Day: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0hUCfbwggcTty80FZGLeWX?si=e24860dbb70e4bc3

The Best Playlists for Working Productively (and having fun)

by Personal InterestUncategorized

As a musician, it’s natural for me to listen to some type of music playlist while I’m in the office working. I certainly don’t restrict myself to any one genre. Lately, the biggest musical trend has been the rise of Lo-Fi. Lo-fi music is characterized as a type of downtempo hip-hop music known for being relaxing and hypnotic. Due to these qualities, students and professionals alike are listening to Lo-Fi playlists while working.

 

According to HBR.org, listening to music can boost workplace concentration, mood, and performance. Additionally, according to the BBC, it may even increase your productivity by up to 15%.

 

So, next time you need a pick-me-up to get you going, put your earbuds in or turn on your portable speaker, and listen to music while you work. I’ve even created two Spotify playlists to get you started.

 

Work Playlist

Work Playlist: Lo-Fi

 

Lupe Dragon

Public Relations Specialist/Account Executive

SCG Advertising & PR

National Day of Unplugging 3/3

by Personal Interest

The average daily volume of media content consumed by an American during 2022 (per Oberlo) was 494 minutes, or about 8.5 hours. So, given the time we spend sleeping, that means roughly half of our waking hours involve media consumption. It’s even harder when screen time is a large part of your typical workday. Each year, National Day of Unplugging is celebrated on the first Friday in March, and encourages people to step away from their digital devices and unplug for a 24 hour period. Let’s talk about ways we find ourselves stuck on screens, and how to unplug.

My iPhone indicates my own daily screen time averages about 6 hours and 46 minutes. That’s no surprise, since I use my phone for nearly everything, including:

  • Listening to music
  • Meditation apps
  • Social media
  • Texting and calling family / friends
  • Taking photos
  • Accessing Duolingo
  • GPS support while driving
  • As an alarm clock

 

Of course, there’s also my Apple watch … and my laptop for the office … and my personal laptop at home.

 

Because I work as a social media specialist, all this online time is both normal and necessary, since I need to keep up with best practices and the latest trends. But, is it healthy for me in the long run? Is all this time spent consuming media content healthy for any of us?

 

One benefit of my particular profession is that I have access to all manner of technology for actually reducing the time I interact with a screen. For example, I can automatically schedule social media content, and I don’t need to conduct a lengthy search to determine the most effective time of day for posting. Technology also makes it remarkably easy for me to locate media coverage of our clients and to find contact information for journalists. In other words, technology actually helps to reduce the time I must spend consuming and processing media.

 

There’s also lots to be said about how to enjoy workday breaks without involving your phone or laptop.  On my breaks, I like to:

  • Walk outside
  • Read books
  • Play pool (the office building in which we’re located has a terrific lounge area)
  • Write poetry or new song lyrics

 

These are some of the fun things I do that help me avoid unnecessarily using my phone. I mean, it’s not always beneficial to be aimlessly scrolling through TikTok (although, I must admit, I really do enjoy TikTok).

 

So, on this National Unplugging Day, what’s one activity you could undertake that wouldn’t require use of your phone or laptop?

 

How to Work Comfortably at Home While Sick

by Community AwarenessPersonal InterestUncategorized

After falling ill about a week into January, I learned a thing or two about working remotely in the midst of an awful cold. I don’t know precisely what I had, but it featured body aches, sweats, chills, coughing, a stuffy nose, and pretty much everything in between. Yet, I still managed to get a good bit of work done from the comfort of my bed and couch.

 

The following are a few tips. Maybe they’ll help you the next time germs get the better of you.

 

  1. Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t be entirely productive. Nobody plans to become sick. And sometimes, illness arrives during a big client event or when a major project is due. One of the benefits of working for an agency is that there are typically extra hands on deck to assist when you’re just too sick to function.
  2. Take extra breaks, whenever needed. Sometimes, you’re simply too worn down to continue working. If this is the case, brew a cup of tea and even consider a power nap. Your output can only be as good as how alert and healthy you feel.
  3. Stay in communication with your colleagues. Even if you’re a bit groggy, seek out updates from your colleagues. This will help you continue to move items off your plate, and they’ll likely appreciate the extra effort you’re putting in.
  4. If possible, get some fresh air via a 5-minute walk around the neighborhood. If you’re sharing the outdoor space with others, be responsible and wear a mask. Also, be sure to take appropriate vitamins/supplements to help in the battle against your illness.
  5. Speed your recovery up by getting plenty of rest both day and night. Working remotely has its perks, but there’s definitely something to be said for the daily routine at the office. So, make sure you rest as much as your body demands – it’ll help you recover and get back to normal as quickly as possible.

 

It used to be that even if you were horribly sick, you’d pushed yourself to go to the office just to show your dedication and push through. Now, it’s more important to protect all your coworkers and not spread germs by working remotely, if you can.

What if you decide to abandon Twitter?

by AdvertisingMarketingMobile AdvertisingPublic RelationsSocial Media
Tada Images – stock.adobe.com

One of the best-known of all social media platforms, Twitter, is in the process of dramatically altering itself. Some changes that have already been implemented – or are thought to be coming soon – are concerning both to individuals and organizations that have utilized Twitter for years. So, in the event you find yourself making a decision about shifting away from Twitter, here are several alternatives to consider.

Tumblr – It began as a microblogging platform in 2007, and has a vast number of users. Tumblr’s fanbase may not be as passionate as those of other platforms, but the site offers a wide variety of options for posting and sharing text, images, video, audio, and links.

LinkedIn – More sophisticated than many other social media platforms, LinkedIn’s emphasis is on helping users locate new clients and employees, and share details of professional successes. While it may be business-focused, it’s the online home for individuals in a broad range of endeavors.

Hive Social – On the rise since 2019, Hive Social’s audience has grown by one million users since changes began at Twitter. The platform enables users to post content without length limitations and already offers an editing function. The key drawback with Hive Social is loading time and a few other technical irregularities.

Discord – Beginning as a communications app for sharing voice, video and text chat with friends, game communities, and developers, Discord has steadily expanded. It is currently popular for networking, particularly in the music, entertainment, and sports sectors, with emphasis on internal group chats.

Mastodon – It’s a federation of independently operated interconnected servers, offers microblogging features akin to Twitter, but also features other functionality allowing for message that are 500-characters in length. Mastodon also offers extensive privacy features, plus the ability to hide spoilers and add trigger warnings.

Post – For now, there’s actually a waitlist for joining the platform. Post is intended to be “A Social Platform for Real People, Real News, and Civil Conversations,” and is geared toward journalists who want to share stories without being edited.

Or … do nothing – Sometimes, taking no action is the most appropriate action. If you have an audience on other platforms and all is going well, it may be fine to simply step away from Twitter without identifying a replacement.

For more information about the recent and upcoming Twitter changes, check out the following articles:

https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/25/elon-musk-says-twitters-new-multicoloured-verification-will-launch-next-week/

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-11-07/twitter-layoffs-media-verification

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/24/musk-twitter-suspension-policy-00070819

https://www.fastcompany.com/90804776/elon-musk-massive-changes-twitter-one-week

World Mental Health Day (My Story)

by Personal Interest

World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigma.

This is my story.

Since I was 15, I’ve been in and out of counseling. My anxiety disorder was diagnosed when I was a high school freshman, and that was when I realized something was wrong. Or, at least, that I needed help reshaping the way I think about the world so I could begin to feel better.

Anxiety can be extremely debilitating, with constant worrying about things that might never even happen. This often stems from some type of untreated trauma. For a long while, I thought I’d be struggling with anxiety forever. I simply didn’t have a support system that told me it was okay to process my feelings and to sometimes step back from whatever I was doing just to consider how to deal with things.

I’m 23 now, and I’ve worked hard to learn how to calm my anxiety disorder and live life to the fullest. It took years, and I lived through a lot of things that contributed to changing how I thought. It was often a struggle, from waiting until I was 19 to get my driver’s license, to a lack of support related to my college studies and music career. But in the end, anxiety didn’t hold me back – I found a way to push forward. Anxiety became my motivation – to graduate and then find an employer that prioritizes a healthy work/life balance and embraces the importance of mental health awareness.

When I arrive at the office, I know I can step away when needed to take what I call my “daily afternoon walks.” This helps me recharge and recenter, and when I’m back at my desk, everything’s still there and everything will get done on time. We also have many other mental wellness activities in our lounge space including yoga classes and an art studio. This encourages our team to take a step back from work when the day gets too stressful. Beyond work – in all aspects of day-to-day life – periodic mental health breaks don’t make you lazy. Instead, they’re an excellent tool for remaining calm, focused, and centered. I encourage anyone reading this to not hesitate to reach out when you need help… even if it means stepping back from work until you can be in the right mental health space. There are many resources to connect with including the newly founded 988 suicide hotline. Please, take care of yourself. Sometimes the work CAN wait.

 

Happy World Mental Health Day! 

International Podcast Day

by MarketingPublic Relations

A lot has changed, and quickly, in terms of the media that we create and consume. We went from radio and TV, CDs, vinyl records and so on, to being able to stream every medium possible in the palm of our hands. One new media that’s continues to grow in popularity is podcasting. So we’re all clear, a podcast – per thepodcasthost.com – is “an audio program, just like Talk Radio, but you subscribe to it on your smartphone and listen to it whenever you like.”

Many of my friends have podcasts. Two of these are “Bopcast” and “Ayoochill Podcast,” both of which focus on interviewing a variety of individuals, from entrepreneurs, event hosts, musicians, emcees, and others. I’m always fascinated by my friends’ podcasts because they bring unexpected perspectives and interview styles, and ask thought-provoking questions.

Other podcasts I enjoy listening to are Barstool Sports’ “Call Her Daddy,” hosted by Alex Cooper, and “The Daily Stoic,” hosted by Ryan Holiday. “Call Her Daddy” focuses on issues facing women, and also offers celebrity interviews. Within these celebrity interviews, many issues are spoken on including feminism, the real life of a Hollywood star and so much more. Podcasts are used for entertainment from time to time but most importantly can be used for educating others.

“The Daily Stoic” is a definite departure from the other podcasts I listen to. My wise and wonderful boss Mike got me into it, and I’d say it has actually changed my life. Holiday focuses on many historical figures, many of them Stoics,  and provides easily digestible insights. Many perspectives pioneered by Stoic philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, form the basis for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Each episode is eye-opening, and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something to make you pause and think.

Along with listening to podcasts, I’ve actually produced several myself – though nothing I plan on releasing publicly. I’ve just been practicing and honing my skills. And with this in mind, I’m now working with my colleague Kurt to develop a podcast series for our agency that will serve to inform about public relations, advertising, recruitment, and communications overall. In past SCG has done post production and creative slates for several podcasts for our client Rutgers University. You can see some of this work on our SCG YouTube page here.  The quality that we give to our clients is superb, we are great listeners and enjoy collaborating with creative people. We would love to produce your next podcast!

Happy International Podcast Day!

Lupe Dragon

The Public Relations Side of Music

by AdvertisingPersonal InterestPublic Relations

Lupe DragonA lot of musicians think that blogs and online publications are an “outdated” way of finding music, but I tend to disagree with that. As a PR professional and a musician myself, I use public relations to help boost engagement with potential fans. When you google my name, you see tons of interviews and reviews of my music from the past four years. These are in the form of podcasts, news coverage, blog posts, and social media content. It’s what we call being “social proof.”

Social proof is “the idea that consumers will adapt their behavior according to what other people are doing.”

Here are some key examples of how you can attain “social proof.”

  1. Expert’s stamp of approval
  2. Celebrity endorsement
  3. User testimonials
  4. Social media shares
  5. Earned media (i.e., news coverage)

Check out this article for more information on examples of social proof. 

A musician without public relations is the same as an author without an agent – an absolute nobody. If the general public doesn’t know you exist, how do you expect to get results?

In 2022, musicians need to be both talented and business savvy. It’s a harsh reality, but if you put even half as much effort into your marketing and PR as you do into your next single, you will be making it easier for yourself to branch out to a broader audience. That’s the reward you’re looking for.