Happy Holidays everyone!
I hope that this season finds everyone in good cheer, what a year it has been. I'm going to break down simply what my current thoughts are as far as the live streaming broadcast in particular, as well as Indie Spotlight in general.
First let's talk about the live streaming broadcast. I did one last night and found that even with no traffic I still enjoy doing this. The only real reason that I didn't see any traffic at the live show was because I haven't been consistent with my dates, times, or even if I do a live show at all. If I'm going to continue to do this I need to pick a date and time, and stick with it. My other option as I mentioned before is to go all in with awdio.com and just do the podcast format. I can even play the show live over there and it'll still archive afterwards.
I think I might be making my final show move very soon. Besides most, if not everyone checking out Indie Spotlight these days are checking it out on our channel on awdio anyway.
Now, let's talk about Indie Spotlight, the brand in general. I'll continue to post videos daily on the Facebook page (which cross posts onto Twitter) so please like and share. Social media is working as far as people getting to see these musicians and getting the music some exposure. I wish I had thought of this a long time ago.
So, as long as there is an interest, Indie Spotlight will live on!
Have a safe Holiday season everyone!
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
And a Year Later...
Facebook has this interesting feature, called "On This Day" and on it was a link to a blog post I made last year.
It's right here for anyone who is interested http://riskybusiness04.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-past-present-and-future-of-indie.html
Obviously I went camup.tv, and I have to be honest, because of my work schedule and lack of involvement in other shows on there, well, this week I didn't have anybody even stop by the live chat. This has been typical of our shows over there, outside of one or two former regulars who hung out in chat on the other broadcasting platforms, I really haven't seen any interest in the show at all on there except for the folks running the site, we were featured twice the other night and yet, nobody roaming into the chat which tells me that despite the promotion by the people running the site, nobody wanted to check out the show.
In the mean time, I have spent more time on the Indie Spotlight Facebook page and I have to be straight up with you folks, this is where the future is as far as Indie Spotlight goes.
For those that might not know, every day I share a video featuring a musician playing music, most of the time it's an original although there are covers as well.
Over the next several month's, I will be transitioning from the live streaming format, to either possibly a podcast on awdio, or the Facebook page exclusively.
Indie Spotlight is getting either 2 or none as far as live show listeners/viewers. I could spend time on that aspect of our online presence, or do what is working, which is work social media and promote the musicians that way.
So here is the deal, I will continue to do the live show until the end of the year, and hope like hell our statistics go up, and at the same time get ready for plan B.
What is Plan B? Go the podcast route on awdio.com, forget the live streaming format because nobody is checking it out anyway, and spend time on our social media presence and use that to promote the musicians.
Look, I love camup, there are really great folks over there, but I also have to wonder if the live streaming format, at least as far as Indie Spotlight goes, has jumped the shark.
I think it has, time to try something else.
It's right here for anyone who is interested http://riskybusiness04.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-past-present-and-future-of-indie.html
Obviously I went camup.tv, and I have to be honest, because of my work schedule and lack of involvement in other shows on there, well, this week I didn't have anybody even stop by the live chat. This has been typical of our shows over there, outside of one or two former regulars who hung out in chat on the other broadcasting platforms, I really haven't seen any interest in the show at all on there except for the folks running the site, we were featured twice the other night and yet, nobody roaming into the chat which tells me that despite the promotion by the people running the site, nobody wanted to check out the show.
In the mean time, I have spent more time on the Indie Spotlight Facebook page and I have to be straight up with you folks, this is where the future is as far as Indie Spotlight goes.
For those that might not know, every day I share a video featuring a musician playing music, most of the time it's an original although there are covers as well.
Over the next several month's, I will be transitioning from the live streaming format, to either possibly a podcast on awdio, or the Facebook page exclusively.
Indie Spotlight is getting either 2 or none as far as live show listeners/viewers. I could spend time on that aspect of our online presence, or do what is working, which is work social media and promote the musicians that way.
So here is the deal, I will continue to do the live show until the end of the year, and hope like hell our statistics go up, and at the same time get ready for plan B.
What is Plan B? Go the podcast route on awdio.com, forget the live streaming format because nobody is checking it out anyway, and spend time on our social media presence and use that to promote the musicians.
Look, I love camup, there are really great folks over there, but I also have to wonder if the live streaming format, at least as far as Indie Spotlight goes, has jumped the shark.
I think it has, time to try something else.
Friday, October 21, 2016
October 2016 Update
Just so everyone knows I update the Facebook page more frequently than I do this blog.
https://www.facebook.com/indiespotlightoncamuptv/
On there you'll find a new video everyday featuring an indie musician, as well as dates and times for the live streaming broadcast.
Because of my work schedule, I haven't been able to stick with a "regular" date and time for the live show. To be honest I'm considering transitioning away from the live streaming broadcast and focusing on the Indie Spotlight presence on social media, and going to an all podcast format.
Anywho, there's your update, see ya next month Bloggers!
https://www.facebook.com/indiespotlightoncamuptv/
On there you'll find a new video everyday featuring an indie musician, as well as dates and times for the live streaming broadcast.
Because of my work schedule, I haven't been able to stick with a "regular" date and time for the live show. To be honest I'm considering transitioning away from the live streaming broadcast and focusing on the Indie Spotlight presence on social media, and going to an all podcast format.
Anywho, there's your update, see ya next month Bloggers!
Friday, September 30, 2016
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Bringing Indie Spotlight Live Back? How 'bout This
I've been toying with the bringing back the regular broadcast back for a while now and just might do so. The trick is deciding on a date and time, see historically I've broadcast on Sunday nights (with the occasional flirtation with Monday) and in the post blogtv era the people wandering in have been, well, occasional.
So.... I need to decide on a different day and time for the show, will let you folks know so stay tuned.
In the meantime please like our Facebook page, I share videos featuring independent musicians every day!
www.facebook.com/indiespotlightoncamuptv
In other news, with a VERY interesting election cycle upon us I've been also considering a talk show similar to what I did back in 2008, if nothing else as a place to blow off steam. It would have to be on a platform similar to blogtalkradio so that people could call in, it's pretty boring without the interaction. Using blogtalkradio is a non-starter since they now charge for longer shows and primetime, it's not worth all that, sorry no thanks.
Show name, date and time TBD.
So.... I need to decide on a different day and time for the show, will let you folks know so stay tuned.
In the meantime please like our Facebook page, I share videos featuring independent musicians every day!
www.facebook.com/indiespotlightoncamuptv
In other news, with a VERY interesting election cycle upon us I've been also considering a talk show similar to what I did back in 2008, if nothing else as a place to blow off steam. It would have to be on a platform similar to blogtalkradio so that people could call in, it's pretty boring without the interaction. Using blogtalkradio is a non-starter since they now charge for longer shows and primetime, it's not worth all that, sorry no thanks.
Show name, date and time TBD.
Monday, July 18, 2016
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Thursday, June 23, 2016
So I Made a Poll on Facebook
Sad to say but about what I expected, no votes on the actual question and interaction with only one person
So blog readers I guess I'll leave this one for you all, any thoughts?
So blog readers I guess I'll leave this one for you all, any thoughts?
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Doing Some Housekeeping
Please note that I just changed the URL on our Facebook page since justcastlive is now a memory as far as a broadcast home. We are now https://www.facebook.com/indiespotlightoncamuptv/ on Facebook so if you've shared the link you'll need the change it.
That is all.
That is all.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
June 2016 Update, and Important News
I did the last regular live broadcast of Indie Spotlight a little over a month ago and in reading that you might be wondering why I'm not still doing the weekly live show.
First of all, please understand that while I am still very passionate about indie music and supporting independent musicians, I haven't really been into conducting the live broadcast for a long while, my heart is just not into it like once was. While I still enjoyed doing the show I haven't had the same passion about it that I once did, to quote B.B. King, the thrill is gone.
There is a big part of me that would love to keep doing the show, but I really haven't felt a heartfelt passion about it for a while now. I've kept doing the live broadcast for so long mostly out of habit. So, either the format of the show needs to change or I do, and I'm not 100% sure on how I might do that. When I step outside myself a little bit and really think about it, I clearly needed a break, the question is should it be a permanent one, am I really done? I'm still not sure to be honest.
Secondly, and please understand that I'm not trying to be a whiny little bitch here, but there hasn't been anyone really in chat during the live broadcast for a long while. Simply put, there is just no interest. I totally understand why, I've changed the day, time, and broadcast platform so many times over the past couple of years that even the most die-hard listeners and viewers fell away and I am currently at a loss as to how I might bring people back to the live show although I do have some ideas if I decide to resume the live broadcast.
Lastly, and this is totally on me, as the host, I haven't done anything to make the show interesting. During our blogtv days we had musician interviews, as well as segments like weenie of the week and other humor segments. The feedback that I got at the time that we were doing these was mostly people wanted to check out the interviews, and others liked the weenie segments and logged in to see who the weenie of the week was.
I could go back to doing all of these, but so much of the internet has passed me by.
Let me explain...
We've become an on demand society, proof of this to me exists as far as the show is concerned is as follows;
a) During our last live broadcast we had two live hits, mine and Deb from Unleashed. I talk about promotion, well I do it, and especially on Facebook the post that I made on our Facebook page that I shared on multiple groups including camup, the indie spotlight group as well as a group of fellow blogtv refugee's had over 100 views, but the hit count for the show has been much, and I mean much lower.
b) After the live show, I've been converting the saved video file to an mp.3, and uploading it to our channel on awdio.com. The archived show at least lately is seeing more hit's than the live show did. This says quite a bit, and to me is almost an arrow pointing in the direction that I might need to take the show.
Right now as I see it there are 3 options;
1) Resume our previous format when I'm ready, and bring back some of the humor segments to engage the audience. Should I decide to do this, I at the very least need to retool and reformat it so that I can interact with the live viewing audience a bit more. It would seem that just playing the music isn't the best way to draw and keep a crowd, in our heyday I made things more interesting and if I resume the live show I need to once again.
Also, to do musician interviews again would be a huge step to bringing people in, and I miss doing these anyway. Some of the most interesting people I've ever met were these guys and gals and the interviews were often fun and entertaining.
One thing that I've noticed since our hiatus began is that Camup.tv has had an influx of new users so there might be some new interest, and if nothing else there will still be people who will listen to the archived show on awdio.
2) Switch to strictly a podcast format. This would be easy for me, I could pre-record the entire broadcast and just upload it to awdio at the same date and time every week. This way it wouldn't matter what happens in my personal life or if my work schedule gets crazy since I would be able to plan, record and upload this at my leisure.
3) Hang up my headset for good.
In any case no matter what I decide to do, I will keep our Facebook presence active. Those who watch our page know that at least on most days, if not every day I share a video featuring an indie musician, which seems to draw attention and get's them more hits so no matter what I decide Indie Spotlight will continue to share music, feature the best of the best and celebrate the brilliance of the independent and unsigned artists.
This has been what Indie Spotlight is all about anyway.
First of all, please understand that while I am still very passionate about indie music and supporting independent musicians, I haven't really been into conducting the live broadcast for a long while, my heart is just not into it like once was. While I still enjoyed doing the show I haven't had the same passion about it that I once did, to quote B.B. King, the thrill is gone.
There is a big part of me that would love to keep doing the show, but I really haven't felt a heartfelt passion about it for a while now. I've kept doing the live broadcast for so long mostly out of habit. So, either the format of the show needs to change or I do, and I'm not 100% sure on how I might do that. When I step outside myself a little bit and really think about it, I clearly needed a break, the question is should it be a permanent one, am I really done? I'm still not sure to be honest.
Secondly, and please understand that I'm not trying to be a whiny little bitch here, but there hasn't been anyone really in chat during the live broadcast for a long while. Simply put, there is just no interest. I totally understand why, I've changed the day, time, and broadcast platform so many times over the past couple of years that even the most die-hard listeners and viewers fell away and I am currently at a loss as to how I might bring people back to the live show although I do have some ideas if I decide to resume the live broadcast.
Lastly, and this is totally on me, as the host, I haven't done anything to make the show interesting. During our blogtv days we had musician interviews, as well as segments like weenie of the week and other humor segments. The feedback that I got at the time that we were doing these was mostly people wanted to check out the interviews, and others liked the weenie segments and logged in to see who the weenie of the week was.
I could go back to doing all of these, but so much of the internet has passed me by.
Let me explain...
We've become an on demand society, proof of this to me exists as far as the show is concerned is as follows;
a) During our last live broadcast we had two live hits, mine and Deb from Unleashed. I talk about promotion, well I do it, and especially on Facebook the post that I made on our Facebook page that I shared on multiple groups including camup, the indie spotlight group as well as a group of fellow blogtv refugee's had over 100 views, but the hit count for the show has been much, and I mean much lower.
b) After the live show, I've been converting the saved video file to an mp.3, and uploading it to our channel on awdio.com. The archived show at least lately is seeing more hit's than the live show did. This says quite a bit, and to me is almost an arrow pointing in the direction that I might need to take the show.
Right now as I see it there are 3 options;
1) Resume our previous format when I'm ready, and bring back some of the humor segments to engage the audience. Should I decide to do this, I at the very least need to retool and reformat it so that I can interact with the live viewing audience a bit more. It would seem that just playing the music isn't the best way to draw and keep a crowd, in our heyday I made things more interesting and if I resume the live show I need to once again.
Also, to do musician interviews again would be a huge step to bringing people in, and I miss doing these anyway. Some of the most interesting people I've ever met were these guys and gals and the interviews were often fun and entertaining.
One thing that I've noticed since our hiatus began is that Camup.tv has had an influx of new users so there might be some new interest, and if nothing else there will still be people who will listen to the archived show on awdio.
2) Switch to strictly a podcast format. This would be easy for me, I could pre-record the entire broadcast and just upload it to awdio at the same date and time every week. This way it wouldn't matter what happens in my personal life or if my work schedule gets crazy since I would be able to plan, record and upload this at my leisure.
3) Hang up my headset for good.
In any case no matter what I decide to do, I will keep our Facebook presence active. Those who watch our page know that at least on most days, if not every day I share a video featuring an indie musician, which seems to draw attention and get's them more hits so no matter what I decide Indie Spotlight will continue to share music, feature the best of the best and celebrate the brilliance of the independent and unsigned artists.
This has been what Indie Spotlight is all about anyway.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
You Really Should Like Our Facebook Page!
I started this blog back in 2008, back when blogging was the "in" thing and while I will still post things more appropriate for a blog here I would like to invite everyone to like our page on Facebook.
Again, I'm not planning on abandoning this blog, I mean lets face it, me and this page have some history, I've just decided that it is more appropriate to focus on the social media platforms as opposed to posting links on those same platforms links to this page and besides the blog doesn't get the amount of hits that it used to back in our heyday.
So, please like our Facebook page, some big announcements are coming soon.
Indie Spotlight on Facebook
Again, I'm not planning on abandoning this blog, I mean lets face it, me and this page have some history, I've just decided that it is more appropriate to focus on the social media platforms as opposed to posting links on those same platforms links to this page and besides the blog doesn't get the amount of hits that it used to back in our heyday.
So, please like our Facebook page, some big announcements are coming soon.
Indie Spotlight on Facebook
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Record Lables Sue RADIONOMY Over DIY ‘Pirate’ Internet Radio
Earlier this year the royalties due to Sound Exchange for online radio broadcasting increased. Because we use Creative Commons (with a few exceptions where the music is directly licensed to the show) this increase didn't affect Indie Spotlight.
However because so many online radio stations stream mainstream music it was either pay up, shut down, or become a pirate. Because of the fines involved if you are caught pirating music, the overwhelming majority of independent online radio stations decided to shut down. Personally I can't say I blame them, if I were in the same situation I would have as well.
It's been no secret that I've never been a fan of how the majors do things, and that it was only a matter of time before they came after online radio. I've always wondered how it would happen.
As it turns out, they don't seem interested in going after broadcasters themselves, they are going after the sites that host them.
https://torrentfreak.com/record-labels-sue-winamp-owner-over-pirate-internet-radio-160301/
However because so many online radio stations stream mainstream music it was either pay up, shut down, or become a pirate. Because of the fines involved if you are caught pirating music, the overwhelming majority of independent online radio stations decided to shut down. Personally I can't say I blame them, if I were in the same situation I would have as well.
It's been no secret that I've never been a fan of how the majors do things, and that it was only a matter of time before they came after online radio. I've always wondered how it would happen.
As it turns out, they don't seem interested in going after broadcasters themselves, they are going after the sites that host them.
https://torrentfreak.com/record-labels-sue-winamp-owner-over-pirate-internet-radio-160301/
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Yep, I'm an asshole
I've been sharing videos here on the blog, and I've neglected to mention that you might need to mute the awdio stream that I have embedded here.
Sorry about that.
Sorry about that.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
February 2016 Update
Nothing new to report, just thought that I would toss this here in case anyone is still checking my blog to see what is going on with the show.
We're still on camup.tv every Sunday night starting at 9 pm (eastern)
I'm much more active on FB than I am with blogging at this point, you can like our Facebook page for more current details.
Folks I'm gonna be honest, unless I have something on my mind that I want to sound out about, or something new or drastic to report I'm more than likely going to continue blogging about once a month or so. I'll try to keep the posts brief but interesting.
We're still on camup.tv every Sunday night starting at 9 pm (eastern)
I'm much more active on FB than I am with blogging at this point, you can like our Facebook page for more current details.
Folks I'm gonna be honest, unless I have something on my mind that I want to sound out about, or something new or drastic to report I'm more than likely going to continue blogging about once a month or so. I'll try to keep the posts brief but interesting.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Moving Back to Sunday Nights!
My work schedule is being wonky as usual, so I've decided that for the sake of my sanity as well as the continuity of the broadcast we're moving the live show back to Sunday nights starting at 9 pm (eastern).
That is all.
That is all.
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