A podcast for people who love stories.
"Practice your craft (A-lot). Have Patience. Thing will happen but it takes times."
Today Ronald Hood, the creator of Ron's Amazing Stories shares his story of making the storytelling podcast.
► Tell us about you and your podcast
Ron’s Amazing Stories is a weekly podcast. We play classic short stories, old-time radio and original tales sent in by the listeners. Also, we do interviews with authors, radio personalities, actors and even an NBA all-star. You can listen to the show on the radio in thirteen cities in the USA. We are on every Thursday and Sunday night on AMFM247.
My background is long and varied. I have been a newspaperman, counselor, chemical engineer and now editor. Of all things that I have done in my life the most rewarding has been podcast host. I am not sure how that happened. During my counseling career, I helped my kids get their lives turned around. As a chemical engineer, I helped refine the processes used to make the fastest computer chips in the world. I set out podcasting to raise business for my editing. In the end, I found out that I was good at it and I love stories. Always have.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
In April of 2011, I was starting my own editing business and was looking for ways to promote it. I thought a podcast would be just the thing. I could bring authors on to talk about their books, share their writing experiences and chat about techniques. Great plan, but the show needed a hook to bring listeners back. Old Time Radio (OTR) was the key. Why not play stories from the past to encourage writers of the now? So, Ron’s Amazing Stories was born.
At first I played only OTR tales, but finally, on Episode #12 I had my first interview with Greg Bell. Greg is an old time radio expert and host of When Radio Was. It was fantastic! Greg shared his views on storytelling and old time radio. The show took off from there and now it has been a part of my weekly routine for quite some time now.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
My show is funded and supported by the listeners of the show and limited advertising. I put out the podcast every Thursday morning and there is a blog version that goes out on Tuesdays. I can spend more than 16 hours a week doing the show more if there is a guest.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
The biggest supporter of the show over the years has been AMFM247.com. They took Ron's Amazing Stories for their network in 2014 and that blasted the show into the main stream. I got into contact with their lead engineer when I had her on the show to promote her book. She loved the concept and added it to their lineup for free. This put the show into an estimated 82,000 homes every week. This is in addition to the our internet following which is 4000+ per week.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
When I began the podcast I had no idea how to get started. I didn't know what tools I would need and I had no clue as to how to publish. I made the huge mistake and went with a website provider. They did not specialize in podcasting and so for the first few years I pretty much got nowhere. But it did give me time to learn how to create a good show. If you listen to those first few and compare that to today the change is remarkable. I got the right mic for me, the right audio interface, and learned how to edit audio. Is wasn't until the podcast G.O.A.T, Jim Harold, came on the show did I learn about Podcast Hosting Services. I picked the one that was right for me and that was the game changer for Ron's Amazing Stories. With their tools, support and reliable service I was on the road to success.
► How do you market your show?
Initially the show was promoted by my guests. By having them on and telling their followers to listen it had the snowball effect of gaining subscribers. I didn't have to do much and in the end I got a loyal base of followers. I followed this up by adding a segment to the show called "These Are Your Stories". What I do is read stories that were submitted to the show by the listeners. By engaging them they would tell family and friends to tune in and listen to their story. This meant more listeners. If I have learned anything by being a podcaster the key to success is to interact with those who listen.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
What advice? If there was a guide to podcasting I believe that it would be the three Ps. Practice your craft (A-lot). Have Patience. Thing will happen but it takes times. And Persevere you have to put out a reliable product and you are going to have to do it for a while to be successful.
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
Ron's Amazing Stories home website is
https://ronsamazingstories.com
. There you will find everything you need to know and how to contact me. You can find us everywhere podcast are heard. The bulk of my internet listeners are on Apple podcasts followed by Stitcher Radio. Stitcher Radio was the first platform I applied for back in 2011. In those days you had to apply to each service you wanted your show on. Today most podcast hosting services take care of that for you.