Look for hidden gems hiding on Netflix that nobody else is watching.
"My top piece of advice for new podcasters is to ensure you have enough time to consistently release episodes, whether that be on a weekly, monthly, or alternative schedule."
Today Adam and Nick, the creators of Bottom of the Stream share their story of TV & film podcast.
► Tell us about you and your podcast
We are a completely independent podcast that has been operating for slightly more than four years. Our schedule entails releasing two episodes per week. On Mondays, we publish "The Wave," a casual chat show that covers general news and topics primarily centered around Netflix, although we also delve into other related areas. Every Thursday, we release "The Movie Show," in which we randomly select a lesser known movie available on Netflix, watch it, and provide a recap and review, along with recommendations on whether it's worth watching. We rank the movies in a league table we call "The Stream Table.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
We have been close friends for an extended period, but let's just say it's been a while. Our mutual love for movies led us to discover a shared passion for lesser-known films and B movies. After mulling over the idea for some time, we decided to take the plunge and see where it would take us. That was four years ago, and we are still pursuing our passion today.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
Despite our busy lives and full-time jobs, we endeavor to release two episodes per week, which can be quite challenging. To achieve this, we record both episodes on the same night and then edit them before publishing. While there was an initial investment in purchasing equipment, our ongoing expenses are minimal. The key is to ensure we have enough time to release episodes consistently. We understand the importance of meeting our listeners' expectations and never want to disappoint them by failing to release an episode as planned. We are fortunate to have a small group of Patreon supporters who help us with funding if we need to spend money on anything related to the podcast.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
Our motivation for starting this podcast was not financial gain. Instead, it was an opportunity for the two of us to pursue a shared hobby, enjoy conversing with one another, and develop connections with our dedicated listeners. Despite this, we have a small group of Patreons who generously support our efforts, which is still astonishing to us. While we remain open to the idea of sponsors or advertisements, we are not actively seeking them out at this time.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
We use Audacity to record and edit our show, which suits our needs just fine. Typically, we record together in the same room, which makes the process a lot smoother. However, when the pandemic hit, we faced the challenge of remote recording, but fortunately, several tools are available to help with that. We record both episodes in a single session and then edit them separately. Planning is crucial, as we need to watch a new movie each week and collect news for our Netflix-focused show. In short, producing our podcast demands a significant amount of time, and fitting it into our schedules every week can be quite challenging. Nonetheless, we both enjoy it immensely and wouldn't change a thing.
► How do you market your show?
We maintain active Twitter and Instagram accounts, which we update daily. Additionally, we have a Letterboxd account and a Discord server where we primarily engage with our listeners. Despite these efforts, marketing remains the most challenging aspect of running a podcast.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
My top piece of advice for new podcasters is to ensure you have enough time to consistently release episodes, whether that be on a weekly, monthly, or alternative schedule. Additionally, utilize social media to engage with as many other podcasters as possible. The podcasting community is supportive, and most individuals will be happy to engage with you and assist you on your journey. I've made lifelong friends throughout this process. It's important not to expect instant success and instead focus on enjoying the process. If podcasting ever feels like a chore, then it may be time to reassess whether it's worth continuing.
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
We can be found on all the podcast apps our website is www.bottomofthestream.com, email us at bottomofthestream@gmail.com our Instagram, twitter and letterboxd handle is @bots_podcast, We can also be found on Patreon at www.patreon.com/bottomofthestream. Our discord server can be found at https://discord.gg/wJ3Bfqt