DCPodfest Round Up!

Last weekend, November 9-10 in Arlington, Virginia the DCPodfest took place. This was my second year attending but the first year in a sponsor position.

Let me just start by saying that the space itself was incredibly cool. Giant LED light halos hung from the ceiling and the walls were patterned with those cool 3D tiles I’ve been wanting for every wall in my house for the last few years.

As usual, there were a wide variety of speakers and sessions for everyone to get a slice of what they needed to hear and learn about.

In addition, Friday night there was a high school podcast contest that I was honored to be able to judge, and a really delicious “Podcasters and Pancakes” breakfast before the main event.

Speaking of food, these guys really got the hook up. Friday night’s networking party had an open bar, and all day Saturday they had an OPEN COFFEE BAR with free and unlimited coffees, including cappucinos and macchiatos, and flavored waters. Glorious.

There were many lovely places to eat and even shop a bit 1-2 blocks from the space. I didn’t particularly WANT to shop, but it rained the day we arrived and sadly I had forgotten an umbrella, so I just popped to the little boutique Target/CVS on the corner (have you ever heard of such a thing??) and got what I needed.

One of the biggest benefits of DCPodfest over the other events is their diversity in attendees. There are always people at this event that I don’t see at any other, and I just love a change of pace/scenery.

I was super excited to meet Deana Marie of Twisted Philly and Jeremy Collins of Podcasts We Listen To. I always enjoy seeing Kenn Blanchard of Black Man with a Gun. Mary Nichols from FuseBox Radio led a fascinating panel about diversity with Raquel Martin and Justin Hopkins from The Black (Un)Conscious.

Podcasting events are always fun for several reasons. I get to learn about podcasting ideas that I’d have never thought of in a million years and meet the masterminds behind them. At a podcast conference, you never run out of conversation or things to talk about. We are some talking fools!

But getting to hear how each show is successful and what each person has to offer in terms of teaching the rest of the community is always inspiring and motivating.

Brian Fanzo’s keynote about upcycling your content filled my head full of ideas. Chloe DiVita did a great keynote on breathing, smiling when you talk and other ways to make your voice sound different and pleasing.

LinkedIn Strategies, Facebook Ad strategies, making your podcast a book…..as tech changes, the variety of speakers kept us brimming with great ideas and action steps, and then Bruce Wawrzyniak reminded us all how very important what we do, our podcasts, matter in the lives of our listeners with a very moving closing keynote.

All in all, one of the very best ways to spend a fall weekend.