Where is the Stafford Forum Podcast?

[Sofa]

With reference to this thread, would anyone have any suggestions for a Stafford Forum Podcast? Here are some ideas:-

Maximum 30 minutes long

Monthly or fortnightly

Section on local bands/acts, including recorded or live tracks and interviews

review of major news stories of the previous month

reviews of events and a look forward to events in the coming month - the Gatehouse / gigs etc

feature on a local business, including Forumite testimonials

feature on a local charity, community group or similar

poetry and jokes from the Forum

highlights of discussions from the Forum (could tie in with review of news stories)

contributions from other sources (local comedymongers, for example)

If possible, the podcasts would be on a page on the Forum, available to stream directly or to download.


Any thoughts?

 

[theflamingred]

Ooh - and guest interview > Forumer of the month

 

[Lunar Scorpion]

Sounds good! =) This could be a useful campaign tool and get us on the way to a radio station. (Does anyone know if anything current is happening in this regard?)

Also, this would work very nicely as a newsletter. Some of those would work just as well in text form (either on screen or on paper) - maybe an online magazine that's a combination of both? Although this is a lot of hard work and will need further thought, maybe even a printed one too (which could be distributed for a profit)?

All of this raises the question: What exactly is Stafford Forum? What is its purpose and function - it's obviously not just an internet forum!

 

[theflamingred]

Also, this would work very nicely as a newsletter. Some of those would work just as well in text form (either on screen or on paper) - maybe an online magazine that's a combination of both?

If it were to go that far then I would be happy to muck in with any design work. Can do both in one go - PDFs - can embed media if you want any AV material online and can embed alternative content for people who wish to print off or don't have necesary plugins to run the media. Might be getting a little ahead of ourselves though - should probably pilot with the podcast to see if the idea is sustainable or not and test out the market.

Just my humble thoughts

 

[Lunar Scorpion]

Might be getting a little ahead of ourselves though - should probably pilot with the podcast to see if the idea is sustainable or not and test out the market.

I get ahead of myself all too often - I have more good ideas than is healthy and not enough time to give them all attention! The newsletter/magazine thing is something I first thought of a while ago, and Sofa's post more or less described the content I was thinking of so I took the opportunity to mention it.

 

[theflamingred]

I get ahead of myself all too often - I have more good ideas than is healthy and not enough time to give them all attention!

Nay - tis all good stuff!

I thought it would be sound to test the water with the podcast first as they are easy and quick to produce. Print production isn't and would require more resource. Would need to make sure that people could devote the time and attention before committing to something with a heftier workload. Still - t'would all be good fun.

 

[Lunar Scorpion]

I thought it would be sound to test the water with the podcast first as they are easy and quick to produce. Print production isn't and would require more resource.

Unless it's online...

I was thinking it could go out by email to members of the forum, but equally it would be useful and entertaining for the masses (and an excellent recruiting opportunity)!

Other ideas for content:
* Money saving tip - could be "Where to get the cheapest..."
* Energy saving tip / ways to go green - could be based around products
(The second one, especially, would require a bit of research as it is not as simple as "this is this much and this is less", but I would be happy doing both - I'm an expert cheapskate!)

 

[theflamingred]

Unless it's online...

If you put together a PDF type online mag you have the same amount of design work to do if you were prepping something to go to print. Sorry - waffling away and probably not making myself clear.

 

[Admin]

What exactly is Stafford Forum? What is its purpose and function - it's obviously not just an internet forum!

It isn't?

 

[Sofa]

What exactly is Stafford Forum? What is its purpose and function - it's obviously not just an internet forum!

It isn't?

It's a way of life!

With regards to a printed publication - this had been discussed about a year ago, but got shelved owing to personal time constraints. It is true that printed material is a lot of work and expensive to make and distribute, which is partly why a podcast is so practical.

There would definitely be a need for some advertising graphics for a podcast - perhaps you could help there, flaming red? Some great ideas, too, from Lunar Scorpion - keep them coming!

 

[Lunar Scorpion]

How about a 'Mystic Peg' (as I was once christened by one of my uncles) section?

This may offend some people's religious convictions, but largely these are the same people whose religious convictions offend me.

 

[Lunar Scorpion]

Charity shop outfit of the week/fortnight/month? (Any excuse for some retail therapy! It's a shame working in retail doesn't have the same effect...)

 

[Sofa]

Would any Forumites like to take part in the "Pubcast" section of the show? It involves having a few drinks in the pub and discussing recent news stories for an hour or so. Only witty and informed Forumites need apply (in order to balance me out!)

 

[theflamingred]

Would any Forumites like to take part in the "Pubcast" section of the show? It involves having a few drinks in the pub and discussing recent news stories for an hour or so. Only witty and informed Forumites need apply (in order to balance me out!)

Sounds good. What are the chances of recrimination from accidental/tipsy moments of controversy? Sounds as though there may be a certain level of risk involved

 

[theflamingred]

There would definitely be a need for some advertising graphics for a podcast - perhaps you could help there, flaming red?

T'would be honoured.

 

[db]

Would any Forumites like to take part in the "Pubcast" section of the show? It involves having a few drinks in the pub and discussing recent news stories for an hour or so. Only witty and informed Forumites need apply (in order to balance me out!)

sounds interesting..

 

[Lunar Scorpion]

Would any Forumites like to take part in the "Pubcast" section of the show? It involves having a few drinks in the pub and discussing recent news stories for an hour or so. Only witty and informed Forumites need apply (in order to balance me out!)

<-- Will work for drink!

 

[Sofa]

What are the chances of recrimination from accidental/tipsy moments of controversy? Sounds as though there may be a certain level of risk involved

There is very little chance (well, none, really) of seriously risky controversy as the whole conversation will be edited down. Also, anyone taking part can have a listen to the final edit and approve it before it is released, should they want to.

 

[Sofa]

The podcast answerphone is sorted - 0844 5008448 - calls cost no more than 5 pence per minute from a BT landline. Calling from a mobile could cost considerably more, but it doesn't cost extra if you have "free minutes".

There will be invitations to call in and leave messages about various topics - more to be posted nearer the time.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a competition prize and who or what may like to donate one? A meal for two, perhaps? The company donating the prize would get lots of lovely free advertising within the podcast and on the web. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

 

[db]

The podcast answerphone is sorted - 0844 5008448 - calls cost no more than 5 pence per minute from a BT landline. Calling from a mobile could cost considerably more, but it doesn't cost extra if you have "free minutes".

a podcast answerphone?? christ, you're moving forward quickly with this one!

are you sure mobile users won't be charged? i thought only 01, 02 and 03 numbers come out of one's free minutes?