Podcasts have not caught fire among lawyers. Sure, there are some star legal podcasters out there that I cannot remember. Part of the problem may be the growing overproduction of podcasts, with recent concerted efforts to improve podcast quality by eliminating the sound of tin cans bouncing off the floor. As one lawyer recently mentioned to me, “I really like Lawyer2Lawyer, but these days it’s way overproduced, with overdubs and a bland hifi sound. I want to feel Ambrogi, not just listen to him!”
The issue isn’t related to the podcasters. It’s the medium and the overly textured production. Releasing podcasts on vinyl, however, resolves that issue. It also provides you with instant street cred, captures the true fidelity of that lost podcast sound, and ultimately returns podcasts to their heyday in 2008, when attorneys would get together in the office conference room for legal jam sessions recorded on Fisher-Price Record-n-Play Phone Centers.
While vinyl may prove a bit more expensive, the investment should pay for itself within 28 years. Press enough vinyl podcasts and you’ll have a personalized business card to hand out at legal tech conferences, to baristas, and to courthouse staff. You’ll also be able to moderate new online forums where your listeners will argue for decades over your “true” podcast sound, extending the life of your podcasts. More importantly, you’ll increase the value of your personal brand by expanding to a new and underutilized legal medium. Vinyl. It’s Sound Advice.®
Freebird!
I’m old enough to share your love of vinyl so I tip my hat to your insight. However, I must politely disagree with your premise that podcasts have not caught fire with lawyers. Our metrics (valued measurement) show a different story here at Legal Talk Network. And really what’s important is the content isn’t it? I contend that a professional and civil discussion of timely legal topics must be worthwhile to lawyers. And if you think they’re overproduced, that’s fine – what you’re hearing is our professional broadcast talents from CBS/Boston at play. But really – you want to ‘feel’ Bob Ambrogi? Be careful what you wish for. Bob and Craig’s discussions on Lawyer2Lawyer, along with guests who are exceptional experts on any given week’s topic which is produced by a ‘real producer’ here, are professional, insightful and the 6-year longevitiy must count for something. And sometimes they’re even fun – just like vinyl in the pre-80’s. And don’t forget, you can’t carry vinyl around in your pocket iPod. Thanks for being interested enought in what we’re doing here at Legal Talk Network to include us in your post!
Lu Ann Reeb, President
Legal Talk Network, LLC