The Vocalis Podcast Network: Podcasts for Medical Students

What's in it for me?

And other questions you may have.

Why should I join?

 

Our main goal is to cross-promote our members' podcasts.  By doing so, we aim to drive new listeners to our shows.  Our secondary goal is to support each other in our work, including the offering of technical and marketing assistance to members.

 

How do members drive new listeners to my show?

 

There are three ways members help you get new listeners:

 

• Each member must create a promo.  Part of the promo is devoted to the member's own podcast.

• The other part of the promo is for the network itself.  Here's a sample.

• Members include each other's promos as part of their shows on a rotating basis.

• Members are also asked to include a link in their show notes or posts to the Vocalis Podcast Network home page, which lists the most recent shows for each member.

 

Why do I need you to help me with getting new listeners?

 

Well, you don't.  But building an audience organically (by simply posting your shows and announcing your existence) can be frustratingly slow.  By tapping into each others' shows, we target listeners already interested in the subject of your show.

 

Does it cost anything?

 

Nope.

 

What other obligations are there?

 

None, really.  We do hope that you will agree to act as a sounding board, mentor, or advisor if the need arises for another member show. And, if you run across other podcasts that might be good members, you can suggest them here.

 

Is this a network in the sense that I can use other members' content in my podcast?

 

No.  The sharing of content for that purpose is outside the scope of membership in the Network.

 

Who's in charge?

 

The members are in charge.  Dave Etler (that's me) is acting as coordinator of the network (currently, managing this website).  But my goal is to facilitate rather than rule.  So members who have questions or concerns can contact me at david-etler@uiowa.edu, or 319.335.8058.

 

(Some more about me: I work in the Writing and Humanities Program at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.  I'm also the producer of The Short Coat Podcast.)

 

How can I join the network?

 

Fill out this quick form, so we can gather some basic information.  Once we get that, we'll poll the other members to make sure there are no objections.  If there aren't, you're in.