New Year, New Expo (and a plea for help)

Apparently, this is our 333rd blog post.  Halfway there, kids.

So, Big and I just returned from Las Vegas, where we attended our second annual New Media Expo.  There were panels about monetizing, as there always are, and panels about improving market shares and visual/aural impact with your target audience.  But there were also panels about podcasting content, and live story readings, and genuine people who were passionate about art, creativity, and self-expression, not necessarily welded to an enormous metal dollar sign.  Even more so than last year, it got me/us excited about podcasting, self-publishing, and bilking our fans out of every cent.

But seriously, folks, it was pretty great to be around fellow fiction podcasters, writers, and creative souls.  Big and I did some recording where we talked about our panels, our performances, and a guy who would let you attack his junk for a picture of Andrew Jackson, and I'll try to blog about the Bellagio fountain and Karaoke Night.

Big and I got along pretty darn well, got to do battle in the legal arena, and discovered we both have a thing for models wearing wedding dresses.  We both took a few days off work, and enjoyed the change of weather, even though Big had to miss his daughter's birthday (again).  We drove down in his new car, and I found out that, despite looking like it can only comfortably seat one, we could fit five people in there.  We saw some familiar faces from last year, and made a couple of new friends, plus, we managed the podcasting equivalent to fitting five people in a tiny orange Fiat, which is nice.  Honestly, it was a very successful trip when one of my biggest regret was not tipping the man who boasted he'd worked at Winchell's Donuts for thirty years.

But at one of the NMX panels we attended, it was stressed that Big and I (and really, anybody with a podcast, webseries, or program) should exploit our fanbase for help running our show.  "There are people out there who not only could help you in arenas where you are not strong, but would love the chance to help you."

So, I'm gonna put it out there.  We could use the following bits of volunteer help:

1. Donations (always welcome, continually necessary)
2. Episode Art (both for the Dunesteef, and my own writing I'm selling at Smashwords and Amazon)
3. Editing/Producing Help (I think I'd actually allow someone other than me to edit a TGMG or post-'steef conversation this year . . . though I make no promises)
4. An Executive Producer.  This is probably our biggest need volunteer-wise right now. Our lack of organization is making everything difficult to achieve.   Several people have volunteered to produce, edit, create art, read slush, etc., etc., but without any organization, we don't manage to take advantage of their services.  Instead, we do everything at the last minute ourselves, which, of course, makes the last minute into a last hour instead, and shows come out later by far than they should.  With someone organizing everything, emailing those who need to be contacted in plenty of time, things could go really well. Without that person, things will surely continue as they have.  So, if you love the show and want to help, but don't have that creative bent, perhaps pitching in as a coordinator would be far more valuable.
5. A Dunesteef Wikipedia Page (I could do it myself, but I know I never, ever will)
6. Promotion of Every Other Podcast Or Show We Appear On (a lot of times, I don't even realize a show we helped with has aired, let alone provide a link so others can go check it out)
7. Content For a Dunesteef YouTube Page (I know there's stuff out there, but there could be more, and Big will probably never get to it)
8. Donations (the best things in life may be free, but you can give them to the birds and bees; I want money)
9. Encouragement On Facebook, Twitter, and the Forums (did you like something we did in a recent or long-ago episode?  Let us know, and maybe we can do it again.  Often I have sketches, songs, and projects I begin for the show but never finish, partly because I figure no one will care)

If you can manage one of these things, or simply want to suggest a song for Fake Sean Connery to karaoke, send us a line at editor(at)dunesteef(dot)com.

Thank you, in this new year, for the past year of support, laughs, and dedication from our fans and friends (one and the same?).  I know we can be better than we are, but I'm not sure the same can be said about you.

Rish Outfield (n' B.D.A.)