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Web site allows anyone to be host of radio show
By Paula Schleis Beacon Journal business writer
Published on Monday, Nov 12, 2007
Since becoming the public relations coordinator for BlogTalkRadio in August, Luke Armour said the Web site — which allows people to host their own free, live call-in talk shows — has surprised him in two ways: What it's used for. What it's not used for.
From stay-at-home moms sharing child-rearing techniques to sports fans running pre-game shows to film lovers landing interviews with top directors, thousands of people are fulfilling dreams of running their own radio-style programs.
But Armour, who lives in Wooster, said he'd love to see more people in Northeast Ohio using ''BTR'' to build regional spirit and tap the Web site's potential to aid economic development.
Stakeholders in the region's growing fuel-cell industry could convene more regularly, he said.
Local publishers could promote their authors. Counselors could offer advice to small businesses. Scientists and researchers could share their work and look for collaborators.
''There is this great tool that individuals and organizations alike can use, but there are so few people who know about it,'' Armour said.
''Once they find out, though, you can really see the gleam in their eyes,'' he said. ''Especially here in Northeast Ohio, when I tell people where I work, their expression goes from confusion to 'Aha!' in just a second.''
BlogTalkRadio is a year-old Web site that gives folks a virtual soapbox, allowing them to fill whatever niche they have an itch for.
All it takes is a telephone, computer and Internet connection. No software, studio equipment or money required.
Thousands of average Joes have turned themselves into talk-show hosts, lining up guests to interview and inviting callers to join in their discussions.
Each episode — and there have been more than 32,000 since August 2006 — is archived indefinitely and made available as podcasts for late listeners.
''Many of our hosts had a passion for something and now have hundreds or thousands of listeners and get to talk to their heroes, icons and idols,'' Armour said.
Topics can be broad (political commentary) or narrow (things to do in Akron). They can be entertaining (there are several regular shows on Bigfoot) or self-serving (businesses promoting their products and services).
Pastors are running religious programs, psychologists are offering counseling tips, stay-at-home moms are talking about running households and rearing children.
''You can host a show talking about your cat if you want,'' he said.
In addition to marketing the Web site, Armour, a University of Akron graduate, runs his own weekly talk program. The Rundown targets marketing professionals and ''allows me to do what I love without having to leave Northeast Ohio.''
BTR (http://www.blogtalkradio.com) was started by New Jersey entrepreneur Alan Levy, who came up with the idea in early 2006 when he created a blog for his terminally ill father.
The blog was nice, but with Levy's background in telecommunications, he kept wishing for more interactivity.
He discussed his plans for the Internet talk-show concept with his father, and when his father passed away, Levy threw himself into his new project.
''I knew if I could provide a tool for the masses . . . and that tool is already in their home and easy to use, they would take advantage of it,'' Levy said. ''We empower people.''
Levy and Armour said they're amazed to see the kinds of guests the amateur talk-show hosts are bringing in. Last week, a couple of guys from Florida who love movies landed a conversation with noted director Brian De Palma.
Armour said he also loves seeing the different uses people have found for BTR.
A man in Ireland does a play-by-play of a local Irish soccer league, and football fans are running programs before games, ''like a big tailgate party,'' Armour said.
A group of high school students ran a political talk show for a class project, a 12-year-old from Scotland hosted a program featuring Halloween stories, and exiles in Miami are advocating a free Cuba.
Hosts must agree to terms and conditions that make them responsible for their content, but Levy said the site is monitored.
''We won't allow hate mongering or anything like that,'' he said. ''But we've really had very few instances of that on the network. People view this (opportunity) really seriously. They really take care to prepare for shows and work out their schedules.''
In addition to the free standard service, BTR sells its technology so companies can brand their shows and place them on their business Web sites.
''In the free version, everything is branded BlogTalkRadio, but in the Business Solutions program, there's no obvious connection'' to BTR, Armour said.
This month, BTR is also launching a revenue-sharing program. Audio ads will be inserted into archived broadcasts, and hosts who bring in sponsors can make money.
Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com.
Since becoming the public relations coordinator for BlogTalkRadio in August, Luke Armour said the Web site — which allows people to host their own free, live call-in talk shows — has surprised him in two ways: What it's used for. What it's not used for.
Get the full article here.
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