A mentorship program built by one podcaster is starting to change how larger podcast networks think about developing new talent. Greg Soros, founder of Austin-based Podcraft Media Lab, has spent years mentoring creators through the Podcast Academy’s diversity fellowship, and the results are prompting competitors to build similar programs of their own.
Soros started the initiative because he saw a gap in the industry. Emerging creators from underrepresented communities often lack access to premium production resources or the connections that help a show find sponsors and distribution, gaps that can keep a talented podcaster from ever building an audience.
“The podcasting industry has an accessibility problem,” Greg Soros said. “We have the technical expertise and industry connections to level the playing field.”
From Mentee to Model
His mentees have gone on to secure major distribution deals, with three shows reaching six figure download numbers within their first year. Maria Rodriguez, whose investigative podcast “Border Stories” recently won an award, is one of the creators who came through the program built by Greg Soros.
Soros draws on training from Berklee College of Music and years inside major podcasting studios to teach both craft and business skills, covering everything from sound design to pitching advertisers and negotiating distribution agreements.
Competitors Take Notice
That combination of outcomes has attracted attention from bigger podcast networks, some of which have begun rolling out mentorship tracks that mirror what Greg Soros podcaster built. He sees the shift as confirmation that his long term approach was worth the investment.
“Great content comes from diverse perspectives and authentic voices,” Soros said. “By investing in emerging creators today, we’re not just building individual careers, we’re shaping the future sound of the entire medium.”
As more networks copy pieces of his fellowship, Soros says he isn’t worried about losing an edge. He would rather see the wider industry adopt real mentorship than keep the practice rare enough to count as a competitive secret. Refer to this article to learn more.
More about Greg Soros on https://priceofbusiness.com/the-sound-of-success-how-greg-soros-turned-premium-production-into-a-podcasting-powerhouse/