Tag: Podcast

The Day I Stopped My Podcasts

SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER’S SERIES

After more than 100 episodes, I decided to stop. Let me share the eight (8) lessons I learned the hard way.

To be exact — I have created two podcast series. One has 61 episodes, and the other has 103. But why do I stop?

I started these podcasts at the end of 2019. Jom Pakai IoT (or Let’s Do IoT) is an English-language version of a podcast about the Internet of Things. With a similar niche, I also created another Podcast called Startup IoT, but in Malay language version.

Jom Pakai IoT
Startup IoT

I initially built podcasts as a hobby, but in early 2020, the world was shaken by the COVID-19 pandemic, and almost all communications depended online.

For almost two years, many meetings, conferences, and webinars have been held online. I took the opportunity to collect all my webinars and convert them into podcasts.

All of my webinar recordings have been uploaded to an application called “Spotify for Podcasters” (previously known as Anchor). Once uploaded, the podcasts are redistributed to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Overcasts, Amazon Music, and many more using RSS distribution. It’s effortless.

However, when everything is back to normal, webinars are no longer the “thing.” Recording the podcast became more cumbersome, although I purchased a good microphone. However, I was too occupied with other matters and could no longer actively record, edit, or upload to the app.

That’s when I stopped doing podcasting.

I have tested many social media channels, including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, to convey my message. All of the channels have different audiences and demographics. Some have failed, and some have succeeded.

View at Medium.comView at Medium.comView at Medium.com

Like all social media channels, managing them can be very exhausting. Especially trying to create new content, editing, and uploading it. It needs a lot of effort to arrange the time to post them. Of course, when I do all of them by myself, it can become very tiring.

If you read the above stories I posted earlier, I began to slow down with all of my social media channels and focus on the most effective one.

Although blogging is not considered a social media channel, it has a good community where we can socialize. The community is very supportive, and everyone has similar interests. Although it’s not as big an audience as traditional social media channels, the interaction can be pretty rewarding when every article can be monetized.

Below are eight (8) lessons I learned using podcasting:

1 — Adaptability is Crucial: The COVID-19 pandemic showed the importance of adaptability in content creation. Transitioning webinar content into podcasts was an innovative way to leverage existing material in a new format.

2 — Technology as an Enabler: Utilizing tools like Spotify for Podcasters (Anchor) demonstrated how technology can effortlessly facilitate content distribution across various platforms.

3 — Sustainability of Efforts: As normalcy returned, the sustainability of podcasting efforts became a challenge. Investing in equipment like a good microphone didn’t necessarily equate to continued enthusiasm or capacity for podcast production.

4—Content Creation Can Be Exhausting: Managing multiple channels requires significant content creation, editing, and uploading effort, which can become overwhelming, especially when done solo.

5 — Audience and Platform Dynamics: Different platforms attract different audiences, and success can vary significantly. For example, your experience showed that you could earn substantially more on Medium than TikTok or YouTube, highlighting the importance of understanding platform-specific dynamics and audience preferences.

6 — Selective Focus Can Lead to Better Outcomes: Reducing the number of platforms you actively engage will allow you to concentrate on the most effective ones, leading to more sustainable and rewarding outcomes.

7 — Community Engagement Over Size: While traditional social media channels offer larger audiences, platforms like blogging can provide more meaningful engagement with a supportive community interested in similar topics.

8 — Monetization Varies Across Platforms: The potential to monetize content can differ dramatically across platforms, as demonstrated by your experiences with Medium versus other social media.

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My Life Before TikTok That Takes an Unexpected Turn

Photo by Eyestetix Studio on Unsplash

My journey as a content creator has mirrored these changes, adapting and growing with each new turn.

Before TikTok captured the zeitgeist of our times, YouTube was my canvas, a space where I painted my creative expressions.

This adventure took off with the creation of several YouTube channels, each linked to a unique Gmail account and dedicated to a distinct theme, like vibrant colors in a kaleidoscope.

These channels spanned a wide array of subjects, from the cutting-edge buzz of the latest tech gadgets to the wanderlust of travel adventures, intimate personal vlogs, and deep dives into the world of entrepreneurship and technology.

This variety in content was an exploration of my multiple interests and a bridge to connect with a diverse audience, each with their unique tastes and preferences.

Remarkably, most of these channels are still thriving, standing as monuments to their continued relevance and my dedication to keeping them alive — a stark contrast to the ephemeral nature of digital content we often saw a decade ago.

More recently, I’ve poured my heart into one personal YouTube channel while simultaneously steering the ship for other business-related media ventures, stories of which I’m eager to unfold soon.

One channel, in particular, resonates with me deeply. Launched 13 years ago, it was a labor of love from my fascination with electronic gadgets.

‘My Gadget’ became a beacon in the tech world, offering the latest news, how-to guides, and insights, particularly for Android and iOS users.

It was an exciting time, coinciding with significant technological breakthroughs in smartphones and tablets.

As the world welcomed iPhones and Android devices, I immersed myself and shared every discovery and insight with my audience.

My engagement went beyond mere reviews; I plunged into the heart of these devices. Jailbreaking iPhones to explore new apps became a staple on my channel, captivating my tech-hungry viewers.

As my journey expanded, so did the scope of my content.

Travel soon wove its way into my narrative, allowing me to share the world’s beauty through my lens, adding a rich, vibrant layer to my digital collection.

The birth of my startup, called Favoriot, marked a new era in my life and, consequently, in my content journey.

This venture opened doors to opportunities like interviews and TV appearances, enriching my content with tech talks and adding a new depth to my digital storytelling.

Juggling content creation across various platforms was a colossal task, demanding time, meticulous editing, and a never-ending flow of creative ideas.

Eventually, I embraced a more natural, spontaneous approach to video posting, lightening the editing burden and bringing a genuine, relatable touch to my work.

As the digital landscape continued to transform, so did my methods of connecting with my audience.

Podcasting emerged as the new frontier, and I set sail in this exciting direction, eager to open another chapter of connection with my audience.

I look forward to sharing this new journey, filled with unique stories and experiences, soon.

Reflecting on this digital odyssey, I’m awed by the incredible transformation of technology and social media and how they’ve reshaped our ways of creating, consuming, and sharing content.

From the early days of YouTube to the dynamic world of TikTok and the emerging realm of podcasting, my journey has been a testament to learning, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of passion.

As we welcome the New Year, I extend my warmest wishes to all. Happy reading, and a joyous New Year! I invite you to join me as we continue to navigate and share in this ever-changing world of digital content creation.

https://www.youtube.com/@MazlanAbbasMyGadget

I am also an author of several books, which you can check out here.

And also my blog here.

The Value of Podcasts for Entrepreneurs Like You

Photo by Harry Cunningham on Unsplash

Knowledge is everywhere – in the pages of a book, the bytes of an online course, or the real-time engagement of webinars.

Yet, the age-old adage, “so much to do, so little time,” holds especially true for today’s entrepreneur.

Juggling the intricacies of a burgeoning business with the personal facets of life, where does one find the time for continuous enrichment?

The answer might be as simple as hitting ‘play’ on a podcast.

Carving Out Moments: The Pockets of Potential

Consider the small pockets of your day.

The short breaks you take between meetings, the time spent preparing meals, or the often dreaded daily commute.

These moments, which may seem insignificant, are the goldmines of potential learning.

To draw a personal analogy, my daily commute, ranging from 40 to 69 minutes, was a period I initially wrote off as ‘lost time’. But with the discovery of podcasts, it transitioned from mundane to educational, from passive to engaging.

Podcasts: The Entrepreneur’s Modern-day Muse

1. The Blessing of Flexibility: Books, as enlightening as they are, demand a reader’s complete focus.

This isn’t the case with podcasts. These audio gems effortlessly fit into our multitasking world.

Whether it’s during a strenuous workout, a calm evening stroll, or amid the chaos of daily chores, the knowledge continues to flow, unhindered.

2. A Diverse Repository of Wisdom: The podcast universe is vast and varied.

It ranges from candid conversations with industry stalwarts to comprehensive explorations of specialized subjects.

This array ensures that entrepreneurs can pick up best practices, learn from real-world anecdotes, and stay abreast of business advancements.

3. The Digital Age Demystified: We live in an age where a tweet can influence stock markets and a viral video can catapult a brand to global fame.

In such times, understanding the digital sphere is not just beneficial, it’s crucial.

Podcasts, with episodes dedicated to the latest in social media, digital marketing, and online trends, serve as the perfect guide.

4. Quenching the Reader’s Thirst: For those with a voracious appetite for reading, but limited time to indulge, podcasts come to the rescue.

They distill the essence of lengthy research papers, the core message of books, or the invaluable lessons from expert discussions into manageable, digestible segments.

5. Leveraging Every Second: Regularly tuning into podcasts fosters a habit of looking for learning opportunities in every nook and cranny of one’s day.

This not only leads to optimal time utilization but also nurtures a mindset rooted in growth and adaptability, both quintessential for entrepreneurial success.

The Journey Forward: Charting a Path with Podcasts

The entrepreneurial journey is akin to sailing in uncharted waters.

There are moments of calm, interspersed with unexpected storms.

Amidst this, the beacon of knowledge, gleaned from podcasts, serves as both an anchor and a guiding star. It offers stability in times of uncertainty and direction amidst confusion.

For someone like me, who has been on this roller-coaster of entrepreneurship, podcasts have evolved from being mere digital audio files to becoming mentors and advisors.

What was once just the background noise during my commute has morphed into a library of insights, a repository of lessons, and often, a source of much-needed inspiration.

To my peers in the entrepreneurial community, to the professionals climbing the corporate ladder, and to the ever-curious learners, here’s my appeal: Dive deep into the world of podcasts.

Let them be your companions in those idle moments.

Let them challenge your thinking, introduce you to diverse perspectives, and perhaps, even change your worldview.

In the grand tapestry of life and business, growth is a continuous thread.

And in this journey of growth, continuous learning is the needle that weaves success stories.

As you navigate the challenges and celebrate the milestones, let podcasts be your constant guide, ensuring that every moment, no matter how mundane, becomes a step towards enlightenment.

The next pause in your day, the next break from routine, remember, there’s a podcast episode waiting to expand your horizons.

Embrace it.

Year 2022 – The Death of Blogging

Yes – there’s a truth in this. That’s what they said a couple of years ago. However, there are many type of blogging such as personal journal, lifestyle, travel, health, technology and many others.

The trend for personal blogging have decline. People might no longer have interest to follow an individual daily activities, their families, trips etc. This type of content can easily followed via their social media channels such as Facebook or Instagram.

Entertainment vs Educational Blogs

However, blogs which covered specific topics that solve the reader’s problems would be the ones that have longer lifetime. The topics are more educational as compared to entertainment.

The contents for educational type of blogs can remained evergreen as people still searched the Internet for solutions.

So yes, people still read blogs. Multiple times a day, even! It just looks a little different because the content of blog posts has shifted from being writer-focused to being reader-focused. Blogs that focused on value to readers will have a higher reading rate.

This is something which I need to decide when I created Mazlan Abbas Blog – should it be personal blogging or a blog which is more educational such as the one I created at IoT World Blog.

Today, is my third day of blogging, and I will always monitor the traffic to see how the contents impact the traffic to the blog.

3-Days Stats
Demographics of Visitors

Why should you read and follow this Blog? If you want to read IoT contents, you may visit IoT World Blog, but here you will get constant updates about my journey in developing projects such as my Startup, FAVORIOT, Podcasts,, YouTube, Online marketplace and E-Books.

Sharing Platform

Along the way, I will share the ups and downs or probably some tips that we should avoid in building such projects. I hoped this will also become a platform to listen yo your ideas and thoughts too. Please leave you comments on the posts.

Are you ready to follow me on this journey?