64% 🎙

Author

James Carbary
August 17, 2023

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📍 Keepin’ it Local 📍

EPCOT Gets a Makeover

Disney’s Epcot is getting a makeover with two new experiences expected to debut before the end of the year, creating additional jobs and continuing the company’s ongoing reinvestment in Central Florida.

One of the new attractions, Journey of Water, will use Disney’s iconic Moana film as the inspiration for an interactive educational experience. Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon will debut a new nighttime show featuring fireworks, lasers, and original music.

Massey’s on the Move

Legendary local landmark, Linda’s Winter Park Diner, is shutting its doors after 35 years. Located on West Fairbanks Avenue, the property has been sold to Orlando-based Massey Services due to the retirement of longtime owner Linda D’Auria.

Massey Services is moving its residential and commercial pest, termite, and landscaping service center and expanding its corporate headquarters, both currently located in Orlando, to the new Winter Park location according to company president and CEO, Tony Massey.

The West Fairbanks Avenue corridor from I-4 has seen more than $38M in commercial real estate deals over the past 3 years, as well as infrastructure improvements by the city. It features retail and light industrial properties and the area’s 2nd-highest average commercial rent rates.

$50M Reinvigoration of Winter Park Village

Winter Park Village is in the midst of a $50 million reinvigoration, focusing on securing high-end tenants and new attractions for the legacy lifestyle center. One of the main goals is to create plaza-style park areas and encourage a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.

One of the teams involved, a Longwood-based landscape architecture firm, wants drivers to move slower and take more time to enjoy the European-style town squares and the strong feeling of community.

🔥 Spicy Take 🔥

64% of Americans say they’re podcast listeners. 🤯

But even though over half our country is listening…investment in audio from advertisers has plummeted this year.

The market is correcting and advertising budgets are responding to that correction…so what does that mean for podcasts? Will they go away?

Absolutely not. But they need to find a more sustainable business model. Something more diversified. Something that doesn’t leave shows solely relying on advertisers to foot the bill.

I was talking to a friend last week that gets 20,000 downloads per episode on his show. Even though that number isn’t in the same stratosphere as a show like Stuff You Should Know, This American Life, or Planet Money…my friend and his buddy make a full-time living from their podcast.

How are they doing it?

Sure, they have a few sponsors here and there. But they’re doing something way smarter.

They’re turning listeners into customers by creating in-person events that give their biggest fans an opportunity to hang out with them in real life.

A few months ago they rented a big beach house and put together an offer their listeners couldn’t refuse…a week-long vacation in a dope house with their favorite podcast hosts and a community of like-minded people. My buddy got a fully-funded vacation and made money on top of it.

Later this month, that same friend is hosting a pretty simple 2-day event in his city. They promoted the event on their podcast…and 300 of their listeners signed up (most of those listeners will be FLYING IN)!

I did some quick math while we were on our call…they’re gonna make about $50,000 from this one event.

Will an in-person event monetization strategy work for every show? Obviously not. My buddy and his co-host both love building community and being around a lot of people. Not all podcasters are into that.

But this is just ONE example of how podcasts need to start thinking outside the box when it comes to monetizing their work.

Could you create a subscription box like Mark Rober?

I always say that those who have the audience have all the leverage…and this is why.

It’s really hard to build an audience of raving fans…it’s soooo much easier to figure out how to sell them something.

🥳️ Have Some Fun 🥳

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