That Eric Alper

Over the past couple of decades, the world of eSports has grown at a good rate, with more players, viewers and competitions out there now than ever before. However, there is no doubt that during 2020 we have seen eSports take a really big step forward.

The Covid-19 pandemic halted the world for many people, and it changed many aspects of it. The sporting world came to a standstill, and although it is now recovering, it looks very different to the one we left back at the start of the year.

eSports never stopped, players can take each other on from their own homes, so they are safe and being socially distant.

That led to unprecedented coverage, and at one point, eSports was the only thing gamblers could bet on with their bookmaker.

Will this have an impact moving forward, and is this the push that the industry needs for its top players to become household names?

New Fans During Covid-19

The betting industry backs eSports and they offer markets on many different events, with live streams also available. During the pandemic they offered even more, and then this was propelled into the mainstream because at one point it was all they could offer.

Those leading the way gained new custom during this time with people signing up to their site just so they could place bets on eSports, taking advantage of free bet offers that were available.

The free bets have minimum & maximum odds attached to them so look at the terms and conditions when using your free wagers.

The key battle now is all about keeping those new fans interested. Other sports have started to appear, so competition is returning but if just a handful of people remain interested in eSports then these are fans that otherwise wouldn’t have come on board.

Gaining interest, retaining interest and lastly converting into fully fledged fans is a three-point system that the entire eSports industry needs to be working on.

Could Big Money Sponsorships be on the Horizon?

If you look at the latest video game releases, many of them are focused around mass-multiplayer gaming online against other players. That shows the power of eSports and also the kind of money involved in the industry.

This is all without a big name sponsor on board. This should be something the industry is on the lookout for. It may be a bookmaker, who pays something back in because of the service eSports gave them when nothing else was taking part, or it could be a TV company signing up to a deal.

Whatever it is, the vast majority of sports are unable to get anywhere without the backing of big sponsors to invest money. If eSports wants to challenge some of the traditional sports in terms of popularity then it needs to match them in cash, and that comes via sponsorship deals.

How Can eSports Open Up to New Fans?

One of the biggest criticisms of the eSports industry is their ability to open up and let new fans in.

It is great to see live streams on Twitch but if you are not someone who plays online games then you are not going to know anything about Twitch and what it provides.

What the world of eSports needs if it really wants to move forward and challenge traditional sports is a big TV deal. It needs to be one that puts eSports in front of people worldwide, rather than being tucked away in its own little corner.

This is a big key and a big part of the puzzle to unlock, do this and we could see the top eSports players become household names in the future.

Starting your own podcast can seem like a daunting task – especially when you’re entering such a saturated market.

But, in reality, creating a podcast is actually quite simple since it doesn’t require much equipment or special skills. If you’ve got a half-decent microphone and a pair of headphones, you’re halfway there!

Keep reading for more steps on kickstarting your podcast career.

1) Pick Your Podcasting Platform

Picking the best platform to upload your podcasts can seem difficult since there are so many choices. That’s why you should carefully consider comparison articles, like this Podbean vs Buzzsprout guide.

The platform you choose is important because some have a wider user audience, and can help you gain more listeners.

Other considerations include things like cost. Podbean allows you to upload your episodes for free, while other platforms like Buzzsprout charge you monthly to utilize the website.

Research every website before making a final decision of where you want to upload your podcast. However, uploading to multiple platforms is best if you can afford it.

2) Choose a Topic You’re Passionate About

To have a successful podcast, you must pick a topic that you’re truly interested in. Once you find that one subject you love, recording podcasts will feel more like fun than work.

From there, your episodes should have a clear focus that relates to your topic.

3) Get a Co-Host

Your podcasts will be much more interesting when you involve other people! If you include a friend, co-worker, or even a family member, you can expand on the topics you discuss with new perspectives, and gain a larger audience.

Once you both share your views on the topic, it is easier to have a more engaging conversation for your podcast listeners to enjoy. Also, it helps to have someone on your team to help with recording, editing, and other tasks.

4) Decide On a Catchy Name

A great name can draw thousands of listeners to your podcast. Your name could describe what the show is, or it doesn’t have to have meaning, so long as it’s memorable.

By creating a catchy title for your show, you have the ability to talk about many topics other than your main idea. Make sure not to pick a name that is too specific so that it cuts out other important topics of your podcast.

5) Create Eye-Popping Cover Art

When scrolling through podcast websites, one of the first things listeners will see is the cover art for your podcast. Viewers should see something creative and inviting, making them more likely to click on your show.

Make a good first impression by either designing your own cover art or hiring a graphic designer to create a professional image. Remember, your cover art will be the first thing people see when your show is shared on social media websites – make it good!

6) Invest in a High-Quality Microphone

To have the highest quality podcast, you should invest in a microphone. It doesn’t cost a ton of money to get a good-quality microphone at an affordable price. A podcast is purely audio-based after all; so having below-par sound on your recordings isn’t going to grow your listener base.

Podcasting Made Easy

Starting your own podcast is exciting, but a lot to organize. With a bit of careful preparation and proper equipment, you can get your show up and running in no time!

High-quality microphones and editing programs will ensure great audio. If you are looking into starting your own podcast, get this basic equipment, and don’t be afraid to just get started!