AUGUST ROUND UP
APVA Editor - News, Opportunities, Exciting events and other updates!
This edition is brought to you by Afripods
Hey Friends,
August is coming to a close, and we're thrilled to present the most recent updates and important highlights from the month of August..
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The APVA Awards ceremony is just around the corner! 🥳
The moment we've all been waiting for is almost here! The prestigious APVA Awards ceremony is just around the corner, and we can't wait to celebrate the outstanding achievements that will take center stage.
Please save the date and stay connected with us through our social media channels to stay informed about watch party arrangements and all the exciting preparations for the upcoming APVA Awards.
Road To APVA Awards Activities: Behind The Mic is still on! 🎉
Dive into the excitement and Join Afripods and other friends of APVA for live Twitter (X) Spaces and Instagram live conversation with the creators of your favorite African podcasts, where we discuss their stories, challenges, and hopes for the future.
Dates and Times:
Wednesday, 13th of September 9 Time: 7 pm (EAT), 5 pm (WAT), or 4 pm (GMT). [Twitter (X) space]
Thursday, 14th of September: 7 pm (EAT), 5 pm (WAT), or 4 pm (GMT). [Twitter (X) space]
Thursday, 21st of September: 8 pm (EAT), 6 pm (WAT), or 3 pm (GMT). [Instagram Live session]
Mark your calendars, set your reminders, and be sure to join us.
Stay glued to our social media channels and link up with Afripods to ensure you're in the loop for all the latest updates.
Sector News
African Podcasters are Now Recognised Globally. Can They Transform this Success into a Viable Business?
Podcasting is becoming increasingly popular in Africa. Despite structural issues and limited internet penetration, the medium is attracting audiences in search of new ideas and captivating stories. Distribution and monetization, though, remain key challenges and threaten growth in a continent where audio has always been widely consumed.
This article explores the rise of podcasting in the continent with the help of six African journalists and founders who are working in the space.
TAP Magazine’s Latest Issue is Out!!
The 18th Edition of TAP Magazine is OUT NOW!! It is the largest body of work on the State of Podcasting in Africa.
A labor of love and collaboration with Afripods, this special issue has over 80 contributors across 18 African countries and covers everything you need to know about the state of podcasting in Africa.
Don't miss these spotlight moments:
Afripods CEO Molly Jensen refers to it as a TAP Takeover on The State of Podcasting, highlighting the profound insights within the matter. (See pages 7-8)
Chilu Lemba, the face of the Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists [APVA Awards], shares his perspective on the APVA Awards and the intricate role of voice artists in the field. (See pages 58–59.)
Bidemi Adedire, founder and CEO of APVA, delves deep into the heart of African narratives and their impactful influence on the audio-creative industry. (See pages 118–123.)
Grab your copy now by clicking the button below.
Afripods’ New Broadcast-to-Podcast Technology Empowers African Publishers to Increase Profits
Afripods' Broadcast-to-Podcast initiative has secured over 110 radio stations in 8 markets across the African continent producing content in more than 10 languages since its launch.
The exciting part? They've seen a staggering 112% increase in streams month over month.
But that's not all - Afripods is gearing up for an even bigger adventure. By the end of 2023, they're planning to expand to 15 markets and elevate their language count from 10 to an impressive 20.
Tony Doe Media and RadioAdSpread Join Forces!
We are thrilled to share some exciting news that promises to elevate the way businesses, podcasters, and brands connect with their audiences.Tony Doe Media has announced its strategic partnership with RadioAdSpread, a trailblazing digital radio advertising company.
Sector Insights
How to Analyze and Track Your Podcast Analytics
As a podcaster, your ultimate goal is to create meaningful content that resonates with your audience and achieves success on your terms. Whether you use your podcast as a creative outlet, a platform to network with decision-makers, or a way to reach potential clients, understanding your podcast analytics is crucial for growth.
This article explores how to analyze and track your analytics in your dashboard like a pro and make data-driven decisions to elevate your podcast to new heights.
What is Gain on a Microphone?
Are you struggling to get tonal clarity when using your microphone? The key may lie in properly adjusting gain microphone dynamics.
This article will clarify what microphone gain means, its impact on audio clarity, and how to manipulate it for better audio output; which is especially important for voice actors.
How to Become a Voice Actor
These days, voice actors are everywhere—you can hear their work in video games, audiobooks, Saturday morning cartoons, and even as virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa. But how do you break into the world of voiceover? In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to become a voice actor: everything from finding voice acting jobs and casting calls to creating your first voiceover demo reel.
20 Poets at Poetry Forum in Côte d'Ivoire
Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and within the framework of the Poetry Forums initiative in Africa, the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire saw the launch of the second edition of the Arab Poetry Forum, organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs at the Sharjah Department of Culture (SDC), in cooperation with the Vision Foundation for Culture and Training in the capital "Abidjan", with the participation of 20 poets.
Upcoming events
VO Africa 2023
Get ready for Africa’s Largest Voice Over Conference.
Come learn how to take your voice-over business to the next level and how to position yourself for global opportunities.
ALIFEST 23
The Abuja Literary Society is thrilled to announce the 6th Edition of the Abuja Literary and Arts Festival (ALitFest), from September 3rd to 9th, 2023. Mark your calendars for a week of literary and artistic brilliance!
Podcast Workshop II
In this dynamic workshop, you will delve deeper into the art of podcasting, unveiling the secrets to crafting a compelling podcast structure that captivates your audience from start to finish.
Digital Media Africa 2023
Digital Media Africa is back, with keynotes, case studies, and round tables over two days.
This year, Digital Media Africa is exploring what constitutes the foundation of any digital business, especially for news media: Building strong relationships with your audiences.
Opportunities
Power of Storytelling 3.0
The return of the Naijapodhub Power of Storytelling Challenge for this year is being announced!
In its 3rd year, podcasters are once again being urged to stretch their creative boundaries and craft exceptional pieces that showcase their ingenuity.
The first year saw participants challenged to create a story in 5 minutes or less.
The second year called for podcasters to produce a 15-minute monologue on any chosen topic.
The task for this year is to craft a captivating 5-minute trailer based on the #StoryOfAnAfricanLegend
The creative reins are in their hands – they are encouraged to utilize music, sound effects, voice, and even silence to captivate the audience.
Call for Creative Poetry Submission!
Write a poem not MORE than 25 lines circling around an illumination of some sort. The poem must be Christianity-centered and in English. For every non-English word, kindly put the translation in the glossary.
FIRST PRIZE – $50
SECOND PRIZE – $35
THIRD PRIZE – $15
Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2024
This prize is free to enter and open to any citizen of a Commonwealth country aged 18 and over. It is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2,000–5,000 words).
The regional winners receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives a total of £5,000.
Build Grant
In celebration of BUILD now being available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Patreon is proud to launch the BUILD Grant, offering 5x £1000 grant for 5 individuals looking to BUILD up their projects and careers.
GRANT Awards
£1000 GBP towards the specified project
Gifted yearly membership to BUILD on Patreon
1 -on- 1 time with a member of the BUILD evaluating panel to overview the project and troubleshoot issues.
Go Shopping!
As you know, we are constantly curating resources that are useful to you.
Visit our shop occasionally to get some of these valuable resources today.
You can start by downloading our latest resource “The Art of Engagement: 100 Essential Questions for Captivating Podcast Interviews”
Find Industry Updates: Shorts by APVA
Get the latest updates about the sector in our weekly news bulletin podcast here.
Respond with Mary-Ann [ Radio Workshop]
Meet the amazing Mary-Ann, a true powerhouse in the audio storytelling space. she has worked in the radio space for six years and is currently making big strides in the podcast space with Radio Workshop.
She cares deeply for young people from marginalized communities and has worked as a community leader with Gun Free South Africa and the Radio Workshop for five years. Mary-Ann enjoys being in front of the camera as a presenter and model and behind it as a photographer. She dreams of traveling the world and wants to play an active role in helping young people from townships find value in themselves.
If you're looking for a dose of inspiration, head on over to our shop and check out our latest publication.
Our Recommendations this Month
Africa Podfest’s Newsy
AfricaPodfest inspires and elevates podcasters in Africa looking to create and grow their podcasts. Be part of a community of people who are building the future of African audio.
BlkPodNews
BlkPodNews is the official newsletter of the Black Podcasters Association. Their mission is to provide informative news and resources to Black podcast creatives and professionals, connecting them to industry-related news, events, educational resources, and more - all from a Black perspective. Learn more here
Podcast Related: This Week in The Podverse
This newsletter focuses on the podcast industry and provides insights and trends from a Nigerian/African perspective. It covers a range of topics related to podcasts, including new releases, industry news, and emerging trends.
It is an essential resource for anyone interested in the podcasting industry and the growing African podcast scene.
Other Resources/Information You Might Find Useful.
[Article] - Ethical Storytelling; How to Write About Africa. Read Here!
[Download Handbook] - Why We Need to Change the Way We Write About Africa
[Download Free Guide] - The Voice-over Roadmap Resource Guide
[Free Resource] - How to Create Audio-Visual Content on a Budget
[Ebook] - Get the Rookie Guide, Podcasting for Beginners, and everything you need to get started here. If you are a member of APVA, reply here to get a free copy.