Perfect Media Productions, LLC is a media production and digital marketing service. We produce audio for radio, podcasts, and voice-overs. We also record and/or edit video for websites and social media.
This is the production home of the Billy Dees Podcast and other great podcasts.
Our blog section features a variety of topics including media, business, and pop culture.
On this episode, Holden Culotta and I engage in a conversation about the impact of social media on politics, the corruption in the political system, and the shift towards celebrity culture in politics. They also discuss the role of media in shaping public opinion and the rise of podcasting as a platform for open and honest conversations.
Holden Culotta on X @Holden_Culotta
This discussion is important as it highlights the changing dynamics of media and politics, the influence of social media on elections, and the need for transparency and accountability in the political system. It also emphasizes the importance of independent media and free speech in fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry.
We also touch on the changes in social media platforms, particularly X (Twitter), and the importance of having a different model that allows users to have more control and visibility. They also discuss the impact of social media censorship and the need for a free speech platform. Holden Culotta shares his experience hosting spaces on X (Twitter) and the importance of respectful conversations and bringing together different political groups.
The conversation also touches on the political landscape, including the potential for RFK Jr. to run for president and the need for new faces in politics. It reflects the desire for authenticity and a return to a sense of pride in the country among younger generations.
Overall, this podcast sheds light on the changing dynamics of social media platforms, the need for alternative models that prioritize user control and free speech, and the potential for new political figures to bring about positive change. It also highlights the growing dissatisfaction with traditional political options and the desire for fresh perspectives and authenticity in politics.
Twitter has now become “X.” Could it be an everything app?
Every so often I do an “All Things Media” podcast episode that generally centers around topics such as media, social media, and current events. That much isn’t new. What is new is how I presented the video version of this podcast.
The audio platforms are where much of my listenership resides. Therefore, I have always been careful to make sure the audio is as pristine as possible and guard against visual references during the shows.
However, many of my guests or their publicists wanted video links so that their clients could be showcased in a professional forum for their followers on social media.
The natural thing to do was to start a YouTube channel for the Billy Dees Podcast. I never really pushed the show on YouTube, it was a support platform for the podcast. YouTube has recently implemented a podcast tab which is long overdue. YouTube is also a major search engine, and I wanted our content to be discoverable on the platform. For all these reasons, maintaining a YouTube channel for the podcast is a good idea and I will continue to do so.
In the meantime, Twitter has always been my social media home. I have often said that Twitter was built for podcasting. If you are a creator of pretty much any category – author, advocate, or artist etc. – the audience that Twitter has built-in is enormous. For any news or trending topics, Twitter is about as good as it gets.
When the reported attempted coup was happening in Russia a short while back, I intensely followed the story on Twitter and TikTok. I anxiously tuned into the national news that evening anticipating detailed professional coverage of the event. All three major networks, NBC, ABC, and CBS, lead with the submarine story at the Titanic location which by that time was already a week old. The tragic fate of the occupants was known, and the story had moved to the “how could this happen” phase. The following day, news promos on the networks said, “Tune in tonight for continuing coverage of the coup in Russia.” The only problem was by that time, it was already over.
NBC News always leads its program with the phrase “breaking news.” That’s broken news.
In the meantime, Tucker Carlson and other media figures began moving long-form media content to Twitter with much success. Elon Musk also rebranded Twitter into “X,” what some may call a move toward an “everything app.” This would include a new app with tweets, now referred to as “posts,” long form posts, audio and video content, and financial transactions.
Simultaneously, Meta launched “Threads,” a Twitter copy, by leveraging its users mostly from Instagram. Was I the only person who wondered how the same people, with the same contacts, sharing the same content, was going to be a grand slam? It wasn’t.
Also at the same time, cable news and news in general continued to flounder.
During this turmoil, I decided to give the video version of the podcast a try on X. I did my commentary about the branding move from Twitter to X and the recent UFO news – and placed the video version on the platform. It makes perfect sense to place video content native to the platform where the users are.
I have heard different things about the usage and traffic on X since the rebranding. There have also been other changes to the old Twitter platform that many users have not liked. So far, the platform seems stable to me. It is simply too early to say but so far I am not alarmed.
I do consider my full-length posting on X a success. The views and engagement were very strong. X has also made the paid boosting process for marketers much more streamlined than it was before on the old Twitter.
Granted, this was the first time I tried posting long-form content on Twitter X, so I don’t have a good gauge yet. For more discovery, I added another full-length podcast interview episode to Twitter X on August 6, 2023. This is a practice I plan to continue for the near future as the new incarnation of the platform starts to take form.
As it stands, I am cautiously optimistic about X. I have never been a Meta person, although strategic Facebook boosts do work for the right circumstances. Instagram has not caught fire for me. LinkedIn has its place, to be sure, especially with the B2B crowd. But, if you are counting on trending and active engagement, the LinkedIn “What’s My ROI Zombies” are not going to do it for you.
This is an interesting time for how news gets disseminated. I’ll just leave that right there for now…
…and if X turns out to be what it is intended to be, I want to be a part of it.
We are very pleased to announce that Kristy Mickelsen has agreed to have Perfect Media Productions, LLC, help produce and facilitate the distribution of her podcast, “W.W.A.A. Podcast.”
We first had Kristy as a guest on the Billy Dees Podcast about a year ago. Kristy is an author and an advocate for such issues as cancer, autism, lupus, and mental health. She is also a 43-year-old wife and mother, whose passions include her two autistic children, reading, and writing. After her appearance on the podcast, Kristy started becoming an active member of the social audio community, especially on Twitter Spaces. As her audience widened, Kristy decided to enter the field of podcasting.
Kristy is very active on Twitter, and you can find her at @KristyBooks. Want to know more about Kristy’s podcast? You can listen to her and her podcast trailer below on Spotify. More episodes are on their way soon.
Unless you have been living under a rock lately, you’ve probably heard that Elon Musk has purchased Twitter.
I have been an avid user of Twitter almost since the very beginning, my @BillyDees account is over 12 years old. I first started with Twitter as a blogger. I hosted my own blog and was an editorialist for several other blogs circa 2010-11. There is absolutely no question that Twitter drove readers to my posts. The topical and trending nature of Twitter complimented my editorial writing like a charm.
During this time, I was also a multimedia specialist and continue in that capacity in 2022. In fact, I have been an audio professional for 30 some odd years. As 2012 rolled by, podcasting entered a phase of rapid growth. Several crime podcasts garnered national attention and high-ranking politicians and newsmakers began granting interviews. Internet and streaming capabilities in phones and mobile devices started to become more common. As podcasting grew, given my background, podcasting became a natural fit for me. Twitter, in my opinion, is tailor made for the fast and trending topics covered by podcasters.
I often state that Twitter is my social media home. I now have incorporated Twitter Spaces, an audio forum similar to Clubhouse, as part of my content mix. What happens to that feature, along with other aspects of Twitter, are a large part of the speculation around Musk’s acquisition.
What will Elon Musk do with Twitter? Why did he buy it?
Simply put, I don’t know. However, I am a fan of Elon Musk, and I am optimistic about the future of Twitter. It needed a reset.
Elon Musk’s Twitter account Oct 30, 2022
Musk has often stated that he wants to champion “free speech” on the platform. Elon has suggested he would reconsider Twitter’s approach to content moderation and permanent bans from the platform, all of which could impact the political landscape. At the same time, Musk has reassured advertisers that he doesn’t plan to turn the platform into a “free-for-all hellscape.” In my opinion, Elon also very rightly has mentioned his desire to rid the platform of bots. So much so, that he made the number of bots central to his argument to abandon the deal during this roller coaster ride of the last six months.
The notion that Twitter may also expand the idea of paid subscriptions has also arisen. I, so far, have no issue with this overall concept. I already subscribe to Twitter Blue and feel this would certainly cut down on fake accounts and give a greater consumer voice to users.
As to why Elon decided to buy Twitter, I can only guess. Unlike most of the speculation I have run across online, I do not feel there is anything regarding the technology of Twitter or any intrinsic value Twitter has within it, that could be that intriguing to someone who lands rockets vertically.
I do feel, the megaphone that Twitter wields, has enormous value. Tesla and SpaceX have no advertising budget. He now has a pick-line directly into the bloodstream of the marketplace. Twitter also has a celebrity aura around its brim. Along with being one of the most successful businessmen in the world, Elon Musk is now a pop-culture icon. Not to mention, in 2024 which is drawing ever so closer, he could be a dominate political force.
I would like to personally thank everyone who has been listening to the Billy Dees Podcast. We don’t feature every episode here on the production website, but we did want to update followers of the blog about some updates and recent episodes.
We have had a wonderful uptick in listens over the past 90 days.
July 2022
Apple Podcasts (then iTunes Podcasts) is where the podcast debuted and remains where a sizable percentage of the listens come from. More recently, Pandora has grabbed a huge percentage of listens. Also, Goodpods, which is what Good Reads is for books except for podcasts, is also coming on strong for listens and has been very active with us on Twitter. Their goal is to have a place where independent podcasts can thrive. We also want to welcome listers on the JioSaavn platform which is based in India.
Some great guests have contributed to our growth. Here is a sample of some of our recent episodes you may have missed. All of these episodes are available on your favorite podcast platform under the Billy Dees Podcast.
“Twitter and Twitter Spaces for Authors with Ruth L. Snyder”
You can find Ruth on Twitter at @RuthLSnyder During this episode we are talking about using Twitter and Twitter Spaces for authors. Many of the topics we cover are applicable to any social media or content marketing strategy in general.
Our guest is Ruth L. Snyder who is the author of “Learn Twitter” which is geared toward writers. Ruth is also a speaker and a book coach.
“Community Building and Marketing with Twitter Spaces with Guest, Keith Keller”
Whether you want to improve your content marketing strategy or simply want to build your brand, social media is almost always a major tool in your toolbox. In this episode we are talking with Keith Keller who has been a Twitter strategist since the early days of the platform.
Keith discusses how to Amplify Your Message, Build Your Brand, and Create a Community via Twitter and Twitter Spaces. We also ask him about Social Audio, what it is, and how Twitter Spaces approaches the medium of social audio.
Graciela Moore is ICF certified, a transcendental hope coach, and author. Graciela also helps HSIP thrive into soul-alignment and is a public speaker.
On this episode Graciela talks about hope, the different ways we consider hope, and how important it is in our daily lives. Please listen in for some great insights into personal growth, happiness, and hope!
Rachel Thompson Talks About Her Book, “Broken People” and Marketing
Rachel Thompson is an author of seven books. She is a champion for survivors and is the originator of the hashtag #SexAbuseChat on Twitter.
She also promotes other writers and is also known for the much-used blogging #MondayBlogs hashtag.
You can find her on Twitter @RachelintheOC, and at @BadRedHeadMedia which is all about creating effective social media and book marketing campaigns for authors.
On this episode we are talking with Rachel about her advocacy for survivors, being an author, and her presence on the new medium Twitter Spaces.
This year 2022, “Broken People” was released and won ‘Best in Category’ for Nonfiction with the Book Excellence Awards
Maria Humphreys from Strong Body Strong Soul, Discusses Meditation, Spirituality, and Social Audio
On this episode we are talking with Maria Humphreys from the Strong Body Strong Soul Podcast. Maria is passionate about inspiring stories and is very enthusiastic about all topics related to audio, including the emergence of social audio. Maria has been able to combine her meditation practices with the nuances of spoken word communication.
This installment of our Twitter interviews is with Jeanné Giddens, otherwise known as @TuneTalks to her Twitter followers. Jeanné is a talented song writer, voiceover artist, and host.
As an old school radio and audio recording guy, I have always felt the best way to record an interview is with the guest in the recording studio. The benefits of this are obvious. You can interact with your guest one on one and have complete control of the recording. However, there are times when this is just not practical. For example, in this case Jeanné is based in Florida and I am in Ohio.
Recording options in these types of cases vary and a lot depends on the guest. Many interview subjects do not have any audio gear. Others have busy schedules promoting their work and do not have the patience to be walked through a technical process of some kind. In these cases phone signals may be the most expedient choice and other times maybe a VOIP service will work just fine at getting the job done.
With Jeanné, however, there were better options available. She is in the audio production business and has good tools at her disposal. So, we decided to use Zencastr for this interview. In simple terms this type of technology does not record “over” the internet per say. Both subjects are recorded locally and then those two audio tracks are combined in post.
The results are terrific but there are also other important steps to take.
For one, use the most dependable connections with your gear. I would avoid using WiFi with your computer or using any type of wireless microphone or headset. Also, close all of the programs on your computer.
Let me throw in some information about microphones. There is a lot of confusion about USB microphones in particular.
There are basically four types of microphones in terms of how they capture sound; dynamic, condenser, ribbon, and contact. There are variations of each but those are the basic groups.
Many of the widely popular USB microphones are condenser microphones. I have heard them referred to as “digital” microphones and that term is as overused as “pro” is in the audio and video equipment industry. The key difference between a USB condenser microphone and a standalone XLR condenser is that the USB microphone has a USB interface built into it. Combination units in general are designed to hit a price point and as plug and play devices for their ease of use.
I have used USB microphones to have my clients record audio into their PowerPoint presentations. They are also good for gaming, YouTube, and for basic podcasting. I would stop short, however, of considering any USB microphone truly a professional’s first choice.
I have been in many radio stations, media production studios in advertising agencies, and music recording studios. I have never run across a USB microphone being used as a primary recording tool in any of these applications. An entry level pro audio interface alone costs more than the average USB microphone. Many voiceover agencies will ask what microphone that you are using and if the answer is a USB microphone that might be a missing check mark on your credentials list.
The sky is the limit in terms of what you can pay for pro audio gear but there are cost effective options. Yes, separates do cost more but come with some practical benefits in addition to better quality, namely interchangeability. That professional XLR microphone that you bought for your podcast will plug into a USB interface, a digital recorder, a mixing board and so on. You can also upgrade your interface or microphone without replacing both or purchase more microphones to use with the same interface.
For the interview with Jeanné I used a (XLR) Golden Age D2 dynamic microphone. I happen to like dynamic microphones for voiceovers but that is largely my preference. My favorite is probably the (XLR) Shure SM7B and my runner up would be the (XLR) Electro-Voice RE20. Jeanné used her (XLR) RODE NT1 which is a condenser microphone. Both the Golden Age D2 and the RODE NT1 are not “cheap” when compared to most USB microphones, however, in the professional ranks these microphones are extremely cost effective and for anyone considering getting started doing voice work these are good choices. For this particular interview we both also used Focusrite interfaces.
To sample the sound quality captured with these microphones and Zencastr here is an excerpt. Notice how it sounds almost as if both of us were in the same studio.
For your convenience the entire interview is available at the bottom of this post. The Billy Dees Podcast is also available on your favorite podcasting service including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.
Are you on Twitter? Do you use it to help market your blog, books, photography, or other creative endeavors? Have you been on Twitter with an active account for at least five years?
We are launching a new series of podcast interviews with Twitter users to talk about why they joined, how they have utilized the social media platform, and how the user experience has changed for them over the years.
On this episode we talk to Dorothy Rosby who is on Twitter @DorothyRosby
I originally met Dorothy working on an interview for HumorOutcasts.com.
Dorothy Rosby is a speaker and syndicated humor columnist whose writing appears in publications across eleven states. Her column has been recognized by the South Dakota Newspaper Association. She was a finalist in the 2015 Robert Benchley Annual Award for Humor Writing and was the 2015 first-place winner in the Humor Column category of the National Federation of Press Women contest.
For your convenience the podcast interview is available below at the bottom of this post. The Billy Dees Podcast is also available on nearly all of the major podcast networks including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and Stitcher. You can follow Billy Dees on Twitter @BillyDees.
People on Twitter by Billy Dees Interview with @DorothyRosby Author and Humor Writer
Dorothy Rosby is a speaker and syndicated humor columnist whose writing appears in publications across eleven states. Her column has been recognized by the South Dakota Newspaper Association. She was a finalist in the 2015 Robert Benchley Annual Award for Humor Writing and was the 2015 first-place winner in the Humor Column category of the National Federation of Press Women contest.
Dorothy is the author of “
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