Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Pallotta.
Hi Matt, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I am a video producer who has been in the industry for roughly 18 years. In 2018 I started Frame One Media and recently we moved to a new location in Twinsburg, where we built out a full video production studio, servicing client locally and nationally. In 2020, during Covid and in an isolated time, we decided to start a podcast. We felt the world was so divided and even locally it was hard to connect with others because we were separated by politics, social issues, and physical barriers. The Going There Podcast was created to have open, candid discussions about all the “Taboo” topics that kept us apart; the things you aren’t supposed to bring up at the dinner table because it’s rude. Our belief is that having the uncomfortable conversations, hearing the stories and viewpoints of others, when done in a space of openness and objectivity, helps mend those ties and bridge the gap. Season 1 turned out better than we could have hoped and now we’re getting ready to launch Season 2 of the podcast, this time with a video element for each episode as well.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Our podcast journey has been a mixed bag. The things that we thought would be a challenge actually came together more smoothly than expected. Such as finding guests for the topics and scheduling time each week to work on the show with myself, my two cohosts for Season 1, and the crew. Finding musical guests for each episode was easier than we had expected as well. The show spotlights a musician/band/performer in each episode and we weren’t sure how that would go. It worked out nicely and even cohesively at times, and it’s something we’re carrying into our second season.
The things we thought would be a breeze but turned out to be more of a struggle were finding local restaurants and food providers to highlight, and the technical side of things. First, part of our first season was helping the businesses struggling during the pandemic. Restaurants and ma’ and pa’ eateries were taking a bit hit. So, we were offering to promote and market these places (for free) if they were interested. This turned out to be a challenge, I believe mostly due to the anxiety as well as focus. While I’m sure many were flattered, we had asked, they had bigger fish to fry in order to keep the doors open. Secondly, the technical aspect, even for a company who had been doing so much in the audio/video realm, turned out to be more trial and error than originally thought. Podcasting has a learning curve to it, especially if your goal is for top-notch quality. These of course were always ironed out but were that much more thankful to have learned those tough lessons along the way.
Lastly, while we’re grateful to have the listener base we have, we knew from the beginning that it wouldn’t be easy to obtain a following. Podcasts, after all, aren’t like YouTube videos or social media content. They don’t typically go viral in the same way. The number of listens varies in a major way from, say, YouTube watches or “likes” online. We have slowly been growing, but it is what we had always known would be the case. While we’ve spent some dollars on marketing that didn’t have a real ROI, we’ve learned some lessons, mainly that there is no silver bullet. Unless you’re already famous or have a huge online following, the best you can do is continue to create great content and put it out there.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Our Podcast, “Going There: Taboo Topics Are Back on the Table,” is all about diving headfirst into conversations that aren’t discussed enough amongst friends, family, and neighbors. At the core of it all is mental health. Everyone is struggling and it’s okay to not be okay. We try to create a space where people from different backgrounds and experiences can discuss different issues that affect us as a society. And to not be feudal or met with hostility on the other side.
We are extremely proud that our show has created consistent, quality content and is even moving into a second season. And, even more so, that the feedback has been excellent. We have had people go out of their way to tell us that a particular episode, topic, or guest made a real impact on them. To us, that’s what it’s all about. Not that we’re going to change the world or even the minds of many, but that we can shed light on an issue or perspective that SOME may have not yet considered. Then, maybe, just maybe, that person will pass it on.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
Luck is half the battle. The planning, hard work, and organization is HUGE, of course. But if luck isn’t on your side, none of that matters. While there were episodes that got postponed here and there, mostly we were able to pull off a seamless series of content in the midst of Covid. We were able to dodge the bull many times while others were not. Luck has a lot to do with what gets seen and what doesn’t when you’re starting from scratch.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thegoingtherepodcast.com
- Instagram: @thegoingtherepodcast
- Facebook: @goingtherepodcast
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVcwk4rsQYUYRRoGLELc4rA
Image Credits
LeJon Woods
Lindsay Baker
Rachel Aidala
Mandy Kirsch
Casey Weinstein
Amanda Weinstein
