Swimming is a crazy sport. Imagine exercising for hours yet the only view you have is a black line at the bottom of a pool. No mountains, no birds chirping, no smell of warm Ponderosa Pine trees to break up the monotony and the burn of lactic acid. Sometimes as a production company I wonder if we're crazy for producing a podcast about marketing.
We’ve been producing the Backcountry Marketing Podcast since 2020. Guest have come and gone, countless ideas have been shared over the digital airways. As we approach episode #200 I’ve been reflecting on why we started the show initially and how the answer to that question has evolved over the years. Producing a show for this long has taken a commitment of time, money and resources so it’s a fair question to ask: Why would a video production company produce a podcast about marketing?
In the fast-paced world of marketing, where trends shift rapidly and consumer attention is fleeting, it’s essential to stand out. Video production companies are typically seen as the experts in creating visually compelling content that captures attention. However, producing a podcast about marketing might seem like a surprising move for us as a company. After all, aren’t we just button pushers? At Port Side Productions, we believe it’s a natural extension of our mission and has a direct impact on our business model. Here’s why.
1. Expanding Our Storytelling Horizon
At Port Side Productions, we believe that great marketing is great storytelling. Our expertise in video production is rooted in our passion for crafting narratives that resonate with audiences. While video is a powerful medium, it’s not the only way to tell a story. Stories can be told in feature formats, 30-second ads, or any other creative application.
Producing a podcast allows us to broaden our storytelling horizon. It gives us the space to share insights from industry leaders, discuss marketing strategies in depth, and provide value beyond the average production company.
2. Moving Beyond Content for Content’s Sake
We believe in the power of stories and great creative in their ability to move brands forward, but we don’t believe this work should be produced in a vacuum. Content without strategy, without a clear marketing plan, or simply for the sake of producing content, is not what we stand for. Our podcast is a testament to this belief.
The podcast allows us to explore the strategic side of marketing, discussing how creative work fits into the bigger picture. It’s a platform where we can talk about the importance of alignment between content and business goals, ensuring that every piece of content we produce—serves a purpose and drives results.
3. Our Industry Faces a Variety of Challenges
Through our podcast, we’ve come to realize that our industry faces a number of challenges. A sea of sameness, direct from manufacturer knock-offs, non-endemic brands entering the outdoor space, and a lack of budget & resources after the COVID boom and bust to combat these. Our podcast gives us the opportunity to discuss these insights and others to help our clients understand the importance of strategic thinking from the top all the way through the content creation. By sharing these discussions, we aim to inspire brands to break free from the norm and to create content that not only captures attention but also drives meaningful connections
Many brands are producing similar content, making it difficult to stand out. However, it’s the brands that dare to be different, that push creative boundaries, and align their storytelling with a strong strategy, that truly rises above in this competitive landscape.
4. Gaining a 30,000-foot Perspective
Video production is often seen as a skill set focused solely on execution. However, we believe it’s our responsibility to offer more than just technical expertise. We strive to understand our client’s challenges holistically, and our podcast plays a crucial role in this effort.
The podcast gives us a 30,000-foot level perspective, allowing us to lift our heads out of the sand and see the bigger picture. It’s a chance to step back from the day-to-day grind and provide insight, ideas, and additional perspective to our clients in the strategy and concepting phases of a project.
5. Acting as a Lead Generation Tool
Beyond its content value, our podcast also serves as an effective lead-generation tool. By discussing relevant topics in marketing and the outdoor industry, we attract listeners who are interested in these subjects—many of whom are potential clients. These listeners get a taste of our expertise, our approach to marketing, and the way we think about creative solutions.
The podcast acts as a soft introduction to our brand, establishing trust and credibility with potential clients before they even reach out to us. It opens the door to conversations with businesses that are looking for not just a video production company, but a partner that understands the full spectrum of marketing challenges. The insights and value we provide through the podcast often lead to inquiries about our services, making it a powerful tool for business growth.
Any podcaster will tell you that producing a show for any length of time is a grind. However, on the worst of days, this podcast serves me personally. It opens my mind and allows me to meet new people. On the best of days, the podcast has the ability to inspire the entire outdoor industry. It has the potential to draw a clear connection between great strategy and great storytelling work and help everyone succeed. So for now we're just going to keep swimming laps and if you like what we believe in, let us know.
Cover photo by: Riley Seebeck
