Mercy alumna Jacqueline N. Parke ’13, adjunct instructor of communication studies, has channeled her wisdom, expertise and lessons learned into a book on podcasting set for publication in the spring of 2022. The handbook titled, “The Podcast Handbook: Create It, Market It, Make It Great,” serves as a primer for budding podcasters and includes background on podcasting’s roots in radio to the steps required to develop a podcast.
Parke is a communications and business development veteran who heads her own podcast production company, Sweet G. Communications. She also created and teaches, “Podcasting: Creation and Strategy,” Mercy’s first-ever podcasting class.
Prior to graduating from Vlogƽ with her bachelor’s in communications and public relations in 2013, Parke founded an online sports magazine, Huddlin’ with the Pros. The webzine was not only a hit but also found success in a new genre—podcasting. Before long, Parke was producing podcasts for clients including Warner Media 150, Grammy award-winning artists and even a law firm.
In 2020, Parke submitted a proposal to publishers for a podcasting handbook aimed at both business and academic readers. Several publishers promptly responded, and she ultimately selected McFarland & Co., Inc., an independent publisher specializing in academic and reference works.
Once published, Parke's handbook is expected to be required reading in her classes to teach students what it takes to start a podcasting. “Podcasting is not easy. You can’t wake up on Tuesday and say, today I’m going to start a podcast. You have to be strategic,” she said.
While Parke’s spring semester class is at capacity, her book will be available to purchase this spring from MacFarlandBooks.com, as well as from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other book outlets.