Is anyone actually DOING this?

[RandomChatter]

As I keep telling my friends and family who are constantly asking me "are you getting paid for it?", I podcast because I enjoy it. It's fun. It's a hobby.

Still, I wouldn't mind at least covering my expenses. I'm not looking to profit, but "breaking even" would be nice.

I've read over many of the posts here, and I'm trying to catch up on the Podcast Brothers shows. There are a bunch of interesting ideas, but is anyone actually doing this?

Is anyone successfully bringing in any money from advertising, sponsorship, or paid subscriptions?

[John]

It hasn't been easy. Most professionals don't look at podcasting as very professional. They think it is just a fad, or someone's hobby.

Thankfully we have been successful in getting advertising to our show. It wasn't easy.....

The first company that advertised on our show, found us and called....never happened again. A miracle....

The second company we had on our show was interviewed. The next day I had a couple of my friends call looking for more information about the product they were selling.....three days later they were adverting every week. Making a miracle...

Once we had a couple of companies on board we needed to keep them so we send them stats of listeners/downloads and show them the affects of advertising on our program. A newspaper or magazine can only guess how many people read their products ….we have real numbers! We could say how many and how long. Very powerful stuff!

If you want to have a podcast that makes money, you need to run it like a business. We record in a professional studio, have professional website and marketing material. And even if you don’t have this stuff…you need to make it seem like you do.

You need to put yourself out there if you believe in your product, you need to invest into it and settle for nothing else.

[sydbarrett]

when and I say when
"they" start to charge for subscriptions
I'm so out of here, there and everything podcastable
it's not even funny.

i know there are other methods of making doe ray me
but slapping on a download fee, is not a very good option in my book

and who is paying for this satellite radio b.s.?
amazing

people are insane

i know because i'm here in the psycho ward

hey podPeople of the Alley
have a nice day.

[RandomChatter]

Syd, I'm with ya'. I won't ever charge for people to listen to my podcast. Not gonna happen.

Advertising, on the other hand, is another thing. And even then, if it's something I can't get behind, I'm not going to do it.

John, thanks for the feedback...

I don't mind treating my podcast like a business (and I agree with you in that regard), but I just simply don't have the funds for it. Fortunately, I can do a decent job of faking it, but I don't know how far that'll get me.

My dilemma right now is trying to figure out what advertisers I should go after. My TFN podcast had downloads well into the five-digits for the week that I last checked its stats (there was only one show released that week), and I know that I can get advertisers for that show, but I'm also a small fish there, and I'd kinda like to actually get some of the revenue I bring in. I'm not sure whether 100% of what I bring in would just go right back to the website or not. That's something I need to check into, but I'm wondering if my time might not be better spent concentrating on my personal podcast.

But my personal podcast is just starting and essentially has no listeners yet. I know I can cross-promote and get many of my TFN listeners, and even if I could get 10% of my TFN listeners to hit my other podcast, that'd put me between 1,000 and 2,000 listeners. I have no idea how good or bad that is, or whether it'd be enough to convince advertisers that I'd be a worthy investment.

And as I said, I'd have to figure out what type of advertisers to go after. Should I go after people related to the topic of my podcast? I could see if a theater chain might sponsor the cast. Or should I go after advertisers aiming for the demographic of general podcast listeners (male techies, young-to-middle-aged)?

Sorry... Just thinking out loud here...

[sydbarrett]

ok dude ok

i'm calm now

serenity now, serenity now

ok ok..

serenity now...

i'm g2g now dude...

thanks

and as deep throat (w. mark felt) said
...follow the money...just follow the money

Later advertising dude

[John]

I am all for spirit of the internet, but the reality is that the internet isn't free. To log in you need to pay, to host your site you need to pay....etc. If podcasting is your hobby and you enjoy doing it then perfect you don't mind spending some of your free time and money making it. But when your podcast becomes popular and the bandwidth goes up and now they hosting company wants more money to host your podcast...they don't care that you think the spirit of the internet is that it's free.....

I use bandwidth only has an example, that it cost money to run a podcast.

To answer your question: I think you need to know who your listeners are? Are they local, are they national, are they male or female? Once you have the metrixs on your listener then you can select your target market. Then you need to sell your product to an advertiser with information you got.

My podcast is males 30-40, Field paramedics.....so I will not call Ambulance builders and tell then they should advertise on EMS Live since field paramedics don't buy ambulances....I will call the companies that make EMS Pants or Systems that want to hire paramedics.

[sydbarrett]

don't start this up again
nursing dude
advertising dude is ok with it

just don't start this up again

you charge for this stuff and and and and

just let me say

....we are racing towards an apocalypse of our own creation

Have a nice day

to all the awesome podPeople of the Alley
(except nursing dude, lol)

[RandomChatter]

No no... "Nursing Dude" is right. While I support the "freedom" of the internet, the reality is that it's not free. We all have to pay money to purchase a computer (and to upgrade it), we have to pay our ISP for service, heck, we even have to pay the power company for electricity. And that's just the users -- podcasters have to buy software, equipment, hosting, and/or bandwidth.

However, the users -- the people already paying to access the internet -- usually don't want to pay AGAIN to access certain parts of the internet. So sure, I could justify charging people to listen to my podcast. But it'd be a horrible marketing idea, and pretty soon I'd have no listeners.

I don't think Nursing Dude was suggesting people necessarily be charged to listen.

I'll have to check into some advertising options and see if there's anything I might be able to work out. And even then, I'll be sensitive to my listeners -- commercials are the reason I don't listen to radio anymore.

[mental-escher]

I don't think Nursing Dude was suggesting people necessarily be charged to listen.

I'll have to check into some advertising options and see if there's anything I might be able to work out. And even then, I'll be sensitive to my listeners -- commercials are the reason I don't listen to radio anymore.

Seems to me that having commercials in your podcast is the equivalent of charging the listener- they have to endure the commercial.

You could counter that the listener could just FF past the commercials, but then why would a advertizer want to have the commercial in your podcast in the first place if it won't be listened to?

Maybe just keep the Paypal/googleaddcents/commercial stuff on your blog/web site where, presumably, there is some significant extra content to lure consumer eyeballs/clickyfingers to it.

[RandomChatter]

Well, that's the risk involved in all of this.

If I can no longer afford bandwidth, I have no podcast. If I put in commercials, I have a podcast, but with fewer listeners than I used to.

My shows are about 20 to 30 minutes a piece. If I put in two 15 second commercials, or one 30 second commercial, I don't think it'll be all that bad. And I'd probably put them near the end of the show anyway.

In addition, I would probably try to do sponsorship instead of actual commercials. "Today's show is brought to you by..." I already promote other relevant websites in my show anyway (without pay), and I give a plug for the band and label who provided me with the music I use (it's licensed music, and they were kind enough to let me use it). Nobody's complained so far. Heck, for all I know, people might already think I get paid for that plug.

The problem with commercials in general is that they're a distraction from the rest of the show. This is often because the show has to break in sometimes awkward places (such as in radio, where commercial breaks are timed), the commercials are irrelevant to the show's content, and the commercial breaks are often too long.

I'd be putting a single, short commercial between segment breaks, and I'd only be using advertising that would be relevant to the show somehow, avoiding the three problems above.

Will it still annoy some people? Probably. All I can do is try to be conscious of that and reduce that effect as much as possible.

If my content is good enough, I'm confident I can keep my listeners through a 15 or 30 second commercial.

[jeffoest]

If you are trying to run a business, you should get advertising - if not now eventually. A business needs to get paid.

If this is a hobby, don't do advertising. You don't want to be constrained.

I don't get the 'pay for my host' thing. We all pay for internet services and host fees. I'll bet it's less than your cable TV or cell phone bill. Big deal. Add $500 - $1000 for podcasting equipment? Please... That's hobby money.

If you take sponsorship money for a product (even if you love that product) than that starts restricting what you can or can't say about that product or their competitors, or the industry etc...

Businesses make that tradeoff because they have to. Hobbyist don't.

C'mon - pay your freaking internet bills - don't give me constrained talk.

[RandomChatter]

I do pay my Internet bills. And yes, it's more than my cable bill or cell phone bill.

Sponsorship (and/or commercials) don't have to be permanent contracts. I'm not trying to get rich off of this. Just to break even.

And sure, $1000 might be "hobby money" for some people. But without getting too detailed into my finances, not everyone's in the position to fork out $1000 for their hobby.

Like I said, I'm already plugging people and/or things in my site. I've never gotten a single complaint. And most of the time they're at the end of the show anyway. And as for constraining the content, I refuse to promote something on the site that I don't stand behind. And it's BECAUSE this isn't a business that I can have that freedom - I don't have to maintain a steady income from this. I can be picky about what gets on the show.

And again, if my show isn't good enough that my listeners can't sit through a 15-second ad late in the show to get to the remaining content, I've got bigger issues.

[Will-Casel]

I listened to the latest two-part Podcast Brothers podcast this past weekend. They had an interview with the guys from the GrapeRadio.com podcast and Reel Reviews.

Grape Radio charges $1,000 per show to be the only sponsor of that particular podcast and they are booked up to mid-summer. They do about 4 shows per month.

One of the Podcast Brothers does Endurance Radio and he charges $3,500 - $4,000 for exclusive sponsorship for a month and he's booked up through the summer as well.

I say, go for it if the advertisers are willing to pay.

I listened to a couple of Grape Radio podcasts and they just mention the sponsor at the beginning of the show and say a couple of sentences about them. Then at the end of the show they'll play a short "commercial" for them. Very non-intrusive.

Will

[sydbarrett]

hey dudes this is all great stuff

may the corporate gods heap tons of moolah your way

but first... worry about the crap in your mp3's of love

because right now

3,500+ podcasts and nothing to listen too

but, I've been told, you have thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands listening and because your content is so awesome, so interesting, they will continue to listen even after you cram commercial garbage into every podcast.

good luck dudes

and when podcasts are filled with ads
let us all say, on that day, that finally
podcasting has become just a little bit better than radio.

Keep the faith, podPeople of the Alley.

[kickasspodcast]

I've read over many of the posts here, and I'm trying to catch up on the Podcast Brothers shows. There are a bunch of interesting ideas, but is anyone actually doing this?
Is anyone successfully bringing in any money from advertising, sponsorship, or paid subscriptions?

I am sure some people are. Soccergirl actually sells everything from BBQ Aprons to Beer Steins with Ryan on them. Every kinda T-shirt, Camisole whatever. Fosco and I were checking her site out, because well.. fosco is a big fan and I think she is somewhat innovative even if selaciously. We are sure she hooked up with some 3rd party vender who is willing to stamp her logo on any of the crap, I mean stuff that they sell and handle the shipping and billing etc.. SO that is one way that maybe you too can help counter the costs of podcasting. As for our show, and I really think the options are different to each individual show, we play music that we could not play if we made any money on our show. I don't think we could even 'break even' and still be able to play 'trade-safe' / 'pod-safe' music that we do. So we are kinda in the whole "Labor of Love Boat" on that one.

One interesting thing I must point out. About a month or so ago, before the PODSHOW on Sirius and before some of the hullabaloo about Jobs' Apple Speach, I heared Adam Curry saying alot (on several shows) that he was working with people who were in the 'advertising' sector and trying to come up with ways to support podcasters through providing badwith/server space or providing some hardware. He was trying, or saying he was trying to make it accessible for people who wanted some cash flow to get it through advertising but.. thats just a side note, someone far more informed than I could probably supplement that. I know Curry is a busy dude and I cut everyone the slack I wish to be cut as far as getting **** done but I hope any of this helps and if you want some ways to make your podcasting experience REALLY cheap then ask me and I will be glad to give you some of the cost cutting tricks we use. Sorry for being so verbose but put simply, I care.

Jack

[kickasspodcast]

3,500+ podcasts and nothing to listen too.

OK buddy,

1: There are almost 2-3 times that many podcast. In about a month and a half Itunes 4.9 will index nearly 8000+ Shows.

2: I never did pretend to understand peoples poor taste.

If you don't like any of the 3500 podcasts that you obviously have already listened to, then podcasting just may not be your cup of tea.

I think there are 10's of thousands of Russian Opera's but- yknow man, Russian Opera's just aren't my style. But I wouldn't say 10,000 russian opera's and none of them worth seeing, because I know that would only disclose that I probably have poor taste or are severely naive in the area's of cool, exciting Russian Opera.

Maybe its not your thing man? Maybe you can give it a while and someone will come up with your thing... just keep the faith that people who are inspired to create at their own expense, will eventually stumble upon something you might value.

Cya


Jack B.

[sydbarrett]

you dudes are awesome

mp3's are a great thing, in the "right" hands

because i "feel" the potential of this audio miracle.

i have faith brother

but still

3,500+ podcasts and nothing to listen too

but i still have hope
because there is so much potential

i still

keep the faith

Later kickarss dude

[sydbarrett]

and it is my hope

that i will not say

8,000+ podcasts and nothing to listen too

but I still will have hope

that the 1,771,561st podcast is the one for me

I WILL NOT GIVE UP THE FIGHT

huge hugs and kiss to you awesome podcasters

Later Kickarzzz

[RandomChatter]

Syd,

With all due respect, I wonder if you even read what I wrote. Fifteen seconds out of 30 minutes is hardly "crammed with commercials." And is it really "garbage" if it's relevant to the listener? For example, on a show about podcasting, I heard about some equipment I didn't know existed that I may now be interested in. On a show about writing, I heard an ad for a book I didn't know existed by an author I like. Just because ads are normally "spammed" at us and shoved down our throats in most mediums, that doesn't mean appropriate ads can't be relevant and useful to some users and unintrusive to others.

As for my listeners, yeah, I have a few. But I'm piggy-backing off of a big website that gets over 10 million views a week. I try to keep my content interesting, but it's by no means "awesome," and I know that I can't really take credit for the podcast's success.

I'm sorry to hear that out of 3,500 podcasts (and I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you've listened to at least half of them), you're unable to find anything interesting. I'd imagine that SOMETHING out there would be more interesting to you than reading forums posts by people involved in a technology whose potential is being wasted. I don't say that out of malice... merely out of confusion and curiosity. Most people as disinterested in current podcasts as you seem to be probably wouldn't be as active here as you are (and I'm glad you are).

Will,

Thanks! That gives me a much better idea of what's going on than I had before. Especially about some of the rates being used. And I'm also glad to hear that the "sponsorship" method is working out for someone. I plan to pursue that method first, since, as much as I don't think a short commercial per show would kill my podcast, I'd rather avoid "produced commercials."

Jack,

That's cool that merchandising is working out for Soccergirl. I can't do it for the TFN podcast though (Lucasfilm owns the trademarks to most of what we'd want to put on any merchandise), and I'm not presumptuous enough to think that people would want to buy anything related to my personal podcast yet. I could probably talk some friends into buying a t-shirt or something to help promote the show, but that'd be about it.

[sydbarrett]

reality check dude

most artists do their thing out-of-pocket, they are endeavors of love.

sorry about the reality dude, Podcast alley is open for everyone.

This forum is open to anyone that registered.

I'm just a "listener" giving you great Podcast dudes some feedback.

Sometimes that feedback is not very nice, but that's life dude.

Sorry about that dude.

If your podcast is for a close circle of family and friends, then why did you register your podcast in the alley?

Open for subscription, open for criticism,
Thats life dude.

hey i wish you luck

you have an awesome spirit

Later Kickarzz dude

[jeffoest]

Syd,

With each response, you have me seriously laughing out loud here at my desk. Great stuff! It reads like poetry.

You be good, dude - I'm glad you're here!

[sydbarrett]

hey jeffy..

you are the first to get it

give this man a Podcast alley cap...

lol


later jeff terminator

[RandomChatter]

Hey, I'm all for you being here. Actually, I agree with most everything I've seen you post so far around here (maybe except the "3500 channels and nothing on" thing).

The reason the podcast for my own site doesn't have many listeners yet is simply because it's a brand new podcast and I haven't really done any promotion yet. Which is why I'm listing it here. I'm confident that through some cross promotion I've already worked out with some people that I'll be able to get a reasonable amount of listeners and make it something that some people enjoy.

I've done what I can out-of-pocket. And all things considered, I think I've done okay so far. And really, I'm just looking at the advertising angle as a possibility. I've not done anything to pursue it beyond posting here. If it doesn't work out, that's cool. I still plan to keep podcasting.

And I'm glad to have your feedback, actually. Like I said, I find it odd, given your apparent dislike for current podcasts, that you frequent these forums. It confuses me, but that's not a COMPLAINT. Quite the contrary, it's important that there's someone here who's not wrapped up in what their doing with their show and who's willing to herald the cause of making people take a good, hard look at the quality of their show and its content, and to make the people wrapped up in the newness and the "bandwagon" of podcasting realize that it really ISN'T up to par with radio yet (at least not in most ways).

Plus, it's always good to see people who can passionately disagree with someone, yet do so in a peaceful way. You're cool, in my book.

[sydbarrett]

I think there are 10's of thousands of Russian Opera's but- yknow man, Russian Opera's just aren't my style. But I wouldn't say 10,000 russian opera's and none of them worth seeing, because I know that would only disclose that I probably have poor taste or are severely naive in the area's of cool, exciting Russian Opera.

and when they hype Russian Opera like they hype technology and in particular Podcasting

I will post on RussianOperaCast Alley

10,000+ VodkaCasts and nothing to listen too.

Later BoozeCasters

[sydbarrett]

dude as one of you told me...think out side the box.
dude you must "think" like a listener.
I'm sorry to hear that out of 3,500 podcasts (and I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you've listened to at least half of them), you're unable to find anything interesting.
not my job to listen to half. and dude are you saying that i cannot express myself until i listen to half? that i should not be allowed to have an opinion until i listen to half? and if i haven't listen to half my opinion is not that informed or worthwhile?

ok ok..calm down Syd
take a chill pill
serenity now, serenity now..
ok g2g

ok..the alley also divides casties into "genres"
there are (shock shock) categories i'm not interested
for example I'm not big on the whole religion thing (some say scam)
so dude a wack of casties are off my list.

I can also select podcasts at random and based on the descriptions I'm not willing or interested in listening to their mp3s of love.

See dude..you are thinking like a Podcaster. But you must also, little gr*****pper, think like a LISTENER. Thats the key, little podgr*****per (?)

Your quote above, you're thinking like a crying podcaster that has spent too much of his allowance on toys and that, oh my god, someone out there "does not love me".
I believe instead of worrying about recovering some costs, you must make this stuff interesting first.
Make me as the listener want to keep my subscription. Right now for most of the podcasts I've heard I want to shovel pencils in my ears to kill the pain (yes AwesomeSue I've used that line before and yes I'm still in love with cartoon AwesomeSue and I think I love you AwesomeSue)

ok ok...serenity now serenity now
calm syd stay calm

i'm g2g

I could say more but...
i forgot the point

anyways dude the bottom line is
force me, yes force me baby, to love your mp3s of love
and once you have me, and many more freaks like me,
because you've tapped into the truly awesome potential of podcasting
then stick us with ads and crappy merchandise

this is way too long

Keep the faith podPeople of the alley
and I wish you the best podGr*****pper (are you advertising dude as well?)

Hugs and Kiss

[RandomChatter]

This discussion's getting fun. :)

Fair enough. The comment about "listening to half" was a dumb comment, considering people normally focus on certain categories.

You're right. I was thinking like a caster and not a listener.

"Are you saying that I cannot express myself until I listen to half?"

Umm... err.... yeah, rereading what I posted, I guess that's what I said. That's not what I meant though. Sorry...

I guess my main issue is the implication that everything out there right now sucks. There's "nothing to listen to," yet many people are listening and enjoying themselves. You're thinking like a listener, and that's cool, but it almost seems you're speaking like you're the only listener. You seem to be implying that because you, a single listener, think what's out there is crap, that it is, in fact, crap. What about the opinions of others like yourself?

"You must make this interesting first." To whom? Do the subscribers of any particular podcast not find it interesting?

Is "interesting" not in the ear of the beholder?

Based on the feedback I get, my listeners think my show is interesting. That's cool. I'm not trying to be all things to all listeners. So when someone who (I'm guessing) isn't even interested in the topic of my show tells me I need to change things to make them interesting, how am I supposed to react to that?

Sure, I agree with your overall point that existing podcast shows, in general, suck. Sure, I agree that they need to improve, generally speaking.

And I try to do my best to improve my show. And actually, your posts on the forums have challenged me to do so even more vigorously.

But I can't tell the guy who does the Catholic show that he "must make it interesting first." For all I know, Catholics find his show interesting already.

See what I mean?

Your quote above, you're thinking like a crying podcaster that has spent too much of his allowance on toys and that, oh my god, someone out there "does not love me".

Whoa... I was with you right up until here. I'm not doing this because I've got low self-esteem and need a fan club or something. I just do it because it's fun. And my interest in advertising wasn't out of greed or anything. And I said earlier that if advertising didn't work out, oh well. No big deal. This is hardly on the level of "crying." I just wanted to know if people have tried any of the advertising methods listed here in the forums, and if they've met with success or failure. Just asking a question.

Listen, I agree with you for the most part about advertising. About 99% of the time, it's crap. It's annoying. Hell, I'll even call it "disgusting," in most of its incarnations.

IF I decide to use advertising (I'm not entirely sold on it yet), my thought is just to have a "sponsorship" of something of MY choosing, that I would be willing to fully endorse (if I wouldn't endorse it, I'm not interested). And whose purpose would be to put any small revenue that might come in back into the podcast. That's all. Something short, unintrusive, and easy for people to ignore.

Here's what I'm trying to say:

1. Not all advertising is evil. For example, most people advertise their podcasts and/or websites in their signature blocks here. If I like the way someone thinks and their posts in the forums, I'd go check out their podcast. See? In this case, the advertising was beneficial to both the poster and the reader, and I doubt many people refuse to read the forums based on the podcast advertising that takes place in people's signature blocks.

2. Many people think there's good content out there. Many people don't. Who's right? ALL of them. Because what defines "good content" changes from person to person.

3. I'm not nearly as impassioned with the idea of advertising as my willingness to discuss it at length probably makes it seem. If it doesn't work out, that's cool. If it turns a bunch of my listeners off, I'll drop it. No big loss. I'm not willing to destroy my show over it.


I'm not here to make money. I'm not here to piss anyone off. I'mjust here to share my thoughts with other people who share my interests, and to have fun doing it.

That's all. :)

Sorry if my last post came across as an attack or something. That's not at all how I meant it.

[sydbarrett]

the customer is always right!

[sydbarrett]

dude
you don't want to listen

you just want to analyze why i'm wrong and you are right

my point is lost with you

I'm one voice

you have many listeners
therefore you are right and i'm wrong

cool dude

awesome attitude

if i write more
you will break it down even further so you can go
to bed tonight a winner

you are a winner dude

advertise away and keep your expenses down and huge audience happy

good luck

[sydbarrett]

and with that

RandomChatter dude I still believe

that some day in the future
we all will say with confidence that
podcasting has become
just a little better than radio

good luck dude

awesome spirit

don't ever allow
reality to cloud your world

Later Random

p.s. PARALYSIS THROUGH ANALYSIS

[volwrath]

Syd:

I think you are crazier than the real Syd.

Welcome to the machine

[sydbarrett]

Syd:

I think you are crazier than the real Syd.

Welcome to the machine

thanks dude

first grain of truth in this thread

Later T man

[trueisnotfalse]

Syd dude, I'm glad you're here to speak the truth brother.

[kickasspodcast]

I don't think I speak for myself when I ask, is that a real picture of you as your avatar?

Thx for acknowledging all 8,000+ podcasters, some of us who do this out of pocket for the love like to be counted in innocuous forum postings.

Thanks Man~


Jack

[sydbarrett]

Syd dude, I'm glad you're here to speak the truth brother.
thanks dude
its all good dude

I'm just a freak for not falling in love with 3,500+ podcasts

but they do have an audience and I'm just one insane voice

40-50 million mp3 players they must have a huge audience

what i dont understand is why does the top podcast only have about 700 votes?

50 million plus players and 700 votes

I don't understand.

Hey D & D is 2nd!!!!
when they hit first all will be good in the alley

Later you crazy podPeople of the alley

[sydbarrett]

I don't think I speak for myself when I ask, is that a real picture of you as your avatar?

Thx for acknowledging all 8,000+ podcasters, some of us who do this out of pocket for the love like to be counted in innocuous forum postings.

Thanks Man~


Jack
avatar?
that pic thingy on the side
only my hair stylist will ever know
you hitten on me dude, my wife will beat you up
Innocous
open subscription, open criticism
sorry dude...the truth hurts

dude I feel podcasting potential
and we are not there yet
support on here is awesome
but lacking in some truths.

lots of hype, big on form, lacking in substance

i know i know reality sucks

but hope is still alive and well
because some day we'll all say with confidence that
podcasting is just a little better than radio

podPeople are great and awesome
they just need a little fine tuning

Later Kickarzzman

[RandomChatter]

Nah... I'm a firm believer that Syd is the sane one!

[sydbarrett]

FeedBurner has published their latest podcasting stats:

http://www.burningdoor.com/feedburner/archives/001238.html

At first glance all looks well, until you start to read more carefully. Then you notice the following:

- Out of roughly 6,000 podcasts, only about 20 have over 1,000 subscribers
- Only "hundreds" have over 100 subscribers
- The average number of subscribers per podcast is 33
- Total subscribers to those 6,000 podcasts is around 195,000 listeners (assuming nobody listens to more than one podcast)

Read between the lines and you discover the following:

- Roughly half (~2,900) of FeedBurner's podcasts have less than 5 subscribers each.

So while the number of podcasts continues to grow at a rapid rate, the number of listeners is not keeping pace. Let's hope that iTunes 4.9 changes that.

Craig

sure dude go advertise
I was thinking you had tens of thousands of listeners
I guesss dude you're podcast is one of the 20 with over 1000
RandomChatter dude for you its ok to advertise
who is going to advertise with you...mom, dad?

in fact I will listen to your podcast if you get
a non-arms length party to advertise on your podcast
for more than $100/year

the fools not to see the huge potential of reaching another
33 listeners! is corporate america insane

RandomChatter dude, I take it all back man
go advertise
I guess my main issue is the implication that everything out there right now sucks. There's "nothing to listen to," yet many people are listening and enjoying themselves. You're thinking like a listener, and that's cool, but it almost seems you're speaking like you're the only listener. You seem to be implying that because you, a single listener, think what's out there is crap, that it is, in fact, crap. What about the opinions of others like yourself?

"many people" dude you consider 33 people many?
oh wait...your podcast is one of the 20 with 1000+
oh I see
and hundreds only have over 100 subscribers

you consider less than 1000 many?

reality dude reality
as i said before...don't allow reality to cloud your world
dude...get advertisers

I have to listen to the business/individual that would spend money to reach 33 people (with individual net worth of less than say $10 million).

over 50,000,000 mp3 players reaching 195,000 listeners
or hitting an audience of 0.39%

and what the numbers show...I'm not just one voice, i represent many

but still I have hope
that some day in the future
we will all say with confidence that
podcasting is juat a little better than radio

and that i will no longer say (along with over 49 million people)

8000+ podcasts and nothing to listen too


Later Randomchatter dude

[mental-escher]

After consulting with a team of crack(on) statisticians, I've been informed that I now have a net of -3 (plus-or-minus 100) listeners, and I'm still smiling 'cause I'm having fun doing my podcasts, and I can still afford to eat w/out being a pc-pimp!


:wink:

[RandomChatter]

Wow Syd... I really don't get your hostility.

First, are you attributing that first quote to me? I'm not Craig.

Second, the "many" I was referring to wasn't my own listeners. It was podcast listeners in general. Many people (more than "33") are listening to podcasts, and based on feedback very readily available, are enjoying them.

Also, your assumption that all of the 50 million MP3 player owners find podcasts uninteresting is, at best, very uninformed. While it's growing, podcasting is a technology that even most TECHIES haven't heard of yet, let alone the average MP3 player owner. You imply that you, who don't listen because you're not interested in the content, accurately represent people who haven't even heard of podcasting.

Of those people who know of podcasting, yes -- "many" are enjoying the content that's out there.

I don't get your negativity. Nor the sarcastic insults. I regret having started the thread in the first place.

But whatever. No hard feelings.

All I wanted was to know how advertising has been working out for any podcasts that have tried it. Instead, every time I read this thread, I feel like I have to defend myself from accusations that I'm part of the "evil corporate machine." Guess I'll go pursue the answer using other methods. It's all good.

Take care, Syd. I wish you nothing but the best.

[Lifespring!]

ok..the alley also divides casties into "genres"
there are (shock shock) categories i'm not interested
for example I'm not big on the whole religion thing (some say scam)
so dude a wack of casties are off my list.



Syd, what about the possibility that what you're looking for is in the "Religion" category?

Don't you find it, um, foolish (no disrespect intended), to categorically determine from the outset that you're not going to listen to a genre while at the same time proclaiming 3,500+ and nothing to listen to?

[kickasspodcast]

This made me laugh. But Zencast.org does rule and I am not sure if Syd has checked that out- its a good show- I am not sure if its in the same catagory
Syd, what about the possibility that what you're looking for is in the "Religion" category?

@Lifespring- may I ask what church/religion/denomination you guys cover?
Please say anything but non-denominational. There is of course no such thing. ;)

@ Syd I wasn't hitting on you dude, gross! Its just a creepy picture. But its nice to know you have a "hair stylist".

I think soccergirls has laid the foundation for us all. We each need to sell custom shirts, camisoles, BBQ Aprons, and Thongs with our Podcast Logo on them... Think of all of the people out there in the market for a Thong with your Podcast Logo on it!


Jack

[sydbarrett]

ok..the alley also divides casties into "genres"
there are (shock shock) categories i'm not interested
for example I'm not big on the whole religion thing (some say scam)
so dude a wack of casties are off my list.



Syd, what about the possibility that what you're looking for is in the "Religion" category?

Don't you find it, um, foolish (no disrespect intended), to categorically determine from the outset that you're not going to listen to a genre while at the same time proclaiming 3,500+ and nothing to listen to?

I love it, maybe what I'm really looking for is in the Religion category..lmfao
Well at least today I have no interest, but you never know. I may find god down the road.

Lifespring, as another example of categorous ignorous, I'm not listening to Mac podcasts when my operating system is Windows. Come on dude...you know what I mean about the Religion Category. So I will risk your foolish label, but please dude, don't make me listen to MacCasts or Dawn & Drew again, please dude, please.
I'll be good from now on.

Sorry, oh please god please don't make me listen. I will go to church, I promise. Praise the Lord.

Blessed are the podPeople who produce joyful podcasts.
Amen

[Lifespring!]

Syd wrote but please dude, don't make me listen to MacCasts or Dawn & Drew again, please dude, please.

At least you listened to D&D.

If you don't have a Mac, I can see not listening to a MacCast.

But you are a human being, and, therefore, I believe that what you are looking for can be found in one of the Religious podcasts. May I humbly suggest you try listening to mine? Lifespring! (http://lifespringpodcast.com)

@Jack
My podcast is from a Christian perspective. If you want to further categorize it, you could say Protestant. To further categorize it would not work. I purposely keep denominational distinctives out of the discussion. There are basics that most Christian Protestants all agree on, and I choose to focus on those things and not the peripheral issues that tend to divide.

Hope that helps.

@Jack and Syd
Glad I could bring a smile to the both of you today. :)

[audiocollective]

Richard Vobes is doing it and he has had a good response.
www.vobes.com
He quit his day job and spends all day slaving away at his podcast. He is one of the most dedicated podcasters I have ever listened to. And yes he is the one with the banner at the top of every page on podcast alley

[soccergirl]

Hey guys... interesting discusion you're having here. I don't really want to weigh in on the various pros and cons, but as far as my "products" go, they're all for free. You can do it too, at cafepress.com. You upload your images, arrange them on the products the way you want, and then poof. The trick is, cafepress gets most of the profit. You mark stuff up a dollar or two, and that's all you make per sale. I really haven't even sold much, but it's cool to be able to buy my own stuff for a discount.
Also, whatever sales I do make are only helping me get the word out about my show.

I think it's an alright deal.

[iPod Traveller]

Hey Soccergirl!

In Britain we call it Football! In fact, I was wondering, do you want some charming Brits on your show advertising theirs?

If you can't make money with your raunchy little NY number then there's no hope for anyone!

We've called our latest podcast Sex Spa's and Casinos and it seems to have done the trick. Maybe if we get a naked soccergirl in we can begin to make money.

I must admit, we have't actually tried to get advertisers, perhaps that's part of the problem! eeek!

By the way, does anybody know how to get 40 flights for $1600 dollars and see the whole of Europe? We do. (god is it too obvious I'm plugging my cast?)

Anyway, just wanted to share my opinion on advertising!

Nick

[jeffoest]

Hey guys... interesting discusion you're having here. I don't really want to weigh in on the various pros and cons, but as far as my "products" go, they're all for free. You can do it too, at cafepress.com. You upload your images, arrange them on the products the way you want, and then poof. The trick is, cafepress gets most of the profit. You mark stuff up a dollar or two, and that's all you make per sale. I really haven't even sold much, but it's cool to be able to buy my own stuff for a discount.
Also, whatever sales I do make are only helping me get the word out about my show.

I think it's an alright deal.

What we find cool is that you don't HAVE to mark the merchandise up at all (i.e. cafepress still gets their cut). Pat and I really use it to get out our stuff out to folks at the cheapest price possible. No profit for us but a free service and at $0 markup, the prices aren't too bad for folks. Our preference is to get merchandise out to people vs. the few bucks in might generate and I think this is a reasonable no-risk way to do it.

[Jpop_Blast]

Has anyone thought of using enhanced podcasts for advertising?

Using that picture space, might be a good idea.

However not broadcasting in mp3, slightly cuts some audience of compatability.

[Hittman]

How is the quality of the Café Press stuff these days? I’ve heard complaints that the t-shirts were good for about two washings before they looked lousy.

[Art a GoGo]

I think that the Cafe Press products are pretty high quality. I have a shirt and sweatshirt that I've washed a bunch of times and they still look good. Set up a store and buy one of your own shirts and test it out.

[longtail]

Come one, come all!

I'm part of a team of business school students researching podcast advertising. If you're a podcaster, we'd love to hear your experiences about podcasting in general, and opinions on podcast advertising specifically.

The survey's at http://surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=77841387635 and only takes a few minutes to fill out. In addition to helping us pull our plans into focus, you might get just the podvertising solution you've always wanted... Now's your chance to tell us what you're really looking for.

Feel free to spread the word to all your podcasting friends. The more responses, the better.

Thanks!

Jon

[kinkysex]

I have an idea.

There seems to be a lot of hostility toward the idea of making people pay for our shows. But, how to make money? Ok, here's one way. Feel free to shoot it down....

Put my shows in the iTunes store. Exactly like a song. So, you can pay 99 cents an episode. Wait, there's more.

Also, put my shows in the podcast section for free.

Now the listener has a choice. Pay or not.

Why the hell do that?

Well, it's the same as a paypal donation, kind of. Joe Listener gets to choose whether or not to "tip you" for your show.

I know I would spend a few bucks to buy couple of TWiT episodes, but I don't like paypal. So they don't get my money.

Also, what if I'm 14? Mom and Dad give me some itunes credits. I can't use paypal, but I can buy last weeks episode of Diggnation, just to be a nic guy.

I know for a fact that I would do this. I would use my iTunes account to 'tip' ya. But, I am only one.

[crybabyemokids]

It's not as easy as it sounds.
Getting a song into Itunes is horribly difficult(I'm not aware of the entire process), but it requires some sort of capital.

Also, out of the 99 cents per download, I'm not aware how much is given directly to the artist as it's usually sent to the record company(in this case there isn't a record company).

It's a novel idea, but involving Apple into it would be more a hassle than anything else. If someone could make a website or something that does this exact thing, it would be great. I know this is against the whole point of the idea, but I'm sure that Apple would have obligations towards this new idea and would probably be a waste of time and energy if we approached them with this.

But none the less, this is a great thought, and i'd love to know more peoples' stance on this!

Jay

[kinkysex]

if and I said, "IF" getting a song into iTunes is the only hard part..... then how hard is it to get into CD Baby? "Cause cd baby gets you into iTunes.

I know that's how indie bands do it. At least, I think that's how they do it.

Another question, is there a smaller version of cd baby? One that might at least take the BIG TIME podcasts and test this out.

[crybabyemokids]

I'm not quite aware of CD Baby's procedures, but the point I'm trying to make is that none of these big corporations would accept this idea unless it's backed by a large chunk of the podcasting community and/or Adam Curry.

[Craig]

is there a smaller version of cd baby?
CD Fetus?

Craig

[kinkysex]

crybabyemokids - gotcha. I think we're discussing two different things.... I agree that big corporations won't play in our sandbox. But...

I'm talking about treating my mp3 EXACTLY like an indie band. They don't have Adam Curry. They don't have big bucks.

So, why couldn't one of the indie band companies put one of us into their catalog?

I guess I'm asking the podcasters who do music shows to find out how these no name bands get into iTunes. Without a lot of money. I know they can do it. Why can't some of us?

Obviously, my four day old podcast is a poor choice. But what about a player in the field that isn't in Adam Curry's group yet? Is there anyone out there with a little clout who isn't in AOL TIME WARNER's pocket already?

[crybabyemokids]

Most of these services (CD Baby/ITunes) will screen through your mp3 before they add them to the music store. I don't think you would be able to label your mp3 as "Podcast" if you charge 99 cents for it, AudioBook maybe.


Podcasters would have to make their own label because I don't see any indie label helping us(I may be wrong).


PS I'm 17, and I heard your show. :oops: :?

[kinkysex]

Most of these services (CD Baby/ITunes) will screen through your mp3 before they add them to the music store. I don't think you would be able to label your mp3 as "Podcast" if you charge 99 cents for it, AudioBook maybe.


Podcasters would have to make their own label because I don't see any indie label helping us(I may be wrong).


PS I'm 17, and I heard your show. :oops: :?

You may be right about the labels not helping. But I hope you are wrong.

I think the labels would go where the money is. I guarantee that if my show had a million subscribers I could get some small outfit on board with this.

So, I guess I have to go. I need 999,980 more subscribers. PUNK ROCK!

Hopefully they'll all be over 18. :twisted:

[crybabyemokids]

Here's a hint, name your show something less attractive. "Kinky Sex Radio"? every kids dream come true. :D


PS:
as im listening to your show, i'm learning a lot.. :shock: :shock:

[kinkysex]

Here's a hint, name your show something less attractive. "Kinky Sex Radio"? every kids dream come true. :D


PS:
as im listening to your show, i'm learning a lot.. :shock: :shock:

That's funny!

turn it off you little bastard! turn if right now, or I'm tellin' your mom!

[crybabyemokids]

I may not get sleep tonight.

But I..Want..More.. :shock: :shock:

[SFEley]

Why the hell do that?

Well, it's the same as a paypal donation, kind of. Joe Listener gets to choose whether or not to "tip you" for your show.
I'm confused. What's the advantage of this process vs. simply putting a PayPal link on your site and asking people to tip you?

My site has a PayPal link. I ask for donations every show. Since I pay authors for the stories I deliver, I need support to keep the show going, and I explain that to the listeners.

So far I've brought in over $2500. The system works, as long as you can make a good case that donations will lead to more quality content.

[kinkysex]

the advantages are: 1. ease of use 2. popularity of service

Now let's be clear, this is an idea you would use WITH your paypal. Paypal works for a lot of people, don't fix it - it ain't broken.

But I thought this way because I COULD GIVE YOU MONEY THIS WAY. I don't like paypal. Don't use 'em. Won't use 'em.

But, I have an iTunes account.

And again, what if I'm 12? Mom and Dad can give an iTunes allowance, but probably not a credit card.

Your listener now has options! Mail a check, use paypal or pay for this show in iTunes. Or pay nothing.

If Wal-Mart teaches nothing it teaches that Americans cut their throat for convenience! :wink:

[Big Mike]

Okay, here's where I see a problem:

I'm on iTunes, toolin' around for something fun, and sure enough I find your kinkysex 'song'. I pay for it, fall in love, must have more, buy each download for 99¢.

Then, my buddy at work tells me he's been downloading all that stuff for FREE when I've been paying perfectly good burrito money for mine.

I'd say, "WTFBBQ?"

[kinkysex]

good point.

hmmmmm... how about...

I think this will only work if iTunes gives us our own section or doesn't list me. I'll point people to the (slightly hidden) link.

That way no accidentally pays for the show.

It's sounding a little complicated... there's got to be a better way.... OH!

What about a pay button ONLY next to the episode once you've subscribed to it? So you can't pay to download, you can only tip the show.

[moviesyoushouldsee]

Sod this, Im going on a quest to make money out of my podcast. In fact Im going to do a podcast about it and maybe I'll learn something that I can share with everyone. At least I'll have a laugh doing it. I also think hey, if I can do it then everyone else can too. So lets see what happens.