iTunes and Disney/NPR

[mackymacky]

Hey guys...I am new to this site and to Podcasting in general

I was wondering whats up with iTunes

How come the only shows they seem to promote are either Disney or NPR?

How does a small podcast get exposure on their homepage

I can not seem to track anyone down at Apple

What is up with that?

Thanks in advance for your response

Regards,

Mackymacky

[jgreenwald]

First, it is a mistatement to say that the "only shows they seem to promote are either Disney or NPR."

May I draw your attention to a show called Skepticality. It is an independently-produced podcast that is both prominately promoted on the iTunes podcast page and currently ranked number 3 on the hot 100. How did they do that? Well, for one thing they created a good show that people wanted to listen to. What a concept.

So if you want to get noticed, start by creating something worth noticing. Second, I would recommend that you bring your podcast-worth-noticing to the attention of Adam Curry. If he sees merit in it, he will promote it. Additionally, do all the things that people always do to get attention. But the bottom line is that you need to create a great podcast.

[IMAO-Podcast]

"Skepticality... is an independently-produced podcast that is both prominately[sic] promoted on the iTunes podcast page and currently ranked number 3 on the hot 100. How did they do that? Well, for one thing they created a good show that people wanted to listen to."

Well, that and they made a deal with the Devil...

"do all the things that people always do to get attention"

For example, try stalking a celebrity. A restraining order filed against you by Kristin Kreuk is a good way to get your name out to the mainstream media.

If possible, try to wear a shirt with your podcast's logo on it when you are arrested.

[IMAO-Podcast]

I must clarify the previous post accusing Skepticality of making a deal with the Devil to be listed on Apple iTunes.

The fact is that Skepticality does not believe in the Devil and they would never consider making a deal with some powerful, evil force that preys upon the fears of human beings and uses lies and distortions to extract the resources, nay, the very life out any man, woman, or child.

No, Skepticality is smart enough to not believe in such silly myths...

...the fact is that they brokered the iTunes deal through their Hollywood-based lawyer, Louis Cypher.

[ToasterBoy]

iTunes does features indies on their main page. I do not know how they go about choosing them but they do. For the past couple of weeks they've had an Interesting Indies section on the main page. It seems pretty random on how they go about choosing what they list though.

Grant

[YoungAmerican]

I think Apple is just trying to feature podcasts that regular folks will grok on their front page. The amateur podcast is an acquired taste, so the indies they're featuring are the higher-production value, higher quality-control ones.