A second feed for long show... a good solution?

[Version3]

Ten months of potential listener complaints about length, and a few very objective interviews, and we finally did it... we shortened our show, and we did it without changing a thing.


Our solution, is just to create a second feed of the show. An edited or "light" version of the show that allow us to drop in sections of the most recent shows, and even mix in classic cilps if we want. We are calling it 'edited' but for the most part, it still isn't. One of the things our listeners like most about our show, is the very 'real' feel that remains when we leave the dead jokes, screw ups and such in place. So instead, we've just chosen a few pieces of the show, dropped them in a sub 30 minute show (the first one is under 22 minutes) and dropped a semi-permanent version of the intro and lead out of the show. With any luck, we can put these files out more often than our normal twice weekly show. I think we are going to try to put out a Mon-Wed-Fri show for the time being.


Now the question:
We aren't really editing the show, which is something that some podcasters have strongly suggested. The reason we are most presented with, is running time, so we think we've met most of the intent here. That being said, does knowing that we didn't really 'edit' but we just cut clips into a shorter show make you more or less interested in checking out the podcast, than when the only option was an often 2 hour show?

[tipsychicks]

i would never listen to a 2 hour show. unless it was absolutely fasinating. but even then, it would take me weeks. i think your idea is good, but won't it exhaust you?

[deadwhiteguy]

It depends, how short is the "short" show, and how funny are you guys ?

Also what sorts of jokes ?

I wouldn't even consider trying to listen to a 2 hour comedy show, sorry, but depending on the length of the short show (and presuming you just stick in the really A material from the longer show) i'll give it a listen.

Although I think really short comedy shows work the best.

Just a thought, given I basically don't know anything about your show.

If it is sketch comedy, have you considered doing something like, recording the show in one sitting on the weekend and then releasing a bunch of short 1 sketch shows daily ? I don't really know if your shows current format would suit that at all, but it is always a thought.

Then you could have the best of both worlds.

Jason

[etomorrow]

2 hours is rough, i know i personally have trouble listening to a show over an hour, a couple of our shows went just over an hour and i didn't want to listen. so i have been pretty strict about editing them down to keep them around 40 minutes.

[Version3]

You do all understand that I'm not currently promoting the long show. I'm already aware that 2 hours is too long for many listeners... that is the reason we've made the 'short show'.

The show in question (on this thread) is only 22 minutes this episode. Did I yammer too much about the regular show and muddy the water?

[Version3]

i think your idea is good, but won't it exhaust you?

It's very possible, since not only to we record two incredibly long shows per week, but then I have to listen to them again to edit them. However, since I'm not full-on "editing" that cuts down on the time spent. Plus, when we have a good show, it's likely to produce shorter materials that can span a few of the short shows. I wouldn't have to edit as often in some cases I hope.

It depends, how short is the "short" show, and how funny are you guys ?

In my original post on this thread, I note that the first installment is under 22 minutes. I hope to keep them near the 25 minute mark, 3 times a week. As for how funny, that's subjective. We get laughing hard enough to make my stomach ache for a day or two, and the show has spawned more than a few laugh induced nose bleeds... I'd of course say it's extremely funny.

Also what sorts of jokes ?

Well, we don't 'tell jokes' and we don't do a skit based show. Our show is just three guys that know each other really well, and try to make each other laugh as much as possible. Rob has nearly met his life long goal of making someone piss their pants from laughing so hard... on show 68 (of the very long show) I thought I was gonna have to pinch the tip to keep him from having his goal met. The comedy is based on alternatives to every day situations, and laughing at all things taboo. It's hard to say what kind of comedy we are. Everyday comedy?



Thanks for your feedback. :D

[joelthecomic]

The whole concept of two shows seems a bit silly. Although your reason for doing it is understandable - you want more listeners.

The logic is flawed, however. If you decide to make a long show you must be prepared that some people will not download it because they simply won't have time to listen. Most people though, I think, that are new listeners will download it no matter what and listen at least to the first 5 minutes or so. Therefore it really doesn't matter how long it is. If they don't like the first five minutes they're not going to listen anyway. If they like the first 5 minutes, they'll listen until until it's over or until they can't anymore (their car ride is over, etc). Then they'll get the next one. Your regular fans aren't being serviced at all by it being shorter. They'll just want more.

Our show is 70-80 minutes weekly and nobody has ever complained to us that it was too long. There are people that cannot download a long show due to having a slow connection or whatever. Then there are really hardcore people who won't for philosphical reasons that won't download a long show but that is a very, very small minority of the genral public. Those people wouldn't enjoy the show anyway, so who needs 'em?

Perhaps doing a 2-3 minute promo and having it available in your signature here, on a visible spot on your site and at the top of your feed would grab those who might be scared away.

I also love that the same people who complain about show length on these forums post a list of 20-30 shows they listen to every week. That's not a time commitment or anything!

[jeffoest]

I'm skeptical as well about the value of a second show. Well, let me put it another way. There will probaby be some value. But it may not make up for the extra work involved per week for you guys.

The cool thing is that you guys are trying it. I don't think anyone of us really knows for sure. The fact that you guys have been successful getting folks to listen to a 2-hour show says something. Perhaps the shorter one will cannibalize from those listeners. Perhaps the shorter one will add to the overall listenership. Perhaps it won't make too much of a difference.

I say hurrah for trying it - you're bound to learn more about the dynamics of your audience.