two feeds or not two feeds???

[keifer]

Hey folks I need to get some opinion on an issue that is coming up with my music/fitness podcast. My sponsor would like to see the show increase to 60min from the current 40min, but would also like to have a shorter version (30min) as an alternative to clients who do not have the time for a 60min workout and want a shorter one.

So they have asked if i can do a 60min show and then make a 30min version for people to choose from.

My issue is that for subscribers what should I do, offer 2 sperate feeds, 1 for the 60min version and another for the 30min version? Or do I leave the feed alone and just post both versions to the same feed so clients can pick the length that suits them.

I'm educating the sponsor that most of the people who listen to the show are subscribers as opposed to people simply visiting the website so they can pick and choose (ratio of 5:1) which length to use.

[Yotto]

First off, how much is your sponsor paying you? For the amount of work you're doing (Over doubling your output from 40 minutes to 90) I'm betting it's not enough.

Assuming they're making you independantly wealthy, then you should do 2 different feeds. Nothing would make me unsubscribe faster than (potentially) 60 more minutes of stuff on my ipod every week. Make the 60 minute show the main feed and start a new feed of the 30 minute show, and announce on the 60 minute show every week that there's a shorter version for those pressed for time.

[WyethDigital]

Aside from your rather straightforward question (to which I answer "two feeds"), this brings up an interesting question: How much of our vaunted independence as podcasters are we willing to give up for sponsorship? What right does a sponsor have to dictate the format and content of a show?

Magazines, newspapers, radio and TV have all dealt with these issues to varying degrees of success and failure. To hear it from them, they balance things pretty well. But a quick look at the state of the media today points more towards failure.

My feeling is that a sponsor is a sponsor. They're not your boss, your editor, or your content provider. They are already getting a service from you, which is access to your audience. Are they in a position to make suggestions? Sure. As long as they understand that content and format is your final decision (after all, you built the audience, so you know what they expect). The only absolute say that they should have is of how you present their product in the show. Of course, to keep the roles in the relationship clear and defined, that should be spelled out in your contract right from the start. If you have one.

If they want a shorter show, then charge them for the effort. If they want to be the boss, then make them hire you as a producer on their show, and then make it the way they want it made.

Eric

[Mackbox]

I am not a podcaster myself but I think this is a very important issue and it's one I've thought a lot about. Most of my favorite shows have some sort of sponsorship and therefore some advertising but I don't think they're changing their content or format for the sponsors. I guess it's just an individual choice in the end though. What are you willing to sacrifice, or, on the other hand, do you see it as a sacrifice? Maybe it's simply a business decision in which case, good for you. Not everyone has a vision necessarily, a lot of people are doing it to try and make money and if that's the case, what's wrong with catering to sponsors?

[Shawn]

Definitely go with two feeds.

And this is the first time I've ever heard of a podcast sponsor asking a podcast producer to alter the podcast content. I'm guessing though, it won't be the last time.

Regardless, I hope they're paying you enough money to warrant the extra work.

[guscave]

I have to agree with the other posters on here, Unless you're being hired to produce a show specifically for a company, a sponsor should never tell you how short or long your should needs to be.

They've come to you because you've abviously have done something right to gain an audience in which they're interested in.

"If it ain't broke don't break it"

[doulos12]

We've never had this problem, but then again, our sponsor only covers our hosting and bandwidth, which isn't very much.

That said, our 'cast has 2 feeds: iTunes enhanced and standard mp3. We'd like to only have one feed to give us better ratings in directories, but if we only did an enahnced feed, we'd be cutting out a lot of listeners, but we don't want to get rid of the enhanced feed either. It'd be nice if directories could group multiple feeds of the same podcast together. Right now, I think Digg is the only one that does this.

[Barefoot Radio.com]

I agree with these others who suggest two feeds. My reasoning being the same as mentioned before, you shouldn't fill up someone's ipod space unnecessarily.

If your sponsor wants a show to his/her specifications, they should do it themselves.

Sponsors are definitely not the boss, but in a big sense they are the customer and we should go out of the way to do as much as we can for them within reason.

And it's also true, it sounds like they're asking you to add a big difference to your show. Another feed is another hassle.

Oy, also, sometimes people get feedback from one person who might like your show longer, but it doesn't mean that you should do it.

I'm trying to live by a new philosophy in business which is, 'be strong, but be fair.'