So, a podcast question.
The first podcast went out on Monday, and I’ve received some good feedback, and I’m looking for some more. A few people have asked that it be a little longer (it runs about 6 minutes now).
There are two reasons it’s the length it is. One, I don’t know a damned thing about podcasts, so I’d listened to a half-dozen, and the best one of the ones I heard was for Wait, Wait.. Don’t Tell Me on NPR, which may run 45 minutes, but they have things we don’t have, like famous guest panelists, a large appreciative studio audience, and a lengthy call-in segment.
It won’t be just me doing voicework moving forward, I hope, but my studio isn’t really set up to have a cast of hundreds in it. Once we get past maybe a half-dozen participants at most, my bedroom the studio begins to get a little crowded.
So my question is: should I try to expand the podcast to, say ten minutes or so? And what would you be interested in hearing in that extra time? A recap of last week’s trivia night? A song, maybe? More questions? Anecdotes? Another round of questions? Does anyone else want to pitch in with something?
I’m truly open to ideas.
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August 30th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
you could do 5 more questions. is it too much to do another round?
August 30th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Upping it to 10min would be good, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Add another round of trivia if you’re going to extend it, or maybe just a couple more questions. Maybe having a special guest now and then helping with a couple of questions. Perhaps the winners of the previous week’s DSO reading some questions, though that would either require you to have them come to your apartment (probably out) or to do it at the bar (which creates technical issues with sound and noise.)
I guess I’ve got nothing.
August 30th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Those are both good ideas.
I could record phone interviews over Skype, and if anyone comes over, we can do higher-quality recordings here just fine. That’s a very real thought.
Another five questions, or maybe an extra Scrabble Solution type of question is a very high possibility. I’d just like to put something in between the two rounds.
I would like another voice other than mine in the thing, just to break it up. (I’ve got some people in mind.)
This is good. Please, keep the ideas coming. I sense I’m missing something basic that would make these things vastly better. Thanks.
August 30th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
I would say that the current length is pretty good, actually. I’d say 5-7 minutes is just about right to get in, sell DSO and yourself, ask some questions, crack wise, give the answers, and get out. An extra Scrabble Solution may be good too, though, and I like the idea of a quick thumbnail recap of last week’s/night’s trivia.
The only criticism I’d had was one you’d heard already: I’d put a bit of compression on the mic or otherwise mix it so your voice track doesn’t fight the music.
I’d be happy to help however I can, btw.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:56 am
You could go with a call-in quiz show format. Maybe have people sign up in advance to play at first, while you build up an audience. Then, have live callers play.
To do that as a podcast, you can use either talkshoe.com or maybe nowlive.com.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:11 pm
The recaps in the podcasts will come, but I was toying with the call-in idea. I can call someone through Skype and record the conversation directly (I think; anyone wanna try this?), which would work for interviews or perhaps an I-call-you-and-quiz-you kind of thing.
And it wouldn’t have to be NYC centric, neither. In fact, other trivia people from elsewhere could be a bit of a priority, even.
Thanks, potentato. That gives me an idea or two as well.