Comments on: Pay for Podcasts http://www.newmediasense.net/media/pay-for-podcasts/ New Media Strategies’ blog focuses on social marketing news, Web 2.0 developments, and original research on online consumer trends from the industry pioneer of word-of-mouth marketing and online business intelligence. Wed, 7 Jan 2009 14:53:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.1 by: Jeff http://www.newmediasense.net/media/pay-for-podcasts/#comment-21 Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:33:03 +0000 http://www.newmediasense.net/media/pay-for-podcasts/#comment-21 btw - I don't even know who this gervais character is, but you know what, I am going to go find out right now for free! btw - I don’t even know who this gervais character is, but you know what, I am going to go find out right now for free!

]]> by: Jeff http://www.newmediasense.net/media/pay-for-podcasts/#comment-20 Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:32:00 +0000 http://www.newmediasense.net/media/pay-for-podcasts/#comment-20 Long live TWiT for making the right decision. For now, I think it is too soon to expect a substantial following into the subscription world. I think donations are the way of the future. Yes, there has been a lag with people accepting the new method for rewarding good production and creation but it is a good system. I was recently talking with a friend about music groups adding "donations" to their sites because so many people illegally obtain the music (which will always happen) there needs to be an avenue to repay the creators. Some people won't buy a whole CD for $17 but will gladly give $5. But right now they can't because there is no way to do it. In time, as culture shifts to find a solution I see donations playing a bigger part. Long live TWiT for making the right decision. For now, I think it is too soon to expect a substantial following into the subscription world.

I think donations are the way of the future. Yes, there has been a lag with people accepting the new method for rewarding good production and creation but it is a good system. I was recently talking with a friend about music groups adding “donations” to their sites because so many people illegally obtain the music (which will always happen) there needs to be an avenue to repay the creators. Some people won’t buy a whole CD for $17 but will gladly give $5. But right now they can’t because there is no way to do it. In time, as culture shifts to find a solution I see donations playing a bigger part.

]]> by: Corrie http://www.newmediasense.net/media/pay-for-podcasts/#comment-19 Wed, 22 Feb 2006 14:45:06 +0000 http://www.newmediasense.net/media/pay-for-podcasts/#comment-19 I agree with you - but can also see where "larger" names - i.e., Gervais, or the NPR shows like Fresh Air that are also available as podcasts on the Audible system) - etc, are interested in persuing a subscription method but I do not think that the larger podcasting world is (or are they?). In fact, TWiT considered a subscription method in the past as well, but opted against it (something I was very glad to see) in favor of sponsorship and merchandise. I think that the one payment system that doesn't necessarily work (unless done as an NPR-style fundraiser) is donations - I just don't think that donations actually work (partially because I just donated to a content provider for the first time in the 12 years I've been on the Internet last week. D'oh). However, merchandise? Absolutly. And now I want a TWiT hoodie.... I agree with you - but can also see where “larger” names - i.e., Gervais, or the NPR shows like Fresh Air that are also available as podcasts on the Audible system) - etc, are interested in persuing a subscription method but I do not think that the larger podcasting world is (or are they?). In fact, TWiT considered a subscription method in the past as well, but opted against it (something I was very glad to see) in favor of sponsorship and merchandise.

I think that the one payment system that doesn’t necessarily work (unless done as an NPR-style fundraiser) is donations - I just don’t think that donations actually work (partially because I just donated to a content provider for the first time in the 12 years I’ve been on the Internet last week. D’oh). However, merchandise? Absolutly. And now I want a TWiT hoodie….

]]> by: Jeff http://www.newmediasense.net/media/pay-for-podcasts/#comment-18 Wed, 22 Feb 2006 01:42:29 +0000 http://www.newmediasense.net/media/pay-for-podcasts/#comment-18 The popularity of podcasting began because it was free. I frequently just jump in and start listening to new podcasts all the time but I would stop if there was a pay system. And since this is the method that I go about listening (and I would guess many others do as well) sponsorship would likely be the best route to take. The initial pay obstacle would likely be a hurdle to many new listeners. However, other pay methods should also be persued. I was listening to TWIT this morning and they mentioned a "hoodie" sale and I immediatley went to their site to look into it sadly it was a sale for another company that all the hosts enjoy (the sucker that I am, I still bought one, heh). However in the show comments, there was post after post of people wanting to buy a TWiT hoodie. Balancing donations with merchandise and reasonable and respectful sponsorship would likely succeed. The popularity of podcasting began because it was free. I frequently just jump in and start listening to new podcasts all the time but I would stop if there was a pay system. And since this is the method that I go about listening (and I would guess many others do as well) sponsorship would likely be the best route to take. The initial pay obstacle would likely be a hurdle to many new listeners.

However, other pay methods should also be persued. I was listening to TWIT this morning and they mentioned a “hoodie” sale and I immediatley went to their site to look into it sadly it was a sale for another company that all the hosts enjoy (the sucker that I am, I still bought one, heh). However in the show comments, there was post after post of people wanting to buy a TWiT hoodie. Balancing donations with merchandise and reasonable and respectful sponsorship would likely succeed.

]]>