Comments on: And That Got Me to Thinking… Frapper Maps, Surveys, and Julia Roberts

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 15:05:47 +0000

You know, I’ve had trouble getting into Blogging because it can eat up so much time! So I appreciate conciseness (like the Bear’s comment).
But my aversion to the Crapper Maps would probably be where I live. Some people think I live somewhere southwest of LA, but Alaska really is northwest of Canada.
Now what’s really fun is that I’m commenting before I’ve even heard your podcast! Itunes is downloading now, but I couldn’t resist the commenting on frappercinos.

By: Bear

Bear — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 05:53:35 +0000

I HATE those Crappr maps! I don’t really have a good reason for my dislike, but they just bug me.
Bear
The Bear Cave
http://bear.staroftexas.net

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 19:58:23 +0000

Okay, I’ll jump in here.
Christy, I feel the same as you about keeping away from the lowest common denominators in podcasting.
About listener feedback, I’d love to get more , and I think I’ve asked as many ways as I can think of…. I think the community element of podcasting is really cool. It’s really exciting the way a lisener can influence the direction of the show, contribute to the content….
But most people either don’t want to do this, are too busy, or don’t understand ‘cause they’re stuck in the old mindset of old Radio/media. Maybe many people just want to “consume” the podcast episode without having to think/work at giving any feedback. Maybe they wanna be annonymous.
When you go into a store to buy something, do you want to enter into a long friendly conversation with the person on the other side of the counter, or do you have enough “friends” already and do you just want to get your stuff and get outta there (sometimes)?

By: Steve (Lifespring!)

Steve (Lifespring!) — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 15:27:12 +0000

It’s true that most people are going to be happy “just” listening. Back in the day, I worked for a radio station. (Sales, not on the air.) Seems like I remember hearing that each phone call from a listener represented something like 100 people. I doubt that the ratio would hold true for podcast listeners, but it does illustrate the point that people who actually make this a two way street are certainly in the minority.
Don’t get me wrong. I am incredibly happy that anyone is listening at all…even if they *never* write or call or pin themselves on my map. However, when they *do* communicate with me, understanding how rare it is for someone to take the effort, I’m absolutley going to respond to them. It’s the least I can do!

By: Christy

Christy — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 19:35:01 +0000

//Some people are “interactive” and some people are not. //
This is what I’ve found as well. You could serve up a survey on a platter and some will not respond; those who want to will. Of course, they’re probably the same ones sending email, adding to the map, leaving comments…

By: Clinton (comedy4cast)

Clinton (comedy4cast) — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 19:19:51 +0000

I use my Frappr map as a way to let everyone see where other listeners are listening from. Sure, I could mention all the locations on my show, but how boring would that get after a while? By always having the map available, and mentioning it every so often, the listen knows it’s there and can go check it out and himself/herself to it.
No one MUST add their name. They can just come and look if they so desire. It’s just a way to visualize the show’s community. Are there other ways? Sure. But it’s a fairly easy way for the listener to be a part of the community.
I also have a survey on my site. When I joined Podtrac (which is where most of these surveys originate), they asked (not demanded) that I put the survey on my site and mention it for a few weeks, then drop off with the mentions. Fair enough. I don’t know if my show will every get advertising, but if an “official” survey makes that easier, okay. As they suggested, from the beginning, my mentions of the survey have trailed off as time has gone by.
I always encourage feedback. I make it a point to give out the email address and the phone number as often as possible. Do I get lots of email? No. Oddly enough, it’s probably in line with the number of people who have answered the survey. Some people are “interactive” and some people are not. So, the survey has probably just given me more information about the people from whom I usually hear.
Also, I do mention, every so often, adding me as a favorite at Podcast Pickle or the like. I say right up front that it is a way to give the show more exposure. And, when I ask, people tend to respond. I consider it a favor, so I try to keep the “asks” to a minimum.

By: Corey James Scribner - Red Jazz Radio

Corey James Scribner - Red Jazz Radio — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 03:14:39 +0000

I’m late to the discussion here, but here’s my 2-cents…
I put up a Frappr map. I have a MySpace page. I ‘ve got a link to the Podtrac survey. I’ve got an email newsletter. Basically, I’ve tried it all for the last 4 months.
I’ve learned a two things about my listeners from all these things. A rough idea of the geographical regions where my listeners are, and the fact that 60% of my listeners listen to each show more than once. Kinda cool to know, but for the next four months I’m going to try something different…I’m going to talk to my listeners.
All of these tools have gotten me distracted from what this podcasting thing really can be—a great way for me to get to know a lot of cool people that (in my case) like the kind of jazz music I do. After reading everyone’s great comments on here I thought of a great gimmick that I’m going to try…Ron’s got his Griddleminons, so why shouldn’t I have my Jazz Heads?
I’ll keep you posted on my “conversion” from podcast marketing tool overuser to Jazz Head soapboxer.

By: Ron (The Griddlemaster)

Ron (The Griddlemaster) — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 20:26:29 +0000

“Listening to a couple of yahoos sit around and talk about how funny they are, babble about every mundane detail of their lives, swear excessively, crack crude or mean jokes, and brag about how they’re the next big thing is not entertainment in my book– it’s a waste of my time, which is better spent with my family, or reading, or writing, or podcasting, or doing laundry, or… or… watching Ren and Stimpy reruns.”
Well, there goes Griddlesode #20

By: Christy

Christy — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 13:22:16 +0000

I readily admit that I’m a weirdo in more ways than one, and would hesitate to offer myself up (good or bad) as an example of normal anything.
That said, as a listener, I only subscribe to a handful of podcasts (18 regularly, mostly history and psychology/social work podcasts with a handful of religious or other educational thrown in, plus you and The M Show), and have a few extras that drift in and out of my playlist. Most of the ones I listen to are pretty down-to-earth, which is why I stick around. Of the 18, I have only felt compelled to leave feedback for or email 6 of them, and now regularly exchange emails with 3 of my favorite podcasters, with any one of whom I have developed enough rapport that I wouldn’t hesitate to invite over for dinner, if only they lived closer! But my contact is usually not sparked by me thinking, “hey– cool. I should tell them my thoughts on this.” It’s usually by them saying something like “stop by and add yourself to the map” or “leave a comment at the site” or “feel free to email your feedback or ideas.” Putting out an invitation makes it clear that you’re interested in what your listeners have to say, what they think, and who they are. I’m a sucker for that.
Now I get what you mean about the “heard” mentality, and truthfully, I guess I’m a little bit removed from that because I’ve never really felt a desire to subscribe to that kind of podcast. Listening to a couple of yahoos sit around and talk about how funny they are, babble about every mundane detail of their lives, swear excessively, crack crude or mean jokes, and brag about how they’re the next big thing is not entertainment in my book– it’s a waste of my time, which is better spent with my family, or reading, or writing, or podcasting, or doing laundry, or… or… watching Ren and Stimpy reruns. There. I said it.

By: Ron (The Griddlemaster)

Ron (The Griddlemaster) — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 02:43:05 +0000

Okay, Okay, I give! I’m willing to soften my stance on Frappr maps…with the stipulation that they are used in the manner that Christy and Steve are using them to interact with their listeners. It’s sort of like medicine. Used in a prescribed way, it can be helpful. Abused, it can only hurt.
As long as podcasters are using Frappr maps as prescribed by Drs. Christy and Steve, I’m okay with them
Parting question. Do Christy and Steve represent the rule or the exception?