Any Chance You'll Add Video? Change Ads?

[rmbittner]

I would just like to put in my vote for a move from an audio-only podcast (I really do wish you'd stop calling it a "radio show") to a video-based one. Nowadays, it's so easy to set up Skype sessions with interviewees who are outside the production studio. And I think it would add a lot more interest to the show: we could actually see what a pipemaker's product looks like, we could see a collector's collection, we could glimpse what a tobacco blender's workspace looks like. Of course, it would be wonderful to actually see several folks in the studio together, talking pipes, but I realize that simply might not be logistically possible.
I'd also suggest that the ads shift away from being canned, repeated radio-like commercials. Why not have the host just read an ad, once from each underwriter, during the course of the show? I can't tell you how tired I get of hearing the same ads multiple times during what is already a fairly brief podcast. (And if we listen every week, the repetition gets extremely annoying.) And the fact that they play like radio commercials just feels odd for an Internet-delivered podcast in 2013.
My .02 anyway...
Bob

 

[numbersix]

Interesting. I think a video podcast would be a lot more work but I have to admit, I only check in on the audio shows very occasionally. Audio podcasts just aren't my thing I guess.
But I think I would check out a video interview more frequently, especially since I am often on my computer when I smoke. Something to consider - might be worth the extra effort.

 

[crpntr1]

I could be wrong but I think the whole point of it including the radio show moniker, was to take you back to a time before skype or tv for that matter

 

[rmbittner]

Chris:
I can understand that thinking. I can even see the idea that "Hey, pipe smoking in 2013 is anachronistic, so why not be equally anachronistic by having an old-fashioned radio show delivered over the Internet?"
If that really is the thought behind it, though, then maybe this just isn't for me, much as I enjoy talk about pipes and tobaccos. I want it to feel up-to-date and current, not "old-timey." Or, worse, amateurish.
I should add, though, that I currently only follow one video podcast, and it focuses on technology, so I've gotten used to a format that includes Skyped-in guests, multiple cameras, and even a live online "chat room" during the podcasts. The "chat room" is particularly nice, because it allows those who are watching live to actually participate by typing questions, adding information, etc. I think it would be wonderful if, during a Pipes podcast, Brian could glance at a monitor and see what questions are coming in over the Internet and then turn those over to a guest in real-time. But I do realize that this involves a level of financial commitment that may simply not be there.
Bob

 

[phred]

Might as well out myself... I'm a Steampunk, and I rather like the anachronistic "radio show" nomenclature. Of course, I'm also expanding my collection of old-timey clothing on a regular basis, and pipe smoking fits in quite nicely with the retro look. Listening to a broadcast via wireless - perfect! Even if the "wireless" in question is streaming internet service rather than standard AM/FM or shortwave radio signals...
I don't watch many video podcasts, as video takes more attention than just audio - especially while commuting, where watching a video borders on the suicidal. If I'm going to watch something, I'm usually either in my living room or at my PC, where I can simply stream it to a large screen rather than downloading it to a teeny tiny device. Of course, I'm now wearing bifocals, so there are some physical reasons for this distinction as well...

 

[admin]

Bob, thanks for taking the time to provide your feedback regarding the request for a "video podcast".
Anything is possible ... but ...
If we need to make money doing it, then it's a whole new ballgame.
The PipesMagazine.com business model requires that -
1) We make a profit, and 2) That we only produce / publish / broadcast what can be done in an "old media" style of being of the utmost professional quality.
Just because it's on the Internet doesn't mean we can accept the amateur blogger in his mom's basement wearing his pajamas quality of Internet publishing / broadcasting that is so prevalent online.
Therefore, a PipesMagazine.com video show would be required to be at the level of broadcast or cable television quality for it to be acceptable as a PipesMagazine.com production.
For example, if you just take a minute and watch the beginning of this video interview I did, it will give you an idea of what I mean.
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/pipe-videos/michael-gladis-of-mad-men/
There are over 100-man hours into that, plus travel, professional lighting, video editing, etc., etc. It's a huge amount of work.
- Radio Show vs. Podcast - It's both. It's The Pipes Magazine Radio Show when we go live on Thursdays at 8 pm. It's the podcast of the radio show when you listen to the playback.
"Radio Show" also connotes something more professional than the pajama wearing, basement dwelling amateur podcasters.
- Radio-like Commercials - This also goes back to this being a professional, commercial endeavor. We do offer a "host read", which no one has bought yet, and we offer a "host mention", which goes to SmokingPipes.com at the beginning and end of the show right now.
Lastly, Brian's taste in clothing is way too fancy for our wardrobe budget, aside from hair and make-up for a professional video show.
On another note, if you need help uploading an avatar, here is a sticky post with instructions. It's pretty easy and only takes a few seconds.

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/avatars-in-forums

 

[admin]

Also, the Technology market is probably 1,000 times larger than the pipe smoker / collector / hobbyist market.
Would you pay for a video show?
How much per month for a weekly show that would also include ads?
Advertisers probably couldn't afford to produce TV-style ads though, as the market is too small to cover the costs, so those would probably be text overlays and host reads.

 

[admin]

Regarding the current radio show ads - the resources required to produce them are not insignificant either, so they are not going to change frequently.
They shouldn't change too frequently either, as successful advertising requires repetition and continuity.
That said, SmokingPipes.com did mention that they are working on a new ad anyway.

 

[winton]

Thanks for the response, Kevin. It is nice to occasionally get a glimpse of the work you do behind the curtains.
Winton

 

[pstlpkr]

I like the current format.

It's a simple thing to download the podcast to my phone and listen at my leisure.

 

[ocpsdan]

+1 Lawrence.
I like things the way they are. If you don't like what you're getting for free, get off your butt and do it yourself. To do something of the magnitude of the radio show on a continual basis, with changing content and guests is a very large amount of work. Thanks for all you guys do, and keep up the good work!

 

[tbradsim1]

Bob not to piss you off, but I hope Kevin doesn"t change a damn thing, too much Facebook, Twitter , Linkadink, WHEW! Got bumfuzzled just thinking about it, Relax Man enjoy the pace, we got a good thing The old cajun :clap:

 

[rmbittner]

Bob not to piss you off, but I hope Kevin doesn"t change a damn thing

Not pissed-off at all! I'm learning that I'm probably not the target market for the show, and I've already overstepped my .02's worth when it comes to commenting on it.
Don't get me wrong: I really do appreciate all of the work that goes into a production like this. Sure, I'd be happy if you did a show exactly how I wanted it, but then I'd be the only one who liked it!
To touch on a point Kevin made and ocpsdan alluded to: I would be happy to pay a subscription fee for a show, if that meant a good stream of guest interviews and maybe a longer episode on occasion. I would be reluctant to pay for the show as it currently stands, since there's so little content that appeals to my specific interests. But if that were to change, I think it would easily be worth $60-75 annually to me.
Bob

 

[rmbittner]

Kevin wrote:

On another note, if you need help uploading an avatar, here is a sticky post with instructions.

Thanks! No help needed. I'll get something in place soon.
Bob

 

[admin]

I think it would easily be worth $60-75 annually to me.

Hmmm ... if we could get about 2,000 people to pay that, plus some advertising, it could actually be doable.

 

[rmbittner]

Hmmm ... if we could get about 2,000 people to pay that, plus some advertising, it could actually be doable.

I'm smiling. . . because I realize how little $60-75/year actually is unless you've got high numbers. And 2,000. . . well, that sounds like a very high number!

 

[ghost]

Bob not to piss you off, but I hope Kevin doesn"t change a damn thing, too much Facebook, Twitter , Linkadink, WHEW! Got bumfuzzled just thinking about it, Relax Man enjoy the pace, we got a good thing The old cajun

As someone who is online all day for work and personal, I agree with this. I think I have digital fatigue, a good old radio show hits the spot sometimes...

bumfuzzled

8O
:?:

 

[admin]

Regarding the name being The Pipes Magazine Radio Show -
A quick search of Podcasts on iTunes shows that 21 out of 36 PODCASTS have RADIO SHOW in their name.
There were actually more than 70, but this is just the first screen without scrolling.

 

[rmbittner]

Okay, okay. . . I'm crying "Uncle!"
While I'd say that some of those "radio shows" actually are radio shows, which also happen to stream on the Internet, I'm convinced that I'm clearly on a different wavelength on this issue.
I live digitally. I'm on my computer all day -- I'm a full-time freelance writer -- and when I'm away from it, I never go anywhere without my iPad and iPhone. I get my newspapers and almost all of my magazines delivered electronically, and I read most of my books on a Kindle (despite having about 500+ actual books on my to-read shelves). So I've definitely gotten used to the way technology works, and I do have certain expectations for the entertainment I consume that's delivered digitally.
But I'm clearly in the minority here. So I'll continue to listen to the show and to do my best to accept it for what it is. And I'll try not to harp on ways of turning it into something it was never intended to be and which most other listeners don't want. And, despite my critiques, I hope I've made it clear that I sincerely do appreciate the work that goes into producing a weekly podcast on pipes and pipe smoking. It's remarkable that anyone is doing that on a consistent basis these days, and I will do my best to embrace and support it.
Bob

 

[admin]

Thanks Bob!
Brian and I are working on tonight's show right now.
I'm also trying to get a few "celebrity" interviews as well.