The Racketboy Podcast - thoughts?

[dsheinem]

Since the target of this post is, at least in part, the people who never frequent the "Podcast" subforum of the site (where I also posted this), I thought I'd repost this here:

I get the sense that people from the forums aren't listening/commenting near as much of late as they used to...which even then wasn't much

Are you not listening? Listening but not commenting?

If it's been a while, here are three big changes to the show since March:

-The show is now published biweekly
-The show now features JMustang1968 as the co-host
-The show now alternates between the long-running interview-based/NPR style episodes with newer more informal "just talking about video games" style episodes

John and I put quite a few hours into the researching, recording, editing, and publishing the show every other week, and we really would like to know if we're spending that time in a way that you - our target audience - also finds to be worthwhile. So sound off...

Let us know what you think!

[BoringSupreez]

Well, as someone who has never listened to your podcast I'll give you my $0.02. I've never felt compelled to bother listening. What makes your podcast worth listening to? I have no idea. It's not very well publicized. I don't know what sort of podcast it is. It could be full of in jokes that a newcomer wouldn't understand, like Three Red Lights was back when I used to listen to that on IGN. Maybe it's a dry old man sort of podcast, full of hard info. Like I said, I don't know.

And to be honest, from what little discussion I've seen about the podcast on the site I've always gotten the vibe that only the RB inner circle can really get anything out of or put anything into the podcast, and since I'm one of the majority of members who's just another anonymous face in the crowd... to be honest, this is probably the main reason I've never bothered with the podcast. It kinda seems like the podcast is created by and for the moderating team/site admins. Now, as I've never actually listened to an episode I could be totally wrong but that's just the impression I've gotten over the years.

[Jmustang1968]

Well, as someone who has never listened to your podcast I'll give you my $0.02. I've never felt compelled to bother listening. What makes your podcast worth listening to? I have no idea. It's not very well publicized. I don't know what sort of podcast it is. It could be full of in jokes that a newcomer wouldn't understand, like Three Red Lights was back when I used to listen to that on IGN. Maybe it's a dry old man sort of podcast, full of hard info. Like I said, I don't know.

And to be honest, from what little discussion I've seen about the podcast on the site I've always gotten the vibe that only the RB inner circle can really get anything out of or put anything into the podcast, and since I'm one of the majority of members who's just another anonymous face in the crowd... to be honest, this is probably the main reason I've never bothered with the podcast. It kinda seems like the podcast is created by and for the moderating team/site admins. Now, as I've never actually listened to an episode I could be totally wrong but that's just the impression I've gotten over the years.

I am the cohost and not apart of the admin team at all... we have been advertising on racket and twitter for feedback, questions, and ideas or suggestions all the time. We want more community involvement. The podcast is for whoever finds interest.

The latest episode, I interviewed Trent Oster of Beamdog who is doing the baldurs gate remake. A few shows ago, dave had an interview with David Gaider, one of Biowares lead writers and the lead write for Dragon Age. We also have themed shows where we bring in racketboy topic experts to discuss whatever the theme is, or we do a show covering the together retro game. Sometimes we just have standard shows where we discuss our recent gaming pickups, what we've been playing, retro news, forum post of the fortnight and answer listener questions.

I would say give it a try. We put in a lot of effort and would love more interaction.

[noiseredux]

I still listen to every episode happily. I comment when I remember to. I really can't give any suggestions, as I'm happy with the show as it is.

[KDub]

Well I haven't listened for a while, so I was going to go get a refresher before giving my opinions and both new episodes came up "file not found" when I tried to play them.

My one suggestion for now would be to branch out a bit. The podcast isn't apart of other sites, there are no other podcasts or video shows here...there just isn't a new crowd coming in all the time for the show. It is mostly for us here on the forums and we kind of know what a lot of your opinions are on the topics already.

[Jmustang1968]

Well I haven't listened for a while, so I was going to go get a refresher before giving my opinions and both new episodes came up "file not found" when I tried to play them.

My one suggestion for now would be to branch out a bit. The podcast isn't apart of other sites, there are no other podcasts or video shows here...there just isn't a new crowd coming in all the time for the show. It is mostly for us here on the forums and we kind of know what a lot of your opinions are on the topics already.

Did that occur when you tried to download or play from site? The recent trent oster link was fixed. The download link was broken. I don't have access to edit it yet but maybe Nick or Dave can look into it.

We also offer a lot more than our opinions on topics. I know I talk about stuff often that I haven't brought up on the show

We definitely need to market and advertise more. These interviews are an effort in that direction as we try to pull in fans of the guest, and maybe some stick around...

[dsheinem]

My one suggestion for now would be to branch out a bit.

Can you be more specific? I think that, historically and presently, we have had guests (and now conversations) on a VERY wide range of retro gaming and game culture-related topics. I am proud of our cumulative guest roster, which I think is more impressive than any show about video games ever. That's not meant to be hyperbole: I am completely serious that, over the course of 40-odd episodes, we've featured some amazing guests, often in lengthy interviews, that no other show can boast.

Can you clarify a bit about how we might "branch out"?

[KDub]

The "file not found" happen when I hit play

Changing this "The podcast isn't apart of other sites, there are no other podcasts or video shows here...there just isn't a new crowd coming in all the time for the show. It is mostly for us here on the forums and we kind of know what a lot of your opinions are on the topics already." would be branching out. Not in topic but in presence.

[dsheinem]

The "file not found" happen when I hit play

Changing this "The podcast isn't apart of other sites, there are no other podcasts or video shows here...there just isn't a new crowd coming in all the time for the show. It is mostly for us here on the forums and we kind of know what a lot of your opinions are on the topics already." would be branching out. Not in topic but in presence.

Ok, got ya.

So, other than spamming a bunch of forums with links to the show, how would you suggest branching out? I honestly don't have a good idea of how to advertise the show much beyond the front page presence here and a few threads that I update on 1-2 other forums I visit. Have you had luck promoting Retroactive with a particular strategy?

[Jmustang1968]

The "file not found" happen when I hit play

Changing this "The podcast isn't apart of other sites, there are no other podcasts or video shows here...there just isn't a new crowd coming in all the time for the show. It is mostly for us here on the forums and we kind of know what a lot of your opinions are on the topics already." would be branching out. Not in topic but in presence.

Ok, got ya.

So, other than spamming a bunch of forums with links to the show, how would you suggest branching out? I honestly don't have a good idea of how to advertise the show much beyond the front page presence here and a few threads that I update on 1-2 other forums I visit. Have you had luck promoting Retroactive with a particular strategy?

Any idea why the show isn't playing for him?