There are certain items that every podcaster has when they launch their podcast. Today I want to go over them and discuss their importance.
1. Control
The GREAT thing about podcasting is the FREEDOM you have (compared to radio where you have a program director who tell you what to say, what to play, how to say it). If you are a solo podcaster you have the ultimate authority over your brand, you production, EVERYTHING you have control over.
If somewhere down the road you want to change something YOU CAN. You have control.
2. Innocence
When you say it's a weekly podcast and then you put out a show every week, you are seen as reliable. This is a reliable until proven unreliable kind of situation. If you miss a week, they will forgive you. If you take a break for a month, they might not.
3. Integrity
When I press the record button, I say the same things I say when the microphone is off. Some people might say I'm “keeping it real.” The truth is people have come to value my opinion because of my experience. I deeply appreciate that and do not take it lightly. Consequently, when a new product comes along and I see where there is a high commission on it, I don't instantly start talking about it on my podcasts. I do some research. I figure out if this is something my audience might enjoy or use. If possible I get my hands on the product, or at least watch some videos so I can provide some insight (and I always say if I have or have not used an item).
When I went to wikipedia I read this definition for “Selling out.”
“Selling out” is the compromising of integrity, morality, or principles in exchange for personal gain, such as money.
I've approached other companies that I like and use to see if I could get equipment to try (review) and send back. So far none of the companies I approach can accommodate that request. When I was at Blogworld in New York I heard many people talking about how great B&H Photo is for gear. They do have a wide selection. It's like going to K-Mart for podcasters. They have a very knowledgeable sales staff, and from what I hear great support. I contacted them and if I can send them enough traffic I should be able to get some equipment for reviewing (I'm still in discussions). This is great. They have an affiliate program which made it even better. Then I started doing some comparisons on their pricing. That's when things went weird.
On the Audio Technica ATR2100USB they are $30 more than amazon. Now on the Heil PR40 they are $5 cheaper than amazon.com When I checked more of the products that I recommend, I saw where their prices were often slightly higher. You can see this by going to schoolofpodcasting.com/compare
My dilemma is, if I bring them on as THE resource for equipment, I end up knowingly referring you to a company that is costing you more money. I consider you my friend. I wouldn't do that for a friend. To me that is selling out. While I would love to be a reviewer for them, I can't do it if it means I have to lie to you. You mean more to me than equipment.
Last 5 in 5
Thanks to Doug from the Movie Madness Podcast for today's last 5 in 5. Check out his podcast if you like to talk movies.
1. The School of Podcasting – Podcasting Tips (this site).
2. Horror Etc – Great podcast for Horror Movies
3. Stuck in the 80‘s – Great podcast if you love the 80's
4. The Art of Wrestling – Wresting Podcast from Colt Cabana
5. WDW Radio – All things Walt Disney
Hi Dave –
Good segment about selling out. And I was thinking the same thing that you voiced, in regards to one of your colleagues who recently began working closely with B & H. However, I think there is a decent compromise to be had, unless B & H requires you to exclusively promote them in exchange for the loan of review equipment (sorry if I missed it if you mentioned that – I was running at the time).
Perhaps you could make a few purchases with B & H, and “create” some problems with your order, or some other kind of situation that would require customer service. See how they handle the problem and how much importance they place on keeping you happy. Maybe they do go the extra mile, so maybe it’s actually worth paying a little more for the product when you know they will stand behind it.
This means that instead of just promoting a product and feeling guilty that you are causing people to pay a little more than they could have elsewhere, you are actually TELLING them it is a little pricier, but you have a human being on the other end that is happy to help you if you run into trouble with the order. Your audience then has all the facts and can make their own decision about price vs. quality/service.
I don’t know, just an idea. You know your audience better than I do, so maybe price is the ultimate factor. I do appreciate your commitment to integrity.
B&H also approached me to join their affiliate program, which I did. But I found a similar issue.
It totally makes sense that they would ask reviewers who receive products from B&H to link to B&H. But as you pointed out, I also found many prices better on Amazon.com and would rather present a few recommended options for my audience.
Dave, great to meet you on the Podcasters’ Roundtable the other night. I checked out your podcast and plenty of what you said resonated with me. Especially when you mentioned that podcasting is “freedom from the radio station programme controller”. Love it – so true!
I was just listening to your podcast and wanted to address your comments about integrity and using B&H. I am not employed by B&H but have done business with them for years. I also shop at amazon. One of the things that I like about companies like B&H is the fact that they have people. People with experience and knowledge that are available to answer my questions and provide advice. That’s worth a little more to me and most people. As for integrity, it’s not just about price. It’s about offering the best value.
Thanks
Michael Carter