Request feedback?

[Todd Newton]

Hi folks, quick request for advice regarding my intro/outro. I was thinking of modifying my script to say something like "if you like what you hear, leave me a comment or rating" but I have 2 problems with this. 1) I don't like soliciting feedback. 2) I hate it when intros/outros get bloated with a bunch of nonsense; I'd rather just keep mine as short as possible to allow as much focus as I can on the actual work.

Are people just prone to give feedback ONLY when the "book" is complete? Any opinions here?

Thanks in advance.
Todd Newton

[Bryan Lincoln]

I think doing it every episode can be a turn off for some people. You could drop a note asking for itunes reviews (for example) more periodically. If you mention a website for more info and contact, a feedback request can be a feature prominently displayed without having to mention feedback specifically in the audio.

[Jeffrey Kafer - Male Voice talent]

I'd rethink the need for an intro more than "you're listening to YOURBOOKNAME". If you want to fill the podcast up with "visit my website at blah blah and please donate money" do it at the end where the listener has the chance to turn it off. Because after episode 10, they're going to get mighty tired of hearing the same lengthy, self-promoting intro over and over.

[Evo Terra]

Testify, brother. Name of the book, name of the author, epsiode number and then get to telling the story. Shove all the other stuff in the end. Less is more.

[Todd Newton]

That was definitely my original thought, keeping the intro to < 30 seconds. Pretty much a "what annoys me will annoy someone else" philosophy. I bet I could even shorten it further, now that I'm pretty far along.

[Nathan Lowell]

I think Gail and Jeff have the right of it.

I'm a really strong proponent of the "You're listening to Episode whatever of Some Book by Me" intro. I believe that you need to put the listener into the story so fast they dont have time to think about whether they want to listen. A 30 second intro is long enough.

In the outro, that's where you put the "thanks for listening" and all the closing credits including music source, and web page address.

I ask for feedback and reviews only at the end of the book with an extended outro, thanking them for listening to the whole book and asking for their support in the form of iTunes reviews and Podiobook ratings once at the end.

[Todd Newton]

Thanks Nathan, I think I will do the same regarding the outro.

I appreciate all the responses.

[Evo Terra]

[read my reply to Jeff Kafer first]

You can ask for a lot inside of your episodes. Will people follow the request? Eh... hard to say. On my commute, I have no option to leave you feedback.

I'd focus more on this: how much promoting of your work are you doing when people are in front of their computer? The answer: not much. Your last blog post was January 28, 2009. Without fail, the most successful books -- by any definition of success, including # of reviews -- have very stong offsite pushes by the authors. It's all about relentlessly connecting with your listeners.

Start tooting your horn. :)

[Todd Newton]

January 28th? What link sent you there? I've been posting twice a week for months after that, especially since all this release stuff is going on.

But you're right; I've got to push more on the non-audio side. Thanks.

[Evo Terra]

Started at your book's page on Podiobooks.com. Followed "Author's Website" link. Clicked your header to get home. January 28th.

If that's not the site you want linked on your book, we can change it. Fix it on Libsyn Pro, then let me know what you changed it to.

[Todd Newton]

Ah, I see what happened. The wordpress page is semi-static; my Initial Draft blog is actually where I post often. There's a link to it on the About Me page, no worries. Sorry for the confusion.

[P.G. Holyfield]

You need to get over the "don't like soliciting feedback? fear (or dislike). And don't say "if you like what you hear..." Just say "I'd love to hear from you. Leave comments on the podiobooks website or at (insert personal website or email address)."

It's not bloated to do this during your outro (in my opinion). Do one or two lines at most up front "Welcome to episode x of xyz, by Tood Newton, read by the author." (or similar), then do a standard 30-45 second outro giving out your website, request for feedback, contact info, credits (if you need to), and a creative commons statement (if you like).

I can't speak to feedback 'after' the book is complete, since I still have to release my final episode. But after 100 reviews on itunes and 60+ ratings here, I'd say if people like your work, they'll give you feedback. Most experienced podcast listeners understand that feedback is the lifeblood of a podcaster.

[Todd Newton]

I'd say if people like your work, they'll give you feedback.

Precisely my fear! Hahaha.

I guess I just need to get better at this whole thing. Perhaps the lack of feedback is, truly, trying to tell me something.