As we’ve discussed before on the site and on the show Daku and I have been thinking about adding audio ads to the Digital Strips podcast. After announcing the idea and asking people to let us know if they’d be interested in such a thing we got a lot of positive feedback about adding web comic audio ads. Several of you want to take part.
However, audio ads are a controversial topic within podcasting circles. Many think this sort of thing detracts from the independent nature of the whole idea of podcasting and I can see their point.
So, here’s what we’re going to do. We will play your audio promotions for your web comics, for free, on the show. Our goal first and foremost is to help promote independent cartoonists on the web and to that end we are now offering free advertising on the show. All you have to do is create an audio file in which you promote your web comic. Tell us who you are, the name of your comic, the URL, and a little about it. Feel free to get creative with it with sound effects and music if you want. All we ask is that you keep the length down to under a minute or less. Make it an MP3 file if you can, we’ll accept QuickTime or Windows Media files. No AVI files please!
If we get enough of these we will play two or three of them on each show. This will give creators a chance to tell other people about their web comics in their own words and hopefully have a little fun with it at the same time. You can get your audio promos to us by either posting them on the web somewhere and sending us the link or email it to us directly at digital.strips@gmail.com. We’re looking forward to hearing what people come up with.
Just please put the ads before or after the show, preferably after. I\’d rather have the choice to not listen to the ads or some how skip over them.
To me being reviewed by Digital Strips seems to pimp the comic enough. I know I generally check out the comic regardless of the vibe given off as to if it is good or bad.
I understand what you\’re saying but you do realize that defeats the whole point of ads in the first place, right?
As long as it\’s just a couple of 30 second blurbs it really isn\’t that bad. When it becomes like a radio station is when it becomes a pain (more commercials than actual broadcast).
Of course you can skip them if you want, it\’s an MP3 file same as always. Nothing prevents you from fast forwarding.
Chris, the ads promote your web comic, how does this defeat the point?
All the \”ads\” are for web comics, or web comic related services. We won\’t let it get out of hand. You won\’t be hearing a spot for Joe\’s Carpets or anything annoying like that. This can only help to expose everyone to new and different web comics and in the creator\’s own words.
Of course you can skip them if you want, it\’s an MP3 file same as always. Nothing prevents you from fast forwarding.
Chris, the ads promote your web comic, how does this defeat the point?
All the \”ads\” are for web comics, or web comic related services. We won\’t let it get out of hand. You won\’t be hearing a spot for Joe\’s Carpets or anything annoying like that. This can only help to expose everyone to new and different web comics and in the creator\’s own words.
Stop Him, we\’re going to have to play it by ear. For now I\’ll say it\’ll be a Queue type situation. Since we only want to play 2 or 3 per show and if we get like 5 or 6 in a week they\’ll be bumped. It\’ll be a first come first serve sort of thing.
We have never tried anything like this before, so we will just see what happens and adapt as we need to.
Sorry Zampon, I was referring to the Anon. post above me. As you know, I was one of those who expressed interest in the ads and I think they are a great way to not only promote material but maybe give you guys a little help supporting the show.
I was just pointing out to Anon. that they can be ok in the middle of the show as long as they don\’t get to the point where you have more commercials than program, that\’s all. Plus, as you mentioned, they can always be skipped unlike traditional broadcasts.