chrisbrogan.com - Latest Comments in True Return on Investment

Re: True Return on Investment

chrisbrogan — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 22:56:32 -0000

All good points.

For me, personally, the answer is that I've yet to figure out how to monetize appropriately. My current premise for that is very close to PodShow and probably TPN, with some slight modifications, and with my BIG differentiator and difference of opinion being EDITORIAL INVOLVEMENT. To me, having Executive Producers that guide and shape the podcasts, and growing shows that are a lot more "considered" will eventually pay off.

On the other side, my goal is to shift away from the ground being covered, and launch repeatably into new verticals that aren't well captured. It's the same thing Scoble talked about months ago. It's the same thing Hugh GapingVoid Hugh talked about. Tech on tech just isn't the whole game.

Game. Hmm. A game podcast for board games might be fun. Sooz?

Re: True Return on Investment

Christopher Penn, Financial Ai — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 22:41:30 -0000

Okay, with all due respect, I call bull on the intangible argument. Yes, absolutely, podcasting brings lots of intangibles, establishes a conversation, etc. But podcasts can also have a very real, very valuable, very sustainable ROI.

Case #1: The Financial Aid Podcast. Using affiliate links and specially purchased domain names, I can track the number of loans that my show generates. I'm currently projecting between $5M and $8M in loans.

Case #2: Podshow. Love them or hate them, they're generating sponsors and money.

Case #3: TPN has a slew of shows it wants, because it believes advertisers will pay for the content.

Can you have a financially successful podcast that has measurable ROI? Absolutely. If you don't - why not? What's preventing you from making that jump that will allow your passion to be your vocation?

Christopher S. Penn
Daily financial aid internet radio on demand, no iPod required
http://www.FinancialAidPodc...
Got iTunes? http://www.FinancialAidPodc...

Re: True Return on Investment

laura15SecondPitch — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 20:46:02 -0000

Chris:
You are building a community of like-minded individuals. Do what you love and the ROI will follow. I don't think that is true for everyone, I do think it is true for you.
:)
laura

Re: True Return on Investment

chrisbrogan — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 18:22:31 -0000

Ben-- Thanks. I've enjoyed meeting you, so that's a great return right there. I've benefitted from your advice.

Will-- I love that. "I'm currently making business." That's perfect, really! Email me about your new job?

Eric-- I wish I didn't have to have a cliffhanger. I just haven't heard back form the source of the news.

Re: True Return on Investment

Eric Allam — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 17:02:21 -0000

Your absolutely right, the ROI is in the intangibles. Meeting new people, sharing ideas, creating new things, receiving an audience and attention. Awesome post.

By the way, nice cliffhander at the end. A pretty good way to bring people back, I would say. Can't wait.

Re: True Return on Investment

Will — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 16:57:03 -0000

haha that is the age old question which draws the line between hobbie and business. What is your ROI?? You're best answer to these "I told you so" people is that "You're currently making business, not money"... Now sit back and let them ponder another stupid question.

Re: True Return on Investment

Ben Yoskovitz — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 16:55:38 -0000

I can't speak for podcasting specifically, but if anyone questions the value of blogging...oy...get over it.

In the last couple of weeks I've had two conversations over the phone with people I met through my blog. Both may lead to business for me. They might not, but the potential is there.

I stress "phone conversations" because a lot of people questioning blogs might also question online chatting as a real way of "meeting someone" (which I disagree with two.)

Good luck with Grasshopper New Media, Chris. Sadly, I think you and many others will have to keep railing against what people believe about blogging + podcasting for some time. But that's part of the fun right?