So here’s where I am today: Sitting alone, waiting for my wife to wake up, and continuously checking my email and Skype to see if anyone has left me an email or voicemail for my show.
Let me start from the beginning.
I am the host of Single Simulcast and Sin & Solace. I know I say that a lot, but in all honesty, I am proud of the work that I have done, of the shows that I produce, and I want others to know about them. Anyways (they are both on iTunes and on Stitcher) I am doing a feedback show the day before my birthday. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do one, but at the same time, I am petrified of the results. I don’t limit people’s thoughts, you see. Any feedback will be read, listened to, and accounted for. That is what my show is. It is a limitless well of thoughts that come from my head. Some amuse, some contradict, and some fail miserably. I know that, and I figure that the people who listen know that as well.
At least I think they do.
I have been doing my shows for seven months now, and at the end of each show, I have always asked for feedback on iTunes, or wherever else reviews could be left. Comments on the show? Leave a voicemail. At first, it was spoken with an air of confidence, because I knew that with all the work that I had put in, my listeners would want to interact with me. They would want to let their feelings be known. Hey, it wasn’t like I was asking for money or anything (even though I did do that once or twice, mostly for Extra Life, but I stopped doing it because asking other people for their money just made me feel dirty), I was just asking for feedback. Interaction. A conversation.
What I got instead was an alarming truth.
People are myopic. And in most cases, lazy as fuck.
I have a voicemail number that I pay for that has only been used twice. I have gotten exactly two emails about the show. I did a live show once on Vokel, and advertised it for a week. No one showed up for the first hour. Three people showed up overall.
It sucks to know what people really think about the hard work that we do in our shows. Obviously, they have this idea that we just wake up, turn on the microphone, and in 2 minutes, we have an hour worth of content ready to amuse them. Or that Sin and Solace just materializes when I go to sleep. Obviously, neither is true. But I have to believe that is why even though we ask for it, no one gives feedback. My friend Bokeen from Consumption Junction just did a feedback show a few weeks ago. No one called in except for one woman. I was jealous that he had one person calling in, because that is greatly going to trump the silence-fest that is scheduled for my show in January.
I think our society has lost it’s way. We do not acknowledge the works of others, we expect it. We do not thank people for what they have done for us, we ask for seconds. I do a show just for the amusement of the world, and get told it is too long for your tastes. Can I slim it down. Can I cut it back.
When I ask the people “Can you leave feedback” though?
Crickets.
Stop being lazy. We work hard for no pay just to amuse you for a few minutes. We put something out in the world and then HOPE that you like it. 98 percent of listeners will never leave feedback. They just listen, laugh and move on. While we appreciate you listening, you are the definition of the problem. You listen to the show, hear something that you don’t agree with, and move on. Or you hear something that makes you laugh uproariously, chuckle for a while, and move on. Who does that help in the long run? For me, if I never get feedback on a skit that I wrote, I just move on. If I think it was funny, I may do a sequel, but by and large, I am operating in a vacuum.
Here is the thing. In 2012, I am no longer living in a vacuum. My show, Single Simulcast is no longer a one man entity. I need your help. I need your feedback. I need to know that people are hearing my thoughts. And here’s another thing: I do appreciate all the people who live-tweet the show, your thoughts as things happen on the show. I go back and read all of them. But Twitter notes are like the smallest crab leg. They provide some sweetness, but not enough sustenance to be much more than a teaser. Take those thoughts, save them up, and call the show. Leave an email.
Look, I can’t say that I am the best listener I know, but in my opinion, I’m pretty damn close. I leave reviews for shows on iTunes to show my support. I leave voicemails and emails for shows. I’ve even donated, although that was a one time thing, because really, I didn’t really like giving my money away for something free.
Just keeping it 100.
Look. My email address is [email protected] My voicemail number is (916) 226-9160. I am having a feedback show on 1/17/12. Please call in. Even if it is to wish me a happy birthday, please call in. Because I am positive that if I do this show, and I get absolutely NO feedback, I will be devastated.
Let’s try and be more interactive with our favorite shows this year. Let’s strive to close the gap between host and listener in 2012.
As always, thanks for reading, and for listening. I greatly appreciate both.
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Rashanii is the host of Single Simulcast and Sin and Solace. Both shows can be found at http://www.singlesimulcast.com, iTunes, the Zune Marketplace, and Stitcher Radio.
I can definitely relate. I’ve requested feedback on my blog, my youtube channel and my podcast and I seldom if ever receive it. When people fail to respond it does seem as if they don’t care or aren’t invested in what we are doing. I know there are quite a few supporters who enjoy our content and do leave comments and feedback from time to time. Yet, there are also those who don’t.
I know since the first time I shared anything with the public I’ve wanted to interact with the people who took the time out to check out my content. It really sucks when some supporters aren’t willing to. I’ll even admit that it makes it difficult to keep doing what I’m doing from time to time.
Over the past few months I’ve come to realize that I have to do what I’m doing for the right reason and with the right attitude. Sure it’s good to get the responses and support of others, but I feel that loses it’s meaning if I’m not doing something I enjoy doing. Now I make sure I am enjoying what I’m doing and if I receive support and feedback it just makes it that much better. I’ve learned that I can’t make people support Up 4 Discussion or leave feedback, but I can do all that’s in my power to provide them with content that benefits and hopefully inspires them. When they are ready to reach out and comment…I will be there. In the meantime I’ll just keep doing all I can to provide them with the content they enjoy.
Keep your head up bro! People will begin to take notice and provide feedback. We just have to be patient. When the time is right…it will happen.
Stay Blessed,
*J
I definitely feel you, Jay. I struggle to really grasp the time crunches that people must have, but then I think about the time crunches that I have, that podcasters as a whole usually have, and that empathy fades. A lot. It only takes a few minutes to send an email or a voicemail. And you get to be heard! That should appeal to everyone’s ego. Again, if I can leave reviews and comments more, which I do, but I will do more, then there is no excuse for others to not be able.
As a Zune user, fellow podcaster and public apple hater i loathe using anything apple related, especially iTunes (i’m a lazy listener too). After reading your heartfelt words i will brave the iTunes page… and probably cut myself afterwards.
keep your head up, thanks for the great read
Rob, don’t kill yourself, now! Go easy! Just leave a voicemail, and back away from the Apple… Back away…
I agree with you! It’s going to get better. You have a great podcast and serial drama and we all support you, as we should one another.
Podcasting is a serious thing and I know I really enjoy it and people should understand that we don’t do it for our health, we do it because it’s something that we enjoy and take pride in.
Don’t let the party poopers get you down.
Don’t let it get you down man. The internet loves to bitch, but give accolades…not so much.
At the end of the day if you feel like you are doing something you love or fulfills you, then keep at it.
But I know how you feel. When we first start our show, it was all about the reviews and whether or not we made it on the Top 100 iTunes. I’m not a frequent listener of SingleSimulcast, but I catch an episode here and there. From what I’ve heard and the remarks I hear on Twitter (which IS an awesome way to get feedback, much more than your tiny crab leg analogy), you have a passionate listener base. At the end of the day that is all I want from The Married Gamers show.
Cheers man. And open invite if you ever want to hang out on a future TMG recording.
You are right, Chris. I’m fortunate to have the base that I have. I do sincerely and honestly appreciate each and every listener that I get. The crab leg analogy was a bit harshly written, I agree. Thank you for taking the time to read it, and for your response. I will continue to be grateful for the responses the I get on Twitter, and grow from there. Also, let me know when you want to be on. My wife and I welcome you and Mrs. Lefty with open arms!