Dear editor:
A suggestion: I read your newsletter daily but I always skip the podcast. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t want to take the time to sit at my computer and listen to something for 20-30 minutes when I can just read it in a few minutes. I see some topics that I’d like to know more about but never have listened to them.
Is it possible to have some in a written version or at least a synopsis of the topics? I’m sure most don’t feel this way, but I always prefer to read news articles instead of listening to broadcasts or podcasts. Short attention span? Maybe but one of your surveys may ask that question. I’m guessing you can tell how many people tune in compared to how many total readers you have. Thanks for listening (or reading)! — Jerry B.
Dear Jerry,
I’m sure there are a whole bunch of readers who agree with you. But there are podcast fans among them, too. Podcasts are growing fast in popularity.
Most people do not listen to podcasts on their computers. They listen on their smart phones — playing, via Bluetooth, through their car speakers when driving, or they listen with headphones while they do chores, or any other time. An older audience like ours at RVtravel.com is not as familiar with podcasts as the younger crowd, which hugely embraces the format. Older folks are gradually catching on.
It would be a lot of work for us to produce a script for each podcast, and, really, it would lose a lot in the translation. The program is meant to be heard, not read.
Our podcast serves other purposes. Number one, it exposes RVtravel.com to people who have never heard of our website and newsletter before, and that brings us new subscribers. And, in addition, we sell a few ads in each program and come away with a profit, which helps pay the bills. And, frankly, think about the blind or visually impaired people who can’t read our website and newsletters — the podcast is a an opportunity for them to learn about RVing and be entertained in the process.
But I certainly get what you’re saying, and agree with you that podcasts are not for everyone. But ours is a keeper, and the audience keeps growing, slowly but surely.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you have not listened to our podcast, here is where to hear the latest program.
##RVT1013
I’m with the other commenters; simply do not have the patience/attention span/whatever to sit and listen to a podcast. Also usually cannot watch TV, either. My loss.
Just an off hand thought. To get the script from the pod cast you might try using a “Text – to – Speech” program. Run it at the same time as the podcast and you can check the spelling in a few minutes afterward with a spell checker. I’m not saying that this will work, but who knows, it might, If it does then you can satisfy both sets of people.
Great idea Jerry! Hope the RVTravel folks listen!
Preference for podcast is simply a difference in learning styles: visual (see) vs. auditory (hear). I love to read, but have trouble keeping tuned in to books on tape. (If you notice me taking notes, take a cue from that.)
We have found that the best time to listen to the podcast is anytime we’re on the road towing our travel trailer to our next camping adventure! It passes the long highway hours and keeps us in the “RVtravel frame of mind.” 😀
Just added it to my Stitcher account, although it took a bit to find it. It came up under RVtravel.com, and I look forward to listening to it.
I agree with Jerry B. I much prefer to read the info rather than listen to the podcast. I have tried to listen to a couple of the RV Travel podcasts but very quickly get bored and stop listening. Including a list of what topics are addressed on the podcast and where they are on the time line like you have done on a couple of occasions has helped. RV Lifestyle routinely does podcasts with the written contents as well so it can’t be that difficult to do.
I love this news letter but get totally bored with the podcast – have only listened to first 30 sec. of first one. Cannot deal with podcasts or talk radio. It’s a shame, as I feel I am missing something. Just my “vote”.
I always skip the podcast! When reading, I can reread a sentence if I am unclear of the meaning. With the spoken word I do not have that option. I have hearing aids and don’t always understand the correct meaning of the spoken word on the first try. Written words allow me to get the correct meaning.
Also, if an author is trying to make a point then I can reread the conclusions that led up to their point to see if I come to the same conclusion.
Down and dirty way to create a transcript.
Fire up Google Docs or any word processor that accepts voice input.
Choose voice input (microphone)
play the podcast loud and clear so computer can hear it.
Won’t be perfect but close enough that only some editing needed.
I’ve always had problems comprehending verbal instructions so I don’t listen to podcasts and avoid YouTube videos. I’m a very fast reader plus reading offers the opportunity to easily skip backward and forward.
(The foreman at my first summer job in high school was impressed that I carried a pen and notepad and wrote down his instructions. Otherwise 5 minutes later, I’d have no idea of what he wanted.)
If we could get about 30 of us together who like “reading over listening” we could get it done. I used to do this for my own podcast years ago, but the company was paying. https://www.rev.com/transcription
I am one who enjoys the podcasts. I usually click on the podcast and listen to it while reading my email, reading the current installment of RVTravel or surfing the web. I especially like the fact that you include a full description of the podcast so that I can listen to the specific segments of the podcast that interest me.
I agree, I read approximately 600 words plus a minute (used to read faster but aging eyes has slowed me down) and don’t want to take the time to listen to the precious seconds that are quite numerous when speakers stop to let their brain catch up. I do not appreciate people who try to speak but have to constantly stall trying to think.
I agree also. Having to listen to something I could read in 1/4 the time is often excruciating. On YouTube I almost always read the transcript (when available) rather than sit through a 50 minute video. Of course, I’m old, and not a big fan of instant “infotainment”!
I don’t listen to podcasts. I tried the first one but was soon bored. If I could scan over the info [like I do with a written article] I can then see the information easily. Podcasts are popular with the younger generation so I can see their value with a newsletter like this. Newsletters doesn’t mean that you will enjoy reading every word. Likewise with listening to podcasts.
That was one of the most polite and informative answers to a reader’s question I’ve seen in a long time.