Randy,
I wanted to take a few minutes and answer this letter directly.
First off, thank you so much for the kind words. It's great to know after all these years, we're still reaching people and still resonating with at least a few.
The regular Q&A feedback is awesome, and it's one of the favorite things James and I really enjoy about doing the show. But getting email that is less about the bikes and not about the show's content - just an opportunity to talk - is something I know I especially enjoy. So thank you for taking the time.
As for how we monetize it, the short - well, the ONLY - answer is... we don't. It's always been a labor of love, and a way to enjoy our love of bikes; it's become something of a hobby in its own right. But that's not to say we don't want to. We definitely have looked into it, and we've taken a purposely conservative approach to trying to make it happen. Personally, I don't mind an interstitial commercial or two in the 'casts I listen to, as long as they're topical and make sense for me - as an audience member - to hear them. I suppose a good example is the TWiT network; all their commercials are pretty well targeted to the audience and make sense in the context of the various shows. Kevin Smith has "The Fleshlight" as a sponsor on his 'casts; again it probably makes sense for the target audience.
We've toyed with ideas of a donation link, affiliate links, KickStarter projects, subscriptions, etc... We haven't made any firm decisions yet, but do rest assured one of the things James and I both want to do is to keep the show going. We want to branch out on some of the things we discuss/cover, and to try to get even more community involvement. We do need to do something to get at least some offset money coming in at some point; neither of us expects to quit our day jobs and podcast full time, but it sure would be great to recoup a little and have some money available for gear reviews, events, swag, etc.
Stay tuned... things are happening.
I applaud you guys not having commercials and doing the show as a labor of love- having said that, since you guys are mostly *talking* about bikes and not out-and-out reviewing them, I wouldn’t mind if you monetized the show. When I was doing the Handgun Podcast I refused commercial sponsors because I didn’t want to be beholden to saying some company made nothing but great products if it wasn’t true. Ruger introduced some great guns during that time, and also some tremendously stupid ones, and I wanted to keep my freedom to say so. But for a coffee and conversation type of show, ads for a line or safety gear you really like or something wouldn’t be out of place or offensive.
Where do I purchase a Fleshlight?
Hi Chris and James, as a long time listener I would like to help out with keeping The Pace going forward. I personally would rather see a subscription membership or donation type thing rather than commercials. But what ever you guys come up with please let me know.
Thanks Jim Enny
Dutchess County, New York