How do we get bigger?

Hey Everyone

We've reached the 100th episode and we're amazed how big the community has gotten. But because we want to make it a bigger! So what do you think we can do to grow the community?

Kia Kaha

Bevan

Comments

[Phillip in Washington, DC]

I think to grow larger you need to know how the podcast has grown to the size it is now. I came upon it when I was looking for triathlon podcasts in iTunes, although I imagine word of mouth is the more regular avenue to new listnership. You can probably assume you've gotten all the listeners who are simply searching for this sort of content already on iTunes; I know everyone who listens tells their friends about the show since it's the highlight of their week. So, if you have the independent searching and the word of mouth segments avenues down pat, as I think you probably do, unfortunately it really only leaves advertising - and maybe not on triathlon websites as much as on swimming, biking, and running websites. That way you'll attract people who are considering branching into triathlon but perhaps are not quite there yet. Seeing an ad for IMT might well peak their interest. (And in several years, when the podcast is responsible for bringing tons of talented new one-sport athletes into the multisport world, you'll be legend for being the incubator!)

[ed hawkins]

videocast - go on i double dare you!

(that way we'll be able to understand what john's really talking about when he uses his hands etc to describe things - like getting his wetsuit on, on his own!)

well done guys heres to another 100 shows

kia kaha.

[ed hawkins]

....and art of tri ironmantalk tshirts - you know bev ive told you enough times ;-)

[Towel]

I use a copy of the swimsuit edition of sports illustrated to get bigger.

Try it, see if it works for you too.

[Oli]

Hi guys

how about setting up a newsletter with similar content so people who are not as internet literate can become part of it they could be handed out at races and sponsership will be easier to get. It doesnt have to be flash or expensivley printed just easy to read and you could have reader contributing to content edited by you. I have also emailed you another idea.

Oli

[Dan]

Want to take it to the next level? Have Ironman Talk sponsor a triathlon in every hemisphere (or every continent) on the same day. No joke. It is easier than you imagine and it has already been done with a half marathon/5k. A running podcast set up the World Wide Half Marathon (http://www.worldwidehalf.com). You can do something similar with triathlon.

Just deploy the masses of IMT listeners to do the dirty work. Essentially have the participants join a preexisting race or create their own course. Get tri clubs around the world to host this as their local event. It also serves as a great race simulation in preparation for a larger race.

Participants can register, perhaps to a group on Athlinks, and they can print up a “goodie bag” with race information, a bib number and coupons from your lovely sponsors.

Check out their site at world wide half. Their participant map puts it in to perspective
http://www.worldwidehalf.com/cgi-bin/wwhalf/results#themap

If this idea seems a bit daunting for the two of you I’m sure your contacts at Tri Buys, Athlinks and Coffees would back an event of this magnitude. Perhaps you can even buy/borrow the code from the World Wide Half.

worldwidetri.com is already taken. Worldwidetri.net is open as is www.triworldwide.com. I’d jump in and register one of these domains soon.

Make it happen. Make it big.

Dan

[Paul the pommie]

Hi Guys - Not sure I have the silver bullet for you, but the interviews with Macca, Chrissie etc were excellent. Maybe there is scope for expansion and capitalization here, shorter, but more interviews with the top stars of our sport.

Failing that, Bev get you abs out and try a video podcast ..... as the Americans say go for the "shock and awe" approach!!!!

Great stuff guys love the show.

[Kinetic Man]

Try Hammer products... It's worked for others!

Love the show, rode to work this morning and the only thing that got me through the cold, dark, wet 43 miles was Ironman Talk.

[Glenn]

Bumper stickers..."Ironmantalk.com..it's a no-brainer". Bring a whole bunch to Roth, thats Europe covered, then get an IMT groupie in the US of A to hand them out at a few races over there.

or

Ironmantalk Bikinis - think of the possibilities......

or

Pro endorsement - the pros are always waxing lyrical how they would love to give something back to the sport. How about have them endorse the podcast through their websites etc, shouldn't be too much of an ask you being a 'non-profit' organisation.

[TriPlod]

Continuing to sell IMT jerseys is a great way to increase your visibility. You could also sell advertising space on these jerseys to rake in the cash. If one of the sponsors organized and payed for their production, this would eliminate the cost to you altogether.

[Greg, Hudson Ohio USA]

“IronmanTalk without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know you did it, but nobody else does.”

But - advertising takes money, and the goal is not to spend more.

How about this. The loyal IMT listeners agree to pay $5 to the winner in Roth, with an additional $5 if the winner goes sub 9-hours. The “winnings,” say $10,000 if 1,000 loyal listeners make the commitment, is then donated to charity. That charitable donation garners favorable press throughout the Ironman community - resulting in more listeners – and more listeners will mean more ideas on how to raise more funds for charity as well as positive support for IMT?

[Oli]

i like gregs idea of donating some money to a charity how about one like zero to hero a former website of the week which helps fund a up and coming pro athelete then make thats athelete wear your jersey and spread the word.

[Vince (aka Cenzo)]

How about conatacting your friends @ Ironman, given the coverage they get gratis for their sanctioned events you must have a shout for a link from their website?

Failing that how about a European tour, after Roth go around the continental IM races, finish up with UK, the local race organisers would surely love to have the IMT legends on board?

I know sponsoring a pro would be out of the question, but get hold of some 'compromising' pictures of Macca & bribe him to wear the Jersey at Kona!!

[Packer]

You could go on every Tri forum on the web and speard the word (Is it just me or does this sound familiar) ................... OOPS, already tried that haven't Bev? ;-)

[Packer]

You could get Ironmantalk waxed into John's Wooly Mammoth ........ I'm sure there are millions of people all over the world that'll pay for entertainment like that!

[Packer]

"Bring it on tampon!" T-Shirts

[Ross (Slough & France)]

Have a European sister Podcast. My podcast "Triathlon in France" is launching in April. We'd love to have John on the show to talk about his Mulhouse days.

[Brad]

listener's add their placemark on an 'ironmantalk' googlemap. Increase the interactive stuff - more youtube comps!

[Tribilly]

Hi Guys
Love the show. Its great to hear your voices during those cold winter mornings in Pommyland, but how about using a webcam to see whats going on over there in your palacial studio. This could also be used to demonstrate key techniques etc

[Fegan]

I think you've covered the main forum, slow-bitch, tripe-talk, rimmers-world, even seen Bevan pop up on triathlon Scotland!

So the word is out there. I do agree that there's greater scope for t-shirts etc. As Ed said a line at art-of-tri would be great.

"IMTalk - it's a no brainer"
"IMTalk dominating the dojo" etc etc etc.

We all love an IM logo but what's better is something without the logo but still shows you're a tri-geek.

To be honest with things like the camp, you're already taking it to the next level. downloads in the 100's of thousands ain't bad for less than two years!

[lord lindsay]

a pretty simply idea would be do set up a bunch of cross promotional opportunities with companies or events that aren't in a position to advertise with you.

eg. most races don't have a huge advertising budget - but they do have a lot of room for signage at their event and on their website. So you could agree to promote entry for a race 6 months or so out from the event, in return for signage at the event and a small feature on the race website linking to the show. No money changes hands but both sides win..

the same could apply to almost any triathlon related product that couldn't sustain an advertising campaign with you - you promote them during a show once, in return for a link on the front page of their website for a few months

[Grae]

I agree with some other comments that a video podcast could be the way forward, wouldn't have to be every week but just a special edition every now and then. I'm sure Bevan would jump at the chance to get involved in the geekyness of video editing!

Otherwise continuing to get the big names in for interview will get more people listening I think. Either way I think Ironman Talk is way more interesting than any other fitness/sports podcast on the net.

[Pirate Trickster]

Several mentions for this already - but how about a video podcast? You could trial a version and post it on youtube (for those who don't have a mp3 player that can play videos). Actually, maybe a video cast could alienate some listeners.

Could you take IMT on the road with a series of live seminars? This, however, would neccesitate some flights esp. if you plan them for the UK and the US (where I'm guessing your two biggest audiences are).

Love Fegans idea with the art of tri t-shirts, esp. the IMT Dominating the Dojo logo. How about some matching cycle shorts to go with the cycle jerseys......or even some IMT tri-suits?

[Gibbo]

Not a short term solution admitedly, but if you guys can master German / French / Cantonese to cross the language barrier then you'll be partying with your pants down!

[Oli]

I am one of the few who dont really want a video podcast. I dont mind the occaisonal one but if it was everyweek the file size becomes a bit too big. I also like to train listening to the show and wouldnt be able to watch it. I think product wise the show is great and you shouldnt make too many changes to the show, Just a bit on marketing.