One thing to keep in mind about advertising on your site is that things like the Audible ad are blocked for people using Firefox and the AdBlock Plus extension.

I was speaking to my company's marketers yesterday, and I think the advice is equally valid here:

"For (expletive's) sake - are you (expletives) completely (expletiving) unable to stop breaking the (expletive) law"?

With that said, I came across Coverville because it was on the day I was setting up my podcasts in iTunes it was one of the top 10 most popular and I thought "hey, that looks interesting".

Beyond that, unfortunately I can't think of much - obviously, cross-linking to cover blogs might help, but unfortunately the problem might be that covers are a passing interest to many rather than a devoted interest of a few - something that there are tested strategies for marketing to. Might you be able to branch out to the wider media? Local TV might go for a piece on the weirdo who makes a living putting together this newfangled intarweb-radio stuff in his basement, or approach the music press offering to write about podcasts?

How about putting the word out to fan sites of particular artisits when you do a cover story. (You may already do this, I don't know.)

Posting at the artists' official sites would be a good place. Come for your favourite band, a portion of the new audience would probably try other shows.

I believe I found the show either thru podcast alley or Klass, can't remember now, but I have listened to more than 200 episodes not because I'm a 'devoted' cover song fan, but rather a fan of the show. Let's be honest, podcasts are an excuse to listen to audio at work or on the go, and most of us listen as background or to pass the time. Coverville is well produced (most of the time, eh Brian?) and definitely makes for both an easy and enjoyable listen as well as being informative.

I can tell you one area you maybe missing out on in the marketing area, Brian. You're always tooting on about some of the indie artists/bands that you feature regularly, but when I go to their websites, they have no mention of their music being on the show. You know how fans of bands are, if the band tells them there song is being played at said place and time, they will flock like flies to a carcass.

I know the artist is doing you a favor by letting you play the music, but maybe they could be gently convinced to promote the show that is promoting them.

Ha, someone posted the same idea whilst I was typing. Good idea though. :)

Obviously the biggest challenge is to get to the large percentage of iPod/MP3 player owners who don't even think about listening to Podcasts. I'd say this is upwards of 75% and I am constantly amazed at the blank looks I get from big music lovers when I mention Podcasts such as Coverville and The Contrast Podcast. How more attractive can you make it than free for different, great music?!!

A few ideas.

1. Talk to the people at Q Magazine, Mojo etc (any US Magazines?) about them doing an article on your podcasting lifestyle - perhaps with you listing your top 20 covers and why.

2. A Coverville CD - maybe even the Spinal Tap project :-)

3. Pitch to do a weekly radio show for NPR or somebody.

I found the show through i-tunes, so getting i-tunes to feature you is an idea. I listen almost exclusively in the car on the way to/from work.

I just started listening to Coverville about 2 mos ago. I like covers, and I happened upon your site when I was looking for covers. (Thanks Google)

I personally own a Zune, not an Ipod- but Zune works the same way, I get your podcasts the same. I can't really think of anything off the top of my head that could make things easier-- I will post again if I think of anything. My wife loves the show- and she has made a habit of saying she hates covers for the last 6 years. She appreciates how you choose ones that make the cover their own.

I found you on iTunes too.

There seems to be a mental block about podcasts. There are so many of them and so many people think that you need an iPod to listen.

Perhaps marshaling your minions (like me) to burn cds of episodes for friends. Especially burning shows that feature artists the friend likes. I've burned a few Neil Young cover stories for mine, as well as posting to music groups.

On the subject of retaining listeners, the one negative as I see is that the podcast is so 80's-centric with a heavy post-punk power-pop/presence. Fans of other genres could get a little tired of one era's bias.

Perhaps getting out of your comfort zone and staying away from Elvis, Duran Duran etc would open things up a bit.

But hey, You got me for life - great great show and all of my friends know who you are!

I started a thread called "show promotion" in the technical section so we can brainstorm a little easier.

I found Coverville while surfing Podcasts on my Tivo late one night. If it hadn't been for that I wouldn't have subscribed to the iTunes version. I know Brian podcasts for the Denver Post. Maybe persuading a feature writer at the paper to do an article on the rise in popularity of his podcast and others like it (I know, not totally self-serving) could drive droves of new listeners to Coverville. Who knows, the article could wind up syndicated and find its way into papers nationwide.

Brian,

I first heard about Coverville when you did the Disney cover show in celebration of Disneyland's 30th Anniversary in May 2005. I've been a fan ever since. I must admit though I got a little behind last summer and I am still trying to catch up. Up to begining of December right now.

I agree with trying to promote your themed shows (Disney, video games, Cover Story) with that community or a specific artists' fan clubs\on-line forums.

One issue I know about is that some folks only sync their device after they buy new music. My wife keeps the same stuff and only has me update her IPOD when she buys a CD or after she asks me to purchase stuff for her through ITunes. She has asked me about Coverville when I sneak it onto her IPod but has yet to be hooked. Her type of listener might be more inclined to listen to something that was only updated monthly. This is unlike me who is syncing every day. Perhaps a Best of Coverville monthly feed.

Another way of looking at this is perhaps some people feel they don't have time for 3 shows a week and so they don't subscribe or listen at all. Sort of like collectors who stop collecting something when the amount of stuff to collect gets too big.

How about producing a video showing the "No Ipod? No Problem!" steps and the simplicity to listen on your computer.

How about linking up with some traditional radio programs and cross promoting? I have a favorite 3 hour syndicated radio show called "The Acoustic Storm" that reminds me of Coverville. It is not all acoustic but the majority are different (Live, "Unplugged" etc.) of songs by the same artist. They slant a little bit towards 60's-80's playlist. I am not associated with this show but I am a fan. www.acousticstorm.com

I also think a Coverville CD would be a good idea. I could imagine a whole series..."Now That's What I Call Covers".

I'll keep thinking. Good luck.

David

Peoria, AZ

i put in 'bizarre cover versions' into google, got a site which directed me to you. Ive never heard your show but i download what covers i can and now check it daily. I actually want to take your show out on the road - I'm a DJ in Glasgow and I'm thinking about doing a 'cover versions' night in a pub in the city centre, with the choice of live music too - like an open mic kinda thing. I could call it coverville (if thats allowed) or put the site address on flyers. let me know what im allowed to do or if its a good/rubbish idea. Cheers, Craig ;o)

Have a contest that the entry requirement is to put a Coverville banner link on the listener's myspace/facebook/blog/etc. Exposure is everything.
Prize should be a pair of tickets to American Idol taping. :)

Tinshaker, i'm with you 2000% :-)

That's a point, write to Simon, Randy and the crazy one and see if they would care to wear a Coverville shirt. Or better still, get yourself down to Denver when they are in town and get on the show yourself. Remember the rules though - you have to be Sanjaya crazy (wear a crazy wig) or really, really good :-)

I agree that notifying fan sites that you're doing a cover story is a good idea. I found Coverville through a Tom Waits blog/fan site when you did a Tom Waits cover story a few years ago. Then I stuck with Coverville because it's a great show.

Also, for the logo used on iTunes, you may want to try out the recycling logo from the T-shirt designs. I think it looks pretty clever, snazzy, and professional.

Maybe some sort of facebook application could also be good, one that simply says what's currently playing in Coverville with a link to the site. Fans could install it and then their friends could see it and click if they're interested.

Good luck!

Brian, In my business clients who don't pay are not clients. You need this model. True fans appreciate the artist's/DJ's work and put up with the commercials -- networks program only 22 minutes of 30.

Next, you probably have heard of Dr. Demento. I suggest visiting his website to see his business model. I know almost all your "fans" will scream at paying $35 bucks a year, but 2%-5% will understand. Crunch those numbers and see if that's a wage you can live on.

The satellite radio comment was a good one, although maybe the Demento stations might be interested in getting your work in a one-hour format at more $$$ than satellite. All the best

Wayne, definitely one hundred million percent "YES!"

Brian, did you see that episode? You must have had an aneurysm at that point.

I disagree entirely with all the "business" comments. If I have to pay for all the podcasts I listen to, I will go back to terrestrial radio or actually listening to the 11,000 songs on my iPod. Not because I don't want to support the show, but because I don't have disposable income. $35 - $50 a year times the number of podcasts I listen to equals no diapers for the child. Wander which one I'm going to sacrifice.

Plus we are not &*(%$# "clients," we are LISTENERS.

Brian,

Love the show. My suggestion is to use target key media outlets, writers, magazines, websites etc. and send them a regular, well written, newsworthy, ready to publish press release about Coverville. This could include information about the show, its history, how songs are chosen and shows are created. You might be surprised how many organizations, newspapers and media are looking for good content.

You just need to gather the email addresses a of key contacts and off you go. I have been very successful doing this for a variety of businesses large and small and have gotten picked up by local press on up to major magazines and national news.

You have a compelling show that has a multitude of ways to promote.

Good Luck!

Brian,

Love the show. My suggestion is to use target key media outlets, writers, magazines, websites etc. and send them a regular, well written, newsworthy, ready to publish press release about Coverville. This could include information about the show, its history, how songs are chosen and shows are created. You might be surprised how many organizations, newspapers and media are looking for good content.

You just need to gather the email addresses a of key contacts and off you go. I have been very successful doing this for a variety of businesses large and small and have gotten picked up by local press on up to major magazines and national news.

You have a compelling show that has a multitude of ways to promote.

Good Luck!

Okay, for all the so-called "Business Guru's": Making the listener pay for the podcast is short sighted and inevitably limiting to your revenue stream.

Lesson #1: Listen to the client. Brian wants more LISTENERS! He didn't ask you how much he should charge.

Speaking of money... Think about this: Who has more money to give to Brian: us or the thousands of corporations dying to gain market presence amongst the techno-savvy demographic?

Brian needs an outreach/exposure vehicle. As he gains presence he can co-opt that and sell more advertising that we get to experience for free. It doesn't even have to be in the show. It could just be on the site or on merch or any combination thereof. And it's still FREE for US!

Want kind of idiot pays to hear more advertising?!?!?!?!

Okay, for all the so-called "Business Guru's": Making the listener pay for the podcast is short sighted and inevitably limiting to your revenue stream.

Lesson #1: Listen to the client. Brian wants more LISTENERS! He didn't ask you how much he should charge.

Speaking of money... Think about this: Who has more money to give to Brian: us or the thousands of corporations dying to gain market presence amongst the techno-savvy demographic?

Brian needs an outreach/exposure vehicle. As he gains presence he can co-opt that and sell more advertising that we get to experience for free. It doesn't even have to be in the show. It could just be on the site or on merch or any combination thereof. And it's still FREE for US!

Want kind of idiot pays to hear more advertising?!?!?!?!

You might want to create a Facebook page for Coverville, so people can become a "fan" of it. There's already a "Proud Coverville Listener" group, but it doesn't say much about what the show is.

I'll number myself among those who are technologically inept. For whatever reason, I simply CANNOT download your show from the page. Fortunately, I CAN listen to it via iTunes.
As for the "business model", go that route ONLY if you can 1) offer the subscribers "something extra" and 2) are willing to endure the wrath of those who will think you "sold out" , whatever that means.
I'm fond of those people who suggested having a Coverville logo on their blogs, et al., and submitting that info to you. Once a month, you pick randomly one blogger to get a certificate from your sponsor for an e-book.

I found the show from Q Magazine. If I remember correctly, Coverville has been mentioned in Q twice! That's a great promotion there already, but it's probably not enough to get more listeners.

I think the facebook idea might work. Also word of mouth. I'm saying to all my friends who like podcasts and music to check out Coverville. That's one way to expand on listeners.

Brian,

How to make more money? Well, I am not sure if these will work but here is what I would do to grow the show and, hopefully, make more money from it:

1. Contact your local NPR station, other stations, American Public Media, PRI or one of the other public radio syndicators. Your show, your format, your style would be perfect for Public Radio. See/contact these guys, you are brothers in arms http://www.soundopinions.org/

2. Write a book. There are few books on covers. Covers have driven popular music since the beginning and I for one would love to read a book on them. How many bands got their break because of a cover? Too many to name. Something like this http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/10/06/063836.php

3. Work with some of the record labels to help them break artists, sell back catalog. They are looking for ways to keep their jobs and they could use you!

4. TV. The coverville TV show, maybe with new bands doing covers, might work.

5. Rolling Stone magazine could use you. What about a Coverville column or section?

6. Coverville compilations - iTunes not on CD.

7. Coverville concerts

8. Use Coverville to resurrect the careers of old stars the way VH1 has.

9. Oh yes, VH1. You and VH1 should connect.

10. Use your consulting skills to help bands find the best song for them to cover.

11. Leverage your listenership to sell adveritising. I'd gladly listen to three ads during a show - one at the beginning, one in the middle and one at the end. Coverville, brought to you by HP!

That's it for now. I hope these are helpful.

How about a t-shirt design contest?

Take a look at the Advertise page in Firefox or IE. It needs a serious redesign.

I like the idea of artists /blogs linking to Coverville with an "as featured on Coverville" banner/text link. That should be a standard request when you ask to play their songs. After all for indie groups you are doing them a favor too, getting the word out about their band.

What about the shows that submit musically challenged? They could have their own banners. And a general "link to us" page that anyone could grab a coverville banner to add to his/her blog? "I love Coverville" baners etc.

You should try and do interviews on other podcasts. Non only are interview podcasts hungry for content but their audience is already trained in downloading podcasts.