/Talkshow, Blogtalkradio.com, and Experiential Marketing
As I announced a few weeks ago, I am doing a new experiential marketing program for the folks at Blogtalkradio.com, one that entails me running a talk radio show. The first show was Thursday, and I had a great time interviewing Ted Rheingold of Dogster about Online Community (see /Talkshow Tomorrow: Ted Rheingold of Dogster on Online Community).
I started using the term experiential marketing a few years ago, in a project I was doing for GoToPC, and then again last year in the "More Europe" project for OpenBC (now Xing). The premise is that true understanding of a product or service can't be gained from a half-hour demo: it requires hours, and perhaps weeks of use.
In this project I will be running a web-based talk show relying on the Blogtalkradio.com technology platform. Along with doing the show, I will be writing up my experiences with the software, recommendations for its improvement, and guidance for others trying the software.
First Week of /Talkshow
User Interface/User Experience
I haven't tried to use Blogtalkradio.com as a casual user. I will do so next week, as an experiment. But as the host of a show the user interface/experience could certainly use a face-lift, although it is functional enough, once you are aware of the features and where they can be found. Here's the basic UI.
I have discovered a few pitfalls in the user experience, primarily from others who wanted to join /Talkshow.
One major issue is the format for the streaming audio for the show, which is .wax. Means that Mac users will have to download Windows Media Player for Mac, which is an unsupported product at this time. Considering that the /Message community is at least 1/3 Mac, this is an issue. I also don't understand why the URL for the streaming audio is not available in advance of the show. I would like to be able to post it, so that people could be prepared prior to the actual show.
Host User Interface/User Experience
The interface for Blogtalkradio.com hosts is somewhat confusing, and is dominated by a number of tabbed interfaces that segregate functionality in some non-intuitive ways. Howevr, once you determine where things are located, it's workable.
For example, the tab for creating shows is called "Segments" which didn't immediately make sense to me. Once clicked, creating new segments or shows is segregated from editing (or deleting) already scheduled shows, which is distinct from archived shows. Wouldn't it be simpler to have a list of shows organized by date, ranging from the future back to the past? And why can't I edit the details associated with an up-coming show in place? Blogtalkradio.com seems to have missed Ajax and other more modern UI approaches, so far.
I will drill into the various functions of the host in upcoming weeks, but my initial take is that the service is in need of a user interface upgrade.
Host Phone Issues
Because of a crushing travel schedule, I was unable to test out the software before this week. A few minor glitches, and then my first real headache. I was trying to call into a test show using Skype. Dialing the number for the host worked no problem, but the Skype/Blogtalkradio.com software doesn't work on the entering of a unique code for my show. One of the tech folks, Amy Domestico, suggested typing the numbers slowly. That worked for the test, and it worked for the show. However, today I tried perhaps twenty times, but was unable to get it to work even once. This is going to be an issue, especially if I have to call internationally when in Europe. I don't know why I even need a code, when I am calling in on a special number that no one else has, theoretically. At any rate, I am going to ask them to try to relax this somehow.
I did try to do a Skype conference call including my mobile and the Blogtalkradio.com number, and I tried to type in the code from my cell. I could hear that the tones were garbled, so this is a Skype problem.
I did successfully conference call from my cell with Skype (using a Skypein number) and Blogtalkradio.com, and I used the cell to type in the codes. But since the cell was the originator of the call, I couldn't then drop the cell from the conference.
I tried Gizmo, with the same result.
I was able to get on the call with Skype for the show -- which I have not been able to repeat since -- and then the host experience was great.
I will dedicate a post to the phone switchboard sometime in upcoming weeks.
Conclusions
Blogtalkradio.com provides a functional and workmanlike tool for getting a talk show up and running in very short order. The user interface for end users -- "listeners" -- and the talk show host seem both to need some upgrades, to make things simpler and more logical. The underlying phone service works as advertised, and I was able to bring on and later disconnect callers. A number of Mac users encountered trouble with the streaming interface, while those who connected with Windows machines found the experience simple and immediate. All in all, a workable solution that requires a face-lift, and better descriptions for users of all sorts.
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Stowe,
I have read your post and I appreciate the points you have raised.
I agree that our user interface requires an upgrade and that is a key part of our website redesign project. We are incorporating more modern UI approaches and will be soliciting feedback from hosts such as yourself. As far as your Skype trouble with DTMF tones. It is a known issue with Skype and other VoIP providers interfacing with conference bridges and other system that require digits to be input by the user. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do to improve it. It is strictly a weakness on the part of Skype's PSTN provider for failing to properly pass the digits to the PSTN.
Lastly to your point on us using Windows Media format for streaming. Archives of shows are available in MP3 as well as WAX and WMA. Streaming during the live show is currently only available in Windows media format.
Keep up the constructive suggestions.
Posted by: Bob Charish COO-Co-Founder BlogTalkRadio | April 15, 2007 at 10:44 AM
Stowe -- I use Talkshoe but ALL of these systems -- as well as the usual conferencing call suspects like freeconferencing.com or highspeedconferencing.com -- all have issues with DTMS (Dual Tone Multi Frequency or touch tone) but the new beta version of Skype seems to have fixed the issue since I haven't had it since. I can now call in to all providers with my Skype line instead of having to hang up and use a landline (which really pissed me off since I love to use my headset for long conf calls).
Posted by: Steve Borsch | April 15, 2007 at 06:15 PM