Changes at the Double Loop Podcast

[ER]

First of all, big, big thanks to all of the listeners and supporters that we've gained over the past 5 years of putting up episodes of the Double Loop Podcast. We're closing in on 200 episodes, we regularly get 1500-2000 listens+downloads per episode, and we've passed 200k listens+downloads total.

You may have noticed some differences over the past few months. First, over the summer we started experimenting with different advertising strategies to help cover the costs of new equipment (I got a real mic!) and hosting fees. In the past Glenn and I bought some mid-quality USB mics, I spent a few hours each week editing, and he covered the cost of the hosting fees each year. We did some ads for a couple different services where we would get a cut of any subscribers, but that didn't pan out as being worth the effort. We've instead gone with companies that are related more directly with latent print examination. In addition we've also made a stronger push towards recruiting Patrons through www.patreon.com/DoubleLoopPodcast. As you can see, we're almost up to our initial goal of $100/mo with 20 patrons of the show.

At the same time, Glenn and I decided to move the 1st ~100 episodes to Patreon so that they would be available to our patrons as premium content. Glenn and I have also started recording extra content and uploading notes and other miscellaneous stuff for those patrons. Everyone is choosing their own amount to help support the show, but for even just $1/mo, all of that extra content is unlocked.

We've also recruited a "superfan" to help us keep a consistent presence on Twitter.

So, let me finally get to the main point of this post. I'm interested in feedback from listeners about how we could further improve our show or if any of these recent changes have negatively impacted you listeners. I'm also looking to recruit more "superfans" that could help maintain a Facebook group page, to create outlines for old episodes, to create new music or artwork or merch for the show, or any other way people may want to help.

Are we pushing the Patreon thing too much?
Is it fair to charge for access to our "archives"?
Are there any other "superfans" that could help in exchange for access to the archives and extra content?
What other kinds of extra content are you interested in?

Please post your thoughts or answers here or email me directly at Eric (at) RayForensics.com

Thanks again to all our listeners for helping make us the most popular fingerprint themed podcast in the world!

[GrayMatter]

I think 1500 to 2000 downloads per episode is a testament to the success of the show! Plus, now you have your very own Twitter parody account: @DoublePoopPod

Parody is fun! Just ask Weird Al. DM me jokes about Eric and Glenn or other forensic science funnies. Who knows may someday I'll even make parody podcast episodes.