Hey Dan,
Been listening to your podcast for almost a year. Excellent material and analysis. Been a huge help in my league and really appreciate what you and your team do to help us all out. Love the hoopball community and how we all share the same passion for fantasy NBA.
I have listened to every podcast since last year, and wanted to share my thoughts on some feedback.
1. A lot of times on the podcast, you mention a player, then talk about him for a few minutes. A lot of times I miss out on the name that was mentioned or mishear which name was said. Often, I have to rewind back to make sure I heard it correctly. When taking about a specific player, if you can mention his name again in the middle of your discussion before moving on to the next topic or next player, that would help the listener out a lot and keep things less confusing.
2. I have noticed that a lot of times you and your guest will disagree on something, and it’s mainly because the guest is thinking in roto leagues vs you thinking head to head or vice versa. Also a lot of times it’s not clear if the advice is strictly for roto or h2h, or applicable to both. A clear distinction prior to the intended discussion will be helpful to the listener.
3. Sometimes there are long pauses in your sentences, and when this happens, I think the podcast froze, but now been through it multiple times I’m used to it and it’s become your trademark.
4. I enjoy it when you and your guests share things going on with your lives outside of fantasy and makes the podcast more personable and entertaining. Maybe spend and extra 30 seconds to a minute on this aspect if you want. For example, Bill Simmons does a great job talking about his personal and family life and makes it more fun to listen to him.
Thanks again, and I look forward to your future podcasts for many years to come.
-PJ Shah from Chicago
Thanks so much for the kind words and for listening, PJ! And thanks for the well-thought-out notes!
1. I'll definitely try to do that!
2. My opinion is almost always roto 9-cat. Just assume that unless I specify otherwise. For guests, I'll try to do better asking what format they're most comfortable with.
3. That's my baseball play by play background. When I podcast solo, I want it to feel like a nice stroll in the park. Also, I want to keep my voice intact for future shows... haha.
4. Thanks! I've been told, sadly, to CUT THAT PERSONAL STUFF OUT by many iTunes reviews over the years, so I often try to shorten it. I like those parts because I feel like it humanizes us and connects us to listeners on a more personal level. Nice to know some of you guys still enjoy it.
Let's keep rocking along!
Sorry to barge in on this, but I'd like to add a few things if you guys don't mind!
Been listening to your podcast for about 2+ years. I love it and my eyes brighten up when I see my feed updated with a new episode everyday.
With that said, I'd like to add a few things:
1. Dan, I understand that you have your preferences on how you start your podcast. Whether it's to announce something funny that occurred right before the pod started, or if you just wanna jump in straight into the hot news topic among other various things - However, I think it would be best if you had a standard opening everyday to your pod. I think an opening stating your name, your tweet handle, hoopball website, description and rundown of the pod and the delicious Hawaiian Isles Kona Coffee mention would be great. Overall I think it's best to just get all that outta the way instead of having it be mentioned 5-20 minutes (sometimes maybe even longer) into the pod lol. I know it can be somewhat vanilla, but I think it's a good way to have a bit of habitual structure not only for you, but for the listener (and especially new listeners).
2. I actually do not mind the pauses at all. I love it, actually. I think you're one of the only podcasters that can pull it off and get away with it. It's hard to explain why, but I just don't mind it at all. I think it's mostly because you have a soothing, very charming, ear candy voice. So the times when there's silence, those pauses kinda compliment your voice. I guess it's the therapeutic nature of you? haha
3. I think the personal topics are great. I think a good middle ground to satisfy both crowds that love/hate it is perhaps to move all the personal stuff to the end of the podcast, especially if you need some filler. You can also tell your listeners that you're gonna spend the rest of the pod to talk about non-ball related things and they can tune out from there, while listeners who enjoy it will listen to the end.
4. Okay this one's a personal thing only for me, I presume. I have absolutely nothing against guests (some of these guys aren't actually guests to me now). I love Bru, Neil and Adrian - love Mike and all the other guests as well. I listen to Boxscore Breakdown (during the season) and Koz & Bru show all the time as well. However.. I miss the daily show with just you Dan. I don't know what it is.. much like I don't mind your pauses, I can't really explain why I really enjoy just having solo Dan. Again, perhaps it's the therapeutic nature of you but I miss the days when it was solo Dan for most pods every week. I think when it's when just you, you really get me focused and thinking deep about topics. I'm most compelled on these pods.
I'm sure there's logistical reasons behind it or Hoop Ball in general trying to improve on content and spread out talent, and I know you got other things on your plate. Perhaps it's also because the off-season is in full swing or what not, but I'd really love the return of solo Dan on a marathon of pods all week haha.
5. New theme song? lol don't get me wrong, I love the guitar theme, but just thought it might be something you'd want a fresh new feel to things for next season. Otherwise not a big deal!
Overall, these are all nitpicks. If nothing changed on the podcast and it stayed the way it is, I'd still love it the same regardless. The main core appeal of the podcast is the content and that's what I find to be the most attractive about the pod.
Leftee! Haha, dude, it's hardly nitpicking for most of your feedback to revolve around how you like to just hear my voice. Stroking my narcissistic ego is a good move. For the bullets:
1. I just can't do it. Keeping it different every day is as much about my own psyche as it is getting folks ramped up for the start. I think people would tune out the usual stuff if I did it.
2. Nice! They're not going anywhere on those solo shows. I think some podcasters probably go back and edit out their breaths and thoughts, but I'm a man who works quickly and likes to let the show sigh for a moment. 🙂
3. They'll come and go I think. The offseason probably more personal randomness than midseason. It just happens - it's never really by design...
4. I just like talking to other people, honestly. SCHEDULING is easier when I do it myself, but just being able to bounce ideas off folks is nice. I get what you're saying, though. When I go solo, I get WAY into the weeds. Probably how I got that lovely "Pedantic" review on iTunes. There will still be some solo pods mixed in, and probably more of them once we hit season time, since all these other awesome dudes will be embarking on their own shows!
5. Yeah, I do need one. I was just thinking about this in the shower. 100% agreement with you. I'm probably going to be making a tweet asking for someone to design one for show credit, basically, since, y'know, free pod isn't exactly swimming in dough.
Love ya buddy - this was the gentlest feedback in the history of feedback.. hahaha
