Stage Three Launch - Revolutions | Wave AI Podcast Notes

Summary

Podcast Summary: Revolutions – "Stage Three Launch" Episode Release Date: October 21, 2024

Introduction: A New Beginning

In the "Stage Three Launch" episode of Revolutions, host Mike Duncan announces a significant transformation for the podcast as it embarks on its 12th season. After a nearly two-year hiatus, Duncan returns with exciting updates that mark the beginning of "stage three" in his prolific career. Reflecting on his journey, Duncan shares, “this was always going to happen. It was always the plan. It was not a matter of if, but when” (00:02).

Advertising Overhaul: Embracing Industry Changes

One of the primary focuses of this episode is the overhaul of the podcast's advertising strategy. Duncan explains the shift from pre-roll to mid-roll advertisements in new episodes, aligning with current industry trends. He states, “midroll ads are what advertisers really want” (00:30), highlighting the increased revenue opportunities they present. These mid-roll ads will be host-read and seamlessly integrated into the script to maintain listener engagement.

For the extensive back catalog of Revolutions and The History of Rome, Duncan introduces programmatic ads. He reassures listeners, “the episodes will still be free and available to everybody” (01:15), but notes that new programmatic ads will replace the old pre-rolls. This change aims to modernize the listening experience while ensuring the shows remain accessible.

Introducing Patreon: Ad-Free Listening and Exclusive Content

To cater to listeners who prefer an uninterrupted experience, Duncan announces the launch of Patreon feeds for both Revolutions and The History of Rome. Subscribers will gain access to ad-free episodes, as Duncan emphasizes, “intro music, then content, intro music, then content” (02:00), stripping away all advertisements from the listening experience.

Beyond ad-free content, the Patreon tiers will offer exclusive bonuses such as Q&A episodes, behind-the-scenes insights, and potentially live feeds for real-time interaction. This initiative responds to long-time listeners’ requests, with Duncan noting, “people have been asking me to do this forever” (02:45).

Merchandise Launch: Expanding the Brand

Expanding his offerings, Duncan introduces a permanent merchandise store set to launch alongside the Patreon. Available just in time for the holidays, the store will feature a variety of items including shirts, sweatshirts, bags, pint glasses, and tumblers. Duncan highlights the return of beloved designs, mentioning favorites like the “Olivia did it” shirt and the “God told me to tell you that property is theft” digger shirt (03:30). This move not only caters to fans’ desires for branded merchandise but also provides an additional revenue stream to support the podcasts.

Upcoming Projects: Duncan and Company Show

In addition to enhancing Revolutions, Duncan shares exciting news about the continuation of the Duncan and Company history show, co-hosted with Alexis Ko. Despite previous delays, the show is now back on track with new episodes being recorded regularly. Duncan remarks, “The Duncan and Company show is very much alive and kicking” (04:15), expressing enthusiasm for this new venture and its role in expanding his podcasting portfolio.

Conclusion: Embracing Stage Three

As the episode wraps up, Duncan succinctly summarizes the key updates:

Advertising: Transition to mid-roll ads in new episodes and programmatic ads in the back catalog.
Patreon: Ad-free access to all episodes and exclusive bonus content.
Merchandise: Launch of a permanent store with a wide range of branded products.
New Show: Revival of the Duncan and Company history podcast.

With these changes, Duncan confidently declares, “Stage three, Make Rocket go now” (05:10), signaling a bold new chapter for Revolutions and his broader podcasting endeavors. Listeners can look forward to a more sustainable, engaging, and multifaceted experience as Mike Duncan continues to explore and narrate the revolutions that shape our world.

Key Quotes:

“This was always going to happen. It was always the plan. It was not a matter of if, but when.” – Mike Duncan (00:02)
“Midroll ads are what advertisers really want.” – Mike Duncan (00:30)
“The episodes will still be free and available to everybody.” – Mike Duncan (01:15)
“Intro music, then content, intro music, then content.” – Mike Duncan (02:00)
“People have been asking me to do this forever.” – Mike Duncan (02:45)
“The Duncan and Company show is very much alive and kicking.” – Mike Duncan (04:15)
“Stage three, Make Rocket go now.” – Mike Duncan (05:10)

For those unfamiliar with Revolutions, this episode marks a pivotal moment in the podcast’s evolution, blending Mike Duncan’s expertise in historical analysis with innovative strategies to enhance listener engagement and support.

Transcript

A (0:02)

Hello. Well, it certainly has been a minute, a bit longer than I expected, but there's been a few unexpected twists and turns in my life since the last episode of Revolutions release back in December of 2022. But guess what? I'm coming back. In fact, as you can see, I am right now launching the thus far closely held secret 11th season of Revolutions. This says something that's been on my mind and in the works for at least a decade, which doesn't seem right, but I know that the idea first occurred to me when I was working, working on the French Revolution episodes. And folks, that was 10 years ago. So this is the thing that was always going to happen. It was always the plan. It was not a matter of if, but when. And the win is finally at hand. So I hope you enjoy what comes next. Now, as I relaunch myself back into the world after a nearly two year long absence, we are doing a major overhaul to how we do business around here. If the History of Rome was stage one of my career and Revolutions was stage two, this is very clearly the beginning of stage three. And I have done some resetting about how all of this works. So, for example, you know that I've always gotten by on some pre roll ads, contributions from listeners and the occasional fundraiser. Well, as I make my return here, I've got to shift with the winds of the industry and take a look at what I've made, what it's worth, and how I can keep doing this for the good of all of us. So let us first talk about advertising. Since I first started doing ads for Audible and the History of Rome way back in 2009, they've always been pre roll ads. That's the way I liked it. That's the way I kept it. But look, we all listen to podcasts and we know that mid roll ads are what advertisers really want. There are way more opportunities for midroll ads at a much, much higher payout. Mid roll ads are frankly where the money is really at and has been for some time. So going forward, new episodes will have some mid roll ads. It's 2024. It's time to get with the times. These will be host read, not programmatic ads. And the episodes will be written such that the break will be worked into the script. It won't just be some jarring mid sentence insert, I promise, but they will be there. The next change is that the back catalog of both the History of Rome and Revolutions, all those hundreds and hundreds of episodes that people still keep downloading every Month, Even though the first episode of the History of Rome came out like 17 years ago, will start carrying programmatic ads. I'm sure you all know the drill on these two. The episodes will still be free and available to everybody. But yes, after a short commercial break, I am, however, completely refreshing the old feed such that the old ads that formerly preceded each episode have now been stripped out. So there will be no programmatic ads Immediately followed by this week's episode is brought to you by Harry's so really all that's happening here is that I'm taking all the old ads out and putting new ads in their place. But Mike, you say I want to listen to the History of Rome or Revolutions without such intrusions. You can't make these changes without offering some way to get an ad free version of the episodes. And that's true, I can't. And that is where Patreon comes in, as I'm sure you're all well aware from all the other shows you listen to. I too am setting up a Patreon feed for both the History of Rome and Revolutions and loading up the entire back catalog of both, stripped of all their ads. So it's just intro music, then content, intro music, then content, intro music, then content. Endlessly, forever. People have, incidentally been asking me to do this forever and now is finally the right time to do it. So I'm sure you're all familiar with the drill on Patreon. On top of getting access to the complete back catalogs of the show ad free, if you subscribe, there will also be bonus content. There will definitely be Q and A episodes, behind the scenes stuff about writing the book or making the show. And if I can get my technological ducks in a row, maybe access to live feeds so we can hang out together in real time. Now this is all coming down the chute very fast. It's not quite ready to go yet. And I won't be turning on the Programmatic ads to the back catalog until the Patreon feed is up and running, which should be very shortly. And I'll make an announcement with the proper feed information and instructions on how to get signed up. Okay, so midroll ads on new episodes, programmatic ads on the back catalog, and a Patreon where you can get all episodes old and new ad free, plus bonus stuff. What else is there? Oh, right. Merchandise. I've never really done merchandise, despite being asked about it repeatedly over the years. All I ever did was a few limited time fundraisers, which are now years and years in the rearview Mirror. And there never has just been like a History of Rome or Revolution's logo branded thing like anywhere for any reason. Well, that is going to change too. There will be a permanent merchandise shop opening up. Hey, just in time for the holidays. Now, I am not going the full Krusty the Clown here, but there will be shirts and sweatshirts and bags and pint glasses and tumblers. It's all very cool. And yes, it'll all be available forever. I brought back the old shirt designs too. Have you always lusted after Olivia did it shirt? Or a Gentleman Johnny's party train shirt? Or the digger shirt that says God told me to tell you that property is theft, which was always my low key favorite. Well, they will all be available on demand and you can get as much History of Rome and Revolution swag as you want. Okay, so I think that's about everything. Let's see, we've got new episodes of Revolutions are about to start dropping changes to my advertising policy to align with current industry realities. A Patreon coming very soon, a merchandise store coming very soon. And oh, wait, right. One other thing. Remember how at the end of Revolutions I said I'd be doing a history show with my friend and colleague Alexis Ko? Well, as I said, there's been a few unexpected twists and turns in my life since the last episode of Revolutions, but the Duncan and Co History show is very much alive and kicking. It always has been. It's just that we've not been able to quite sync up right to get it launched. But that too is coming to an end. We've been recording together. There are episodes in the can. We literally just did one like two days ago. So life happens at the speed of life, but the Duncan and Company show is very much alive. I can't wait to open that whole new part of my career in podcasting. Honestly, it's going to be great. Okay, so I think that that is it. New episodes of Revolutions dropping directly in your lap right now. New ad policy, Patreon Merch store all coming very soon. Duncan and Company show in the works and visible on the near horizon. Great, let's do it. Stage three, Make Rocket go now.