whys the LR need an overhaul? the LR is quite happy as it is
Sometimes there are discussions over there that I find value in or get enjoyment out of. But for the most part, it’s thread after thread, post after post, of the same users arguing the same points. And the constant personal attacks are just childish. It’s gotten really old.
Edit: how many main forum members also go to the LR? I don’t know the stats but it seems like the minority. I always see posts in here from people saying they muted the LR. That should tell you something.
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so lets say you temper the hard core users of the LR and they depart - you think they’ll be replaced by people from the tri forum who want to participate in those discussions but do not because of the dynamics
I suspect you may get your wish because as of 10 mins ago - 65 have joined the reddit LR
I think you will see more level headed discussions and broader topics. Posting will likely go down though. But I don’t see that as a bad thing personally.
might be bad if you are counting on members and posts for revenue
I am not sure there is any evidence that people would post but do not because of the current dynamics but I suspect we are about to find out
You don’t think Eric, Ryan, etc already thought about that?
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I am not sure based on how Eric interacts that there is much thinking at all if valuing your users means anything
Obviously given Ryans latest reply in the LR - if they did think about it, they did not perhaps think it through enough
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+1
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Of these items, the only thing I could see paying for would be a vastly improved podcast that actually takes advantage of the content you’re spending your time gathering. The original version was so anemic and meandering, I couldn’t get to the good stuff before switching over to something else.
So, for Slowtwitch+, as a person who really wants you to succeed, tell us what, if any, changes do you plan to improve the podcast?
My suggestions:
- Better billboard up front to give us a reason to hang in there after the way-too-leisurely top of program
- Inclusion of more women’s voices
- Tighter focus, better energy, fewer personal stories that don’t have a real point
- Introduce your selves up front, don’t assume we know you by voice.
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Basically, you have to have a reason to do the podcast, other than wanting to charge more people for the sub.
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I value everyone until they start teling me to “F#$ off” or “you suck” " You’re a moron" or all the other things that come my way. That is when someone’s value starts to go down little for sure. You’re a great example of that… I dont know you we have never met and you have taken with great pride to just leash out at me like I’m your enemy.
My desire is to nothing but grow slowtwitch with good active users that are getting what they need from slowtwitch
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I think there is definitely room for a newsy Slowtwitch podcast, given what’s out there and what’s not.
ProTri News is filling in the pro side with heavy opinion, and I do listen to that but have to roll my eyes at some of its excesses. The guys do have deep access and a lot of gossip, but it’s also quite full of itself.
Feisty Media ended its Ironwoman podcast (with the very excellent hosts Haley Chura and Alyssa Godesky — you should hire Haley as your third voice) and If We Were Riding podcasts (it was fun, but also sometimes lacking direction, and it could be kind of harsh in the way only Kelly O’Mara can manage). Feisty is supposed to have some new woman-focused podcast on its way.
There are also a lot of age group-focused podcasts out there by coaches (Purple Patch, Tower 26) and dudes and dudettes who tri (Crushing Iron, Chasing Kona etc.) but I haven’t been fond enough of any of them to go back week after week.
And there are the pro athlete pods that vary in quality. Best of course is This Triathlon Life, which really hits it out of the park week after week. And Sky Moench’s pod documenting her pregnancy has been very good.
So I think the sweet spot for a Slowtwitch+ podcast would be a balance between age group multisport news, pro news, race directors and their challenges and product info.
oh, I’m sorry, I thought you were the person who continually takes shots in the LR and were one of the owners - I must have got you mixed up with the one that behaves like an a#se hole…
your stated desired since the switch has been to bin the LR - if that has not been your desire you have gone a funny way about engaging with the one forum that actually gets significant engagement
I mean we are all concered about the gravel forum heading behind the paywall and what happens with its one post made last september
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I think the pod has to go all in on the ability to have industry leaders as guests. Ryan and Eric opining for 30 mins each week on their triathlon takes, I just don’t think is going to move the needle. But they have so many relationships and ability to use their roles in the sport to bring in really good guests.
That to me is where the pod could crush it. Obviously when you have guests that cover the entire spectrum, your going to get people that care more about X subject than Y subject. Go in on their ability to work the relationships they have with people and products and go after that, more than I think worrying about ST’s take on the weekly going ons. The Ryan/Eric conversations among themselves always felt like they were doing it just to do it. I mean obviously give a take on a hot topic, but weekly 30 mins of opining on all things triathlon I think will lose people. I don’t think people want that from ST, and I think ST has enough clout to go all in on their relationships with insiders to build a strong podcast audience.
I also think a podcast needs a WHY. If your doing it to simply check the box or as a revenue generator, I think your audience senses that in a weird way.
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Agreed.
The days of a couple of bros making a podcast—and blathering on about “whatever” are over. In case no one has noticed, the podcast world isn’t doing so hot these days----if you name doesn’t rhyme with “slogan.” The rest of the pod-verse is struggling pretty hard to pay to keep a simple VPS online.
I think it was more a matter of infrequency that did the podcast a disservice. I just went through the full catalog a majority of the episodes were guest interviews and perspectives (15 of 24) which is what people are suggesting should be the kind of things presented.
I tried to give you my money, but it won’t let me login. The homepage also looks like this on my iPhone which isn’t great.
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As mentioned before, presumably US only to make it worth paying. Guessing you aren’t intending to ship the quarterly magazine overseas and shipping from the store is prohibitive even with a discount.
Shame but not worth paying for forum access (no offence everyone!) and judging by the previous podcast output that won’t be a big draw either.
If this was the corporate world, somebody would be looking for a new job now 
Getting popcorn!
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You identified stakeholders and talked to them. Why didn’t you talk to the users? ST community is the biggest value you have, also stakeholders - you could either make us a product (by generic ads and advertisement through reviews / recommendations from brands) or you could offer a product to us (by providing services). Once you decided to offer us a + product, why didn’t you ask us what we want?
I’ve been using some form of an adblock for the last 15 years at least. I won’t turn it off now.
Imo Simmonds is a good example, good job there. Rico Bogen’s story is another example. 2025 IM rule changes is another good example.
Gravel tire liners isn’t a good example, especially if it’s mapped to Triathlon Forum. Expensive indoor training desk isn’t even worth mentioning. Enve overpriced bike is another advertisement-feeling example.
It’s of course subjective, my own opinion. But if you had run a big quantitative questionnaire, you’d have known the community preferences.
Yes, for overall gravel bike selling numbers. The brands must be knocking on doors. But not on ST - there’s no user movement on the Gravel-dedicated forum.
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