This morning I finished putting the most recent episode of the What’cha Growin? podcast together and had set it to upload when a message popped up saying that I had surpassed my monthly space allowance and would not be able to post anything more this month. Whoops. The thing about audio files is they’re big: the longer the duration, the bigger the file. Hosting them on my own site would be unreasonably expensive so I pay a separate hosting fee for a plan that deals in podcasts.
I went into this knowing that like this blog, this endeavour would never make any money and that beyond the time investment that there would be an out-of-pocket cost to host it. For that reason I set limits, the plan being that I would do 2 episodes a month maximum with each episode coming in at around 30 minutes. But something happened once I got past the initial learning curve and the intense fear I felt around delving into this unknown terrain: I wanted to do more. So the plan shifted and I decided to do 10 weeks consecutively, take a short break, and then start again in the fall with bi-weekly episodes. I also allowed each episode to run longer than the last and they’ve doubled in size. Beyond the cost of hosting, each episode takes time to make. I don’t do much in the way of editing as I want to keep the conversations casual and honest. However, I’m guesstimating that editing plus the other work involved (making the blog post, getting images together, converting files, uploading, emails, prep time, etc) it takes me about 8 hours from start to finish per episode.
It’s certainly much more work than I anticipated, but I’ve benefited from the experience these past 7 weeks and came to the decision early on that it was worth it. Writing is lonely work. I’m okay with that and don’t mind the solitude. However, my life can be too hermetic at times and while the podcast has challenged me, reaching out to other gardeners and hearing their stories has been a joyful, connecting experience that has effected me in ways that I didn’t foresee.
Which leads me to today and episode #7. This episode is ready to go, but unfortunately I will have to wait until the beginning of July to upload it. The fact that I am surpassing my monthly limit means that I will be shifting to bi-monthly episodes from here on out.
People have been asking how to help and have been asking about donations. I generally don’t like talking about this stuff, but it’s become necessary to address it. I am not comfortable asking for donations. I’m not a non-profit and my attitude has long been that I make tangible things (books, tshirts, etc) and it is up to readers whether they would like to purchase those items. This helps support the work that I do on the site that I am not paid for. Despite what you may think about the so-called profitability of blogging, the reality is that in my case I have never in 13 years made more from this site than I spend to make it. In fact, I often make far, far less. I don’t think this has anything to do with my success or lack there-of as a writer/creator. There are lots of reasons for this that have to do with choices that I’ve made that feel right for me. For that reason, the living that I have made has always come from work done beyond the site.
I’ve thought about a subscription model, specifically for the podcast, but I’m uncomfortable limiting access to a paying membership when there are other people involved in the making, i.e. the gardeners that I interview. It dampens the spirit of sharing, inclusivity, connectedness, and promoting diversity that are my impetus for making this podcast in the first place. I also don’t see it as a sustainable model, which leads back to why I do not believe in a donation-based system. It’s not a sustainable model either. Most donation drives see some momentum right away but that drops off quickly. It also engenders a begging relationship between myself and you, the reader, one that can lead to feelings of guilt and ill will that I don’t think is good for anyone over the long term.
How Can You Help?
1. Share and Comment: This show is free and will continue to be free. Getting the word out helps a great deal, so please tell your gardening friends, your horticultural society, or anyone that you think would be interested in it. Share on your blog, Facebook and other forms of social media, retweet on Twitter, or post a photo on Instagram. Knowing that you are listening makes a difference and keeps me motivated. Ratings, reviews, and subscriptions on iTunes helps to get the show find better positioning. You can subscribe here and leave a rating or review here.
2. Comment and Review: Please leave comments here about the episodes. I’ve been floored by how willing my guests have been to open themselves up and reveal personal details about their experiences as gardeners and people. A few guests have told me that they were very nervous about it telling their stories publicly and that hearing from people who got something from the episode quieted their fear. We all want to feel connected to other people and that we aren’t alone. This is primarily why I stepped up the episodes!
3. Use my Amazon affiliate link when you buy something on Amazon. As a writer of books I have my own issues with Amazon; however, a lot of us use it and it does have its perks. When you click on this link before purchasing an item — any item at all — a small percentage of the purchase price goes toward supporting this site, including the podcast. What’s great about it is that it’s something you would have bought regardless so it doesn’t cost you anything extra or guilt you into buying something you don’t need, want, or can’t afford. From my perspective it is much better than running a surplus of ads, sponsored posts, or even worse, running ads that are in opposition to the values around sustainability and affordability that I promote here.
4. Buy a T-shirt: Any of the designs shown will help support the work that I do here.
5. Purchase My Books: The bottom line is that publishers only want to work with authors that sell books. Since making books is a big part of how I make a living and what I love to do most, those numbers make a difference and allow me to keep going.
Thanks so much for reading, listening and for your continued support. Without you I’d be, well, a bit of a nutty plant lady whispering stories to her plant friends.
I would be more than willing to pay a subscription fee to listen to your podcast – I’ve found it really interesting and inspiring and it’s also just nice to hear other people’s experiences. I was actually going to ask why you weren’t considering doing a paid subscription, but I had assumed it was because you were trying to build up a following first – which is actually what I’ve seen quite a few online magazine doing lately. But I knew there was probably a good explanation as to why you were not doing this – and you’ve clarified that well in this post. I will miss the more frequent podcasts, but it will just make me look forward to them even more now!
I do think that subscriptions are reasonable in that it comes down to paying for something tangible — an exchange of services. However, I don’t like the idea of limiting who can listen by cost, especially given the nature of what we discuss. I’d really like to find a way to support my costs while allowing it to remain open to everyone who wants to listen.
Ugh. I just don’t know, but thank you for taking the time to weigh in.
Hi Gayla,
I just bought one of your books through Amazon, but didn’t know about the link at the time. I found you on Instagram through a scrapbooker that I follow, (Ali Edwards) and have been listening and loving your podcasts. I am from Alberta and enjoy listening to a fellow Canadian. I too would pay for a subscription to listen to your podcasts, just letting you know in case you change your mind.
Thanks for all you do..
I recently bought a portable pod dock speaker so that I could catch up with the over 900 (!) podcasts that I have stored. (I stopped commuting to work several years ago, so I no longer listen to them in the car.)
This makes for great weeding entertainment. And even though I have a lot of catching up to do with other my podcast subscriptions, I g?o?b?b?l?e? ?u?p? listen to yours as soon as they’re available.
I have been a gardener since my teens (I’m 44), and am a longtime reader of yours. You have provided inspiration when I’ve felt stagnated, and validation when I didn’t even know I needed it, especially being the isolated country gardener that I am. (My place is similar to Delia’s, in fact I live 30 miles west of Madison, WI., probably not too far from her. And I also deal with chronic pain, needing ibuprofen to sleep at night during heavy gardening times.)
I understand and appreciate how some of your guests might have felt nervous about putting themselves out there, even writing this makes me feel uncomfortable. So, Bravo! and Thank you! to them.
And thank you Gayla, for all you do. Your podcasts are so enjoyable: your interviewing style is refreshing and your guests come across as relate-able, likeable, interesting people. I have gotten something from every single episode so far, they’ve all been thoroughly interesting to me.
I would love a What’cha Growin? T-shirt, but can’t stand regular necked tees. So if you decide to offer a v-neck (with perhaps more color options), count me in.
Lastly, I will gladly use your affiliate link for Amazon. I just hope next time I use it, I remember to go to your page first!
Have you considered doing a pay-what-you-can subscription through something like subbable or patreon? That way you can get support for the awesome thing you’re doing, people get the awesome thing, and those who want to and are able to support you, can.
It’s not crazy or free-loading to get paid for a service you are providing. And in this beautiful age of the internet, it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing: you can get paid AND provide your content to whoever wants it. You’re not going to suddenly metamorphosize into a greedy corporate entity, either.
I hope you understand that I mean this all in the most loving way, too.
Goodnight,
Your friend,
Fuzzytrees
I have really enjoyed your podcasts so far, they’ve been incredibly diverse and made me consider how other people garden (for instance, I never considered gardening with physical limitations or gardening in an area prone to gang violence) and what their lives must be like, it’s expanded my empathy, which I’m always receptive to.
Nevertheless, I would listen to them in any format that you see fit. It won’t stop me from supporting your site or your products because I really respect your perspective.
I’ve listened to all your podcasts so far and really enjoyed them all. I live in Australia and, while our gardening often uses different plants and takes place in very different conditions, I find it really interesting to hear the stories of other gardeners.
I was all set to hear my first podcast of yours today and was interrupted just as the music began. Darn!
I concur with the V-neck tee idea.
Thanks for your hard work to reach out to fellow gardeners. I feel “included” when I read your remarks. I am also a rather solitary gardener, but have started teaching gardening classes in the warm months in my own backyard and that is quite enlightening. Sometimes I wonder who else out there thinks like me. I am starting to believe there are lots of us.
I love this and the prior podcast! They have really made me feel less “shameful” about the state of my garden. Or that I kind of like letting everything run wild, which is certainly not status quo around her. Also Thanks for introducing me to Black Krim, Shiso, borage, and some most importantly Carouby De Mousain peas! As a young gardner (26) it is great to have someone to look to for a more alternative garden. I just ordered Grow Great Grub to help contribute to the cause. Keep up the good work!