Become a Member!
In the comments in the latest podcast post, there’s a general discussion about how often – and how insistently – we pitch our listeners on the joys of a Ricochet membership.
In other words, some of our listeners are, like, Dudes, come on.
We get it. Honestly.
Our policy and practice in this stuff is evolving, of course, and we hate to think we’re irritating our listeners with pitches, but like everybody else in the world, we’re just trying to keep the lights on and the trains running. Our free, flagship podcast has a couple of very fine sponsors – and they have to keep the lights on, too – but more importantly, it’s an opportunity for us to tell our listeners – the vast majority of whom are not members – just how great it would be if they’d join.
Our podcasts have almost 100,000 listeners. And I assure you, we’ve got fewer members. Alotfewer. If half of our listeners were members – heck, if 30% were – we’d be popping champagne and sponsoring meet-ups and launching a whole slew of new initiatives and building out the features on the site.
Okay, not complaining. Building a business and a brand takes time, and we knew when we started that what we were really trying to do, in order, was:
- Save the country.
- Build a vibrant community of smart and thoughtful center/right Americans who would have their voices heard in DC and elsewhere.
- Have fun and entertain ourselves and like minded people worldwide with civil, witty, meaningful conversations.
- Reach out to and connect with conservatives across the country – and the globe – who often feel isolated and alone.
- Make some sweet, sweet cash.
To do all of that, we’ve got to let people know that being a member of Ricochet is a great deal – you get access to terrific podcasts, the fun of joining in on some great conversations and the ability to start your own, you become a part of a growing and influential network of Americans who are deeply engaged in steering this country back in the right direction, and you take part in that rare thing on the internet: a civil conversation. Those are rare on the interwebs.
And at $3.67 per month -- less than a buck a week -- it's a fantastic deal. If you're a member, thanks. If you're not, please join. Right now.
You see, here’s what we’ve learned: when we ask people to become members, they do. When we stop in the middle of a podcast and talk about membership, memberships go up. Memberships go up.
So we’re in a bit of a pickle. We never want to irritate or annoy the members we have, and for whom we have enormous gratitude and respect. But we need more of them.
So please accept our apologies if the membership pitch during the podcast gets up your nose. Please know we’re not trying to be annoying. We’re just pushing our cart down the road, trying to catch a dime, trying to keep the enterprise running.
And just to be clear, of the items in the list above, the most important is the first one. We’re honored to be in the foxhole with all of you.
Oh, and hit the “Invite Friends” button, too.
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Comments:
Jun '10
Re: Become a Member!
Don Tillman
Western Chauvinist
Ditto... as long as James keeps up with the oh-so-subtle segues. No pressure. · 1 hour ago
I think it was Mary Poppins who said, "Just a spoonful of segue helps the advertisement go down." · 1 hour ago
To continue the theme. The main podcast is "practically perfect in every way."
Seriously, Ricochet has both entertained and instructed me. The monthly fee, compared to the return I receive, is like nothing.
Sep '10
Re: Become a Member!
EJ Hill graphic idea:
(Picture of sheep)
The bleatings will continue until morale improves.
May '12
Re: Become a Member!
After being thoroughly entertained and educated over the past year or more, I gave in to my innate Catholic guilt and joined. And I don't drink coffee.
Jun '10
Re: Become a Member!
Keep it up, guys! Ricochet quickly becomes a part of life.
Dec '11
Re: Become a Member!
OK, how much would my membership have to be to break even with current membership?
1 coffee, 2 coffee, or 3 coffees?
Feb '11
Re: Become a Member!
I only have a problem with the apologies. I would pay MORE. Yes, that means I would do without to pay my subscription.
Sep '10
Re: Become a Member!
Perhaps others are annoyed by the sales pitches, but for me they're part of the fun. When Rob gives his pitch, it's like part of a story I know by heart--any deviations from the norm would bother me. And whenever James speaks at any time, I'm always very attentive, because who knows whether a disquisition on Soviet collective farms in the 1930s might be the beginning of a segue? The suspense is part of the entertainment.
Jan '11
Re: Become a Member!
Take the Tom Sawyer approach. Stop asking people to become members. Announce that membership is full; we even had to expel members (e.g. Kenneth). You will sell Ricochet private membership licenses for people who want to get on the waiting list.
Feb '11
Re: Become a Member!
Why is there no option for more than one cup of coffee ?
Apr '12
Re: Become a Member!
Do everything it takes to continue Ricochet! Adverts, whatever! I've just emailed an invitation to everyone I think may be even remotely interested. Some of them are Liberals, but who knows, they do like to talk politics. :-)) I wish I had more friends to ask, but the joy of Ricochet is that it fills the gap that so few people in my life are political junkies like I am.
Jun '10
Re: Become a Member!
I have ZERO problems with the ads.
May '10
Re: Become a Member!
Yes. A donate button would be a nice option. Members who love what they are getting, and are willing to pay more to see Ricochet succeed could donate. And, who knows, maybe even some non members who appreciate the free content would chip in occasionally.
Sep '10
Re: Become a Member!
This is an oft used tactic on Trump properties.
Sep '10
Re: Become a Member!
Katie O
Yes. A donate button would be a nice option. Members who love what they are getting, and are willing to pay more to see Ricochet succeed could donate. And, who knows, maybe even some non members who appreciate the free content would chip in occasionally. · 7 minutes ago
Also a procreate button. It wouldn't do anything, but you'd generate a great deal of buzz on the internet.
Oh, wait, I'm on sabbatical. Never mind.
Jan '12
Re: Become a Member!
I don't have a problem with the ads either. In fact, I never gave them much thought until I kept reading other people complain about them.
Dec '10
Re: Become a Member!
Pitch your pitch as often as it's needed. I'd happily join again.
Jan '11
Re: Become a Member!
Pseudodionysius
This is an oft used tactic on Trump properties. · 40 minutes ago
Dang it, now I'm humiliated. Yet another benefit of membership.
Apr '12
Re: Become a Member!
I joined because of Rob's nagging. Signed up for the yearly plan. I would never pay $3.67 for a cup of coffee! The premium podcasts make the investment worthwhile.
Aug '10
Re: Become a Member!
As long as we keep getting those deft segues from James and (the now running joke of) the segue being stepped on by the other two amigos, I have no complaints. Speaking as someone who always fast-forwards through ads on my DVR, I never fast forward through the Ricochet ads. Just keep them spontaneous and ad-libbed.
Edited on July 30, 2012 at 5:10amNov '11
Re: Become a Member!
I really like reason number one and reason number five. The stuff in between is okay, too, but what could be better, or irritate a lefty more, than saving the country while getting rich doing it? I don't mind the pitches. They make me want to join twice. Soldier on!