The Disadvantages of BlogTalkRadio

I haven't spoken or written much about BlogTalkRadio (BTR), but you've probably heard me tell people how I can't stand telephone-quality podcasts. BlogTalkRadio is known for producing such podcasts.

Although BlogTalkRadio does present Skype options, the majority of podcasters turn to BlogTalkRadio as a great method to record a podcast with just a phone call. My fellow podcaster Jeremy Sarber disagrees and shared it in his Orange Coffee Cup podcast.

Disadvantages of BlogTalkRadio

  • Obnoxious technical difficulties
    • Cannot connect to your own show or open chat
    • Switchboard won’t answer a call or play an audio file
    • Pop-up and audio ads (affects listeners more than hosts)
    • Unreliable statistics
    • Seamless transfer away from BTR is impossible
  • Horrible sound quality
    • People will forsake good content if audio is bad enough
    • Can’t speak over intro, exit, or bumper music
    • VoIP sounds best but often cuts out

Jeremy shared more detail on these thoughts in his episode, which attracted the attention of Brian Benitez, vice president of product at BlogTalkRadio. Make sure you read Mr. Benitez's full comment on Jeremy's post.

Full post at The Disadvantages of BlogTalkRadio | 003 Orange Coffee Cup the Podcast.

About the Author
As an award-winning podcaster, Daniel J. Lewis gives you the guts and teaches you the tools to launch and improve your own podcasts for sharing your passions and finding success. Daniel creates resources for podcasters, such as the SEO for Podcasters and Zoom H6 for Podcasters courses, the Social Subscribe & Follow Icons plugin for WordPress, the My Podcast Reviews global-review aggregator, and the Podcasters' Society membership for podcasters. As a recognized authority and influencer in the podcasting industry, Daniel speaks on podcasting and hosts his own podcast about how to podcast. Daniel's other podcasts, a clean-comedy podcast, and the #1 unofficial podcast for ABC's hit drama Once Upon a Time, have also been nominated for multiple awards. Daniel and his son live near Cincinnati.
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Debbie
Debbie
12 years ago

Hi Daniel,

I responded to another post about BlogTalkRadio in another post you wrote, but wanted to include my comment here too.  I agree BTR has its flaws, but your post isn’t completely accurate.

I host a bi-weekly show on BTR.  Because the platform is interactive, each show attracts at least 30-40 live participants via chat and telephone…a very popular listener feature.

And of course, I get several more listeners via the playback feature–I embed each episode on my website 

As a show host, I CAN cue audio files via the switchboard.

Because I record each show locally, using my mic and software, I have the ability to upload/replace/edit the default BTR recording with better quality audio (without ads, if I choose) for each show.  

So, yes, you’re right,  it’s not perfect, but there ARE workarounds. 

JJ
JJ
10 years ago

How would you use the two platforms (Mixlr and BTR) together?

nola darling
nola darling
10 years ago

Hi! Details please. If I’m broadcasting live with Mixlr, how is it possible to take live calls with BTR at the same time?

trackback

[…] of BlogTalkRadioJeremy Sarber doesn’t like BlogTalkRadio and neither do I, so I reblogged his post and added my own thoughts.Recording multiple USB mics as separate tracks in AudacityI didn’t think this was possible, […]

scandalousbeauty
scandalousbeauty
11 years ago

I have to agree. The quality of BTR is sub-par IMO, and it really turns me off as a listener. I applaud anyone who uses it, but I’d rather do a traditional podcast. Can’t wait to start in a couple of weeks!

frustrated
frustrated
10 years ago

No ever posts alternatives

dis satisfied BTR user
dis satisfied BTR user
10 years ago

So yeah, a lot of blah, blah, blah, but no alternative option mentioned. So there is nothing else other than BTR if you want to do a live show, have callers and a chatroom option…. other than setting up about 1000 bucks of hardware in your spare bedroom. got it. great.

the best
the best
9 months ago

Talkshoe didn’t even work! BTR is NOT ‘terrible’ quality of sound if you have a decent microphone. The shows I hear on there are as clear as FM radio talk radio/AM. It is also not a terrible place for ‘podcasting’ (a new word which wasn’t around when I started hosting in 2010), but podbean and others are, because no traffic comes to them and no one listens ‘live’. For live listeners, it is 2023 and there still is no competitor for BTR as far as live listeners for internet shows.

James Curtis Royster
James Curtis Royster
4 years ago

That’s somewhat misleading, IMHO. The HUGE PROBLEM with BTR is the fact that your followers MUST HAVE A FAKEBOOK OR TWITTER ACCOUNT – something that MANY of my followers do NOT and WILL NOT EVER do (have a Fakebook or Twitter account). So, what is the alternative to that? What platform has a call-in feature BESIDES BTR? Also, BTR’s audio quality leaves MUCH to be desired.

Calvin Jiang
4 years ago

Hi Daniel!

I work for Castbox, and we recently launched a new feature called Livecast. It’s very similar to BTR, but the best part about it? It’s completely free! I was wondering if you could give it a try and give us some feedback about it?

I think we definitely want to make sure this tool is useful for any broadcasters out there. I am hosting a show myself on it, and so far I’ve had a lot of fun using it. I can engage with my audience directly through call in functionality. They can also type text, if they are too shy to call in and speak. I’m also able to earn virtual hearts and gifts from listeners, which can eventually be exchanged for cash. And it’s available on both web and our app.

Anyway, wanted to share with you and if you get a chance to try it, please let us know what you think.

Thanks,
Calvin

Calvin Jiang
4 years ago

That’s great! Embedding does seem to be a common request among the podcaster / host crowd, since a lot of them have their own websites. We are primarily a mobile company, though we are improving our web functionality. It’s just something we will have to prioritize since our resources are limited. Either way, thanks for the response. Hope you have a nice day.

Doug
Doug
4 years ago

Blog Talk has always had horrible sound issues among other things like the chat room not working well. The worst thing though is their obnoxious greedy move to make people pay that put up with their **** quality and help them build their business. If you want free now at BTR you basically get little to nothing. $40/m now only gets you an hour of a live show. Can’t do this, can’t do that, UNLESS you pay and pay them well.

Calvin Jiang
4 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Hi Doug,

Saw your comment about Blog Talk Radio’s quality going downhill. Why don’t you check out Castbox’s new Livecast feature. It’s essentially the same as BTR but more convenient since it also supports mobile. It is and always will be a FREE feature, and you can chat, call in, and do your live show for as long as you’d like.

Here is some info: https://castbox.fm/golive

Also, the Android version is really easy to use, you’ll need to download Castbox though. But it’s convenient if you want to stream while moving about. And the audio quality isn’t bad, I have never gotten a complaint about it from my listeners.

If you want more info you can DM me and I can explain more.

the best
the best
9 months ago

It’s 2023, and they still won’t allow you to do an hour show at no cost. They also did a crazy, weird terrible thing many years ago by DELETING (!!) all past shows completely when they made some kind of technical change! I asked for an explanation and still never received one.

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