Spanish Podcast News - Intermediate and Advanced

[Ben]

Hi everyone,

We’ve got some news for you about a couple of changes regarding the Notes in Spanish podcasts and worksheets. First of all, the Intermediate and Advanced podcasts will be taking a break until a little later on in the summer, giving us time to prepare the next season of exciting, fresh, podcasts. If you want to be first to hear about exactly when we will be back, then sign up for our Notes in Spanish newsletter (the form is at the top of the right hand column of the Notes in Spanish blog (http://www.notesinspanish.com/)).

Secondly, we are making some changes to the worksheets store. We are now selling all the worksheets so far for each level in giant packs! This means that the following packs are now available:
Intermediate Season One Part 1: Worksheets for Intermediate podcasts 1 to 15 (available here (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=94))
Intermediate Season One Part 2: Worksheets for Intermediate podcasts 16 to 31 (available here (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=95))
Advanced Season Two Part 1: Worksheets for Advanced podcasts 35 to 55 (available here (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=96))
Advanced Season Two Part 2: Worksheets for Advanced podcasts 56 to 76 (available here (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=97))N.B. Worksheets are not available for Advanced Season One: Advanced podcasts 1 to 34

Please note that from June 1st it will no longer be possible to purchase the individual worksheets and worksheet packs, so if you have any more individual worksheets or 5-worksheet packs that you wish to purchase to complete your collection, please do so before June 1st. From June 1st onwards only the above-mentioned, new giant packs will available (Intermediate 1 to 31 (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=92) and Advanced 35 to 76 (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=93)).

We will be back very soon with the next Intermediate and Advanced Seasons, and in the mean time, stay tuned for more news on the blog, more Spanish video blogs (http://www.notesinspanish.com/category/videoblogging/) (we won’t be stopping those, don’t worry! Keep sending in yours (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=35) too!)

Don’t forget to sign up for our Notes in Spanish newsletter to find out as soon as the Intermediate and Advanced podcasts are back! Remember, the form is at the top of the right hand column of the Notes in Spanish blog (http://www.notesinspanish.com/).

Saludos!

Ben and Marina

[Pepino]

Does this mean I've now got to spend my working day actually doing.... w....w....wo....wooorr...

No it's no good, I can't say it. ;)

[eldeano]

Does this mean I've now got to spend my working day actually doing.... w....w....wo....wooorr...

No it's no good, I can't say it. ;)

More time to wear that apron.

[Pepino]

More time to wear that apron.

Ahhh, happy days :rolleyes:

[que]

Hopefully you will be able to find some time for a much needed holiday/rest?

[Pepino]

Hopefully you will be able to find some time for a much needed holiday/rest?

Yes, hopefully I will, you're right. It's been a tough year for Pepino.

AHHH, you mean Ben and Marina! jejeje (I knew that! :blush: ;) )

[Ben]

Pepino, you are looking a bit weary in your avatar photo, it has to be said... too much partying!

We may have a week or two off in June, yes, but no slouching apart from that!

[Pepino]

Pepino, you are looking a bit weary in your avatar photo, it has to be said... too much partying!

I'll have you know that I cleanse, tone and.... clench, on a daily basis! :smug:

And if Andie McDowell ever retires from the L'Oreal ads, I'm the next in line to take over! :D

[omeyas]

Hi everyone,
Secondly, we are making some changes to the worksheets store. We are now selling all the worksheets so far for each level in giant packs! This means that the following packs are now available:
Intermediate Season One: Worksheets for Intermediate podcasts 1 to 31 (available here (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=92))
Advanced Season Two: Worksheets for Advanced podcasts 35 to 76 (available here (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=93))N.B. Worksheets are not available for Advanced Season One: Advanced podcasts 1 to 34

Please note that from June 1st it will no longer be possible to purchase the individual worksheets and worksheet packs, so if you have any more individual worksheets or 5-worksheet packs that you wish to purchase to complete your collection, please do so before June 1st. From June 1st onwards only the above-mentioned, new giant packs will available (Intermediate 1 to 31 (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=92) and Advanced 35 to 76 (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=93)).


Saludos!

Ben and Marina

I wonder how this may affect your sales of worksheets. I guess some people probably buy every one, and some will buy occasional ones, so will the ones that buy occasional ones, opt for the full package or not bother at all. On a personal level, I have only ever bought 2 or 3, and might possibly have bought a few more, but I have to admit that I certainly won't be buying a full pack. I'm sure you have good business reasons for making the changes, and I wouldn't have a problem paying it, but for some of the younger members, students etc, it may seem quite a lot of money to pay out in one go. I guess it will come down to how useful the transcripts maybe to individual members whether they buy the full package or not.
Just my 2p worth.

[Ben]

I wonder how this may affect your sales of worksheets.You're not the only one!

[gary]

Does this mean I've now got to spend my working day actually doing.... w....w....wo....wooorr...

No it's no good, I can't say it. ;)

its the most disgusting 4 letter word ending in K!!

http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbums.jsp?ProfilePhoto=Y&MemberId=2248035557

[gary]

Hopefully you will be able to find some time for a much needed holiday/rest?

checked out the lik to your bebo site - your sisters are very pretty!!

http://file020a.bebo.com/14/large/2006/10/14/02/2248035557a2256241682b626220113l.jpg

[gary]

I'll have you know that I cleanse, tone and.... clench, on a daily basis! :smug::D

overshare!!!!

And if Andie McDowell ever retires from the L'Oreal ads, I'm the next in line to take over! :D

Isn't Andie McDowell the guy that plays the lead chimp in Planet of the Apes?

[eldeano]

checked out the lik to your bebo site - your sisters are very pretty!!

Is it a Mac or PC keyboard you're having problems with? :D

[landlady]

On a personal level - I think Pepino is the better looking one http://yelims.free.fr/IPB/Invision-Board-France-367.gif

[Pepino]

Isn't Andie McDowell the guy that plays the lead chimp in Planet of the Apes?

If she is, my God, those L'Oreal wrinkle creams really do work! :D

[gary]

Is it a Mac or PC keyboard you're having problems with? :D

no its the interface between the chair and the keyboard thats knackered...;D

[gary]

On a personal level - I think Pepino is the better looking one

the guy in the photo with the two lovely young ladies is forero Que...

... unless i have misunderstood and you just wanted to say that Pepino is a better looking bloke... ??


(Both are called Dave so its confusing isnt it?)

[ValenciaSon]

So Que, were you adopted?:rolleyes:

http://file020a.bebo.com/14/large/2006/10/14/02/2248035557a2256241682b626220113l.jpg

[gary]

You're not the only one!

I dont think I'll mind - its an ideal amount of money for the kids to club together to get me for a birthday present.

Are you going to continue to charge by the episode for the new stuf (seasons 2 (Int) and 3 (Adv)?

[Ben]

We're still thinking about that, but should have a fixed idea in a couple of weeks.

[greytop]

The idea of only selling large packs will disadvantage those who have bought some already and may want to "top up" with more. Also anyone trying them out for the first time will not be able to do so without spending what may be to them a lot of money. You may be better to go for smaller bundles.
I'll maybe buy some software to try for 15$ but would think twice about some costing $45 if I was not sure if I'd like it. That's why you get free trials.
With new podcasts you will still have to issue individual ones or they will not be useful, even if you sell them as larger bundles in advance. Again laying out too much for future product may not appeal if that is the case.
None of this implies that they are not worth what you charge for them :thumbs-up:
Brian

[gary]

Here are the sisters before they were Photoshopped... You can pick out Snow White more easily in this Photo and Landlady - now I see your point

Sorry Dave - couldnt resist.

http://file020a.bebo.com/14/large/2006/10/14/02/2248035557a2256289413b873739573l.jpg

[gary]

To be serious for a moment I can see all the points of view but there is surely a parallel with the music biz here - what about releasing the singles at full price throughout the series then when the series is complete release the compilation. - ie the model you are using.

tis way the regulars get a weekly fix and pay as they go and anyone that comes t the site late doesnt have to go through the ball ache of downloading 35 separate sheets

I would guess its transaction charges that make this model less attractive as a business proposition

[Jules]

I wonder how this may affect your sales of worksheets. .

You're not the only one!

Sounds like financial hari-kiri to me ... but there must be a (good?) reason lurking around somwhere. ;)

[omeyas]

Sounds like financial hari-kiri to me ...

Hopefully it won't come to that!

but there must be a (good?) reason lurking around somwhere. ;)

My thinking as well. As suggested, it might be a good idea to enable a first timer to "try before they buy", (post an old one for them to see), otherwise it's a lump of cash to splash out on an unseen product. I imagine a lot have tried a couple, but won't seem so keen to buy a whole bunch in one go.
How will it work when you restart the podcasts, will the transcriptions be available in advance, or will the podcasts come first, and then have to wait for the transcripts?
I belong to a photo forum, and they introduced a charge of £30 a year, and it was amazing the number of people that were quite happy to pay, but found that they could not manage £30 in one go, and requested staggered payments.(which they never got) So they have lost a lot of potential members.

[Ben]

The idea of only selling large packs will disadvantage those who have bought some already and may want to "top up" with more.
Agreed, that's why we are giving everone a week to catch up on all the singles and 5-packs they want before we only leave the mega-packs from the first series in the store. We have made it as clear as possible here, on the blog, and in the news podcasts that this is the case.

Also anyone trying them out for the first time will not be able to do so without spending what may be to them a lot of money. You may be better to go for smaller bundles.The bundles will be smaller as the next season will not be so long. There will also be samples available, just as there have always been for the worksheets we have issued so far.
With new podcasts you will still have to issue individual ones or they will not be useful, even if you sell them as larger bundles in advance.We have an idea/solution for this but don't want to outline our entire future business plan (if you can call it that!!!) here just yet in case we change our minds slightly. However, by the end of the first week of June we should have worked this out and will be able to tell you more.

To be serious for a moment I can see all the points of view but there is surely a parallel with the music biz here - what about releasing the singles at full price throughout the series then when the series is complete release the compilation. - ie the model you are using.

tis way the regulars get a weekly fix and pay as they go and anyone that comes t the site late doesnt have to go through the ball ache of downloading 35 separate sheets

I would guess its transaction charges that make this model less attractive as a business proposition
The regulars will still be able to get their weekly fix, don't worry, and we won't be expecting people to wait until the end of the series to get the whole bundle, nor expecting people to lay out for worksheets and then have to wait for all the audio to follow slowly.

Transaction charges, yes, that is one of the big reasons we have changed the model, others include the fact that it is just unbelievable easier to deal with only a few products in a store rather that around 100 - both for us and the customer, on many levels.


My thinking as well. As suggested, it might be a good idea to enable a first timer to "try before they buy", (post an old one for them to see), otherwise it's a lump of cash to splash out on an unseen product. I imagine a lot have tried a couple, but won't seem so keen to buy a whole bunch in one go. As above, there will always be samples available.
How will it work when you restart the podcasts, will the transcriptions be available in advance, or will the podcasts come first, and then have to wait for the transcripts?As above, we have a solution for this, but don't want to be too specific until we are 100% sure - again, first week in June is the deadline for us to finalise our ideas on this.

Sounds like financial hari-kiri to me ... but there must be a (good?) reason lurking around somwhere. ;):D:D Hope not! And there are many good reasons, don't worry. At some point in the next few months I shall try and explain it all in writing, but prefer to try out our new system first.

Hope this sort of answers your questions. We realise that this is a big change and may worry those that are used to buying single worksheets but hope to have worked out adequate solutions that make all this better sense for both us and the listeners. Let's see what happens, and I will definitely let you know how it all goes.

[que]

So Que, were you adopted?:rolleyes:

http://file020a.bebo.com/14/large/2006/10/14/02/2248035557a2256241682b626220113l.jpg

Hey, i adopted them ;D

[Suze]

hey ben,
I love your website, great idea, fab podcast, nice to be able get worksheets etc etc. But to sell the packs only in bulk is a BAD idea... It really is expensive, 64, - The price is really ofputting > a lot of money to fork out all at once for some worksheets (and I 'm not even a student) , where as 1.85 for a single sheet sounds much better. I don't understand why either> it is not as if you have to pay for P&P....

Another thing is methods of payment. Paypall in europe only accepts mastercard and visa, no amex... which is what I have.

[richardksa]

So that's my crediability shot. I tell all the Spanish learners I meet to download your podcasts and that then they can get the transcripts REALLY CHEAPLY. Many of the younger ones are on small, fixed budgets and $50 is a lot of dosh, probably more than they would spend on food in a week. If I wasn't downloading regularly it would make me think twice. And I will now have to make sure that what I have downloaded is reliably backed up.
Seriously Ben, think again.

[Ben]

OK OK OK!!! We have listened!! To an extent. We have split the seasons into two parts, as follows:
Intermediate Season One Part 1: Worksheets for Intermediate podcasts 1 to 15 (available here (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=94)) - $24.50
Intermediate Season One Part 2: Worksheets for Intermediate podcasts 16 to 31 (available here (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=95)) - $24.50
Advanced Season Two Part 1: Worksheets for Advanced podcasts 35 to 55 (available here (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=96)) - $32.50
Advanced Season Two Part 2: Worksheets for Advanced podcasts 56 to 76 (available here (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=97)) - $32.50We feel these prices are well within the reach of serious learners, and still cheaper than the original price of 1.85 on a per worksheet basis. Also, it is likely that the next season will be similar in length to each of these part 1 and part 2's, so the eventual future packs will be priced similarly. We also appreciate that 50 dollars and especially 65 is a lot for anyone to pay in one go, and we want to help people access Spanish, not make it prohibitive.

Why then not carry on with the singles and 5 packs? The reasons are explained above. (edit: and in the post below.)

Suze, you said:it is not as if you have to pay for P&P....

Another thing is methods of payment. Paypal in europe only accepts mastercard and visa, no amex... which is what I have.No, we don't pay for p&p but we do loose a commision to paypal on every individual sale that adds up to a lot, not far off p&p! As for methods of payment, I'm sorry Paypal does not accept amex, but paypal is the only method we can use. Why? As it automates the process for us completely, and unless the process is totally automated, we don't have time to make podcasts, develop the site etc. Other payment methods would involve manual operations for us that we simply don't have time for at all.

[Ben]

Just to reiterate a central point, clearing more time to be creative and make podcasts etc is very important here. Selling lots and lots of worksheets at 1.85 generates a lot more problems for us admin-wise (download emails that never reach customers and need manually resending for example) than selling fewer packs. Problems mean time lost in admin, and less time for podcasting and everything else that got NFS and NIS going in the first place.

[omeyas]

OK OK OK!!! We have listened!!

¡¡¡¡¡Oido cocina!!!!!! :)

[eldeano]

You do podcasts??? :eek: :eek:

[Ben]

In those fleeting moments of freedom between administrating store orders ;) :)

[greytop]

OK OK OK!!! We have listened!! ...... Power to the people!!! Now I'll feel guilty until I buy a cheaper pack. Subtle marketing ploy there Mr.C ;D;D;D

[gary]

In those fleeting moments of freedom between administrating store orders ;) :)

and a week in Andalucia in May, a fortnight off in June..... ;)

[DocMolly]

I actually LIKE the idea that we will no longer have to go and buy each individual worksheet or pack. I would be much more into subscribing to a 3 month, 6 month or annual subscription and have automatic downloads.

I do have an idea..or hope... would you consider making your video blogs into videocasts, so we could watch them on our ipods?

I just thought of something. Some of the medical jounals to which I subscribe are online only. With a subscription, you have access to the website and can read the issues. Maybe you could just sell subscriptions to a section of your website where one could access the transcripts. You could have a trial period for those to check it out before the commit to subscribing.

Also, this is only a suggestions...but have you thought about adding a short grammar lesson to your transcripts?

Okay, I think that's all. Thanks for the great podcasts. i miss them, but hope you do take a few weeks off without looking at this forum once and without making a single podcast. Hope you can actually take a vacation!!! But don't forget to bring the camera! (no rest for the wicked)

[gary]

I have a Euro that says ben takes his iBook with him... he is a jornalist whether he likes it or not.

[Peter]

I actually LIKE the idea that we will no longer have to go and buy each individual worksheet or pack. I would be much more into subscribing to a 3 month, 6 month or annual subscription and have automatic downloads.

Reading through this post, I got the feeling that it is a subscription service that is currently in the pipeline.

[Chiny]

I do have an idea..or hope... would you consider making your video blogs into videocasts, so we could watch them on our ipods?


This is possible; I did this last week to one video blog as a test with a Macbook and no doubt the mighty Microsoft have suitable software for doing the same. Dunno about Linux though as my Linux box needs a hardware fix.

--
Chiny

[Ben]

I actually LIKE the idea that we will no longer have to go and buy each individual worksheet or pack. I would be much more into subscribing to a 3 month, 6 month or annual subscription and have automatic downloads.

I do have an idea..or hope... would you consider making your video blogs into videocasts, so we could watch them on our ipods?

I just thought of something. Some of the medical jounals to which I subscribe are online only. With a subscription, you have access to the website and can read the issues. Maybe you could just sell subscriptions to a section of your website where one could access the transcripts. You could have a trial period for those to check it out before the commit to subscribing.

Also, this is only a suggestions...but have you thought about adding a short grammar lesson to your transcripts?

Okay, I think that's all. Thanks for the great podcasts. i miss them, but hope you do take a few weeks off without looking at this forum once and without making a single podcast. Hope you can actually take a vacation!!! But don't forget to bring the camera! (no rest for the wicked)

Thanks for the ideas Molly. There are a couple of things that don't really appeal to us about the subscription model at this stage. First of all, if people have paid a subsciption service for a certain amount of time then they expect new material throughout that period, and that means stress for us to never miss a single week, or have months of back up material prepared in advance, and we just don't work very well that way. For example, we are about to take a much needed few week's holiday, something that would be very difficult to do with the subs model without having intermediate and advanced podcasts coming out every week in our absence - what I mean is that is with a subscription model it is just harder to stop and take a break as we wanted to do now with the Intermediate and advanced, both to get our energies renewed and pause to think how to improve the next seasons at each level - plus this pause has already given us the chance to try out something totally new - expect news later this week.

There is something else I don't like too much about subscription models too: using paypal to manage subscription payments (which would be the only system we could realistically use as it is so automated), people often don't realise they have to unsubscribe manually if they don't want to carry on with the sub. This means you get lots of people who sign up for one month then forget about us, only to discover that they are billed again at the end of the initial period - annoying for them and a potential headache for us if refunds are demanded.

Our aim is to make the whole process easier for you guys (not to have to come back every week to pay a tiny amount) and for us - worksheet packs mean less individual sales, less admin (more time for the creative stuff), less paypal costs (they take a percentage and fee from every transaction), and, as we have discovered this week, lower bills from the gestor that due to the impossibilities of Spanish bureaucracy and accounting systems we are now obliged to employ once a month to process all our financial bits and pieces and who charges to input every single paypal receipt into our yearly financial statement. By selling packs instead of many many more single worksheets, far fewer paypal receipts are generated and this whole thing continues to be viable. I hope that all makes sense!

Now to the video: Marina and I are off somewhere pretty exotic soon for a few weeks and I would like to videoblog the whole trip in Spanish, to process and put out in episodes when we get back. So, as well as sticking them on you tube as usual, I think I'll put them out in iTunes/iTV format as well with an RSS feed so you can get them like podcasts and watch them on your ipod, or TV even. It will be fun to try!

Which leads me to Gary's point:

I have a Euro that says ben takes his iBook with him... he is a jornalist whether he likes it or not.

Yes, but no laptop on this trip... hopefully...! I will of course be taking the camcorder (for Spanish videoblogs), the podcast kit (2 commisions for Lonely Planet!), and the camera - plenty to do without a laptop ... plus there are internet cafes everywhere nowadays so I will definitely be able to keep an eye on email and the sites without worrying about the laptop getting lost/stolen/wet etc :) keep your Euro for now, and I'll let you know soon if you won the bet or not ;)

Reading through this post, I got the feeling that it is a subscription service that is currently in the pipeline.See above!

[DocMolly]

I get why a subscription would be difficult to maintain just by you and Marina. I hadn't thought of the obligation to always publish on time. I'll wait for your news so don't feel obliged to reply to this, but if we are going to prepay and then be able to automatically download the transcripts which we've already paid for. that sounds great. And offers the same convenience as a subscription.

I agree: DON"T TAKE THE LAPTOP on vacation. But I am excited you will be doing some videoblogging and hope you are able to publish it in a podcast format that will play on our ipods. Without knowing much about computers, I publish podcasts to share with a friend (NOT submitted to iTunes), and I was surprised by how easy it was to make some of the podcasts videocasts using iMovie and iWeb.

[Ben]

I get why a subscription would be difficult to maintain just by you and Marina. I hadn't thought of the obligation to always publish on time. I'll wait for your news so don't feel obliged to reply to this, but if we are going to prepay and then be able to automatically download the transcripts which we've already paid for. that sounds great. And offers the same convenience as a subscription.It's not quite that - you will always get what you pay for as soon as you get it. Still working that out but should know soon exactly how it will work. Ben

[gtappend]

Please note that from June 1st it will no longer be possible to purchase the individual worksheets and worksheet packs, so if you have any more individual worksheets or 5-worksheet packs that you wish to purchase to complete your collection, please do so before June 1st.

I've just read this post 8 days too late :mad:

I can understand the move away from individual downloads (having a similar sitatuation with Paypal and accountant charges with low-priced items in my eBay shop), but I think the packs of 20 are a bit too big, especially when I already have a number of them individually. The packs of 5 were good, and I think 10 would just about still be reasonable, even if they cost a little bit more to cover the higher admin costs.

[Ben]

Graham, we will be looking at all the options for the next season of podcasts - it is likely that prices/pack numbers will be lower.

[thefamilybush]

Wow. You're taking some heat on this one Ben. I hope that it hasn't gotten you down. All this just means that la gente love NIS and want it to continue in the same stellar fashion in which it has been. No doubt it will, it's just that sometimes change can be scary!

Godspeed!

[Acosta]

If she is, my God, those L'Oreal wrinkle creams really do work! :D

Roddy McDowell is the chimp man.

[gary]

Roddy McDowell is the chimp man.

;)

[ValenciaSon]

Malcolm McDowell was the cat man (not eldeano):rolleyes:

[gary]

Malcom McLaren invented the sex pistol.....

[eldeano]

Bruce McLaren founded the F1 racing team..

[eldeano]

Bruce Wayne invented Batman ..;)

[gary]

john Wayne was Davey Crockett in the Alamo

[richardksa]

Funnily, Wayne's World featured neither!;D

[eldeano]

Sonny Crockett was in Miami Vice.

[ValenciaSon]

Sonny Corleone was put in ice.

[Acosta]

7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon :)

[gary]

Sonny Corleone was put in ice.
7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon :)
Sonny (Koufax) & Kevin (Gerrity) were characters in the 1991 film Big Daddy;D

[eldeano]

7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon :)

That would be cold bacon, then. ;)

[Acosta]

That would be cold bacon, then. ;)

If on the Kelvin scale that would be quite true.

[eldeano]

If on the Kelvin scale that would be quite true.

So you meant Kelvin Bacon?