I have now done two live video chats, both of which were fun and successful. Well over 100 people participated each time, and I got lots of great questions… some of which made it to YouTube.
So I want to start doing this on a weekly basis. But what day? I need to do it in the afternoon or early evening Mountain time (currently UT – 7 hours), say as early as 17:00 or as late as 19:00, and it will last an hour. Pretty much any day of the week is easy for me, but I have a global audience, so I figure why not ask?
So what day is good for you? To get a sense of this, I have created a poll over at BAUT. To vote, log in and simply pick one or more of the choices. If you are not a BAUT user, registration is fast, easy, and free.
I will take the poll results under advisement, though I may not stick with the results religiously. I just want to get a feel for what everyone wants.
Thanks!
February 25th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I think 19PM on a friday isn’t bad. Let’s face it, most of the folks are in the americas, so that would be at worst a 16PM for the far folks.
and Friday nights are fun.
PS: Is it just me or the menu at the top here is weird… the event button is so low
February 25th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
If you give enough warning, there is no real reason the day and time couldn’t drift to fit your schedule. Might actually be nicer for people in different parts of the globe or with work conflicts. Thanks for asking us though.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Well, being in a pretty inconvenient timezone, the earlier in the evening, the better it’ll be for me. Particularly if I can sleep in the next day.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I too like the idea of the time wandering, so people with inflexible schedules may have a crack at participating from time to time.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
“…though I may not stick with the results religiously.”
I’m out. If you’re not willing to worship The God of Science (Science being a Religion and all) I don’t think that I can participate. Participating might jeopardize my place in the Atheist Heaven, where the Unbelieving Dead can do whatever they want forever without any consideration for morality.
Being a too-young-to-be-retired mechanical engineer without a life residing in the Central Time Zone, I’m flexible.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
The quick brown fox…
February 25th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Friday!
February 25th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Friday!? Don’t you have anything better to do on a Friday night? Like bar hopping?
I like the BA, but he isn’t Canadian beer…
February 25th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Whichever time you chose, some people won’t be able to join in. Is there any way you could record these things for your international viewers, or those who work odd hours (or you know, have a social life;)?
February 25th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
For me, any mid-afternoon-to-early-eve time on Sundays would be ideal. Even with my odd schedule and staggered over-weekend trips, I don’t see that I’d not be able to regularly catch the live chats. Would be a great way to wrap up an old week, before heading into the new.
Regardless, I’ll do what I can to catch the chat whatever is ultimately decided..
Thanks for all your work and effort, Phil..!
February 25th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Ok, I’ve reconsidered a little bit. I’ve found the perfect timeslot for you! Lets see if I did this right:
Put it at 1300PST on Sunday morning. That’ll be 1600EST for the east coast of the US, 1200 for Alaska (we all know what big BA fans Alaskans are), 2100GMT, 0700 Monday (just before work:)) for the major cities of Aussieland, and 0900 Monday for the Kiwis out there (a great at work activity on a boring Monday morning). Saturday at the same time would work too, but many people seem to have social engagements on Saturday, so that may not be optimal for maximizing your viewership and getting sponsors.
It’s perfect for the entire English speaking world. Which is, I assume, your target audience.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Well I liked Sunday. That is usually my day where nothing happens and most places close early on Sundays for some arcane reason so there isn’t lot to do usually.
Honestly though if you want to be able to include everyone you’re going to have to have a couple different scheduled times. Some lucky people may be able to make it for more that one but hopefully you can set it up so that most anyone can make it at least once every “cycle.”
Also just random times with enough prior notice would work as well. An open make it if you can sort of deal. I’d bet that this approach would eventually develop a pattern that may end up being a schedule after awhile.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:38 am
2:00 pm Eastern Time Sundays.
Yes Michelle, the “Events” button appears…dislocated.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Hi Phil
If it is possible, please consider the fact that in Europe we are +5h from ET.
I understand that your main target should be your fellow Americans, but if you can find a balance with the European continent, we would much appreciate.
Keep up the good work.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:41 am
I’m stationed here in Stuttgart, Germany. so I would have to say sometime Friday…Im usually up at all hours of the night…so I would definitly be able to see the chat.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:42 am
BTW…Germany is +6 hours EST…!!!! or +1 Zulu…GMT
February 26th, 2008 at 3:50 am
Would you consider a video chat, maybe once a month, earlier in the afternoon for us Europeans?
February 26th, 2008 at 3:58 am
Friday or saturday.
I live in Finland (GMT +2), so anything after 2 pm MST is night here. Sunday would mean late nights before workdays. Would be great if BA would post the interesting stuff to Youtube afterwards.
Resuming lurker mode.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:36 am
If you’re trying to appeal to a gloval audience for something Live, then the timing of when in the day rather than what day is far more important.
Four suggestions: try occasional changes in time to fit live schedules in other parts of the world. Announce your subjects in advance, take written questions, and incorporate them into your live show – participation is almost as good as live, especially if you announce the names of the people asking the questions
YouTube the show as soon as possible afterward. And remember, keep this fun for yourself. Don’t get hung up on days, or times, or schedules. Life for living comes first!
February 26th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Fridays and Saturdays are best for me, for what its worth.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:44 am
I’d prefer a week night, and the later the better as I am East of you. Also, a reminder is nice which is why weekends are bad for me, I read the blog on weekdays only, so a weekend reminder means I don’t see the reminder until after the broadcast.