In recent years, podcasting has become a dominant form of media, due to its wide variety of special interest shows, availability, ease-of-access, and the ability for anyone with a microphone, computer, and recording software to put content out there for hundreds of people to hear!
For listeners, it’s also very addicting! A year ago I had only a vague understanding of what podcasts were and how they worked. I subscribed to my first podcast, Stuff You Should Know, and a year later, I now download and listen to 14 different podcasts throughout my work week.
It’s a medium that’s transforming the way listeners consume information, by changing the speed at which we’re able to consume it. Unlike radio broadcasts, where you have to tune in to a specific frequency at a certain time during the day to hear your favorite program, podcasts allow listeners to download episodes, and listen to it on the go, whenever they feel like it!
Businesses and business owners are now discovering that podcasting can be a great tool to reach their customers with vital information, and give them an entertaining reason to come back wanting more and more.
So, what should you consider when deciding whether to podcast? Check out these tips and facts about podcasting.
Podcasts Can Be Taken Anywhere
Podcasting is one of the most mobile forms of media out there. That’s due in large part to its format (audio only) and the fact that most people these days own some sort of smartphone, with apps that can play podcasts. It’s also very simply to record a podcast. All you need is a computer with recording software, a good microphone, maybe a mixer for sound quality, and some headphones.
It’s Completely Free
Here’s a word that every business owner likes to hear: FREE. Yes, podcasting is completely free to record and publish, because you’re basically doing all the work yourself. Even using certain apps to publish your episodes, like SoundCloud, are free and easy to use.
It Reaches A Larger Audience On The Internet
Having a website, email lists, and social media work wonders as far as getting your name out there, but podcasting can also help. Podcasts can be downloaded and shared thousands of times, giving you a larger reach, and more Internet exposure. You can also use social media to promote your podcasts by creating a post with a link to your podcast.
There Are Many Apps To Publish Through
I’ve already mentioned SoundCloud, but there are so many other apps out there that allow you to publish podcasts, including: iTunes, BeyondPod, Pocket Casts, and Spotify, with Google Play Music soon to follow.
You Can Bring On Guests For More Variety
You can only talk to yourself for so long before people start worrying about your mental health and stability. Also, if you’re like me, recording audio alone in the storage closet of your office building makes people stop and listen in bemusement as they try to figure out whether you’re crazy, doing your job, or if you just needed some alone time to talk things over with yourself. Bringing on a guest changes things up, and brings some variety to your show.
Record At Least Once A Week
Just like a TV show that you tune into on the same night every week, podcasts need to publish on a recurring schedule. Once a week is usually the right frequency for publishing podcasts. Too many during a week and people skip over your episodes and delete your feed. Too few and everyone forgets about you and moves on to other shows.
Podcasting isn’t for everyone, but if you have the time, determination, and willingness to share your wealth of knowledge to listeners, you can quickly gain more exposure and more customers!
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