It seemed podcasting was all but dead when it became easy for anyone to record and share video online. I mean why listen to someone talk when you can watch them? Using two senses seems better than just using one.
But there are more than 150,000 podcasts available via iTunes, proving that people still are interested in listening to talk content on their portable devices.
The iTunes offerings range in theme from comedy to politics. The podcasts are anywhere from just a few minutes to an hour long. Some of them include a single announcer voice talking to the listener, while others are more casual conversations among on a group. Their authors (Is that the right term?) are experts in their area or… not.
I thought I might be alone in my love for podcasts. Apparent this is not the case. As a Ph.D. student, I’ve spent many semesters making the daily commute nearly two hours from my house to school. I also drive 30 to 45 minutes a day to and from work. In other words, I spent a lot of time in my car.
I hate feeling like I lose that potentially productive block of time, so I started listening to audio books and podcasts.
I quickly fell in love with podcasts because they provide little tips for doing things better (ironically, I listen to several podcasts on productivity), and they often spark creative blog ideas.
The podcasts I listen to regularly are:
- The Digital Marketer’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Growing Your Business with Digital Tools
- Get-It-Done Guy’s Quick and Dirty Tips to Work Less and Do More
- Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
- The Happiness Project
- Legal Lad’s Quick and Dirty Tips for a More Lawful Life
- Life Habits
- LifeChurch.tv
- Manager Tools
- Modern Manners Guy Quick and Dirty Tips for a More Polite Life
- The Productivity Minute with Laura Stack, The Productivity Pro
- The Public Speaker’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Improving Your Communication Skills
- What Really Matters
- Roy’s Writing Tools
- What Great Bosses Know
It’s a diverse list (aside from my obvious obsession with the Quick and Dirty Tips series) that encompasses many of my interests and keeps my mind working during time I might otherwise waste. I’m always looking to add to my collection as well. I’m specifically looking for a great podcast on leadership.
Because of my love for podcasts, it’s great to learn that they still are considered relevant forms of business communication. Check out this post on the 7 Benefits of Podcasting for Your Business.
It also seems only fitting that I leave you with a podcast on the benefits of podcasting. Click here to listen to the Digital Marketer’s podcast, Should You Podcast?
Let’s Talk Nerdy!
Based on what you read and heard through this post, do you think podcasts are an effective form of business communication? Why or why not?
careysuante says
This article is spot on!
Podcasting can be a really good business or business driver. It can be the vehicle that positions you as the expert in your niche when market right.
If at all possible provide transcripts of your podcast on your blog. Podcast transcription helps podcasters to – monetize, reach wider audience (hearing impaired and other readers), SEO and article marketing, guest posting, ebook publication, etc to name a few!
profkrg says
Thank you for reading and commenting. Do you have favorite podcasts? I’m always looking for recommendations.
careysuante says
I listen to Pat’s on SmartPassiveIncome.com and also Chris’ MakeMoneyontheInternet.com on niche site marketing topics.
AustinClarkEnnis says
I firmly believe that podcasts are useful, both for business and pleasure. I don’t listen to many podcasts, but I definitely use ESPN’s and Apple’s; they are very resourceful tools to get caught up in what’s going on.
JKA says
I do the same thing Espn podcasts def keeps me up to date with everything in the world of sports @AustinClarkEnnis
eayoung says
@AustinClarkEnnis I can listen to them. But do you think that you can completely hold a meeting through podcast and be more effective than talking face to face? I think people would get distracted if they are watching on a podcast.
Nik T says
@eayoung@AustinClarkEnnis I think it can be done… Think about it. Whenever a big game is on or something interesting is on TV you are completely immersed in whatever it is thats going on. Business meeting means money, and idk about you but to me Money is verrrryyyy interesting, and I feel I would have no problem keeping up with a conversation of that sort.
jai.grant says
I do think podcast are an effective form of business communication. As Lisa mentioned in her article, 7 Benefits of Podcasting for Your Business, the voice can express emotions more clearly than with written words only. Podcasting can help the company’s consumers feel more up to date and connected to the products, and the company itself. I like the idea of being creative with your podcast. I think having a script to look at, and a little music in the intro can help to keep the listener tuned into your podcast. For any business, I think it is more important, now than ever, to stay in touch with customers. With so many media avenues to engage in, business owners can really make the most of online promotion, and use it to their advantage if they put in true effort.
Lnkeesee says
They absolutely are an effective form of business communication! I have heard of podcast and one time I used it on iTunes for a music download because it was free haha but I don’t know too much about it. From the references that you posted as your favorite and what I have read about them it seems to get a message out that is more personal. As we talked about with corporate blogging personal gains trust which gains your customer!
http://www.podcastproduction.eu/archives/24-Podcasting-is-a-revolution-for-business-communications.html
After looking at this website I was much more informed about what it is and how it can be used!
JKA says
I was just looking at the site and reading on the marketing tab and i was learning about the advantages it has for podcast, its a good site to look at, well done. @Lnkeesee
Nik T says
I believe Podcasts are an effective form of business communication. I agree with the article about the 7 benefits of podcasting and I believe for the most part they were all saying the same thing. To extend your reach, and expose your business or product to consumers who might not normally hear about it through other mediums. I believe a key to success in a field like business is exposure. The more people that are exposed to your product, the more people will like it and not like it. Either way you should focus on the positives there and that means more people will like it! So why not podcast? I don’t see any reason not to.
AustinClarkEnnis says
@Nik T Definitely agree with you on exposure. The more people hear about you/your product the better off you’ll be.
aschexnayder says
Podcasts are a wonderfully engaging form of business communication. Personally, I used to listened to two podcasts on a somewhat regular basis- one about Disneyworld, and Car Talk (from NPR). Both were actually done by business owners, but not as direct promotion for their businesses. On one, the business was heavily mentioned- and I definitely developed positive thoughts towards that business. On the other, I was so enamored with the advice that I researched the business that they owned- too bad it’s based in Cambridge, or I’d be there in a heartbeat!
But, i also think you need to know your product or service and know if it would benefit from podcasting. Personally, I don’t think podcasting would work at my job. I’m in theatre, and theatre performance is inherently visual. I don’t think it would benefit from a podcast as much as other things might. But, this is different for other products or circumstances.
jcmalone says
I feel that podcasts could be a very effective tool in the workplace for companies to communicate with their employees. The goal being to reach a different audience and seem more personal than a blanket email sent to the entire company. It is an engaging way to communicate, but to me it seems like radio vs. television. Radio is great while in the car and at the gym but I would much rather watch a video than just listen to someone speak. I think podcasts had a large rise when they first were introduced into the market but seem to have plateaued. The people who listen to them continue to but there is a demographic that podcasts are not reaching that video is. One way I thought podcasts would be useful for a business is at a business conference. Not every employee is able to attend, but if the keynote speaker’s speech was put into a podcast then the entire company would be able to listen to it, although I would still much rather watch a video of the keynote speaker. I think podcasts are important, but I do not feel like it is the most effective way to communicate to a large group of people. That being said, it is still something a business should offer for those people who enjoy listening to them.
jai.grant says
@jcmalone I like your statement about how podcasts are a great way for employees to receive company information. At my job, I am sent podcasts and video of what is going on in the company. I like the idea of having both media outlets to get the information to employees.
Lnkeesee says
I didn’t even know companies use that as an option! Because like you said in a comment you posted above, reading it is one thing but hearing it is another. It puts more effort and emotion! @jai.grant
KoriCasey says
@Lnkeesee@jai.grant I didn’t know companies used them either, but it is a great idea for the people who can’t make it to company functions like Jack said.
aschexnayder says
@jcmalone I had never thought about podcasts as an effective medium for intercompany communication. They would be easy to listen to while working on mechanical tasks as well. I know I enjoy having background music or noise while I work on tasks that are very repetitive and require little thought- and I feel that I absorb the information almost (but not quite) as well.
malexander says
@jcmalone I like that you bring up the idea of companies using podcasts to communicate with their employees. Some other people mentioned that they didn’t think of that either. I think most people imagine podcasts being used for marketing to customers, not communicating with employees. That is an interesting perspective of the use of a podcast.
JKA says
Haha funny I just listened to a podcast on Espn for fantasy football right before reading this article. I do agree it is very effective form of business communication. And for peoples free time like sports or the news or an advantage on beating your friends in fantasy football. And is a great way to learn on topics that you do not know that much about.
Lnkeesee says
haha “advantage on beating your friends in fantasy football” I didn’t know you could use it for that as well. Do you not do very well in the game Kyle?? Just kidding, that is neat that there is so much on podcast!! @JKA
Nik T says
@JKA Interesting I didn’t even know there were fantasy podcasts lol that can keep you updated on injuries and who to pick up on waivers. If I would listen to that regularly then I would have won last week and been able to pick up a new running back in time legarrette blount is out for 2 weeks! Haha Oh well I guess theres always the playoffs! Nice tip Kyle
KoriCasey says
I think podcasts are an effective form of business communication. You can find a podcasts on pretty much any subject and it’s a great way to pass time and learn a lot about a topic you are interested in while you travel.
FReyes says
@KoriCasey That is true, podcasts are convenient and you can listen to these video files anywhere. I think this is also why podcasts are becoming for effective for business and personal use. They are a very effective form of business communication.
FReyes says
I think that podcasts are effective form of business communication. I think it is a different approach for business communication compared to reading content or having to sit through and watch a video. It is easy for a company to create an audio file and send it out to employees and customers. Businesses could use podcasts to market products or just send out important information. I don’t listen to podcasts much, but I thought it was interesting to read how many people subscribe to podcasts. I believe it is very convenient since you can listen to podcasts anywhere. Also, there are all different types of content available to download.
jcmalone says
@FReyes I dont listen to many podcasts either and it was very interesting to see the statistics of people listening to podcasts. I just dont think podcasts will ever have a massive growth in the business world or in general. I think there are much more effective ways to communicate information, but I do see why people enjoy podcasts.
KoriCasey says
@FReyes I don’t listen to many podcasts either, and I had no idea how popular they were or how many topics you could find podcasts on.
malexander says
@FReyes I usually just listen to two or three weekly podcasts. Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me is the only one that I make a point of listening to every week. I didn’t realize that so many people listen to podcasts either. Now that I have an iPhone, it is easier to download and listen to podcasts on the go than if I just had an iPod that required me to plug it in every time there is a new episode. I definitely think that advancing technology contributes to the increased number of people who listen to podcasts.
malexander says
I think podcasts can be a very effective form of communication. I listen to Grammar Girl when I’m driving and I always make sure to listen to NPR’s Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me podcast (even though it is broadcast on the radio). I also listen to This American Life, which is incredibly interesting. Podcasts are an effective form of communication for many reasons. Some people absorb knowledge better when they hear it than when they see it. Additionally, you can drive or do something else while listening to a podcast. Businesses using podcasts to market or explain their innovations can be very useful. Podcasts are convenient and very easy to make.
jai.grant says
@malexander I agree. Many people do absorb information better if they hear it, especially while driving on a long trip.
eayoung says
@jai.grant@malexander I agree, I listen to the story “Dante Inferno” before class, and it was very effective before class!!!
jcmalone says
@malexander I agree that podcasts are easy to make, and great while driving. I love This American Life but I still would much rather watch it than listen to it. Maybe I am just more of a visual learner, but I feel that videos make much more of an impact than podcasts do. I think in the society we live in we need something stimulating to keep peoples attentions and I do not think podcasts have evolved enough to hold the attention of the masses.
aschexnayder says
@jcmalone@malexander I’d agree. Jack, you earlier made a comment about podcast seeming to plateau recently. I think that’s because it is much easier to watch video in mobile situations. I remember that when podcasts became popular, audio was the easiest format on the go. Now, audio basics are still important- you can’t always have your eyes on the media, particularly while driving or while at the gym. I think a shift towards video has already begun, and will only continue to gain steam.
malexander says
@aschexnayder@jcmalone I had no idea that This American Life was made into videos. I haven’t ever seen a video podcast, mainly because I stick to the same few podcasts, but I think it is an interesting way of learning. I listen to Spanish podcasts sometimes to learn new words and practice listening, but sometimes, I would be great to have that in video form.
Nik T says
@jcmalone I agree with you about rather watching a video than listening to merely audio. However It does seem like it would be helpful in a situation where you couldn’t watch or it was dangerous to watch. Since I wrestle and we constantly have to workout to keep our weight down, this conversation has sparked me to consider podcasts while running. Sometimes music can get boring, but a good podcast may be able to draw complete attention away from the aching feeling in your legs!
FReyes says
@malexander I agree that podcasts are very effective for business since they are convenient and it is also easy to create a video file. I think they are also becoming more popular since these files can contain any conent.
eayoung says
I think podcast can be effective, but it is very time consuming. I do not think I will take the time out to communicate that way. I can easily listen to things that way, but to communicate with someone and hold a conversation I do not think will work.