Podcasting! Podcasting! Podcasting! A very fun way to consume information while being able to do other things around you. How much do you love listening to it? And have you heard that it is the next big thing in content distribution? Well, let's find out!
First off, let us know how "podcast" is defined by Wikipedia. A podcast, or generically netcast, is an episodic series of digital audio or video files which a user can download and listen to. It is often available for subscription, so that new episodes are automatically downloaded via web syndication to the user's own local computer, mobile application, or portable media player.
In additon to that, a podcast is also an audio file of speech, music , debate , discussion or news programme. Nowadays, a lot of people are being introduced to making a podcast or being a fan of podcasts which (as we all know) brings a lot of convenience to both the producers and listeners. Publishing a content comes in many different ways; it can be through blogs, videos, audios, books and so on. But the question is, why is it advantageous and how advantageous it could be if you will release your own podcast?
Podcast has a distinct quality which makes your audience really feel what you feel the very moment you are relaying your message to them. They can hear the intonation of your voice , they can feel the intensity and emphasis of your points and your vibe during the recording itself. In other words, it is a way on how to better interact with them.
It can educate.
It can entertain.
It can inform.
It can inspire.
It can garner laughs.
It can gather tears without taking too much of your audience's time to finish each of your content.
Edison Research, a famous market research firm has also conducted a study called "The Podcast Consumer 2018" which shows how many people in the US are aware of the term "Podcasting". As what is shown in the graph below, 64% of the US population which is estimated to 180 Million human beings are familiar with "podcasting" but don't really know what is it about. And they have been conducting this research since 2006 up to present.
The second graph shows the percentage of people who are regular consumers of podcast which is 44% (estimated 124 million human beings) in the current year.
While the image below shows the monthly percentages of where people usually are when they listen to podcasts.
This one shows how long the consumers spend their time in listening to podcast.
Now, what are the graphs for? Well, it is for us to see how people can maximize their time in consuming informational content whether they are at home, on their way to work, doing exercise, on their way to the supermarket or anything to that effect. Written content and videos are also a very effective and proven way in content distribution but audio content doesn't seem to take too much time and too much attention because people can consume it whenever and wherever they want and it offers you a smaller haystack.
Podcasting; an underpriced platform
Gary Vaynerchuk, a very well-known author and a motivational speaker believes that Podcasting is enormous because it is an underpriced platform for content distribution. Like what he said, entrepreneurs must know and use a way on how to get underpriced attention. It would work best if you are to focus on the collective attention of the audience then riding it with the chosen platform. So why is it considered as an underpriced one? Because you can already start it when you have these things with you:
1. Microphone- You can start recording your first podcast episode by just using a smartphone which should have a voice memo app or you can check on the "The Best Podcasting Microphones" to start it with.
2. Headphones- Headphones are essential in podcast recording to prevent some feedback coming out of your speaker into the mic. If you still don't have enough budget to buy expensive ones, you can start with any headphones available then you can just upgrade later on. Here's the list of the Best Podcast Headphones.
3. Quiet space- For your episodes to sound clear, you should need a quiet space from where you are recording it. Make sure to shut your door, let the people around you know that you will be recording. Check your chair of it squeaks so it won't cause unnecessary pesky sound. Turn off any appliances that can cause noise such as fans, AC etc.
4. Digital Audio Software- This is the software you will be using to record your audiofile. If you are using MAC, Garageband is a free software you can use and if you use Windows, you can download Audacity. These two are also what you can use to edit it. If there are pesky sounds existing such as "uhms", "aahhs", dead air and the like, you can take it off using the same software.
5. Levelator- Is a software that adjusts the audio levels within your podcast or other audio file for variations from one speaker to the next. In other words, it is used for volume matching for even sounding playback.
6. Podcast Hosting- This is where you will be distributing your podcast episodes, track and promote them. If you have a WordPress site, you can download a podcast hosting plug-in. There are several of them from where. Or you can choose one from "The Best Podcast Hosting".
7. Media Player- This is where your podcast episodes will be availble for your audience to listen to. You can use Itunes, GooglePlay or even Stitcher Radio.