What is podcasting?

The process of using the Internet to make recordings of public broadcasts accessible on a computer or mobile device for download is known as Podcasting.

A podcast is a serialized set of digital audio clips with spoken terms that a user can access on a working device for easy listening. Streaming apps and podcasting networks support an easy and efficient way for many podcast outlets to manage personal consumption database and playback.

The podcast medium became popular 15 years after Apple first offered more than 3,000 songs on iTunes. Millions of Americans reportedly subscribe to podcasts each week, up from 19 million in 2013. The range of possibilities podcast listeners have today is one reason for the increase. With over 54 million podcast episodes widely accessible worldwide, there are now over 1,000,000 successful podcasts. Due to the low cost of entry, a record 192,000 new podcasts were launched in the first ten months of 2020. A variety of major media companies have recently entered the industry in recognition of the success of podcasts. Joe Rogan just signed a huge multi-million dollar contract thanks to his podcast!

The growth of podcasting in the last five years

For the past five years, I’ve attended the Podcast Movement Conference, podcasting’s largest annual event, and watched the conference expand along with the industry, reaching 5,000 attendees in 2020. With the closing and events of virtual podcasting, I think the podcast industry is going to grow exponentially this year!

Podcasts are simply a compilation of audio files that are available digitally for other people to listen to at their convenience. Most podcasts are set up like a radio or TV show, with numerous “seasons” and guest episodes that focus on various topics. Listeners can subscribe to particular podcasts, download and listen to new episodes whenever it’s convenient for them.

While podcasts have been around for nearly 20 years, think back to 2004 when Apple’s iPod minis were all the rage and the iTunes Music Store had just gone global. There has been a surge in listening in recent years that has drawn a lot of attention from business owners, celebrities, advertisers, and customers alike.

Why people listen to podcasts more than before

Let’s take a closer look at six reasons why podcast listeners keep increasing:

1. It doesn’t take much to get started.

One of the things that makes podcasts so attractive to businesses, especially businesses with smaller or limited budgets, is the affordability to get started. These companies do not require a large investment for your podcast. For the individual, the same applies. You can probably use the equipment you already have (computer, computer camera, and microphone) to get started! For your first few episodes, something as easy as recording on a smartphone or tablet would work well.

You don’t need to write down anything you want to say, because podcasts are also very conversational. To help you stay on track, you can create an outline ahead of time, but much of the discussion will be unscripted. This is especially true if you have a co-host or are conducting interviews.

two. Podcasts are also perfect for storytelling.

As a small business owner, your stories are what will help you attract people to listen to your podcast and engage them in your business. Your podcast can encourage them to choose your company over the competition. Hopefully, you’re always looking for ways to share amazing stories, generate buzz, send people to your website or forum, engage with social media, and sign up for newsletters and email notifications about your business or services.

Podcasts allow you to harness more of the power of communication as an audio-based medium than just written words. Instead of reading the words and understanding (or misunderstanding) them on their own, your listeners will hear your stories straight from the source. Your tone of voice, your emotion, your seriousness, all of that, comes through the audio they listen to!

3. Podcasts are extremely convenient to absorb.

Podcasts offer listeners the gift of multitasking instead of blog posts or videos, which demand someone’s full attention.

That’s why, through their smartphones, laptops, or other mobile devices, most people who listen to podcasts will do so while doing other things. While getting ready for work in the morning, on the way to work, or preparing dinner, they can listen to podcasts.

Video, on the other hand, requires people to focus on the video and not on other things. This is one of the main advantages of podcasting!

Podcast listeners can easily fit listening time into their daily schedules, which is why statistics reveal that one in five weekly podcast users consume six or more podcasts a week.

The future of podcasts looks bright

I’m excited to see where podcasting goes next. Personally, as a podcaster, I’m really buoyed by what I’m seeing right now. As Apple continues to invest heavily in podcasts, I think there will be many more big names entering the podcast sphere of influence. Despite the big names entering this market, you and I also have the same opportunity to create our own programming and see it grow into something huge as well.