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Podcast is any digital (mostly Audio or video) on-demand content (talk, interviews, conversation) uploaded on internet as episodes for people to download on their device for streaming online or listening offline.
Apple reported reaching 1 billion podcast downloads on its platform iTunes in 2013. Several studies are showing constant annual growth of podcast listeners. The popularity of this medium is on the rise with launch of products like Amazon Echo, Apple Carplay, Android Auto making it easier for consumers to consume podcasts like never before. Facebook has recently rolled out voice status update to some users for trial. These all indicates the on-demand audio industry is headed for some greater good. The single best thing I love about this media is its mobility. You can take your favorite podcast wherever you go and can listen to it regardless of what you are doing.
Here are my top 5 reasons on why you should start a podcast :
1. You have a message to share:
Three broad purpose of podcasting is either to educate, inspire or entertain your audience. It doesn’t matter whether you are a homemaker with knowledge in cooking or a marketer with knowledge in digital marketing you can make your podcast around it and there are listeners for every kind of show. The point is if you have got a message that you want to share out to the world you should start sharing your message in your own voice.
Podcasting offers you a platform to reach out to people in the world with your message and who knows it could change the world. If not so it will for sure change the world for at least a few of your listeners.
2. You want to improve your communication skills
What do you think? You need to be a better communicator before you could start a podcast?
That’s not true. But you will improve your communication skills because of starting your podcast. When you come out of your comfort zone and speak for 10-15 minutes or longer every week or day you will learn how to communicate effectively.
Whether it is to organize your message in a way that make sense to your listeners or to improve your interviewing skills podcasting has got it for you. You need proof? Go and listen to latest episode of any interview podcast available out there and listen to their first episode (including mine). You will feel that difference and it’d be very visible how much that host has evolved throughout these episodes. There is no better way to learn swimming than to take a deep dive into the ocean.
Want to start your own podcast or want help in editing your podcast?
I can help you launch your very own podcast right from coming out with idea to publishing episode number one. See the details of the services I have to offer.
3. You love connecting with audience
It is said that podcast is more intimate than any other form of media. Listeners of your podcast get to know more about you and your work as they continue to listen to your episodes. This not only helps you in building your authority in the subject but also listeners build a level of trust on you.
Further, if you are podcasting for your brand or company it will help them better understand your company and its mission. This will bring people closer than writing a blog or doing a video. When you keep producing great content and adding value it is very likely that your listeners will convert to your customers sooner or later.
4. Help Build a Community
Most of the podcasts have very narrow and focused topics and target audience unlike radio shows. This provides an opportunity for listeners having common interests listening to your show. And as a producer it’s your opportunity to give them platform to connect and help each other. Whether it is a comment section on your website or Facebook group for your show where people can further discuss the show and topic.
By bringing them together you are building a community or tribe of people having similar interests who in turn can help each other with their challenges and celebrate successes together.
5. Connect with Industry Leaders
If you are just starting out in your industry, podcasting could be the best way to connect and learn from industry experts and leaders. By inviting them to your show you are providing them platform to showcase their expertise with your listeners while you get opportunity to build a relationship with them. It is much easier to approach hard to approach people if you have a podcast. This will not only help you establish yourself as an expert but also gives credibility among your listeners.
Those are my top reasons on why you should start a podcast. Loved it? Then Spread it by sharing with your friends. What is your reason of starting a podcast? Let me know by leaving a comment below.