How podcasting is revolutionizing communications
The human voice is said to be one of the world’s most persuasive communication tools.
Perhaps this is why many people believe we are in the midst of a podcast revolution.
Since podcasting consists of audio broadcasting on the internet, it is in the powerful position to combine the persuasiveness of voice communication with the dominance of online interactions over our daily lives.
Unlike traditional radio news and broadcasting which was once the apex of audio communication, podcasts have the huge advantage of being listened to at any time at the listener’s convenience.
Indeed you can listen to podcasts on your computer, smartphone, tablet or other portable device, and you can subscribe to podcasts much like you subscribe to blogs.
Podcasts Benefit Both Listeners and Hosts
Podcasts have become a powerful source of specialized information on numerous categories, and many of today’s podcast hosts are effectively positioning themselves as subject-matter experts.
The popularity of podcasting has surged in recent years according to most estimates. Some sources gauge the number of current podcasts to be in the hundreds of thousands and growing.
Compelling Podcasting Facts
Here are 10 things to know about this growing communication tool and the influence it is having on how we get our information:
1. While audio files have been around for decades, the first actual podcast is said to have debuted in 2003.
2. The term “podcasting” was introduced in 2004 by The Guardian newspaper in the U.K.
3. George W. Bush was the first US president to deliver his weekly address as a podcast in 2005.
4. Podcast listenership grows an estimated 23 percent+ year over year.
5. Some estimates indicate more than 80 million Americans listen to podcasts every month.
6. Today it’s estimated there are more than 700,000 podcasts available online, a number that continues to grow.
7. The most popular podcast categories are: religion, music, comedy, TV & film, literature, and news & politics.
8. The average podcast is 22 minutes in length and provides a new episode once a week.
9. 64 percent of podcasts are listened to on a smartphone, tablet or other portable device, rather than a computer.
10. Podcasts attract a relatively young audience; the median age of a podcast listener is 30.
Sources: CopyBlogger / PodcastInsights