Ok, so I’m a believer! If you’d have told me about podcasting 5 yearsago or tried to convince me that I would be a massive fan just 12 months ago, I’d have probably laughed in your face. Lets face it,Podcasting to the uninitiated is nothing more than amateur radio. Even now, and I listen to probably close on 8 -10 shows a week, if I try and explain it to someone they look at me like I am some closet geek with a homemade radio transmitter in my loft!
“Its like radio shows that you can download and listen to at your own convenience. They can be made by you and I, for a relatively little amount of money, yet some of the traditional broadcasters have caught on now as well. With subject matters as diverse as web design to film and music to gardening.”
Not the greatest comparison granted but even Wikipedia doesn’t do a much better job! In fact when I sit and think about it I come up with the same picture in my head that the poor suckers that I try and explain it to do.
The fact remains though that podcasting is catering for a mass market that is only gonna get bigger and bigger as the technology become saccepted. Mass market names are beginning to realise the benefit of offering show for download at the convenience of the listener. Virgin Radio was one of the first and even the monolith of the BBC offers many of the more popular shows for download, such a Radio 1’s Chris Moyles’s Breakfast Show and Radio 5’s Mark Kermode’s Film Reviews.
Inevitably the success of podcasts will be measured in the circulation and this will present itself as marketing opportunity for companys to advertise in or sponsor. This already takes place in the some of the most popular niche subjects and for the right podcast, if done correctly, is not necessarily a bad thing. If this revenue can be directed back to the podcast and improve production and quality then this can only be looked on a progress.
Careers will be made from some of these shows that are out there now and what better way to show of your talent.
