The Emergence of Podcasts
Something New on the Horizon
When many people think of entertainment, they probably do not think of podcasts. Podcasts themselves have not been around that long. The term podcasting was first defined in November 2004. One of the earliest companies to adopt this platform in the mainstream media was the BBC. Podcasting is a new and exciting emerging entertainment platform, that can cover many different topics and genres. Even iTunes now has a category devoted entirely to podcasts. It is quite similar to mediums such as broadcast radio, but it’s a bit different at the same time. Podcasting is actually very different from a live radio broadcast. In live radio, the host usually must be present during the entirety of the broadcast while inserting different songs and commercials and so on. A podcast is similar in some ways, but different as well.
Anyone Can Do It
One of the biggest differences between the two is the fact that a podcast can be recorded and produced by pretty much anyone from anywhere. At the bare minimum, the only things that are required for the creation of a podcast is a piece of recording software and a microphone. Additionally, episodes or segments can be recorded far in advance of their release date, in case of any unforeseen circumstance for the producer. Of course, there are some podcasts that have full production teams behind them, and so, naturally, there production value would be higher than a producer just creating a podcast by themselves. Even so, from the advent of that first podcast the medium has truly exploded.
A Grab Bag of Choices
One aspect of podcasting that I really enjoy as a listener is the sheer variety of topics available. A listener can find anything from health and wellness, church sermons, or science to podcasts that follow a more story-based structure such as the Leviathan Chronicles, Thornvale, or The Glass Cannon.
However, without having a full production team behind you, the act of producing the podcast can become difficult if time is not managed correctly. Since the producer is running the podcast completely solo, they must produce it in its entirety which depending on the podcast can include anything from music, to sound effects, to promotions for other podcasts.
What About Money?
Some people might wonder how podcasting can actually become a legitimate venture for someone hoping to earn money. While such a thing is possible, it would take some time. Similar to platforms like YouTube, the efforts of the podcast and their earnings are normally decided by the involvement of the people who listen to it, as well as possible sponsors. And there are now dozens of webcasts that can be found on many different hosting platforms.
Many people now use podcasts as a pastime while driving to work or exercising. They can engage with the discussion or story, and usually there is something for everyone. It’s an exciting and ever evolving form of audio broadcast, and it’s not likely to disappear anytime soon. The structure of all the different podcasts can vary, but usually they are done weekly, monthly, or even bimonthly, depending on the schedule of the producer. After the episode is released, listeners can leave reviews and feedback in places like the Apple Store or the website Podchaser.
Podchaser was launched recently, and it created and holds an enormous catalog of different podcasts. This avenue allows the podcast creators and hosts to keep up with, and interact directly with their communities. It can be invaluable when first beginning a podcast. Word-of-mouth is still one of the best ways to spread news. With a direct connection to their listeners, many podcasts have grown by leaps and bounds in very short spans of time.
Where Do We Go Now?
It is an exciting time to be exploring the podcast sphere. With so many different types available, the possibilities for content creation are nearly limitless. As for myself, I will always be on the lookout for new and exciting podcasts. I am very interested to see where this medium will go next.
