TPU #29 | Why Are People Saying Podcasting is Dead and What Does it Mean for You?
Lately there’s been talk that podcasting is dead. In this episode I give you my take on the issue. I break down the arguments that are being made.
Then I give my position about the future of podcasting along with five tips for succeeding in the next phase of podcasting and online content creation.
Items mentioned in this podcast:
- Leo Laporte on what we should call podcasts
- Lame post from Read/Write Web on why podcasting is dying
DPeach said,
November 2, 2007 at 4:39 pm
I think that podcasting may have lost some of its “indie” feel as you mentioned, but it is still alive and well, and I believe, growing. There was discussion at the Podcast Pickle forums last week about this issue and I think the general consensus is that we are finally getting over the new-ness of the community and the excitement of networking with one another. We are now settling down into getting our shows done and putting out content rather than talking up the medium all the time.
Just this morning I caught part of a commercial for the local cable Internet provider (in Mexico). The commercial mentioned that with high speed Internet access you can download media files faster. Then it listed “videos, podcasts and photos.” I was thrilled to hear podcasts mentioned in there like everyone knew what they were.
The death of Yahoo! Podcasts means nothing. To me it was a worthless directory to begin with.
Is Podcasting Dead? Jason Van Orden versus Read/Write Web | I'd Rather Be Writing said,
November 6, 2007 at 1:12 am
[…] listened to an interesting podcast this morning. Jason Van Orden argues against a post on the Read/Write blog about podcasting being […]
Alison said,
November 7, 2007 at 10:30 am
Hey Jason,
Even though my license plate proudly displays the word “podcastr”, I know that a large percentage of my audience could care less what it’s called, or the technology involved in receiving the content. At the end of the day, if the content is there that people are looking for, they will find a way to listen. I have learned in the past year and a half of producing audio content, with the feedback from listeners around the world, and how my life has changed, that “podcasting” is far from dead. I relate it to being a freshman in college and how the first year is about lots of experimenting, and now we are sophomores and have a better sense of what is expected of us.
I’m looking forward to my junior year!
Alison
Mark Lassoff said,
November 7, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I think Podcasting has a hobbiest, non-professional connotation. I understand that for many, the beauty of podcasting is in its non-professional, low barrier to entry reputation. However, as a medium we have to acknowledge there is a difference between an NPR podcast, or a podcast that I do, and two 12 year olds screaming in to a microphone. (This was an actual podcast at one time!)
I think what we’re seeing is that the more mainstream media has capitalized on podcasts and made it a part of their overall marketing plan. This has caused disillusionments among many hobbiests.
I agree with Jason to a large degree. My podcast is only part of the plan for revenue from The Airline Insider. There is a larger plan at work of which the podcast is an important part. Is podasting dead? I am getting away from the term and starting to call mine an audio broadcast.
Jason said,
November 7, 2007 at 12:52 pm
@DPeach,
The “geeking out” about a new medium has been fun, but you’re right, now it’s time to really look at how the content we create can best reach the masses and help us accomplish our goals.
@Alison,
I wonder how many heads get scratched driving behind you wondering what your license plate means :). I’d say that is a great place to wear the badge one your sleeve no matter what reaction it gets (especially since newmediamaven might not fit).
Great analogy about freshman and sophomore years being over. I am looking forward to being a junior as well.
@Mark,
I agree. The time for the “underground, keep it gritty, who cares what it sounds like” production is past (unless all you want to do is have fun). I’m happy to hear you have a larger plan incorporating your podcast as one part.
colleen curtis said,
November 7, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Absolutely NOT! Our number keep growing weekly and we don’t see a drop in subscribers at all.
Podcasters are alive and well! I agree with the comment regarding a bigger picture.
Our podcast is the main event but we cross market and all roads lead back to the podcast.
Keep the Fire Burning!
CC
firepitfriday.com
DPeach said,
November 7, 2007 at 7:59 pm
I often think back to the days of the personal home page on the web way back in the mid-90s. We all had one. It looked horrible. But we had to put something up there.
The professionals moved in. There was still room for our junk. We built audiences. Maybe not huge ones, but our friends and families came to look at our stuff. We moved to better tools. Content Management Software and blogging platforms replaced our HTML pages.
We have now moved up to podcasting. It is just an extension of where we started in the 90s. We will be around for many years to come.
Of course, before the web there were newsletters. CorelDraw and Adobe PageMaker were our tools of choice.
Some have always done a more professional job at it than others. But we do it because we have something to share and this is the way we get it out there. Whether it is newsletters, static HTML pages, blogs, podcasts or something in the future, we will find a way to be heard.
Podcasting is not dead yet. It will be some day, but we will move with the trend and keep making noise.
Mystikka said,
November 7, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Jason ~ You confirmed a lot of things in this episode hat I had speculated about in my own thinking. I REALLY appreciate the information and will definately be checking out a lot more of your stuff. Peace!
Mark P said,
November 7, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Hi Jason - Great show! Man, you’re a dynamo! Very articulate and energetic. Do you drink a double espresso before you start recording? :) This episode you released a steady stream of know-how that simply amazed me.
I find it funny - the idea that podcasting is dead. When I tell my friends that I’m studying podcasting they go, “What’s that?”
Your average folk don’t even know what podcasting is! How can it be dead? It’s just beginning!
It’s a very exciting time. Now that I own an iPhone I’ve definitely got this sort of Captain Kirk feeling as I walk around town, snapping photos & emailing them instantly to friends. Or emailing clients from my car in a parking lot in rural New Hampshire, or on the beach…..it’s just beginning!
Podcasting allows artists, writers, and business owners to build fan-bases quickly and easily….cutting out middle men, allowing direct-sales to fans. How exciting is that? Niches are everywhere, whatever you like, just can just pluck it from iTunes or a website 24 hours a day. Amazing how fast things have evolved in the past 10 years alone!
Dave said,
November 8, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Podcasts are alive and kicking!
For a few years now I’ve been helping businesses generate more sales through lead generation webinar marketing. By adding a podcast to the newsletter and email marketing campaign, my clients have increased the numbers of QUALIFIED attendees at their webinar events and have through podcasting, found a great way to be seen as experts in their industry. This has naturally translated into more sales.
I don’t see podcasting fading away.. it continues to grow as the practical business value is demonstrated. I feel we’re all at just the beginning of a very exciting adventure.
cheers… dave
Jason said,
November 8, 2007 at 4:41 pm
@Dave,
Lead-generation is an excellent use of podcasting. That’s why I would never charge for my primary podcast and cut off the lifeline.
@MarkP
I sense your excitement and I love it! Believe it or not, I don’t drink coffee or espresso.
@DPeach,
Making noise online is what it is all about. Attract fans/customers with quality on-demand content. Build a loyal relationship. In turn you enjoy expert status and significant profit potential.
@Mystikka,
Thanks for listening.
—
Great comments everyone. It’s awesome to hear that podcasting is impacting your personal and professional pursuits so profoundly. Let’s all keep evangelizing the value of quality, targeted online media.
Jason
Bill Wilson said,
November 11, 2007 at 10:51 am
I’m not sure podcasting is dying, but we indies are getting pushed aside by the corporate media. As a result, it’s hard to get heard.
Also, too many people still have never heard of podcasting. I don’t know the solution there, but maybe Apple can do an iPod ad featuring podcasts. :-)
If we don’t get more people to listen to podcasts as a whole, podcasting could die off. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.
Jason said,
November 12, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Bill.,
True, not enough people have heard of podcasting, but that will continue to change. Blogging has become more readily visible int he mainstream over the last several years. Podcasting is just a couple years behind that curve.
We do need to all help grow the overall audience to podcasts. We won’t die off, but we have maybe hit a bit of a ceiling. With better tools for finding and consuming podcasts, this will change.
iThinkEd » The Limits of Podcasting… said,
November 26, 2007 at 1:17 pm
[…] a bit of a stir in the podcasting community, most notably among diehards like Jason Van Orden of Podcasting Underground. In a recent discussion, Van Orden explains that some people are ready to bury the medium […]
Ray Zorback said,
December 9, 2007 at 2:07 am
Question:
If it isn’t dead, then why was your last cast over a month ago? lol.
What happened?
I don’t think it is dead. I just think it is becoming more specific. Long ago, I would download everything I could get my hands on, be overloaded and barely have a chance to hear it all… just because it was new technology and I thought it was awesome. Now, I only download and listen to a few key topics that I am interested in. Very Few.
I stumbled upon your casts after I thought of creating a cast for my Real Estate Business. I’ll do about 2 a month max. I’ll be giving a local market report with news & tips and such. Just another way to service my clients & I’ll be way ahead of the ball game in my market.
Podcasting isn’t dead. It is becoming specialized & maybe even localized.
Jason Van Orden said,
December 9, 2007 at 3:45 am
@Ray,
Touche! I guess all I can say is Alaska and the holidays happened. Stay tuned. A new show is forthcoming very soon.
It sounds like you’ve chosen a great niche and an excellent application of podcasting for your business.
Audience overload is a definite consideration, although admittedly I probably err on the other side.
Gabriel said,
December 17, 2007 at 9:19 pm
I’m a literature student from Canada (Québec) and I was preparing a series of podcast with some of my friends on one of our mutual passion. We’re just hobbyist but your podcast episode has really “boost our morale” and give us other possibilities to let spread the word about what we like! Thanks!
And we’ll see. Maybe it’ll give something sometime! Thanks again for the talk!
Dave said,
December 18, 2007 at 8:31 am
Chinesepod, if they haven’t made a million yet, they are close to it.
Auctionwally said,
January 3, 2008 at 3:05 am
Hey Jason great spot there. I can’ believe that there is actually a buzz about Podcasting being dead. That’s too funny, there are so many people that haven’t even found it yet.
For example, I bring to the podcast table a potential of such listeners, I am an auctioneer, my show is The Auctionwally show.
Now my podcast reaches a lot of antique people who are just starting to find their way around online and they’re eating podcasts that relate to antiques.
Podcasting = Niche content, relevant to your interest, download it and take it where you want to, listen to it when you want, archive back shows indefinitely all for free. I don’t know if I’m missing something, but this pretty much describes the ideal audio content format for me!
Weren’t there a lot of people who said radio and then TV would never work out also?
Check out the Auctionwally Show at Auctionwally.libsyn.com/rss
Thanks for what do Jason
Peace,
AW
Virtual Commerce » Podcasting ist tot - lang lebe Podcasting said,
January 16, 2008 at 5:06 pm
[…] nahe ist. Zum Beispiel berichtete Jason van Orden in seiner Show Podcast Underground in der Episode Why are people saying podcasting is dead über das Ende des “Yahoo Podcast Verzeichnisses” und einer abnehmenden Bedeutung von […]
Virtual Commerce » podcasting is dead - long live podcasting said,
January 16, 2008 at 5:22 pm
[…] of podcasts. For example reported Jason van Orden in his Show Podcast Underground in the episode Why are people saying podcasting is dead about the closure of the Yahoo Podcast Directory and a decreasing importance of podcasts at the […]
Dan said,
May 31, 2008 at 11:57 am
Hi, Jason
I’m a little late to the discussion, but what’s so great about podcasting is its specificity.You mentioned about podcasters needing to find a niche in one of your podcasts, but as a long-time podcast lilstener, this is what makes them irreplaceable. There are so many things that I’d never find commercially because they’re not great, big markets.
I also listen to commercial podcasts for the convenience of listening whenever I want.
I don’t know if podcasts will ever be very mainstream, but I can’t see the audience shrinking. I think the audiences will grow, although maybe not quite as fast.
Keep up the great work, Jason.