Podcasts seem to be making a come back - but is it all hype or is it an untapped medium now coming to life a decade on from where it started.

1. PODCASTS
Are you listening?
@THEMARKCARROLL !

2. What are they?
Podcast
noun
noun: podcast; plural noun: podcasts
A digital audio file made available on the Internet
for downloading to a computer or portable media
player, typically available as a series, new
instalments of which can be received by
subscribers automatically.
!
Thanks Google

3. SO WHAT…
HAVEN’T!
THEY BEEN!
AND GONE?

4. RESURGENCE…
2013 Apple passed 1 billion
podcast subscriptions!
2014 Apple estimates users to
listen to 7 billion podcasts
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/18/serial-podcast-itunes-apple-downloads-streams

5. WHY SO POPULAR?!
Firstly, they’re easier than ever to get hold of.
You used to have to download on a desktop and
then sync your iPod to get hold of them. !
Now, you can subscribe on your iPhone and can be automatically
downloaded to the phone as soon as a new episode is available.!
When released in 2001 iPods were not connected devices yet they
were very personal and utilised whilst on the move. Nowadays
iPhones allow you to keep it personal and in the ears but also
allows you to connect to other devices.

6. WHY SO POPULAR?!
That connection is currently being
held up as one of the reasons for
growth - especially within cars!
Newer cars are now all Bluetooth
enabled and commuting can be filled
with personalised long form content
rather than settle for radio or music.

7. WHY SO POPULAR?!
A wider range of topics and more
acceptance to long form content.!
It’s not just about tech communities, or
any other niche topics. !
There’s a wide range of Podcasts out
there by celebrities and authoritative
figures which can easily give fans
access to their world.!
Global access, no need to stick to local
stations or channels.

8. WHY SO POPULAR?!
Production is easier than ever. !
Your iPhone has everything you need in the palm
of your hand. Not happy with Mic quality? that’s
fairly cheap and easy to solve too. !
Some shows are very well produced, but if the
content and conversation is good enough - less
bells and whistles are not needed.
http://bossjockstudio.com
Samson mic

9. WHY SO POPULAR?!
Some podcasts have evolved out of the offering of a blogger -
you’re getting that deeper access to established authoritative
opinion. !
In an age where we’re overloaded by information and certain
formats can become repetitive - podcasts offer a new fresh
perspective and not much more work for the publisher than what’s
involved in writing up a blog post or an interview. !
Blog posts, twitter and other formats are becoming cluttered with
link bate and content that is there to drive SEO and popularity
ranking rather than provide 100% value to audience. !
To do a podcast (especially a regular one) you’ve got to have a
pretty good opinion and be able to talk about it authoritatively and
genuinely - there are no short cuts.
http://fourhourworkweek.com/podcast/

10. Podcast doesn’t = iTunes?
Podcasts might be mostly associated with iTunes and subscribing
through the podcast store or housing them in your iTunes library.
But more audio platforms have shown up and making it easy to
publish and give access to your voice and opinion:

11. WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?
Well, let’s look at the recent podcast phenom Serial - a great ongoing
weekly story that is receiving over 1.5 million listeners an episode.!
There was no telling it was going to be a smash hit but they had a
sponsor in place with Mail Chimp from day one.!
Mail Chimp and murder might not compliment each other, but if you
can find the right podcast that relates to your product there’s plenty
of potential to reach a highly engaged and attentive audience. !
Audio production is much cheaper than video production and still
open to great creativity - perhaps new opportunity that radio never
got around to. !
Maybe we’ll see a resurgence in jingles!!
http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/nov/26/serial-season-two-podcast-confirmed
http://serialpodcast.org

12. WHAT TO DO?!
Have a listen to some of the best out there.!
Don’t worry about length, go for quality of content - it could be 5
minutes or it could 150, just as long as it’s interesting and relevant.!
Find your voice - you’ll probably hate how you sound the first few
times, but you’ll get used to it.!
Don’t restrict yourself to iTunes, make it accessible and shareable
through other channels.!

13. AND BRANDS?
Despite how long it has been around it feels like a medium full of
untapped potential for brands or media buyers…!
No need to produce, there will be plenty of complimentary podcasters out
there looking for funding or sponsorship (worked for MailChimp).!
Could we see a resurgence in the jingle? !
Where are people listening? If it is in the car - could a car brands produce
content for commuting and making slow drives more enjoyable?

14. THANKS! !
@THEMARKCARROLL !
I would link you to my podcast but I don’t have one…