Reaction: "Is the Written Word Becoming Extinct? Why Podcasting Is the Future For Your Business"
by Dave Lawson
Forbes.com published an article by Joseph Valente, CEO at Trade Mastermind, about what he believes is Podcasting's power to replace the written word.
"With over 800,000 active podcasts and over 54 million episodes out there, it’s clear that audio learning and knowledge absorbing is the way of the future."
He makes a valid point. Audio-only delivery of entertainment and information has clear momentum.
Just look at your desk or kitchen counter. Most likely you have a digital assistant called Alexa or "Hey Google."
These devices are no longer a novelty. They are a partner throughout the day.
In fact, my kids don't know a world without our Google assistant guiding us through the weather, movie releases, and Dude Perfect YouTube videos.
So it only makes sense that podcasting continues to grow and become more mainstream.
But will it replace the written word? That's an exaggeration, but I get the point.
Podcasting, video, and the written word have their own special place. They serve different audiences. And they are best used to complement each other.
There's an audience that would rather read your content than listen to it, and watch it rather than read it.
So give them a choice.
What you do on a podcast can be repurposed into a video or a blog.
Or, write it out first in blog form and then use it on a podcast.
At Digital Legend, we make sure our clients have it all covered. We have options to turn one piece of content into multimedia magic.
And it's something you should be doing, too.
So, according to this article, why should your business do a podcast?
4 reasons:
Traffic generation
Convenience
Brand Building
Additional Revenue Streams
I Totally agree on all points.
But, if you’re considering a podcast to boost your business, don't go into it blindly.
First, make sure you approach podcasting for the long haul. This medium is fantastic, but give it time. Give it room to breathe. Don't expect results right away.
Second, make sure you know who you want to reach. This is easy because it’s most likely the customer you already serve.
Third, make sure your podcast has intention. Make sure your content is consistent with your goals. If you’re doing a fish aquarium podcast, don’t spend the first 20 minutes talking about football.
At the same time, don’t hide your personality. It doesn’t hurt to touch on your other passions every once in a while, just don’t let it get in the way of the reason why people tune into your podcast.
I was in radio for 28 years before Digital Legend. I love audio-only experiences. There is nothing more intimate than connecting with someone just by voice.
But again, give it time. Patience and persistence. Connections will be made and the magic will happen.
If you'd like to read the Forbes article, you can access it here.
