A question that I get asked a lot is “what is podcasting?”
Originally defined as an audio file that was delivered to you automatically via really simple syndication (RSS), the term “podcasting” has now come to embody many different facets of audio on the web.
A quick way of explaining them these days is to call them mini radio shows that you can listen to when and where you choose – be that at your computer during lunch, on the commute to work or walking your dog.
As simple audio files they play on most smartphones and desktop media players.
The content of that audio media varies considerably. Quite often, video is also bundled into the “podcast” category. Although this report doesn’t go into detail about how to produce video for podcasts, or videocasts as they’re also known, we’ve included a couple of case studies to illustrate how some organizations are adding this to the mix (see pages 22-27).
The early adopters of this new information distribution channel called 'podcasting' used it predominantly as their own music radio station; indeed, you could call podcasting radio with a rewind button. But once the costs of production (almost zero) became known to businesses and consultants it was only a matter of time before all sorts of material became available by RSS subscription.
Today you can subscribe to:
• University lectures
• Comedy shows
• Music shows (focusing on each and every type of music – whatever your taste, you can find a niche specialist who equally shares your passion
• Industry information
Join with multi-awarded writer, author and speaker Lee Hopkins and find out how you, too, can get started with podcasting in your organisation.
