Podcasting is a popular medium for content creators, influencers and marketers alike. It offers a platform for sharing information, telling stories and building a community of followers. However, the process of creating and producing a podcast can be both easy and tough, depending on various factors. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of podcasting.
Easy:
Low entry barrier
One of the biggest advantages of podcasting is its low entry barrier. Anyone with a computer, a microphone and an internet connection can start a podcast. Unlike other media forms that require expensive equipment, technical expertise or formal training, podcasting is relatively easy and affordable.
Flexibility
Podcasting offers a high degree of flexibility in terms of content, format and schedule. Podcasters can choose the topics they want to cover, the style they want to adopt and the frequency they want to release episodes. This flexibility allows podcasters to tailor their content to their audience’s needs and preferences and to adjust their production process according to their availability and resources.
Direct connection with the audience
Podcasting provides a direct and intimate connection with the audience. Unlike other media forms where the audience is passive and distant, podcasting enables podcasters to engage with their listeners in a more personal and interactive way. Through email, social media and calls to action, podcasters can receive feedback, questions and suggestions from their audience and respond to them directly in their episodes.
Tough:
Competition
This is an often misunderstood concept in podcasting. Whilst there are about 4 million registered podcast feeds, actual current, active podcast feeds are closer to 350,000 in number. Even that number is a bit misleading. In niches like True Crime, competition might be an issue or even the repurposed FM radio niche but in most niches there’s plenty of space. And podcasting is essentially a niche based narrow casting medium. Going viral is always a possibility but even better is talking to your people, one on one, all at once. It is the best way to build a community of followers who crave your content.
Technical challenges
Although podcasting requires minimal technical expertise, there are still some technical challenges that podcasters may encounter. These include issues with audio quality, equipment failure, editing software and hosting services. Technical issues can be frustrating and time-consuming and they can affect the overall quality and consistency of the podcast. That is where a professional podcast service can relieve the stresses on creators.
Time and resource constraints
Podcasting can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. Creating quality content, promoting the podcast and engaging with the audience all require time, effort and resources. For podcasters who have other professional or personal obligations, maintaining a consistent schedule and high-quality production can be a challenge. This is where it makes sense to outsource the more time consuming aspects of the process. You or your organisation focuses upon the interviews with or monologs by your people and the podcast service makes you sound great, dealing with all the other parts of the process.
Conclusion:
Podcasting can be both easy and tough, depending on the podcasters’ goals, resources and commitment. While podcasting offers a low entry barrier, flexibility and direct connection with the audience, it also presents challenges such as competition, technical issues, time and resource constraints and monetization. Successful podcasters are those who can balance the pros and cons of podcasting, leverage their strengths and overcome their challenges to create engaging and meaningful content that resonates with their audience.