Podcasts: Thriving or Dieing

By David Tonen • December 29th, 2008

Podcasting is a great medium for sharing very focused information usually with a very niche audience.  A podcast is delivered through the Internet and typically is an ongoing series of audio or video “shows” that are broadcast on a somewhat regular schedule.  In many ways they are not unlike radio programs on specific topics.  The beauty of these is that they are available to be subscribed to and listened or watched at a time of convenience for the subscriber.  Here is a simple explanation for those still unfamiliar with the process:

I have been subscribing to a few podcasts for the past two-three years and I really enjoy the content they allow me to connect with.  I really feel they afford me the opportunity to continue learning and growing as technology changes and evolves.  I listen to them on my iPod during commutes in the car or on airplanes – so they fill the time with quality learning.

Podcast Debate

To me, the possibilities and future for podcasts are still diverse and growing.  A few years ago, as podcasts emerged it seemed everyone was trying to be a podcaster.  There was a flood of podcasts and then many fadded off.  A few years ago though, iPods and portable music/audio devices were not as mainstream as they are now.  Hey, this year even my mother-in-law got one and she is one of the most technology adverse people I know!  Now the equipment is adopted en-masse and yet, in many ways, it seems that the number of podcasts has tailed off.  Some of that may be a result of the commitment necessary to publish a new show on a regular basis.  Maybe satellite radio is impacting it?  Maybe the quality has been missing in many shows so the weak ones crash and burn?  So, a debate is emerging on what the future of podcasting is…if there is one at all.

Marketing and Social Media

I have listened to many over the past few years but there are only a half-dozen or so that I “stick with”.  There are numerous quality ones on marketing, social media, or new media.  Several are must-listen-to in my opinion.  Here are my favorites that I seldom miss:

Leadership

I also never miss an episode of this excellent leadership podcast:

Church Marketing

One observation I have however is that I have not been able to locate a good church marketing podcast. I think there is a real need but either one does not exist or I just haven’t found it!

What Do You Listen To?

I really welcome your feedback on a couple fronts in the comments section below…

  1. Do you listen to podcasts and if so, which ones are your favorites?
  2. Do you think podcasting is dieing or thriving and transitioning to the next level?
  3. If you know of a church marketing podcast, please let me know, I would love to check it out!
Comments(9) Media, Social Media, Technology
  • http://mediadriving.com/ Jay Moonah from Media Driving

    David: first of all thanks for the props for Media Driving, really appreciate it!

    The thing for me in all of this is that we need to remember podcasting is, by most accounts, no more than about 5 years old. Relatively ubiquitous high-speed access and portable MP3 players have not been with us that long in the grand scheme of things. The idea that podcasting was something ‘everyone’ should be doing was never really one that I personally subscribed to. I think we are getting into a period where the people who ‘should’ be podcasting, because it is the medium that fits their style and content. I think it’s far better for there to be a smaller number of podcasts by people who really want to produce them and for people who really want to consume them, then if there are tonnes more done by people just because they can.

  • http://navigateyourmarketing.com/ David

    Thanks so much for your commentary Jay. I concur, podcasting is not something that everyone should be doing. There are some who thrive for excellence and are comitted to creating value-added content and their style and philosophy of communication dove-tails so nicely with this medium. It is indeed better to have fewer high-quality podcasts than many mediocre ones for the sake of having many.

    I appreciate yours (Media Driving) because of its succinctness and focus on relevant and timely topics. Keep up the great work Jay!

  • http://www.redletterbelievers.com david Rupert

    I listen to sermons by podcast
    Mark driscoll – Mars Hill Seattle
    Rene Schlaepfer – Twin Lakes Church
    Ravi Zacharias – rzim.org

    I also love “Coverville”, a radio show that just does ‘covers’ of songs. Really unique.

    I also Podcast a radio show about the SF Giants

    David
    http://www.redletterbelievers.com

  • http://navigateyourmarketing.com/ David

    Thanks David! I listen at times to sermons by podcast as well. I like Mark Driscoll too and occasionally I will tune in for one of Andy Stanley’s messages or one from Willow Creek in Chicago.

    Come baseball season, I’ll check out your SF Giants podcast!

  • http://www.neopraxisblog.com Milo Curtis

    Great post on podcasting. I post two weekly podcasts ( http://www.justlife.wordpress.tv & http://www.comejourneywithus.com) and I can honestly say that it takes a “stick-to-it” attitude.

    I’ve looked for good podcasts on church marketing, but have come up short. Anyone want to start one?

    Currently I listen/watch:
    TWIT
    MacBreak Weekly
    BuzzOutLoud
    TED Talks

  • http://navigateyourmarketing.com/ David

    Thanks for connecting here Milo. I ill check out your podcasts!

    One of the reason’s I am asking about church marketing podcasts is that I think there is a real need for a good one…and I am toying with the idea of starting one. The problem is just what you have identified…a real “stick-to-it” attitude is necessary…and I am already so busy that I am hesitant to start if I can’t create momentum and consistency. Pray for me!

  • http://triunedesigns.com/blog Leo Wurschmidt

    I listen to most of the ones you mentioned above myself. I also listen to the grammar girl and digital marketer podcasts. Finally, I round it out by listening to my church’s podcast. It is great to listen to the sermon again as a recap midway through the week.

    No knowledge of any church marketing podcasts. It sounds like a great niche.

  • http://thenewmediology.com Bill Seaver

    Thanks for listening to The New Mediology. We’re honored to be part of the list above. We welcome any feedback or suggestions you have as well. Thanks again.

  • http://navigateyourmarketing.com/ David

    You are welcome Bill! Keep up the great work!

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