7 Reasons Why Podcasts Are Becoming Increasingly Popular

By Claire Winter

Podcasts are currently dominating the media landscape. Their listeners are loyal and growing, with the potential of even replacing other media forms. There are currently over 1,500,000 podcasts globally, and the number is growing every day. 

2020 seems to be the year of the podcast, the pandemic and employees being furloughed. These changes in work patterns have given people more opportunities to create and launch a podcast. Not only that but with movement and socialising being heavily restricted this year, people have also had more time to listen to them!

I launched my podcast, Cracking Content, in September of last year and it has already had thousands of downloads. I have enjoyed producing solo episodes giving tips and ideas about content marketing, as well as interviewing epic content creators who have given great tips about Facebook Ads, Instagram, and even setting up a podcast.

Why are podcasts so popular? 

PODCASTS ARE ACCESSIBLE

In a world of subscription streaming platforms, podcasts have become a space void of payment. They can be listened to free on any smartphone, whether through Apple or on YouTube and many other platforms at any time of the day or night.

PODCASTS ALLOW FOR MULTITASKING

In a world of constant distraction, we are wired into desiring background noise most of the time. Podcasts fill the silence in a calming and sociable manner, lending themselves well to activities such as cooking, walking, and driving, where they can simply play in the background.

PODCASTS ARE EASY TO MAKE

You no longer need a recording studio and fancy equipment to start a podcast, and this makes it extremely accessible to anyone wishing to get their voice out there. You can start a podcast from your basement, living room, home office or kitchen. I would recommend investing in a decent microphone and then all you need is a great idea and some time!

PODCASTS ARE VERSATILE

Name any topic off the top of your head - there is likely to be a podcast about it, from travelling, health and wellness, to entrepreneurship and digital marketing. There is no limitation to the amount of interesting information you can soak up through podcasts, which makes them so versatile for such a wide variety of users.

PODCASTS ARE PERSONAL

There is something about a podcast that is extremely personal - having someone else’s voice right in your ear. You see a different and unique side to someone that may not show on celebrity interviews or talk shows; it can almost feel like sitting down with a long-lost friend, and this can be particularly relaxing. 

PODCASTS ARE ADAPTABLE

Audience feedback is essential for any content creator, but with podcasts, due to their episodic nature, feedback is received on a much faster scale. This means content can be updated immediately in the following episode to suit the consumer’s interests. You can also repurpose your podcast into written content, like blogs and newsletters, and use social media to promote it. Many people also film the interviews and episodes they record and upload them to YouTube too.

PODCASTS BUILD COMMUNITY

Podcasts often attract a loyal fanbase who patiently await the next episode week after week. This creates a community of like-minded people who are willing to engage and interact with one another. As a result, the podcaster can sell merchandise, create Facebook groups and go on tours to further their impact.

Podcasts are also a great way to build a personal brand or business; you can also use them to grow your email list or promote live events, your products or online courses. 

Launching a podcast has already boosted my SEO, and I get tagged on social media by listeners who say they are listening in every week. When I launched it, it even made it to number two in the UK Marketing Charts under digital marketing legend Amy Porterfield, which made my day.

If you have a good idea for a podcast, why not give it a go?

Claire Winter has been a content creator, journalist, and dedicated tea drinker for twenty years. She is a trained NCTJ journalist and started her career at ITN in radio and television. Passionate about helping business owners create content that converts via her online mastermind and 1:1 training, she loves sharing writing tips and content tips over in her own community, Cracking content.

Claire currently writes for all 41 Families magazines covering the UK and reaching 9 million parents a year. She has helped hundreds of large and small businesses with content marketing campaigns in print, online, and social media.