In recent years, podcasts have become extremely popular. It is even more noticeable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, its success was not a flash of achievement.
So, why are podcasts great? It can help you relax at your best when working out at the gym, driving to work, or doing chores around the house.
In addition, there are many reasons for the greatness of podcasts. We will cover them in the article below. So, let’s scroll down to read more information!
Why Podcasts Are Great? 5 Reasons Why Pods Are So Popular
Podcasts are not a new platform. However, they are created or downloaded at great rates. What is the reason behind this? We will find out together now.
Listen to Whatever You Want
There are over forty-five million podcast episodes available on platforms for you to choose from. So, you can easily find anything you want with a few clicks.
You can always find something to suit your needs, whether you prefer to catch up on the latest political news or enjoy an in-depth discussion of science or actual case research.
As a result, there is no denying that the popularity of podcasts can satisfy all your needs.
Easy to Access
The advancement of science and technology allows you to access podcasts easily and quickly. All you need to do is prepare a computer, smartphone, or tablet and perform a few actions to search.
Your tablet and smartphone may even have the built-in podcatcher app. You can quickly get an app from the Google Play Store or the Appstore.
If you want to enjoy shows on your computer, all you have to do is type the name of your favorite show into Google, and you will get what you need right in the first search results.
Podcasts are not only easy to access, but most of them are also freely available. You can enjoy them via a premium listening app like Spotify without spending a dime. You can find most of the podcasts offered for free in the browser.
It is not surprising that podcasting is becoming one of the popular options for gaining knowledge or entertainment.
Podcast Build Intimacy
There is no denying that podcasts build intimacy. “Intimacy” here does not refer to your connection to a loved one, although it can happen if you enjoy a show with that person. Instead, we’re talking about the intimacy created by the hosts.
For example, when you watch Avengers and see Iron Man played by Robert John Downey, you feel connected to this character even though you know it is just a fictional character. The same goes for podcasting, where you’re connected with an actual host.
Listening to podcasts is like going to a coffee shop with friends and engaging in a discussion about your favorite topic. This intimacy will be a driving force for listeners to keep coming back for the next episode.
Friendly With Multi-Task
We know that you don’t just listen to a show. In other words, very few people sit on the couch with a cup of coffee to listen to a podcast.
Instead, most of us enjoy our favorite shows while doing something, such as exercising, jogging, doing office work, doing housework, and more.
Few podcasts require listeners to focus solely on them to gain expertise. The fact is that most podcasts can be listened to while you do other things.
It’s also one of the reasons podcasts are so popular. They are the perfect pick for a lot of different situations.
Offer an Instant Community
Podcasters always attempt to build communities to engage and grow their audience. This effort helps increase the number of downloads to attract sponsors. It can also attract listeners who are looking for a community.
It is true to say that such communities are one of the factors that make podcasting stand out from other entertainment mediums.
These communities give you a private space to interact with other members of the community, even the hosts. As a result, you will gain more knowledge and deeper insight into the behind-the-scenes world.
Monetizing a Podcast
Most podcasts are offered for free. However, podcasters have to invest a lot of money, time, and effort to create quality shows.
So, many podcasters have partnered with advertisers and sponsors to offset costs and earn extra income. That’s why podcast ads are becoming more and more popular. In addition, many companies have leveraged podcasting to attract new business from podcast listeners.
Advertising revenue through podcasting grew by more than 50% from 2017 to 2018. It is expected to grow by more than 1,000% from 2015 to 2021.
Assuming your podcast has more than 5000 downloads per month, more and more sponsors will be willing to partner with you. Alternatively, you can also earn extra income by crowdfunding through platforms like Patreon.
There are still plenty of other ways to make money through podcasting, including:
- Leverage affiliate marketing
- Selling courses
- Selling services
- Coaching and consulting
- Providing premium content
- Organizing events
- Selling physical products
- Selling books
- Public speaking
Check out this video to know more:
5 Reasons Why Start a Podcast
Now, you’ve got the answer to, “Why are podcasts popular?” Next, it is time to find the answer to, “Why start a podcast?”
It Is Easy
Starting a podcast isn’t as scary as many people think, although it does require an upfront investment to equip everything you need to record.
There are many videos on YouTube on how to start a podcast. They break down the process into steps to help you better understand creating your show.
Besides, you can easily find reviews of microphones and headphones on the internet, which helps you find equipment that fits your budget.
Allow Creators to Go Deeper Into Their Content
We are used to short content through blog posts, Tweets, news articles, and videos in our busy lives.
Social media and blog posts are limited to 140 characters or a few hundred words in most cases. Yet, you can dive deeper into your content via podcasting.
In other words, podcasting gives you a huge opportunity to showcase your expertise in a way that no other platform can offer.
Such in-depth content can allow consumers to make purchasing decisions easier for many businesses.
Create a Personal Connection With Your Listener
Successful podcasters rarely follow a script. Thanks to that, their shows give the audience the most natural feeling possible. That’s why these hosts can build trust between themselves and the audience.
In terms of business, trust is essential to building loyalty between customers and businesses or brands. The same goes for podcasting.
Supporting the Partners
Many podcasts follow an interview format, where you are the show’s host. By bringing in guests for interviews, you can expand the information you’re providing your listeners by tapping into the experiences of your podcast guests.
Through your show, your guests can reach out to your audience. As a result, you can help them increase their reach.
Conversely, if your guests promote your show to their followers, they also allow you to reach their audience.
All in all, podcasting provides a win-win relationship between you and your guests. Furthermore, you can build a better professional relationship between you and them.
Offer a Repeat Touchpoint for the Audience
When your audience subscribes to your podcast, they’re more likely to want to hear from you regularly.
It’s essential to be consistent with how often you release new episodes and the topics you share. That way, you’ll be able to stay in their hearts forever, which allows you to continue to develop trust and connect with them more deeply.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Are Podcasts Called Podcasts?
This word is a combination of “pod” and “cast.” The “pod” means in Apple’s iPod, which is the famous audio player, The “cast” comes from “broadcast,” ít means “to transmit for general or public use.”
2. Where Does the Word Podcast Come From?
The word “podcasting” was first suggested by journalist Ben Hammersly while writing an article for The Guardian newspaper.
3. Is YouTube a Podcast?
YouTube is considered a perfect place for podcast hosting, but it does not offer podcast-specific features. Instead, YouTube is the most popular video site in the world.
4. What Is the Evidence That Podcasting Is Very Popular?
Here are some statistics showing the popularity of podcasting in 2021:
- Over 55% of the population of the US has listened to at least one show.
- In 2020, about 155 million people listened to a podcast weekly.
- About 68 million US citizens (24% of the US population) listen to multiple podcasts every week.
- Over seven hundred thousand active podcasts, offering about twenty-nine million podcast episodes.
- The most common age group for podcast listeners is between the ages of twenty-five and forty-four.
- On average, listeners enjoy seven different shows per week.
- Spotify app is now one of the most popular apps in the world.
5. Can I Make Money Through Podcasting?
There are plenty of ways to make money through podcasting, including:
- Leverage affiliate marketing
- Cooperation with advertisers and sponsors
- Selling courses
- Selling services
- Coaching and consulting
- Providing premium content
- Organizing events
- Selling physical products
- Selling books
- Public speaking
- And more
6. What is the best free podcast app?
Here are the best options:
- Google Podcasts
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Stitcher
- TuneIn Radio
7. What happens when you subscribe to podcasts?
In most instances, a new section in the app will let you know about the new episodes from shows you have subscribed to. Many apps even automatically download new podcast episodes.
The Bottom Line
TV has been given less and less importance in recent times, leading to the growing popularity of podcasts. If you have not got into podcasts yet, we recommend giving them a try.
In general, there are many good reasons to start a podcast. You can also make money through podcasting.
However, if you want to create a podcast of your own, it is essential to check out the latest podcast trends. The opportunity to become a podcaster is always open to you. Thank you for reading!
