In last month’s LFTE, I shared how, given the evolution of audio, I believe it is high time we reevaluate the definition of what constitutes a podcast. The feedback on my proposed definition was, well, colorful… ☺
I also asked you, our readers, to share your thoughts on the definition of a podcast in 2021.
Here are some of my favorite responses:
Tres Dwyer said, “A podcast is a silly name for a computer file.”
Aaron Fletcher said, “A podcast is a digital audio file made available on the internet for downloading to a computer or mobile device, typically available as a series; new installments can be received by subscribers automatically.”
Tyler Martinez said, “A podcast is whatever you want it to be.”
Billy Donnelly said, “A podcast is art.”
Jude Ibemere said, “A podcast is a medium to express myself.”
Rob Walch said, “A podcast is an audio, video, or PDF file delivered by RSS feed—where said RSS feed is in Apple Podcasts’ directory.”
John Williams said, “A podcast is a radio show online.”
Shawna Scafe said, “A podcast is a way to change your audiences’s lives with big ideas broken into small concepts.”
Billy Thorpe said, “A podcast is an awesome tool.”
Sydney Mack said, “A podcast is a platform I use to help people and share my gifts with the world.”
Jacqui Lewis said, “A podcast is a tool for creating trust in your brand and building community. It’s also an opportunity to talk to the best in the business for free!”
No matter how we define it, podcasts are an integral part of our lives, and the trend line continues to move forward in a positive direction.
According to Triton Digital, since September of 2020, 85 countries have seen an increase in the number of podcast downloads year after year. And, according to Statista, 34% of Americans 12 years of age and older have listened to a podcast in the last 12 months.
When compared to the consumption of other media (such as television), the podcast industry of course has a long way to go… which, in my mind, is a GREAT thing.
In the words of the immortal Canadians Randy Bachman, Robbie Bachman, and Fred Turner, aka BTO, aka Bachman-Turner Overdrive, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
The best is absolutely yet to come.
Rock on!
