TPU EP01 : Podcasting Basics – What is a podcast

FINDING YOUR VOICE – WHY START A PODCAST?

We are into the 2nd episode of the show, though technically this is the 1st episode. I am hoping you have subscribed to the show. If not, then please do that right away.

In the last episode, I gave you a brief about what to expect from this show. If you are planning to start a podcast, then this show is for you.

You would find a lot of information that many other courses and books are charging for, absolutely FREE on this show. You will also find a lot of handy resources and tools here in due course.

So, this week we will be looking into the basics of podcast.

But before the basics, let’s understand the meaning of “Podcast” and how this term came into existence.

What is a Podcast?

According to wikipedia, the definition of “Podcast” is –

A podcast is an episodic series of digital audio files that a user can download in order to listen. Alternatively, the word “podcast” may refer to the individual component of such a series or to an individual media file.

The term “Podcast”, originated from iPod, one of Apple’s creations. Audio content that was specifically created to be broadcasted on iPods, came to be know as “Podcasts” – the “Pod” from iPod and “cast” from broadcast.

To put it in simpler terms, “Podcasts” are a kind of a radio show but with the only difference that you do not have to tune into a specific frequency to listen to the show.

Instead, it can be consumed through a variety of apps, specifically created to listen to Podcasts.

We will discuss about these and the technical aspects of it in another episode.

The difference between a regular radio show and a podcast is very well summed up in this one statement on Wikipedia –

Podcasts are similar to radio programs in form, but they exist as audio files that can be played at a listener’s convenience, anytime or anywhere.

One of the key difference here is the availability of the content at the “listener’s convenience“, which isn’t the case with conventional radio shows, which are gone forever once the broadcast is over.

Why Podcasts and Why should you start one?

This is the era of videos.

With Youtube and many other smaller players dominating the video space and a lot of video content going viral almost suddenly with the creators getting instant fame, why would somebody want to get into “Podcasting” and “Audio”?

That’s a question that a lot of you would have.

Let us go back a little and look at the history of radio.

Radio has gone through many changes and advancements.

In spite of the fact that Youtube and videos have become so powerful, radio continues to hold onto its space even today.

Think of the times you are driving to office in your car. What better way to beat the traffic frustrations, than listening to some radio.

While that is a more sophisticated form of consuming audio content, radio still continues to be a major medium of content consumption is most of the rural areas (while we are on that, there is a very interesting aspect of podcasting and radio, that you probably are not aware of, which I talk about in the show. Go on and listen to it).

There is a huge listeners base and audio content creators are now flocking to cater to this audience. Add to it the fact that the listener base is slowly and steadily increasing and you have a medium worth checking out.

Agreed on the fact that audio is a sleeping giant and is worth exploring. But why should you use audio and why to start a podcast?

Why start a Podcast?

We all have a voice. The voice can be of different colors and nature.

Some would have a voice to inspire. Some others have a voice to make aware. Yet others would have a voice to coach and teach and some other would have a voice to preach.

Irrespective of the nature of the voice, the fact is that there is a “voice” that can bring about a change in somebody’s lives.

In some other cases, that “voice” is lying gagged down somewhere inside you waiting to be released and releasing that can give you a mental satisfaction.

The only thing you need to do today is to find the “nature” of your “voice” and then give it a structure. And that’s it.

You are ready to “PODCAST”.

So, to answer your question on “Why to start a Podcast”, it is to let the world hear that “voice” that is hidden deep inside in you somewhere.

So let’s start with identifying the “nature” of that “voice” inside you. You and only YOU would be able to find that out. And that is precisely what we will be discussing in our next episode.

But why choose “podcasting” as the medium?

There is something I call the “Confidence of the Viel”, which is why I think that a lot of people will feel very comfortable with “podcasting”.

Want to know what “the Confidence of the Viel” is?

Let you might want to tune into the show and listen to it.

Once you have done that, comment below and let me know your thoughts on why YOU should start a podcast and what’s the nature of your voice.