Podcasting Thriving or Not Surviving?
The debate continues around the blogosphere whether podcasting is thriving or struggling to make the strides that people thought it would. First Read/Write web has an article asking Will Podcasting Survive?
Then there is a great article over at Podcasting News that challenges that theory, stating 7 Reasons that Read/Write web are clueless about Podcasting. Both articles have valid points and are worth reading.
I feel that podcasting is doing well - but as my school report used to say (!) it could do better!
Podcasters have enjoyed the initial excitement around the new medium, now we as a podcasting community instead of fearing the challenges - video, usability etc need to tackle the challenges head on. Radio did not die with competition from TV, bikes did not disappear because of cars.
We have to take the challenge by
1) Finding new listeners, maybe looking at how to use old media to attract people. Old media has the volume that we would love!
2) Standardising how to subscribe…making it easy for listeners.
3) Keeping the content fresh, keeping it of value.
4) Finding a way of ensuring the independent podcasts are not swamped by the corporate giants entering the fray. The attraction of podcasting was the spirit and independence…if the charts get swamped by companies or media repackaging sales messages or previously used content…podcasting will become boring.
5) Finding new ways to promote our work, our medium…instead of cowering away from the task when a little competition comes along or when we reach a plateau.
What do you think - surviving or thriving?
[tags podcasting, podcast growth, read/write web, podcasting news, corporate podcasts [/tags]
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