What are the Current Trends of Podcasting? - The Future of Podcasting
Podcasting has evolved a lot since the very first podcast was made by Doug Kaye in 2003. What started as a hobby for people who are obsessed with tech and electronics, it has now become a global phenomenon and today there are millions of people tuning in to podcasts every day. Is podcasting going to have the same success that it has continued to have the previous years? I say absolutely, and podcasting may even evolve to grow even more than in years past. If you have had a dream to inspire or inform people and start your own podcast show, there is no reason why you shouldn’t start pursuing your dream. As we look to the future of podcasting, it has never been a better time to start, and the opportunities will only grow bigger as the years go on. There are several trends that are bound to shape the future of podcasting.
Podcasts are Getting Popular
One of the biggest trends in podcasting is the continued and steady growth of the industry. According to a recent report by Edison Research, “There are an estimated 26 million more people listening to spoken word audio in the U.S. than eight years ago. An estimated 131 million people in the U.S. age 13+ are daily spoken word audio listeners, up from 105 million daily listeners in 2014.” This growth is expected to continue in the coming years, as more people discover the entertainment and benefits of putting their words out there for people to listen to.
Take Advantage of Technology
Another trend that is likely to shape the future of podcasting is the rise of smart speakers and voice assistants. As more people adopt devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home, there is a growing demand for audio content that can be accessed hands-free. We live in a world where the average person can tell their Alexa to turn on their favorite podcast and they can listen to it in any room of their house. This creates a massive opportunity for podcasters. They are now able to create content that is optimized for voice search and smart speaker platforms.
Customized Interests for your Consumers
In addition to smart speakers, there is also a growing demand for personalized audio content. Streaming services are a huge part of this development. As more people use streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, they are becoming to have the ability to create and recommend content that is tailored to an individual’s taste. Why not have the same thing be available for podcasts. Spotify and Apple Podcasts may soon be able to adapt to this and listeners maybe be able to look for shows that are customized to their interests and preferences. This is yet another current trend that can help with the future of podcasting.
Using Data and Analytics
Another trend that is likely to shape the future of podcasting is the increasing use of data and analytics. As more people listen to podcasts, podcasters will want to have an understanding of their audience and how they engage with their content. Podcasters knowing this information can have many benefits for them and their show. Getting this can be achieved with using data and analytics tools. They are able to provide insights into things like listener behavior, preferences, and demographics.
Conclusion
If there is one thing that you should take away from this blog post is that if you want to start a podcast but think it’s too late, it will never be late and it shouldn’t stop you from following your dream and being a successful podcaster! Use the information from these trends to get ahead of the game and increase your chances of being a entertaining creator.
References
Ivey, L. (2022, October 27). The spoken word audio report 2022 from NPR and Edison Research. Edison Research. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-spoken-word-audio-report-2022-from-npr-and-edison-research/