Hi John,
Absolutely adore your blog. And Technorati for helping me find it...
Before I get into what the big deal about podcasting is... let me just say where you're right...
1- I think iPods... i wouldn't go so far as to say they suck? But for me they don't really address any needs that I have. But then again, I have only tried using them and their variations once.
2- Those ear buds annoy me too.
3- Podcasting is not the greatest as far as for a business model - unless you want to deliver password protected audio that automatically updates. OR you're providing podcasting tools.
Which is where the misconceptions have to be cleared up before you can start looking at what the pros are.
1- You don't need to own an iPod to participate in podcasting. The term is confusing. Podcasting is simply the ability to deliver automated audio updates via RSS. Yes, people who have iPods can then sync them to their iPods.
But few do. At least for now.
2- Anyone with either a telephone (including a cell phone) and the ability to upload audio to the web can podcast. Preferably you use an audio-enabled computer and a few snazzy tools you can find at freshpodcasts.com or software like Audacity.
So now, given that, the Pros of Podcasting are many.
From a PR perspective, as with blogs, there are now hundreds of outlets for your voice...
One example is that you could start delivering your message to people who'd rather listen to it than read it. Me? I'd rather pay $5 for a transcript than listen to a free audio. I'm just a print-oriented person. I don't like most talk radio either. Used to *hate* talk radio... until I heard a show on NPR that directly addressed issues I'm interested in. Then I was hooked. But just to that show.
So yeah, I hate audio, but much of my audience prefers it. Some of them would just rather listen than read. It's a significant enough part of my audience that I started podcasting...
And stopped for about three months. And yet I still had about 60 people a day listening to my tips. One I did on Forbes magazine in late April has been accessed over 1000 unique times.
Not to mention all the email I got asking me to bring it back.
So I started podcasting again. They don't seem to care that sometimes all I do is briefly talk about what is comng up at the site, or that I mostly use my cell phone to tell them.
It makes delivering updated audio content easy - I don't have to launch a promotion every time I want some attention. 
I podcast and the directories and podcast enabled readers pick it up automatically. And if what I'm talking about is relevant to a book, ebook or project I'm promoting? I get a spike in sales to boot.
But blah blah blah me right? How would the advent of podcasting help a PR firm?
Well. What if you had a list of podcasters who wanted to interview the type of people you represent? What if their combined audience in a target area you want access to am
Apparently I should have just made it into a post and trackbacked to you. Which I will tomorrow, but today's theme at my site is search engines... here's the rest of that comment...
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Well. What if you had a list of podcasters who wanted to interview the type of people you represent? What if their combined audience in a target area you want access to amounted to tens of thousands of people? What if the costs of implementation were low?
That could be podcasting some day soon since radio stations, both on air and via satellite are picking up podcasts.
So that's it in a nutshell. I got to preview a 19 page whitepaper on podcasting that goes up on Podblaze.com later today that will get a lot more specific, in much simpler terms.
Again, great blog, and relevant post... have a great day!
People retain messages that they hear better than the ones they read. Which is why I think podcasts can be valuable for high stakes messages that you want to really drive home. You still need companion print materials; the more impressions the better, and some of your audience will prefer written material.
Do I think podcasts can replace anything? Absolutely not. Media evolves; a new form doesn't replace an old one.It supplements it, and sometimes changes it.
Tinu, thanks for your kind words and definitely thanks for providing some real detail about how podcasts can help communicate. Come back often!
And Susan, thanks for your thoughts ... your point that "more impressions the better" is spot on.
I seem to be in an anti-communication mode these past couple of days with my "don't pitch bloggers" and "don't listen to podcast" posts ... makes me come across like an old codger.
I'm really not.
I can see certainly see value in podcasting but the obstacle to me is one of accessibility. It reminds me of handling benefits communications plans in the '80s where we would always include an audiocassette tape with enrollment materials for people who wanted to listen to the instructions -- a nice add-on but not a primary communications tool.
Hey John,
Great to e-meet you. You don't come off as and old codger or any of that. And I'll be back very often. I don't know how it would work as a primary communications tool ... but then again if a site represents a radio station....
But yes to what you sad, a nice add-on.
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