GUEST BLOG: Why Are Podcasts Important – Camille Cannings, Podcasting Executive Producer - NOVA

Podcasts are convenient, simple and fit into our busy lives.

They are education and entertainment served up in a little audio file for snacking or feasting.

A stimulating and addictive platform designed for pretty much every interest you have.
Seriously there is a podcast designed around the history of gnomes & doll houses (see Muse Stories).

It’s a new way of digesting information and learning something new.

With podcast numbers on the rise it’s an indication we had an itch for more content.

Why I love working in the podcasting space?

It is an authentic, creative, intimate and an exhilarating space that has allowed a new way for people to share.

It is accessible, adaptable and growing!
It’s a medium that you can put on whilst multi-tasking and still stay connected with the content.

The beauty and simplicity of podcasting is what draws me to this space.
As a podcaster you have direct access to be able to get up close and personal and speak to millions of people across the globe. Something I hear a lot is “I don’t know where to start there are too many to pick from” Yes, there are a lot of podcasts to choose from (who doesn’t love choice) but there is also a lot of video and music in the world and that it not a problem so too many podcasts to pick from is a crappy excuse to not dive in.
*Just get in*

You can have a super slick podcast with professional audio producers and designers OR you can literally have a podcast recorded in a bedroom or garage with minimal resources and they both can succeed.

What’s not to love?

Tips about what makes for an engaging podcast? 

The charm of podcasting is that it comes in all shapes and sizes.
Generally, you are told to not “over produce” it shouldn’t sound like it’s too shiny.
Engagement varies from person to person but for me it needs to have structure, be consistent and grab my attention quickly.

Determine what you want your listeners to get out of your podcast, what is the purpose of it?

Personally, I believe sound production is very important (the sound of a jail door closing when they enter a jail, the sound of a car pulling up in the driveway etc) and picking the right voice over to go with your story. For me those small sonic triggers make all the difference. Without a visual I need to feel the audio to create my own pictures.

The introduction and outro for a podcast is your first and last touch point with your loyal audience, use it productively.

Listen to your community of listeners and take on feedback.

My favourite podcasts right now? 

• EarHustle – Wow, wow, wow – Daily realities of life inside prison shared by those living it
• On Purpose with Jay Shetty – love this guy! Super interesting interviews
• The Mindvalley Podcast – Personal growth for mind, body, spirit and work
• Joe Rogan Experience – One of the most listened to podcasts, still one of my favs
• Quizicle All-Stars – love trivia? Then this is for you. If you get 5/5 on these quiz questions, message me because gee whiz, there are some tough ones in there (OR I am just bad at trivia)

Ok, you got me. Quizicle All-Stars is one of the podcasts I am working on right now at Nova but c’mon guys, I needed to put a plug in here somehow AND its very good. Go on, do it.

How the media landscape has changed, with Podcasts becoming more and more important / accessible?

I am incredibly lucky to work for a company that is progressive in the podcasting space.

The media landscape is changing and listening habits are evolving with increased avenues for information and entertainment, but each platform plays a part to providing the audience with what they need.

If I can urge you to do anything today, search up a new podcast and just give it a go.

Check out the NOVA Quizicle All-Stars Podcast here.

And, the Elevate PR Pod Podcast here.