Podcasts seem like such a great idea, but they just don't work for me. Why? Because while I'm listening to them, I find that I'm not really listening. My mind wanders off to other things, or I'll start reading a blog post from somewhere, or I'll start typing a blog post...like this one, for example. Yes, right now, I'm "listening" to a podcast, but obviously as I type this, I'm not really listening.
I try hard to listen, I really do. But about 30 seconds into a podcast, my mind ends up elsewhere. Is that a problem just with me, in that it shows my inability to focus on one thing? Or do others find the same thing happening to them?
If we assume for the moment that this happens to a lot of people, then how does that affect the whole podcast marketplace? Are people wasting time and money creating really compelling podcasts, if no one is really hearing them?
I ask because I've occasionally considered doing some podcasts, but I'm just not sure if the time (and money?) spent would be worth it. Do podcasts figure into your marketing strategies? If so, do you have any idea if your listeners are really hearing the podcasts? Any studies done?
There is no way I can listen to a podcast at my computer – i do the same thing i can’t concentrate.
I load the shows on my Treo and listen to them in a long car ride or when I hike. I find them very useful.
Podcasts are great for the commute back and forth to work, or something to listen to while doing chores, traveling, etc. They most definitely have their place in the marketplace.
The challenge for podcasters and downloaders alike is talent and content. Radio and TV broadcasters go to college to learn their skill. Podcasting can be done and listened to by anyone.
I think you’re on target, Donna. I wrote about this “media overload” awhile back. I would very much rather read a transcribed podcast than listen to one.
Maybe it’s an age thing? I just can’t be bothered to transfer a podcast to my ipod. Then again, I really can’t be bothered to transfer music to the ipod either. So maybe if I were 20 years younger, I’d be all over it.
Ok my take on this is that I think it may have something to do with the preferred way people like to communicate and learn. The whole VAK thing.(visual, auditory, kinesthetic).
Some people prefering to V ‘see what people mean’, others like to A ‘hear what they say and maybe it sounds good’ or K ‘try it out for themselves’. Podcasts will tend to appeal to people who are more lead by ‘A’ sound, blogs more visual I guess. Video does a bit of both.
What do you think?
I totally agree with you . I have downloaded all Shoemoney’s podcasts because of the buzz about them but I never finished to listen one maybe because all the information is already on blogs/news and is boring but definately if you want to listen a podcast you must go for a walk at the computer is impossible to do this ( at least for me ) .