The Emergence of Podcasting and the Podcast Today

Podcasting is a media trend that, while not entirely social (except through audience engagement after its publication), has gained momentum over the past few years. A podcast is an audio or media file that is distributed over the Internet, normally via RSS, for download. Typical podcasters, like videobloggers, offer regular updates of their content for their audiences to consume. Their content is normally provided via audio and they offer downloads, usually via iTunes, for subscribers to then engage and interact.

Videoblogging is not much different than podcasting. However, podcasting is a tad more social, as it makes it much easier to have multiple simultaneous participants on the line. Podcasting is easily done over the phone or via an online service (using a microphone), such as Skype. Podcasting is interactive and social in the sense that most podcasts engage guest speakers, experts, and even the audience. In fact, as podcaster Joe Fowler III puts it, “Podcasting is very social because when you gain listeners, they like to be included, named, or sometimes even invited to participate.”