Some thoughts on podcasting from Jason Van Orden

It's been a while since I've put a new show up, but I've got some great ones in the works so don't delete the feed just yet!

But for right now, I've got some questions that Jason Van Orden answered for me by email. Jason has been podcasting for quite a while now. He's got a few podcasts including the Gothamcast. He recently wrote a book for podcasters called Promoting Your Podcast. I met him briefly at the last Portable Media Expo, and since then he's been really willing to help me out with my research. Please go check out his stuff at www.jasonvanorden.com.

The following are some questions I asked him about podcasting its audiences as compared to traditional media.

How did you first hear about and get involved with podcasting?

As an internet entrepreneur, I subscribe to several e-newsletters. After reading the word a couple times, I could tell I needed to know more. I turned to Google and spent the next week reading everything I could on the topic.

What podcasts you are doing now?

Internet Business Mastery - The art of online marketing and internet entrepreneurship

Podcasting Underground - News and tips to help you succeed in podcasting

GothamCast - A slice of New York City culture & life

How is building an audience for a podcast different from building an audience for more traditional media (radio, TV, etc.)?

Traditional media is about broadcasting to the least common denominator. Podcasting is a very niche medium. The topic and target audience tend to be much more narrowly defines. It's easier to determine who your target market is, find them and get your message in front of them. This makes for a tighter relationship between the content publisher and the consumer.

What are some of the best ways you have found to build and keep an audience?

The first thing a podcaster needs to do is to get their show into the major podcast directories such as iTunes. But to get the best results you need to have a great title, a good description and create quality content.

Then start cross-promoting your content with other podcasters and bloggers in the same niche. Cooperation tends to prevail over competition in this medium.

Thirdly, understand and use all types of social media to your advantage. Use your blog to the fullest. Make it easy for people to find and consume your content. Encourage others to link to your content. Tag your content appropriately. Use social media sites and networks creatively and to your advantage (e.g. YouTube, delicious, Digg, Reddit, etc.)

I've noticed that a community feeling is a big part of podcasting. Does this community feeling make podcast audiences more loyal than audiences of traditional media?

There is no middle man between a podcaster and his audience. In traditional media there is a network in the middle. Podcasting also tends to be more participatory. There is usually a sense of belonging and even ownership that the audience gets when listening to a podcast and offering their feedback directly to the content creator.

Where do you think the future of podcasting lies?

It will only continue to grow and get bigger. In the mid-90s every was asking whether they needed a web site. Now it is a no-brainer. Then it was blogs. Not its podcasting. You can jump on board or be left behind scratching your head.

What is the biggest obstacle podcasting and podcasters need to overcome in order to realize that future?

Finding and subscribing to podcasts needs to be easier. It is still too hard to find and manage podcast subscriptions. The easiest way is with iTunes and an iPod. We need more options. It needs to be as easy as using your TV or Radio.

Thanks again to Jason, this stuff is great info for anyone interested in podcasting or new media in general.