In the US alone, more than 112 million people listen to podcasts (also known as on-demand radio). With podcasts, listening to captivating ideas and real-life conversations anywhere on-the-go has never been so easy.
So what is a podcast? And why is it so beneficial to implement this learning and development habit into our daily life?
Definition of Podcast
According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, a podcast is a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar programs made available on the internet for downloading to a personal audio player. A podcast is typically available as a series, new installments of which can be received by subscribers automatically.
A podcast is an episodic series of digital audio files which a user can download or listen to on any device.
A podcast is a form of audio broadcasting on the web. It can be listened to on the go while commuting to the office or even while working. It’s a content medium that doesn’t require all of your target audience’s attention like a video or a blog post.
Common Terms in Podcasting
Podcasting is full of specific terms and phrases that can be quite confusing for beginners. We’ve collated a few terms that you might come across from time to time.
1. Audience
Audience are listeners of a particular podcast.
2. Episode
Podcasts are created in series or sequences. An episode is a separate installment into which a serialized story or radio or television programme is divided.
3. MP3
MP3 is a coding format for digital audio. Most podcasts are created and distributed in this popular audio format. P3s were designed to be small and not take up too much room when data storage on computers was an issue back in the day.
4. RSS
RSS stands for Rich Site Summary. It is a type of web feed which allows users and applications to access updates to online content in a standardized, computer-readable format.
5. Directory
A podcast directory is like a shop or library where listeners can find and listen to podcasts. Podcastgang.com is a typical example of a podcast directory.
6. Host
When you’re starting a podcast, you need a place on the internet to host your audio files (mp3) for easy distribution. Podcast hosts make it easy to upload .mp3 files and share with listeners.