It’s not a secret that the new generation loves podcasts. Most of the Gen Z and millennials aren’t just aware of this medium but have made listening to podcasts a part of their daily routines. This newly-born habit makes the podcasting industry quite an appealing marketing channel for various businesses and advertisers. Why are podcasts becoming more trending and exciting every year? Before bothering about podcast SEO, advertising and reviews it’s important to understand why the podcasting industry is growing so that you become a part of that growth. So let’s get into it.
Podcast audience statistics and industry reports don’t always explore the sociological reasons behind those numbers. And there are quite a few myths revolving around the new generation and their consumption habits. While there’s a lot that goes into the latter, we’ll touch upon some of the important factors that explain and justify this revolutionizing growth of the podcasting industry. So before you start your own podcast, let’s break myths and seed some reason.
Popular Myths About GenZers and Podcasts
Myth 1: Gen Z was the first to embrace podcasts
This one is one of the most common misconceptions. Despite Gen Z’s indispensablе contribution to TikTok for podcasters they were neither the first nor the biggest fans. First, let’s acknowledge the fact that podcasts are not anything new to us. Before podcasts grew in popularity, the audio content throne was occupied by radio broadcasting that developed quite a devoted fanbase. Even though a lot was borrowed from the radio format, podcasts were a fresh concept that adjusted audio content to the modern listener and made it accessible on a number of platforms.
In fact, it’s rather the opposite. You may say Gen Z was the one falling behind the podcasting trend at first. In the case of millennials, it was love at first sight. As a generation that’s familiar as well as fond of radio broadcasts, the podcast experience has become a modernized and more convenient alternative. Gen Z, on the opposite, is more accustomed to visual entertainment like the one distributed on YouTube, Instagram, and other similar platforms.
However, as the podcast industry develops and shifts to cater to wider and more diverse audiences, more and more young people listen to podcasts both to keep up with popular topics and find niche podcasts. Let’s use the latter information to smoothly transition to the next podcast audience-related myth.
Myth 2: Any type of content would work with Gen Z and millennials
Just like every single one of these key statements, the latter is also absolutely wrong. To many newbie podcast hosts it might seem that if podcast shows are hot and trendy among the youth, it will be easy to lure them in no matter what the content is. However, adhering to popular podcast formats isn’t just enough to attract the ever-curious and nimble-footed Gen Z. Practice as well as podcasting trends in content creation, marketing and monetization have shown that the younger generation is very picky about the content they choose to consume. Considering a large number of both active and new podcasts you definitely do not want to enter the competition with anything, but quality content.
Despite all the similarities shared with the radio format, in the case of podcast marketing, the same approach wouldn’t work or bring the desired results, to say the least. Especially if you’re figuring out how to start a podcast, it is important to keep in mind that your style and content shouldn’t be similar to that of the radio, but rather follow the seemingly non-existent guidelines of the podcast-driven world.
To squeeze in a few tips while we’re at it, try to make your content as fun and engaging as your theme allows. Regardless of the podcast topic, humor is an essential part of a good story and the podcast experience is all about storytelling. Before you invest in expensive podcasting gear or podcast marketing tools, get the most out of everything that’s free. Learn how to promote a podcast by growing a better understanding of podcast listeners. It’s always a combination of trends, interests, and innovative approaches, so whatever the case is with your own podcast listeners keep up with the trends and make your listeners “feel at home.” This way, you will certainly win them over.
Myth 3: It does not make a difference where you publish your podcast
Finally, our last myth is about the platform itself. Not only should you pay attention to your content, but also to the channels you choose to publish it in. Try choosing podcast platforms popular among Gen Z and millennials, such as Spotify, Apple podcasts. You can also opt for free podcast hosting platforms or join a podcast network that will cover such expenses for you. Reach out to the youth wherever possible, especially on their favorite platforms. Convert your podcast episodes into videos and post them on Youtube, or create short clips and trailers to tease your followers on Instagram.
Now that the myths around the current growth of podcasts are unraveled, hopefully, you will have an easier time setting up your podcast marketing strategy and targeting younger listeners. With Podcastle or not, when you create your own podcast, remember to stay authentic by finding a compromise around what your listeners would like to hear and what you would genuinely want to share. Podcasting undoubtedly poses its challenges, yet, you shouldn’t be intimidated. The podcasting growth in 2021 is also due to the flexibility and the creative freedom that the medium not only allows but also encourages. So far, there is a healthy dose of competition to keep podcast producers motivated, constantly innovating, and coming up with new ways to create engaging audio content. As long as you’re willing to put the effort that goes into researching your potential listeners and the content that’s out there, you’re guaranteed to find and be found by those who’ll love yours.
