Terry Storch

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Todd Storch, What's working for you?

Terry Storch

As many of you know Todd Storch is my brother, and has a great blog called Buisness Thoughts. Todd has a passion for Podcasting and has really become one of the "experts" with this new technology. So, I have asked Todd to take a moment and bring us all up to speed on what Podcasting is. I am sure that you will really enjoy this.
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We all get passionate about things and I'm very fired up about podcasting.  Terry asked me to write about podcasting, describe what it is, what I know about it, where it's going and what it can do.

As with any "new" technology, things start and change rapidly. Here's the bottom line on what a podcast  is:  An .mp3 file (generally a show, interview, etc.)  that is created, posted on the Internet that can be delivered to your computer automatically.  You can listen to the podcast on your computer or your iPod (or any .mp3 player) when ever you want once you "subscribe" to the show (everything is free...for now).

It's generally accepted that Adam Curry (yes, the  Adam Curry from MTV in the 80's!) started the podcasting frenzy with his show, The Daily Source Code (http://dailysourcecode.com/).  Dave Winer (http://www.scripting.com/), one of the first ever bloggers, gets credit as well as he developed the RSS code that allows the files (or any data) to be delivered automatically, without you having to go search it out and download it yourself.  Adam and Dave were working together, put Adam's show's content together with Dave's RSS code and a program called iPodder (http://ipodder.sourceforge.net/#download) to capture these files\r\nautomatically.
\r\n
\r\nThe timing of podcasting is crucial to this discussion due to a number of current events:
\r\n

\r\nSo, why is podcasting important?
\r\nPodcasting is important because like most everything that is tied to\r\nthe Internet; it has the possibility of disrupting the status quo and\r\nchanging distribution channels. Listening to podcasts allows\r\nconsumers to "get what they want, when they want it", instead of having\r\nto specifically listen to a radio station\'s morning show only during\r\nmorning drive, they can get other entertainment downloaded to their\r\niPod and listen when ever it\'s convenient (if you are a TiVo user, you\r\nknow exactly why this is important!). It\'s also important because\r\nif you have a computer and a microphone and just a little knowledge of\r\nsoftware, you can be creating podcasts. This low cost, ease of\r\nentry, makes anyone their own content provider.
\r\n
\r\nIs podcasting for real or is it just another fad or hyped Internet "flavor of the week"?
\r\nFirst of all, podcasting is getting lots of mass appeal attention\r\nquickly. Remember, podcasting only started about 7 months ago and\r\nalready, USA Today, ",1] );

//-->) to capture these files automatically.

The timing of podcasting is crucial to this discussion due to a number of current events:

  • consumers used to the benefits of "time shifting" content (watching what you want, when you want it with DVR's like TiVo)
  • new commercial free satellite radio content from XM and Sirius
     
  • the rapid success and penetration of Apple's iPod
  • a general disapproval from listeners tired of radio stations playing too many commercials and "cookie cutter" format availability
     

So, why is podcasting important? 
Podcasting is important because like most everything that is tied to the Internet; it has the possibility of disrupting the status quo and changing distribution channels.  Listening to podcasts allows consumers to "get what they want, when they want it", instead of having to specifically listen to a radio station's morning show only during morning drive, they can get other entertainment downloaded to their iPod and listen when ever it's convenient (if you are a TiVo user, you know exactly why this is important!).  It's also important because if you have a computer and a microphone and just a little knowledge of software, you can be creating podcasts.  This low cost, ease of entry, makes anyone their own content provider.

Is podcasting for real or is it just another fad or hyped Internet "flavor of the week"?
First of all, podcasting is getting lots of mass appeal attention quickly.  Remember, podcasting only started about 7 months ago and already, USA Today, , Wired Magazine, BBC News and plenty of local TV and newspapers are highlighting the buzz. Big companies like Clear Channel radio and Motorola\r\nare paying attention and developing strategies to implement podcasting\r\nto their current business models and plans. New businesses like PodShow\r\nand The Podcasting Network are wanting to develop "networks" of\r\nmultiple podcasts in order to gain a large listener/subscriber base to\r\nbe attractive to advertisers.
\r\n
\r\nWhat are some examples of popular podcasts?
\r\nBefore I list out some of the podcasts I enjoy listening to, you should check out Podcast Alley. \r\nTheir website is a popular destination to vote on podcast favorites and\r\na place to find different categories of podcasts.
\r\n
\r\nMy quick list of favorites:
\r\nDaily Source Code - Adam Curry started it all
\r\n",1] );

//-->Fortune, Wired Magazine, BBC News and plenty of local TV and newspapers are highlighting the buzz.  Big companies like Clear Channel radio and Motorola are paying attention and developing strategies to implement podcasting to their current business models and plans.  New businesses like PodShow and The Podcasting Network are wanting to develop "networks" of multiple podcasts in order to gain a large listener/subscriber base to be attractive to advertisers.

What are some examples of popular podcasts?
Before I list out some of the podcasts I enjoy listening to, you should check out Podcast Alley. Their website is a popular destination to vote on podcast favorites and a place to find different categories of podcasts.

My quick list of favorites:
Daily Source Code - Adam Curry started it all
- great movie reviews by Michael Geoghegen
\r\nIT Conversations - excellent shows that feature high tech guests and tech conference highlights
\r\nPodcast Brothers - the Bourquin brothers discuss how podcasters and monetizing and developing revenue
\r\nEvil Genius Chronicles - Dave Slusher\'s thoughts and views on music, technology and goings on
\r\nRock and Roll Geek Show - Michael Butler\'s great rock and roll earfest
\r\nThe Metal Show - Matt Warlaw\'s music show on all things metal
\r\nThe Trend Junkie - Greg\'s show on music, technology and current trends
\r\nTriathlete\'s Garage - Brett\'s show on the life of triathletes and upcoming races
\r\n
\r\nWhat\'s the future of podcasting?
Who\r\nreally knows, but, it has the attention of consumers and businesses\r\nalike. There are many opportunities for all content providers\r\n(traditional radio, TV, newspaper,etc.) to take advantage of this\r\nmedium to support and reinforce their existing content. I hosted\r\na guest blogging feature where some of the\r\npodcasting pioneers addressed this very question. I recommend you\r\nread their thoughts ",1] );

//-->Reel Reviews  - great movie reviews by Michael Geoghegen
IT Conversations - excellent shows that feature high tech guests and tech conference highlights
Podcast Brothers  - the Bourquin brothers discuss how podcasters and monetizing and developing revenue
Evil Genius Chronicles  - Dave Slusher's thoughts and views on music, technology and goings on
Rock and Roll Geek Show  - Michael Butler's great rock and roll earfest
The Metal Show  - Matt Warlaw's music show on all things metal
The Trend Junkie - Greg's show on music, technology and current trends
Triathlete's Garage  - Brett's show on the life of triathletes and upcoming races

What's the future of podcasting?
Who really knows, but, it has the attention of consumers and businesses alike.  There are many opportunities for all content providers (traditional radio, TV, newspaper,etc.) to take advantage of this medium to support and reinforce their existing content.  I hosted a guest blogging feature where some of the podcasting pioneers addressed this very question.  I recommend you read their thoughts here.
\r\n
\r\nGood luck,have fun listening and maybe, even starting your own podcast!
",1] ); D(["mb","\r\n
--
K. Todd Storch
Business Thoughts - www.businessthoughtsblog.com
"Think. Discuss. Do."

Personal: www.toddstorch.typepad.com/k_todd_storchs_weblog\r\n\r\n",0] ); D(["ce"]); D(["ms","10e5"] );

//-->here.

Good luck,have fun listening and maybe, even starting your own podcast!

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