Are you curious about the growth in the development of podcast? Although it is a relatively new technology, it is an intriguing, but brief time. The background of the word, "podcast" is quite intriguing and speaks to how dynamic is that Internet community.

Podcasting is a word that was only coined in the year 2004 by combining two words: iPod and broadcasting. This definition, however, isn't entirely accurate as neither one of them is precise. Listening to or podcasting podcasts require an iPod or other portable player. In fact, podcasts can be listened to via any MP3-enabled device, such as a desktop computer. The idea behind the name came by virtue of the fact that the iPod of Apple Computer iPod was the most popular mobile digital player before podcasting started. Furthermore, no over-the-air broadcasting is needed either.

Even the editors at the New Oxford American Dictionary jumped into the trend of podcasting in announcing "podcasting" word of the year for 2005. The definition of the word was "a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar programthat is made available through the Internet for download to an audio player for personal use." The term could be added in the online dictionary at the time of their next update.

The term"podcasting" originated from journalist Ben Hammersley, and then popularized by the former MTV VJ as well as media business entrepreneur Adam Curry. Adam. Curry created an Applescript application that automated the process of downloading and synchronizing audio files onto iPods.

Other names , or alternative definitions to the letters "P-O-D" were also suggested The most well-known of was "Personal on Demand". Technology writer, Doc Searls came up with this phrase back in September 2004. Some terms like "audio-blogging" Audio magazines" as well as "web-casting" have also been described to describe this distinct method of distribution of media.

Other "pod"-derived phrases include "podcasters" (those who create podcasts) in addition to "podcatchers" which are the specific RSS aggregators, which regularly check for new content and download it automatically. Podcatching software permits users to copy podcasts on portable devices such as music & video players.

Popularity of the podcast is growing like wildfire because of the rapid growth of MP3 players, and the desire of customers to have fresh content. Podcasting has flourished because it allows people to have greater control over what they listen to and the option of taking their shows with them.

In the past, blogging has never technology been so unpredicted and was so swiftly and widely accepted as podcasting. The industry's growth is expected to accelerate quickly because of the rapid adoption of this technology by the radio broadcast industry in 2005 as well as the Apple's iTunes distribution. The rise in popularity of podcasts are challenging traditional the broadcast model of radio.

Even though iTunes is just two years old, roughly 4.8 million people downloaded a podcast during 2005 as compared with just over 800,000. in 2004. In addition, 11.4 million listeners are expected this year, according research by The Diffusion Group. Already the Apple iTunes service offers 15,000 podcasts and listeners have been signed up for over 7 million memberships.

A study conducted by Bridge Ratings in November 2005 featuring radio listeners from 10 major markets in the United States revealed that around 20% of those who have ever downloaded and heard a podcast do soon a weekly basis. read more on average six podcasts per week . They also spend about four hours per month listening to podcasts the download.

This study forecasts even more significant growth in the field in the future. As per Bridge Ratings, by 2010, podcast audience growth is estimated to be around 45 million people who have ever listened to any podcast. The most optimistic estimates put this number closer to 75 million at the time this article is published.

What impact does this have on you?


With podcast listening rising exponentially, podcasts offer you a very powerful tool for promoting your services or products. The benefit of podcasts is that they're very simple and cost-effective to produce. Podcasting can help ensure a closer relationship with your target audiences by offering them engaging regularly updated and informative information regarding the happenings in your business. If you've got a website and you have a podcast, there's no reason that you shouldn't have a podcast available as it's not easy to setup and could lead to a significant increase in visitors to your site. Therefore, in the end, podcasting must be an essential part of any online marketing campaign.