Internal Communications Podcasts — When to use, when not to use
Podcasts can be a powerful internal communication tool. But, like all communication tools, it’s best to fully understand how to best use them and when not to use them. Here are some thoughts to consider:
Advantages of Podcasts:
- They can be used to communicate a complex set of messages or issues that we want people to understand. Most people won’t read a 500-word article but they will listen to a 1,000-word podcast.
- Audio is more personal and more emotional than print.
- You can use RSS to push to your podcast out to subscribers.
- Podcasts are portable.
When to Use Podcasts:
- For content experts to dive deeper understanding of complex topics.
- For hot topics that need to be communicated immediately.
- To answer recurring questions that require in-depth answers.
- With small expert panel discussions.
- To humanize a subject.
- When sounds (music, sound effects, ambient sounds) can enhance a message.
- For leaders who prefer talking over writing and who can speak well without a script.
When Not to Use Podcasts:
- With a lot of facts and figures that need to be remembered (unless supplemented by written text).
- When the messages can’t be condensed into a 10-minute or less timeframe.
- With content experts who aren’t dynamic speakers.
- When the channel isn’t available to your intended audience.
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2 Comments
Wedge
about 12 years agoI'm unsure. A person may not wish to read a 500 word article, but that article can be scan-read in 10 seconds - whereas the podcast generally drones on for, what? Ten minutes? Fifteen? As with video, we need to consider how and when a person will choose to consume an audio message. In an open plan office earphones are a necessity - but may be absent or forgotten. Of course I can see the emotive benefits of audio (and video) but I just haven't seen anyone want to spend the time listening in the workplace.
Michael Birt
about 8 years agoI'm a great fan of podcasts and video ...but they need to be good and produced by someone with a background or skill in radio or video production. As Wedge said they can easily 'drone on' and you need the right talent, not necessarily the 'most important' person. We use a lot of videos and have given all staff headphones because they'll be listening/viewing at different times. Unless the talent or topic is scintillating and hyper-produced it should be no more than 5 minutes...ever.