Podcasting Statistics

Over at the superb Podcasting News they report on the Edison Media Research. The latest research shows

• The audience for audio podcasts grew 38% in the last year;
• The audience for video podcasts grew 45% in the last year;
• About 30% of regular Internet users have downloaded a podcast;
• Awareness of podcasting has leveled off at about 37;
• People listen to or watch podcasts primarily on their computers (about 75%).

In 2007 there was a feeling that podcasting was on the wane. I didn't believe that and still don't...why? Well podcasting gives you incredible value - both as a producer and consumer. They are "cheap" to produce, need little expertise and yet from the consumers point of view they are free, niche, specialised, an opt in medium that they can listen to wherever they are...

In the UK I get a sense of a growing awareness both by companies and by consumers. Is it mainstream ...no not yet but as a small business I think that is the real opportunity. Get in to the space whilst the idea is still "relatively new", make your name whilst there are fewer competitors!

After all what could be more intimate than you talking directly into the ears of each of your consumers :)