Podcasting

     This week we learned about podcasting and the benefits of using them in an academic setting. I thought it was really neat that Duke University used them in their courses. It would be great to have that here at UF in case you missed a class becuase you were sick or something. We could also use them during exam preparation in case we want to revisit material while studying. One Duke student even listened to lectures while working out and running errands.
     Subscribing to podcasts is easy, and a lot of them are free! You just need a computer with internet access and podcatcher software. Then subscribe to podcasts of your choice, and the podcast will automatically download to your computer. We also learned how to create a podcast which was fun and interesting. (Click here for a list of podcasts.)
     I could use podcasts in PR as part of a campaign. For example, if AT&T was my client I would presubscribe all AT&T smart phones to a podcast that would keep AT&T consumers up to date on the latest AT&T company news and new products. I could also use this tactic with computer companies such as Dell, and presubscribe all Dell laptops and desktops to a Dell podcast.
     This article on podcasting advises companies on how they can decide if podcasting would be an effective marketing tactic. The companies who stand the most to gain from podcasting are those with audiences who are younger and somewhat technology savvy according to the research referenced in the article. Another interesting bit of information that the research revealed was that a majority of podcast subscribers are affluent. Podcasting is a cost-effective way of marketing that many companies should consider.