Friday Newsflow
What happened in the podcast world this week.
I’m still babying my leg injury (which I probably made worse by running a 5k last week), but Brittany and I had a GREAT catch-up meeting yesterday. We’ve got something in the works that will be game-changing for our WOC Podcaster community (and the podcasting community at large). I can’t wait to share more with you all, but until then, let’s dive into what happened this week.
Audience Insights and Trends
Concern is growing about a potential decline in female podcast listeners, a topic near and dear to our work here at Atabey & Co. Tom Webster suggests that the rise of male-driven, YouTube-oriented podcast shows might be contributing to this trend. However, he emphasizes that the issue isn’t necessarily a loss of female listeners but a shift in content that disproportionately attracts male audiences. How can you help reverse this trend? From Tom, “Promote the nature of podcasting as a companion medium - something to do during ‘found time’- and to actively put effort into supporting female voices.” (we have a bunch of shows to listen to right here in this newsletter). Male hosts actively promoting women-led shows can also help tip the scale.
Voxtopica’s recent report, The Podcast Influence: The Listening Habits of Registered Voters, based on a survey of 683 self-identified registered American voters, reveals that 63% believe podcasts change their opinions on news topics, and 85% trust podcasts more than any other news source. Tom Webster notes that podcast audiences naturally choose shows they trust, making podcasts powerful tools for delivering targeted messages.
Diversity and Community Initiatives
Talib Jasir, founder and CEO of Afros & Audio, has penned an open letter to the industry, emphasizing the need for investment and support in diverse voices. He warns that without diversity, the podcast industry’s foundation is at risk. The 6th Annual Afros & Audio Festival will take place October 18-20th in Baltimore, MD.
The Black Podcasting Awards has announced 64 nominations, with winners to be revealed in a live show this Sunday.
Financial and Revenue Growth
Spotify’s global ad revenue is projected to reach $2.1 billion in 2024, with significant contributions from video podcasting. Data from WARC’s Platform Insights report indicates that audio+video ads are 66% more effective than audio ads alone, highlighting the value of video integration in podcasting.
Industry Support and Growth
A new organization, the Podcast Professionals Association, has officially launched to support and elevate those working behind the scenes in the podcast industry, including producers, marketers, editors, and consultants. The association aims to provide essential resources and networking opportunities for industry professionals.
Buzzsprout has met the latest IAB Podcast Measurement Guidelines compliance, version 2.2. Other platforms like Megaphone, Captivate, and Audiomeans have also achieved this standard, ensuring consistent and accurate podcast measurement across the industry.
Catch up on our shows
Join the ladies of Are You Free for Coffee for a big hot steaming cup of what the heck as they cover everything from the latest Diddy scandal to Natassia's former sexiest man alive Shannon Sharpe's allege accidental Instagram live sex scandal.
When a young indigenous woman is found stabbed and left for dead, her community must grapple with a dark reality. Who killed Kelly Morrisseau? Find out on Bite-Sized Crime.
On a replay episode of Grad School Femtoring, Yvette discusses the topic of the adjunctification of academia as well as how and why it’s important to plan for a career outside of the tenure-track. Tune in to this episode to learn a few ways to keep your career options open as you navigate grad school.
It’s a twofer of Ogasmica this week. On the Spanish episode, guest Héctor González Castro talks with Virgina about man's role in today's culture and how he faces various challenges. Héctor delves into the importance of support groups for men, not only from a business perspective but also as human beings who need spaces to connect and share their experiences and emotions without judgment. In the English episode, Virginia sits down with Christina McMahon, Ph.D., a transformational love coach and certified somatic counselor who has gained attention for her embodied approach to relationships, featured in Cosmopolitan magazine. Christina shares her journey of overcoming blocks to love, revealing how she dismantled these obstacles and ultimately found love at the age of 40.
On the latest episode of Sleeping with Sonja, Sonja welcomes the extraordinary Dr. Wendy Walsh. Known as "America's relationship expert," Dr. Walsh brings her years of wisdom, personal experience, and scientific insights to help us all create more meaningful connections. Get ready to rethink love, attraction, and the modern dating landscape with a deep dive into the science of love and relationships.
On Growth Mindset Gal, Allie interviews the amazing Goli Kalkhoran. Goli is a Master Certified Coach, and former attorney, who helps unfulfilled professionals create a career (and life) they like. She is the host of the top-rated career podcast Lessons from a Quitter which has been downloaded more than half a million times.
And lastly, on While She’s Away, Dianni is sharing four alternative platforms you can start using today to find freelance clients that aren’t Upwork and Fiverr.
Network and Learn at these Upcoming Events
Featured Event: How to Have an Engaging Solo Show- September 25th at 7pm EST:
Solo podcasting presents unique challenges but also offers unparalleled opportunities for personal expression and creativity. In this training, we'll dive into the techniques and strategies that can help you create engaging, dynamic, and successful solo podcast episodes that keep your listeners coming back for more. {This event is an exclusive event for WOC Podcasters members. To join WOC Podcasters, sign up here.}
Effective Lead Magnet Strategies for Podcasters - September 24th at 12pm EST: Join this free workshop with Adam Scheuble, host of Podcasting Business School. In this workshop he’ll be teaching the TWO types of lead magnets that podcasters should focus on creating first; how and where to promote your lead magnets so you can grow your email list; and three BIG lead magnet mistakes that podcasters need to avoid. [Free]
Video Editing For Podcasters: CapCut Edition - September 25th at 2pm EST: In this webinar, Libsyn’s Brian Cottington and Elsie Escobar show you how to use the free version of CapCut — desktop and mobile — to edit your video podcast. [Free]
How to Build Thought Leadership as a Podcaster (Even if You Think You’re Not Qualified Enough) - September 26th at 1pm EST: Thought leadership is a skill that all podcasters and audio creators have the potential to hone. This webinar will teach you how to position your podcast so you can become known for your unique story, perspectives, and the value you bring. [Free]
6th Annual Afros and Audio Festival - October 18th-20th, Baltimore, MD: This podcast conference celebrates diversity, creativity, and the indie spirit of podcasting. Tickets are available here.
The Total Package: The Hidden (But Very Real) Impact of Podcast Artwork & Packaging on Growth - October 23rd at 12pm EST: Jeremy Enns joins Lower Street, where he’ll share what just a small difference your podcast cover art and title can make. Following his experiment with the Growth Mindset Psychology podcast, he saw 45% listener growth in just one month, from a few manageable tweaks. [Free]
Doors are open to join the WOC Podcasters community!
WOC Podcasters is an inclusive podcasting community for Women of Color podcasters, audio creators, and professionals to connect, learn, and share resources. From esteemed podcasting leaders to aspiring podcasters looking to get started, this community will help you find the resources to prosper along your creative journey. Join with a 7-day free trial here.
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