Podcast a Dirty Word?

[BradShoemaker]

I believe it is becoming one. Not so much from the tech geeks or those of us who are involved in podcasting, but because the general public still doesn't have a clue what podcasting means. A good portion have heard the term, some even know what you are talking about, but I have found that the majority of people we talk to give us a blank stare when we mention podcasting... some even say "I've heard that word, but what is it?". Almost every time we talk about our shows, people inevitably think of traditional radio. They ask us what station we are with, etc. Therefore, we have decided to start calling them "shows" just so people can relate and don't zone out or lose interest in something due to the term they are unfamiliar with.

As for it being a dirty word, I guess in another sense it can become one. Again, perception is key and people think of podcasting they think of some guy who lives with his parents sitting down in a basement talking dungeons and dragons or WoW despite the fact that even traditional media has their own podcasting elements. Even though it is breaking through the barriers, it is still at the early stages of adoption and acceptance.

[Spencer Kobren]

I believe it is becoming one. Not so much from the tech geeks or those of us who are involved in podcasting, but because the general public still doesn't have a clue what podcasting means. A good portion have heard the term, some even know what you are talking about, but I have found that the majority of people we talk to give us a blank stare when we mention podcasting... some even say "I've heard that word, but what is it?". Almost every time we talk about our shows, people inevitably think of traditional radio. They ask us what station we are with, etc. Therefore, we have decided to start calling them "shows" just so people can relate and don't zone out or lose interest in something due to the term they are unfamiliar with.

As for it being a dirty word, I guess in another sense it can become one. Again, perception is key and people think of podcasting they think of some guy who lives with his parents sitting down in a basement talking dungeons and dragons or WoW despite the fact that even traditional media has their own podcasting elements. Even though it is breaking through the barriers, it is still at the early stages of adoption and acceptance.

I agree with Brad when it comes to how podcasting is perceived by some in the general public.

Coming from radio, I can tell you that traditional broadcasters and industry professionals have also been slow to recognize that internet broadcasting is not only here to stay, but is becoming a dominant force.

Because I was on the periphery of “real” radio as a weekend programmer, I had to find ways to further promote my message early in my career. It was the internet that gave my show even more power on the radio, providing a synergy that catapulted my little hair loss program to a level that no one in radio would have ever foreseen

Internet broadcasting is the future for all broadcasting, and the future is here.

[JakeKettle]

I agree with Brad when it comes to how podcasting is perceived by some in the general public.

Coming from radio, I can tell you that traditional broadcasters and industry professionals have also been slow to recognize that internet broadcasting is not only here to stay, but is becoming a dominant force.

Because I was on the periphery of “real” radio as a weekend programmer, I had to find ways to further promote my message early in my career. It was the internet that gave my show even more power on the radio, providing a synergy that catapulted my little hair loss program to a level that no one in radio would have ever foreseen

Internet broadcasting is the future for all broadcasting, and the future is here.

I'd also have to agree. I don't personally find podcast to be a dirty word per se, but I do understand the connotations of it. Whatever word you put on it is up to you really, I'm more concerned about furthering the medium and the content of my programs to get them to be the best they can be. Personally, I use the term Live video Broadcasting, Netcasting (Leo Laporte's Word), and Podcasting.

[RyeBreadRadio]

I can understand some people having a hard time calling what they do a 'podcast', especially for shows that existed before the Apple-branded term 'podcast' existed. I'm more inclined to call what I do, given the live format of the show, an internet radio broadcast - the podcasting element comes from uploading the prerecorded show on iTunes for users to download.

But the actual word 'podcast' is far from a dirty word; I just think it's one that's tossed around all too often, oversimplifying certain internet-based shows that have a live, interactive portion to them. My co-hosts sometimes use the term 'podcast' to explain the show to guests during booking, and then they're surprised of the live, interactive element once they're here in the studio.

[mcphillips]

There was a long LinkedIn thread on this topic not too long ago. The link is here. You may have to have a LinkedIn account to see the discussion. It's in the Podcasting Technology Resource Group.

[Donovan]

I think for those people not in the podcasting world, the term isn't easily identifiable. They don't know what you're talking about. However, if you tell someone that you do an Internet Radio Show, they seem to understand the terms Internet and Radio - they can connect the dots.

I know Leo Laporte didn't like the term podcasting and chose to go with netcasting, which to me is about as confusing. I believe that Internet Broadcasting and/or Internet Radio is a better, more descriptive term that we should all probably transition over to eventually.

[andrewzarian]

I personally like the Term Internet Broadcasting. Its easily describes what its is.

[Spencer Kobren]

I think for those people not in the podcasting world, the term isn't easily identifiable. They don't know what you're talking about. However, if you tell someone that you do an Internet Radio Show, they seem to understand the terms Internet and Radio - they can connect the dots.

I know Leo Laporte didn't like the term podcasting and chose to go with netcasting, which to me is about as confusing. I believe that Internet Broadcasting and/or Internet Radio is a better, more descriptive term that we should all probably transition over to eventually.

The bottom line is that you guys are broadcasters. I didn't all of a sudden become a “podcaster” or a “netcaster” just because I chose to leave radio and broadcast my program exclusively on the internet.
In my view, referring to yourself as anything less than an internet broadcaster sells what you do short.