Why is Guest Podcasting Not Mainstream?
To help you identify the challenges limiting guest podcasting from not being mainstream, we asked podcasters and content marketing professionals this question for their best insights. From high costs to logistics challenges to limited accessibility for mass consumption, there are several reasons that explain why guest podcasting is not yet a mainstream medium.
Here are five reasons these professionals give for why guest podcasting is not mainstream:
- Guest Podcasting Costs a Lot for a Minor Reward
- Requires Huge Time Investment
- It’s Easy for Anyone to Podcast
- Logistics Challenges in Arranging a Guest Appearance
- Limited Accessibility for Mass Consumption
Guest Podcasting Costs a Lot for a Minor Reward
Guest podcasting is not mainstream because it is not scalable. Sure, you can have a guest on your show, and it may be a great episode. But what if you want to have an interesting guest on every episode? You need to be knowledgeable about the topic, articulate, and engaging. You also need to be able to command the attention of the audience and hold their interest for the duration of the show. Moreover, it might be unrealistic to expect that you can always find interesting guests available to chat with on your schedule. And even if you could, coordinating would be very time-consuming and expensive. It’s a lot of effort for not a lot of reward, which is why guest podcasting is still mostly an underground phenomenon.
Natalia Brzezinska, PhotoAiD
Requires Huge Time Investment
Guest podcasting is not mainstream because of the huge time investment.
The problem with guest podcasting is that it requires a significant time commitment. Not only do you have to record the podcast, but you also have to promote it and follow up with the host afterwards. For most people, it’s simply not worth the effort. And even if you do manage to find a willing guest, there’s no guarantee that the podcast will be successful. In the end, guest podcasting is a great way to build your brand and connect with new audiences, but it’s not something that most people are willing to put in the time for.
Lorien Strydom, Financer.com
It’s Easy for Anyone to Podcast
The obvious reason is that anyone can do it. Mainstream media has a type of image credentialing so you feel the person is truly an expert. You must have some background in the subject to gain the attention of newsmakers and be asked to comment as a guest. Often, that comes in the form of a press agent with a press kit. Podcasting includes anyone who knows how to take and upload video. However, the truth is there is no official credentialing on mainstream media. You don’t have to have a license to be a reporter, commentator, or expert. The credentialing comes from the amount of faith the public puts in that person. That stems from their broad experience of work, awards, books published, and branding. Podcasters are starting to get into image building but the process has been slower to evolve. Most do it on the side and don’t have the broadcast or branding knowledge or the financial resources of those on a national scale.
Jessica Tasios, LINK
Logistics Challenges in Arranging a Guest Appearance
While there are many reasons why guest podcasting is not yet mainstream, one significant obstacle is the logistics of arranging a guest appearance. Unlike a traditional interview, a podcast requires coordination between two separate parties who may be located in different parts of the world. This can make it difficult to arrange a time when both parties are available to record, especially if there is a time difference between them. In addition, both parties need to have the necessary recording equipment and software, which can add another layer of complexity. While guest podcasting has the potential to be a popular format, the logistical challenges involved in making it happen are currently holding it back from going mainstream.
Divya Karthik, LINK
Limited Accessibility for Mass Consumption
Any mainstream content should be easy to access, which is not the case for guest podcasting. For example, almost everyone in the world’s population knows how to tune to TV, movies, or radio content. However, that is an overwhelming challenge for guest podcasting. Many people, even with smart devices, never listen to podcasts. Most podcast listeners are Millennials. Podcasts are even more unfamiliar than social media. The ease of consumption of any content makes it mainstream, but even for tech-savvy individuals, podcasts have not penetrated at full scale to be considered mainstream.
yongming Song, Imgkits- Photo Editor
What do you think? Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts.
FAQs
What are some of the challenges that limit guest podcasting from becoming mainstream?
Some of the key challenges include high costs, huge time investment required, logistics difficulties in arranging guest appearances, limited accessibility and consumption by mass audiences, and lack of credentialing compared to mainstream media guests.
Why does guest podcasting require a significant time investment?
Guest podcasting requires a substantial time commitment because you have to not only record the actual podcast episode, but also promote it afterwards and follow up with the host. The overall effort involved means guest podcasting is not scalable or worth it for most people.
What causes logistical issues in arranging guest podcast appearances?
The logistics of coordinating guest podcast appearances can be difficult due to geographical separations, differing time zones, and the need for both parties to have required recording equipment and software. This complexity makes it hard to align schedules for recording.
How does podcasting differ from mainstream media in terms of credentialing?
Mainstream media guests often have credentials like experience, awards, published books, and established branding. Podcast guests have less formal credentialing, even though anyone can start a podcast. This makes mainstream media guests seem more authoritative.
Why does limited accessibility inhibit podcasting from going mainstream?
Podcasts have limited mainstream penetration so far compared to widely accessible media like TV and radio. Many people don’t know how to access podcasts or lack smart devices needed to listen to them. This reduces their consumption and accessibility to become truly mainstream.