* Approximately 10 million podcasts were downloaded in 2006.
* I n 2006, there was a 71 percent increase in downloads in just 6 months.
* An 18-fold increase in usage is projected by 2010.
* $80 million was spent in advertising in 2006 and $300 million is projected by 2010.
* 20 percent-plus of Americans have podcast-capable portable MP3 players.
* Apple's iPod is Amazon's Best of 2006 electronic device.
* The Queen of England started podcasting in 2006.
Source: Podgarden.com
Individuals and businesses are discovering podcasts are making it possible to connect in a more direct and personal way with others.
In a business-to-business context the use of podcasting is allowing webinars to take place that assist in the development of new sales procedures and affiliate marketing ideas. Podcasts are even allowing business owners to connect with associates on a global scale in a way that has not been possible before.
The growth of podcasting is significant because it allows content to be archived for on-demand recall. If a business associate misses a life webinar they can readily view an archived podcast of the webinar to get up to speed.
When you think about it, the potential costs savings in a business-to-business podcast scenario is huge.
A podcast can be developed in a webinar environment without the need for business associates to fly to a central location, rent a car, get a motel room and pay for meals. With a podcast this information can be ‘broadcast' from a central location to satellite locations or from the comfort of home.
What makes this a more attractive proposition is it allows business associates to remain productive for the longest period of time and in many cases they may not need to be present for a live seminar, but can access the webinar podcast when time allows.
The whole dynamic of podcasting has allowed the world to shrink a bit as information is made available on a global basis with less reliance on world-wide travel to accomplish this goal.
The next time you want to bring your executive team together consider using a podcast to accomplish the task. The learning curve is not significant, the equipment less expensive than an airfare and you can archive the information for long-term digital storage and recall.
