A podcast is a series of digital audio episodes on the internet for download to computer or smartphone. Just like a TV drama series, it is available in a series of episodes.
People have to subscribe to a Podcast available on a smartphone app or a website through RSS feed and they get notified of every new episode of their favorite podcast they have subscribed to.
In the Upwork’s list of top 20 in-demand skills of the first quarter, 2019, PodCast is showcased at 20th number.
Surely, there must be something in this skill which makes it high in demand. People prefer downloading iOS and Android apps for Podcast and listen to their favorite shows.
This increases the demand for Podcast service setup on the website as well. Many hosts who do not know how to set up a Podcast are looking for experts to not only create their Podcast website but also setup subscription method so their followers get notified when a new episode is released.
There is also a demand for audio editing and productions jobs.
Why Podcast is in demand?
From the listener’s perspective, in the time-squeezed day to day life when you get up early in the morning and head to your job while scorching through traffic rush, your commute can be accompanied by your favorite Podcast.
The Podcast series is different from the radio. The radio has a pre-scheduled list of programs you’ve to listen to without inputting your choice whereas, in the case of Podcast, you only listen to the audio of your favorite host or a program and can enjoy your commute.
If you are looking for a great motivation doze early in the morning or perhaps want to listen to your favorite speaker, the Podcast gives you this facility. Just like your favorite TV program that comes with a series of exciting episodes, Podcast audios are also not different and come in episodes.
From the host perspective, it is a great way of expanding your outreach to gain more subscribers.
If you are selling a product or a service, as a Podcast host, you can talk about your business over a series of different episodes. Podcast popularity is determined by the number of subscribers. If a Podcast has a huge number of subscribers, it shows its popularity and indulges more people to subscribe to that Podcast.
How to start a Podcast?
- Think of a concept such as topic, format and the length of each episode.
- Create an artwork design with a description of your Podcast.
- A good microphone to record your audio files.
- A place to host them, this could be on your own website or on third party services.
- Integrate your audio files with RSS feed to distribute it to iOS and Android apps.
An opportunity for freelancers:
Podcast has opened new earning avenues for freelancers. With a high demand for Podcast on Upwork alone, other freelance marketplaces are also looking for Podcast experts to set up the feed on their website or on their app channels.
Typical Podcast jobs are asking for audio editing or post-production support. There is also a huge demand for voice actors in Postcast series. Also, the Podcasting transcription jobs are trending too which require one to transcribe the audio file into a text file for posting on a blog or a website. In the end, the graphic designers are also required to design a Podcast episode poster for a website.
All freelancers who are looking for a non-saturated niche to offer a service for, you may want to take up Podcast as a skill set and make money online.
