The Rise of Podcasts and Their Impact on Small Businesses and Nonprofits
Podcasts have surged in popularity over the past decade, evolving from a niche medium to a mainstream form of entertainment and education. With the rise of smartphones and audio platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts, people are now consuming more on-the-go content than ever before. This growing accessibility and the low cost of production have made podcasts an attractive platform for individuals, businesses, and nonprofits to share their messages and connect with audiences on a more personal level. Creagent Marketing has produced five podcasts within the community:
- The Paesanos Podcast by Sean Lukasik, Owner of Creagent Marketing
- Prevention Podcast by Casa Trinity
- Secrets in Service: Nonprofit Stories from the Southern Finger Lakes
- The Good Works Podcast by the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes
- The Urban Corning Podcast by Creagent Marketing
Overall, we’ve reached over 4,000 downloads across 5 podcasts and 120 episodes.
In a Paesanos Podcast episode, owner of Creagent Marketing Sean Lukasik sat down with Maddy Masiello, an Audio Production Manager for The New York Times. In this episode they talk about podcast and audio content and why the internet can’t seem to get enough. When asked why she thinks podcasts and audio content are thriving the way they are today, Masiello explained, “podcasting is to radio the same way streaming services are to cable, they’re becoming a new normal. You’ve taken something that not many people produced and made it on demand for everybody. It’s easy to manipulate, it’s easy to iterate and it’s very accessible in ways that other media isn’t.” This shift has opened the door for creators, businesses, and nonprofits to share their messages more freely, connecting with audiences on a deeper and more personal level than traditional media allows.
For small businesses and nonprofits, having a podcast can offer a significant impact. It provides a unique way to build a loyal community by sharing the organization’s story, mission, and values in an engaging, conversational format. “I’d like to highlight the good of podcasting. It can really bring communities together,” said Masiello. She went on to explain her experience working on a show with incredibly devoted listeners. “They created a fan base and had live shows that felt like family reunions.” Podcasts create a platform for in-depth discussions, interviews with industry professionals, and the opportunity to showcase success stories, offering value to listeners while subtly promoting services or causes. Podcasts can also help expand an organization’s reach, tapping into new audiences who prefer audio content over traditional media. For nonprofits, this can be particularly effective in fostering relationships with donors, volunteers, and supporters. For small businesses, it can help drive customer loyalty and engagement.
Are you looking to create a deeper, more personal connection with your audience? A podcast might just be exactly what you need. Interested in learning more? Click here to listen to the Paesanos Podcast episode that was discussed in this blog!