Digital Growth - Nov 2020
By: Toni Becker
PODCASTS VS WEBINARS WHICH ONE IS MORE EFFECTIVE? WHAT IS A PODCAST?
WHAT IS A WEBINAR?
A podcast is a digital audio file that listeners can access through platforms like Spotify or Google Play. They are usually free and available for download at any time..
A webinar is an online seminar held in real-time for people all over the world.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A PODSCAST AND A WEBINAR? Webinars are multimedia, this means that they contain both audio and video, while podcasts normally only include audio Webinars are mostly held in real-time, while podcasts are usually pre-recorded The majority of podcasts are free, while webinars (in many cases) impose a registration fee It’s worth noting that these differences do not pertain to every single podcast or webinar. It is possible to find podcasts that incorporate video, and there are plenty of free webinars available on the web..
PROS OF PODCASTS OVER WEBINARS Podcasts generate leads constantly and they draw in the biggest audience. Most podcasts can be downloaded for free. Immediate marketing is not required for podcasts while this is a requirement for webinars. If you don’t market your podcast and people don’t tune in when it premieres, it’s not a train smash since you can go back to marketing it at any time. (Unless the podcast topic is time sensitive, of course.)
CONS OF PODCASTS OVER WEBINARS Podcasts are harder to monetise. Podcasts make it harder to monitor audience reaction as this does not take place in real time. While polls can be integrated into a webinar, it is not as easy to do with podcasts. Podcasts are less hands-on than webinarsEven if you do not intend to teach practical skills such as programming, you may still find it hard to deliver the utmost quality to your listeners.
PROS OF WEBINARS OVER PODCASTS Webinars make it easier to remember the information presented and this is one of the most notable advantage of webinars over podcasts. Webinars make it possible to present information both audibly and visually via visuals such as video and slideshows. Webinars are better for teaching practical skills as they can happen in real time and incorporate visual elements and engagement. Webinars draw in the most relevant audience as they require users to sign up in advance, and in some cases pay a registration fee - this is more of an investment for the viewer.
CONS OF WEBINARS OVER PODCASTS Webinars take more effort to prepare as webinars add a visual component that doubles the required efforts. Webinars are in real time and in front of an audience, even if you do not lose your train of thought, technical issues may arise and cause interruptions, latency and even blackouts. Webinars will have a smaller audience as not everyone will be able to show up at the allocated time.
As you can see, webinars and podcasts have both advantages and disadvantages, and there is no clearly defined winner. It comes down to what what you feel is the best platform to share your thoughts and insights - and which is better suited to your ultimate end-goal. Hopefully, these observations will help you make a smart choice between a podcast and a webinar for your business. 18
