We’ve talked quite a bit about microcasting, but you might be someone who wants to leverage it alongside your podcast content. Fortunately, social audio has plenty to offer for the long-form variety as well. These platforms allow podcasters to expand their reach, engage with their audience, and create immersive experiences.

Here are some ways in which social audio can be used by podcasters:

1. Live podcast recordings and listener interaction: Social audio apps offer podcasters the opportunity to conduct live recordings where their audience can join in real-time. Listeners can engage with the hosts and guests, ask questions, and participate in discussions. This is a critically important departure from the otherwise one-way form of communication that is traditional podcasting. It also offers a means of real-time feedback and meaningful conversation with those most invested in your podcast.

2. Exclusive content: Social audio isn’t just another medium or app to host your podcast, but rather, a way to supplement it. Podcasters can use these platforms to share exclusive content, bonus episodes, or behind-the-scenes insights. This creates a sense of exclusivity and rewards the audience for their loyalty and support. 

3. Community building and audience growth: A podcast’s audience is in essence akin to the audience of a TV show, movie, or book. And what those mediums have shown is that the audience loves to discuss among themselves. Social audio apps facilitate this by enabling podcasters to create dedicated chat rooms where listeners can join to engage in conversations, share insights, and discuss episodes. By fostering a sense of community, podcasters can cultivate a loyal following, receive direct feedback, and gain valuable insights into their audience's preferences. 

4. Social bend to podcasting: The entire idea behind content creation on social media is that it allows for easy sharing to the masses. One of the biggest challenges of podcasting is discoverability. It then follows that a social bend to podcasting will boost discoverability through the ease of sharing and potential of virality. Other social app specifics, such as likes and comments, can further boost visibility. They also serve as KPIs for a podcaster to assess their content.

5. Microcasts as a stepping stone: Despite the clear differences between microcasts and podcasts, they can work together to support each other. For example, you can create a microcast by taking a soundbite from your podcast. On the flip side, those soundbites can bring people’s attention to your podcast because of their quick nature. Moreover, you can derive soundbites from the most attention-grabbing aspects of your podcast.

While social audio takes a different spin on audio content creation, its synergies with the podcasting market are undeniable. These platforms empower podcasters to connect with their audience in innovative and engaging ways. They also allow listeners to engage with each other, forming a community and carrying on the discussions started from the podcasts. As social audio apps continue to evolve, they will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of podcasting, enabling podcasters to reach new heights of success, expand their audience, and create meaningful connections with their listeners.

Social Audio Corner is a series where we discuss all things related to the audio segment of social media, from latest developments to use cases and more.