Podcasting: Why it’s Better than Blogging When Building Loyalty, Trust, and Engagement

“The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.” –Dr. Ralph Nichols

While podcasting is still deemed relatively new, there’s no denying it offers benefits many can’t afford to miss. In fact, many now consider podcasting as a more effective medium when building trust, engagement, and loyalty.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the invaluable benefits podcasting offers and why it suits the needs of today’s digital consumers to a T:

People can’t read blogs when driving to work

Many podcasters often get comments about how listening to their podcast has made the drive to work quicker, if not more enjoyable. Understandably, the same cannot be said for blog articles.

With distracted driving rules always in effect, listening will always win over video and text each and every time. When the time comes when all vehicles become “podcast friendly,” it would be safe to assume podcast listenership will surely go through the roof.

Headphones can go with people almost everywhere and anywhere

There’s no denying podcasting is the most “mobile” among the current mediums people have access to nowadays. In other words, people can consume it at a time they prefer and at any place they choose.

Case in point—many people listen to podcasts while making dinner, while working out, while hiking up the mountains, while going for a run, while driving or commuting to work, etc. You get the drift.

Podcasting can help establish a more genuine connection

Unlike podcasting, it’s way easier to manipulate certain blogging aspects like quotes, titles, etc. so it goes viral on social media (it gets retweeted, shared, liked, etc. regardless if people read the piece in its entirety or not). The same can be said for videos.

Don’t get me wrong however. I am not saying blogging (or any written content for that matter) is not sincere or real. However, many bloggers share that there have been instances where they have been influenced to change content in some shape, way, or form depending on what’s deemed hot on social media.

Also, unlike a blog where readers have the option to just skim or look over the piece briefly, listeners will interact with podcasts differently. For starters, they need to take in the podcaster’s energy, voice, intonation, and the sincerity behind their words. That being said, it’s considered a better method when establishing real connection and rapport.

In addition, while blogs are way easier to crank out, many people tend to resonate with podcasts more. People who know a particular topic like the back of their hand can easily write an interesting and informative piece in just a few hours. On average, it will take at least thrice the amount of time to produce and get a podcast out.

However, many believe podcasts have a more lasting impact compared to blogs. Bottom line, while blogs are way easier to crank out in terms of frequency and number, podcasting still gives a certain depth, connection, and rapport that blogging won’t be able to achieve on its own.

Wrap Up

While many still consider the written word as more powerful nowadays, podcasting is quickly catching up. In fact, it would be safe to assume the following can happen in a few short years:

• Once brands and businesses start seeing their roles as “problem solvers,” they would be able to see how podcasting can provide value to their customer base.
• Google (and other search engines) will eventually appreciate and love audio as much as the written word.
• Brands and businesses that start a podcast today can expect to dominate the podcasting segment of their niche in a few years once everyone jumps in on the podcasting bandwagon.
• Podcasting is not going anywhere and it’s bound to dominate in the not-so-distant future.

I’ve shared my thoughts. Now, let’s hear yours.

Do you think podcasting will eventually take over blogging? Sound off in the comments section below!

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