Once again the discussion of whether or not podcasting will survive has been place on the table via a recent blog post. I'll dispense with the drama and tell you that podcasting will survive. I guarantee it.

At its core podcasting is not a very complex thing. It involves the combination of online media and RSS. Is online media going away? No. Is RSS going away? No. So if those two things aren't going away then podcasting isn't going away.

The author's lament is the fact that, "We certainly no longer hear about it as much as we did in the past." He goes on to say that, "We certainly no longer hear about it as much as we did in the past." The inspiration for the author's post is the fact that John Furrier has left his position at PodTech.net.

Let's get something straight here right off the bat. John Furrier is not and has never been a person who can make or break podcasting. I don't believe that Mr. Furrier has ever staked that claim but for some reason he is elevated to that level in the blog post. There are many more important figures in the movement. Names like Dave Winer, Adam Curry and Leo Laporte come to mind. When those people get bearish on podcasting then you can call me on this post.

All the trends that mean anything point to the growth of the medium. The number of independently produced podcast shows is up significantly from a year ago. The number of new podcast networks is up from a year ago. The number of industry related events is way up from a year ago. I counted four PodCamp events in 2006. In 2007 there will be about twenty such events. The Podcast & New Media Expo has expanded from two to three days and in a larger hall at that.

I'm also seeing much more interest in the medium from businesses and advertisers. These people recognize that podcasting is a great way to connect with people.

Let's take a look at the technology for a moment. The Blogger platform that I am using to write this post has recently added enclosure links and increased video podcasting support. I guess somebody forget to tell Google that podcasting wouldn't survive. We also now have the iPhone which for the first time connects a mobile phone with the world's largest podcast directory in iTunes.

I could go on (you know I'd love to!) but what's the point? All of the meaningful signs point to growth. Some of the lazy metrics look weak. Sure there hasn't been a big mainstream cover story on podcasting in a while. That proves nothing. The larger, deeper discussions are happening online and at events around the world. The communities that are being built around media don't require mainstream media support to survive or thrive.

Labels: opinion, podcasting

After getting raked over the coals in the most recent episode of P Dilly's Today In Podcasting I thought it was time to give the other side of the new media story.

Some see it as unfair to compare one company to another. Some look down on me for pointing out that some companies are no longer operating. Heck, the company I am involved with just might be in that same situation one day.

I'll tell you what though. I always reserve the right to have an opinion. You can disagree. But lets make sure we get facts straight when we do. I've always been in this on the side of growing podcasting as a medium. I've spent a lot of time helping others get involved and get the most out of the medium. I will continue to help those who come to me. I've organized charity events so that we can use this technology to help people. And I'm gonna let people know the deal as I see it.

I believe that teaching openly and doing good things should be the price of entry to the medium. Others will disagree. So be it.

So who should we be watching? Who's doing good?

Libsyn has been there since the beginning offering podcast hosting at a very fair price. Thankfully they keep on trucking along. I've used their hosting for over two years.

Podcast Alley continues to be a place that podcasters use to promote their shows while the forums are very active. I still here plenty of shows pimping for those votes at the start of each month.

Podcasting News features a steady stream of all news related to podcasting.

PodCamp keeps getting bigger in spite of my blatant attempts ;) to blindside the movement. They've even got a cruise coming up. Woe to the cruise operator who fails to have plentiful internet access and power plugs.

Podcast producers have created a shift in the media patterns of the mainstream media. Mainstream media and entertainment outlets are embracing the medium. Yes, You are the person of the year!

Podcast Pickle has long been a place where you can get into a good discussion in the forum. Heck I even added them to a Beginning Podcaster Guide I wrote recently. No hard feelings Gary.

I think PodShow is doing some very good things for podcasting. I disagree with parts of their approach but at the end of the day they are helping some podcasters to get paid. And they are bringing new advertisers into the medium. And those achievements parallel some of the things we do over at my house.

Blip.tv continues to impress me with what they're doing to put video podcast publishing within reach of the average person.

Look, I don't care if you know who my name is. I didn't get into this to be somebody. I'm already somebody to my family and friends. I got into this to teach and help others via my podcasts, my knowledge of business and my love of technology. I know that I've been successful. People tell me so when they contact me. And my definition of success is more about those who are close to me than those who can't pronounce my name.

If you're doing good things with podcasting then by all means let people know in the comments here. Do your part by helping others to separate the signal from the noise. And don't be ashamed when you do.

Labels: opinion, podcasting