Podcasts

What are Podcasts?

Podcasts are audio or video files that you can listen to or watch on your computer or mobile device. They are often free, short, and part of a series. You can subscribe to receive new podcasts automatically and stream or download them from a website or a variety of podcast directories such as iTunes, Podbean, or SoundCloud. Podcasts can be an easy and inexpensive way to provide information to your target audience(s). They also offer an alternative to text to reach those with visual impairment, and can be enjoyed more safely and easily when driving or traveling.

Who is Listening to and Viewing Podcasts?

• 17% of monthly online users reported viewing video podcasts only;
• 31% reported to listening to audio only; and
• 52% reported viewing and listening to both video and audio within a given month.¹
• 29% of Americans above the age of 12 have listened to an audio podcast; and
• 26% of Americans above the age of 12 have viewed a video podcast.²
• 45 millions consumers use iTunes each month for an average of 1 hour and 11 minutes.³

How Can I Use Podcasts in Response to HIV?

• Educate target audiences about HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and research.
• Share information through interviews with scientists, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and people living with HIV.
• Provide information about national HIV/AIDS awareness days.

What are Some Examples from the Field?

• AIDS.gov’s “Conversations with AIDS.gov”
• AIDS.gov’s “National HIV/AIDS Strategy Conversations with AIDS.gov”
• The Body’s “HIV/AIDS Podcast Central”
• CDC’s Podcasts
• CDC’s HIV/AIDS Podcasts
• NIH’s Research Radio Podcasts
• HHS Office of the Inspector General

Where Can I Learn More?

• HowTo.Gov’s guide to podcasting
• CDC’s Podcast Help
• CommonCraft’s “Podcasting”
• Discovery’s “HowStuffWorks: How to Create your own Podcast”
• TechSoup’s “Digital Storytelling Toolkit”

References

¹ Edison Research, “The Podcast Consumer 2012,” http://www.slideshare.net/webby2001/the-podcast-consumer-2012#btnNext. Accessed on 04/24/2013.

² Edison Research, “The Podcast Consumer 2012,” http://www.edisonresearch.com/the-podcast-consumer-2012/. Accessed on 04/11/2013.

³ Nielsen, January 2013 Top U.S. Entertainment Sites and Web Brands,” http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2013/january-2013--top-u-s--entertainment-sites-and-web-brands.html. Accessed on 04/11/2013.