Show #36: The most important three-letter word in podcasting

Y-O-U is the most important word in podcasting because it can help you form a relationship with your listeners.

You can download this seven-minute show right here or subscribe through iTunes.

Here are the show notes:
00:01 Intro and welcome
1:08 By using the word YOU, you make the listener feel you are speaking directly to him
02:28 Using the YOU word is a little more challenging with a co-host, but it can be done
02:40 Compare this concept to marketing materials, where we liberally use YOU
02:55 Many other factors are necessary for a successful podcast
02:55 More about the importance of content, which was the theme for Show #35
03:10 Comments from listeners: David Jones, Leesa Barnes, Heidi Miller, Judy Gombita
05:01 Dave Keifer announces his new site, PodsafeAudio.com
05:45 The next show will be about HOW to develop good content; feel free to send in your own ideas
06:25 Donna asks a favour: Please tell two colleagues about the Trafcom News Podcast
06:43 Where to send comments: email to trafcom AT gmail.com, call 646-403-8020 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog

Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com
Theme music is “Beneath Your Surface” by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network

Comments

[Mark]

Hey Donna!

In this episode you suggest that radio tends to treat its audience as a whole, not as an individual. I beg to differ. Public radio always speaks to its listener. And, dare I say, I don't recall ever hearing a commercial radio show host (even one of those over-energized morning show hosts) refer to everyone. I believe it's one of the first principles of J-school that hosts speak to their "listener".

I agree, though, that the Podcasts I most enjoy listening to draw me in to the conversation and, when they do address their audience, they address them in the first-person, singular.

Mark

[Donna Papacosta]

Mark, you are right about public radio. I listen to CBC Radio and occasionally NPR, and they DO use the second-person YOU when speaking to listeners.

When referring to radio, I can only use as an example the stations my teens listen to (ick), as well as my memories of AM radio from a few years ago.

Often I hear podcasters (the vast majority of whom are not trained as journalists) speak to listeners as a group, and I find it disconcerting.

Thanks for the comment!

[Judy Gombita]

Shelagh Rogers, one of the "Sounds Like Canada" regulars on the CBC, is an excellent example of a radio host who seems to speak directly to listeners. I've also attended several live performances where Ms. Rogers served as MC and also employed the "you" concept to great effect (e.g., concerts being recorded at the exquisite Glenn Gould Studio for later broadcast on CBC Radio, a Quartetto Gelato concert held at Earl Bales Park, etc.).

It is a great technique--warm and inclusive. I feel like I know Shelagh Rogers and that Shelagh (kind of) knows me. To such an extent that I wouldn't hesitate to say hello and chat with her should our paths cross. (For that matter I might have chatted with her already...in general, the CBC folks are really accessible at the Toronto-based studios. Particularly the Canadian Air Farce group.)

Wow, and this podcast was *under* seven minutes, Donna! Continuing to love those Alice M.-like sound bites. And yes, I've told several people, "YOU should listen to Trafcom News!"

Cheers,
Judy

[Donna Papacosta]

Judy, thanks for the kind comment. I agree that Shelagh Rogers comes across as a wonderfully warm person who speaks directly to listeners. Podcasters can learn a thing or two from her!

Thanks for passing along the word about my podcast. ;-)