5 Myths of Podcasting: Myth 2 - Podcasters are Wacky and Unprofessional

Some of the earliest "breakout" podcasts feature personalities that spew colorful language and views. The poster child for this has been Dawn Miceli, whose wit and irreverent views have helped make the Dawn and Drew Show an early podcasting hit.

While some may view podcasters discussing controversial topics or speaking with obscenities as wacky or unprofessional, is it any different than Bill O'Reilly or Rush Limbaugh playing fast and loose with facts, or Howard Stern "sexing up" his show with salacious talk?

One of the defining features of podcasting is that it's a world free of many of the rules of traditional broadcasting. This means the language may be coarser and the subject matter rawer than what you'll hear on traditional radio. None of this is particularly shocking to Net-saavy listeners, though it may surprise those unfamiliar with the freedoms available on the Internet.

Another defining feature of podcasting is that technology has driven the cost of producing an Internet audio show down to the point of being insignificant. Anybody with a computer, a mic, an Internet connection, and an idea can make a podcast. If many of the ideas expressed are mundane, it doesn't invalidate the technology or the importance to podcasters of being able to express their ideas.

So, don't dismiss podcasters as wacky and unprofessional. The bottom line is, producing a daily or weekly show that is interesting and sounds decent is a lot of work. If you listen to any of the top podcasts, you'll find that they are competently produced, interesting, and feature creative work that might not find a home on traditional radio. And that's not so wacky, after all!

Myth 1 - Podcasting is Tivo for Radio