We can all learn a few lessons from radio. I spent much of my early communications career producing radio news features for Wisconsin Public Radio and NPR. I quickly came to appreciate the power of voice—tone, clarity, emotion, humor, volume and especially important, memorability. A print quote is great but lacks the aforementioned audio qualities that stick in one’s memory. When I transitioned to public relations more than 20 years ago, I soon realized radio production skills were exactly what were required to produce excellent podcasts, and I’ve been doing them ever since.
Email has become the default communication tool at the office. But it is possible to overuse a good thing. Just glance at your email box and you’ll understand the point. The importance of a message can be lost in that ever-growing pile.
What if there were another, more engaging, creative way to communicate to employees? The answer may well be a periodic, professionally-produced internal communications podcast.
Podcasts are well accepted as smartphone ownership has grown steadily and become ubiquitous. It’s easy and convenient to subscribe and listen to a program as you exercise, walk or drive. No wonder half us are now regular podcast listeners!
Why not bring that accepted innovation into the office? Or better yet, outside the office. Privacy worries are no longer a concern, as internal podcasts can be listened to behind a wall using an app and a simple password.
Why take the plunge? Here’s why:
Innovate. It’s different and exciting. A podcast creates a personal moment between the listener and the speaker or speakers. It can be a monologue from an executive, an interview or a conversation.
It’s easy. It doesn’t take much time to produce the content. You just need to know what you want to talk about. Leave the recording and production to a professional who will make it sound great. With an intro, some music and editing skills, it will sound like a radio program.
Total flexibility. It’s your program. It can be as brief or extensive as necessary. For most podcasts, 15-20 minutes is adequate.
Timing. Produce a podcast once or twice a month, or more frequently if you have a lot of content to share.
Recognize employees. Use the forum to honor high performers, those with creative ideas or after the completion of an important project.
New employee onboarding. Create a program that features employees talking about the company, its culture, and why they are proud to work here, etc. Every new employee can listen to the podcast as part of the orientation training.
Podcasts are affordable and need not replace email or any other communication tool. But they can supplement what you are doing now and in such a way that your employees will better engage with the content.
Let’s talk about the options. 608.698.5298.