The last 15 months saw video conferencing grow quickly in popularity, and for good reason. We had to continue to work, somehow. But now that we have a chance to reflect on the best ways of engaging our clients, colleagues and even friends, audio engagement needs to be reconsidered.

Here’s why: Audio is an active medium that requires the listener to make “movies of the mind.” These movies are almost instant memories and if that audio takes the form of a story, it’s more memorable still. Enter podcasts for business.

Advantages of Podcasts for Business

Video conferencing has grown into a global phenomenon overnight and now takes over many of our calendars. While people all over the world have easily adopted online conferencing software into their daily lives, audio content delivery, via secure private podcast, puts more power in the hands of your employees and colleagues to choose when and where they want to listen.

Audio is Flexible

Content creation that uses only audio is much easier than facilitating a video conference. In addition to its straightforward functionality, audio content capture requires only a stable internet connection and a remote recording technology.

When recording colleagues or outside guests remotely, guests simply log in to the remote recording technology and don’t have to bother with cameras and the troubleshooting struggles that come with video. What’s more, most people are already familiar with audio-only content, making this form of communication much more accessible and cost effective.

Higher Quality Content

Video conferencing involves a large amount of data that’s transferred across a network at a rapid pace. In contrast, audio-only content removes the need to transfer that data and focuses on providing the highest-quality audio experience. Networks have a much easier time transferring audio data when compared with video data resulting in a higher quality listening experience for your employees and colleagues.

Better Security

As more people move to video conferencing, they’re met with a handful of security complications. Many have experienced “Zoom bombings” or other invasive experiences that threatened to release private information.

On the other hand, audio content is incredibly secure, especially if it’s on a private Content Distribution Network (CDN) such as FieldCast. Our system makes it extremely difficult for perpetrators to hack into a recording or listening experience.

Greater Efficiency

If you’ve ever been on a video conference, you can attest to the hurdles that come with setting up a workstation that appears professional. In contrast, an audio-only communication avoids the initial visual set up and focuses straight on the task at hand—communicating information at an efficient rate. Audio communication is just plain quicker than video calls and much easier to accomplish for all involved stakeholders.

When should you use an audio experience, or business podcast, instead of using video?

Audio communications are still incredibly important for everyday use. If you’re looking to get a quick update on a project or communicate crucial information to a colleague, an audio-only communication will work just fine.

Overall, providing differentiated communications, including audio, and providing your employees and colleagues with an always-on, 360 communications approach will allow high quality audio to cut through and provide powerful real time updates as well as more nuanced discussions of crucial business matters.

About FieldCast, LLC 
Milwaukee-based FieldCast is the voice of business. FieldCast developed the first private podcasting system for business. FieldCast tools and services allow companies to securely engage their teams through the convenience of mobile devices and the voices of company leadership. Business users can create a podcast in minutes with FieldCast’s platform or turn to the company’s veteran podcast pros to help create private content that adds passion, personality and connection to the workplace. Podcasts are delivered on the most secure private podcasting platform, with desktop recording and detailed listener analytics included. For more information, visit fieldcast.co.
About Dana Elmquist
As president of FieldCast, Dana Elmquist is helping to revolutionize workplace communications and culture using the medium of podcasting. Dana brings a creative and innovative background to audio business strategies. With a varied background in the arts and business, Dana combines his knowledge and insight to help companies achieve their goals of utilizing strategic communications to engage and motivate employees. 
Dana earned his Bachelor of Arts in Art History and has a Master’s in Art History from UCLA. He spent several months in sub-Saharan Africa studying artists in Mozambique. Working for the Museum of African Art in New York City, Dana helped raise $67 million for the organization. He has worked for public libraries and WNYC Studios in New York spearheading major partnerships with Google, JP Morgan Chase and Progressive Insurance. In addition to his role as president of FieldCast, Dana teaches Strategic Communications at the graduate school at Columbia University in New York City.