It seems that everywhere you go these days, you are surrounded by people with wires coming out of their ears. What do you suppose these folks are listening to that is so darned interesting? In many cases they are actually listening to their favorite bands. Other people use their MP3 players to listen to audio books. One possibility, however, is that they're listening to podcasts. If you're unfamiliar with podcasts, think of a talk radio show. Instead of tuning in at a precise time, however, you can simply download the prerecorded show off of the internet in order to listen to it at a time that's convenient to you. For example, you might want a distraction as you commute to work on the train or something to think about while on a jog.
So, if you were going to choose a podcast to listen to, based on your interests, what would you pick? What about a weekly update from your favorite nonprofit organization? You could keep up-to-date on what they're up to, plan for upcoming events, and even take place in special events and contests that you might have otherwise missed.
These are all great reasons to consider starting a podcast for your own organization. Not only can you keep your volunteers, donors, and clients informed on the happenings, but you also give them yet another way to feel like they truly have a stake in the organization.
Not only can you use podcasts to promote an upcoming event, but you can interview people afterward so they can talk about how much fun it was and what a difference it made. Folks will be less likely to miss the next big event. You can also use this as an opportunity for your constituents to talk right to donors to explain how their generosity has been effective.
Podcasting sounds a lot scarier than it is. With a small investment in equipment, you can be up and running in a day. This is a great project for an intern who was probably already listening to podcasts anyway!
