Internal podcasts

What is an Internal Podcast?

An internal podcast is a corporate communication tool used by organizations to share information and engage employees. Unlike public podcasts, internal podcasts are exclusive to a specific company or organization, and can be accessed only by its employees.

 

Purpose and Use of Internal Podcasts

  1. Engagement: Internal podcasts provide an engaging way to communicate with employees, building a sense of community and connection within the organization.

  2. Education: They are used for ongoing employee education and training. They can cover a variety of topics, from company policies to industry trends, helping employees improve their skills and stay up-to-date.

  3. Leadership Communication: They can serve as a platform for the organization’s leaders to share their vision, updates, and insights, fostering a culture of transparency and trust.

  4. Recognition: They can be used to spotlight exceptional employees and teams, celebrating their achievements and contributions.

Advantages of Internal Podcasts

  1. Accessibility: Podcasts can be accessed anytime, anywhere, accommodating diverse schedules and remote work arrangements.

  2. Personalized Learning: They allow for self-paced learning, where employees can rewind, pause, or replay episodes as needed.

  3. Variety: They offer a different medium for communication, adding variety to the usual emails, memos, and meetings.

  4. Engagement: They have the potential to boost engagement by incorporating storytelling, interviews, and interactive elements.

Key Considerations for Internal Podcast Professionals

  1. Content Strategy: Develop a clear strategy on the topics, frequency, and format of your podcast. Align it with your organizational goals.

  2. Production Quality: Invest in good audio equipment and editing software to ensure a professional sound. Consider using intros, outros, and jingles for consistency and branding.

  3. Distribution: Determine the best platform for hosting and distributing your podcast. Make sure it’s accessible to all employees and easy to use.

  4. Promotion: Regularly promote your podcast to increase listenership. Consider launching each episode with an email announcement or internal newsletter feature.

  5. Measurement: Implement metrics to track the success of your podcast. This could include number of downloads, listener feedback, and the impact on engagement levels or knowledge retention.

Trends in Internal Podcasting

  1. Interactive Elements: More and more internal podcasts are incorporating interactive elements, such as Q&A sessions, quizzes, and gamification, to increase engagement.

  2. Video Podcasting: With the rise of remote work, video podcasting has become a popular trend, allowing for more personal connection.

  3. Micro Podcasts: These are short, succinct podcasts, typically lasting less than 10 minutes. They’re ideal for delivering brief updates or key takeaways.

  4. Multilingual Podcasts: As businesses become increasingly global, multilingual podcasts help ensure all employees, regardless of language, can access the content.

  5. AI Integration: Use of AI for transcription, translation, and even voice synthesis is becoming more prevalent, making the podcasting process more efficient and inclusive.

The internal podcast is an evolving medium that requires continual learning, experimentation, and adaptation. As an internal communications pro, staying ahead of these trends will be key to delivering a valuable, engaging tool for your organization.