Businesses Breaking Into the Game
Legagneur envisions creating an easy path for local brands (particularly, travel and tourism) to use podcasting to increase exposure without a huge production commitment. The revenue potential for podcasting a brand is very strong, with the 2017 Edison Research Podcast Consumer Study showing that 45% of those who listen to podcasts have an annual household income of at least $75,000. And, for businesses that do not want to take the leap of starting their own show, they can advertise on the Network and target a dedicated niche Floridian market on episodes with enduring access.
As the Network grows, Florida will benefit significantly. Travel and tourism podcasts are a perfect consumption option for locals and non-locals alike exploring ways to experience the State, as they can passively consume shows while on their rush hour commutes, working, running errands, etc….
Growing Local Hotbed
As the craft of podcasting has grown in popularity worldwide, local MeetUp groups for the independent podcaster, such as the Florida Podcaster’s Association in Tampa, the Palm Beach Podcasters in Boynton Beach, and Podcast South Florida in Ft. Lauderdale, have grown to include hundreds of members. And, Florida locals, Chris Krimitsos and Niel Guilarte, produced the first major documentary film about podcasters, The Messengers Documentary, which hit a top spot in iTunes.
Over 67 million people download podcasts on a regular basis, according to the Edison Study, and Legagneur believes the platform’s potential is just beginning to be tapped: “People are falling in love with listening to podcasts for two main reasons: 1) the shows are on-demand; and, 2) they can be consumed passively. So, people can enjoy them whenever they want, and there’s such diversity in the shows that are available these days.”
