The definition of “podcast” is changing, but the opportunity may be bigger than ever. In this edition of Steve Goldstein’s guest column, The Amplifi Media Founder/CEO weighs whether podcasting is more of an experience than a platform. At the same time, the term podcasting still matters, though it might need a redefinition. Continue Reading
A key metric: 85% of podcast consumers say a podcast can be audio or video. That number has been growing for years. In this edition of Steve Goldstein’s guest column, we learn that 77% of podcast listeners alternate between video and audio. “Video is a significant and growing force, especially with younger audiences.” And YouTube dominates podcast discovery. But there is a head-snapping surprise in this piece, and it’s about smart TV consumption. Continue Reading
In his latest guest column, Steve Goldstein shares findings from The State of Video Podcasting 2025, a landmark study by Coleman Insights and Amplifi Media. Continue Reading
In his latest guest column, Steve Goldstein interviews Pierre Bouvard, Chief Insights Officer of Cumulus Media. It is a deeply detailed conversation, the thrust of which is how to grow the podcast category to its next major revenue level, 2.5 times more lucrative than its current position in the online audio advertising realm. The questions ask for details, and Bouvard is a fount of expertise. Continue Reading
In his latest guest column, Amplifi Media chief Steve Goldstein dishes a year-end review of podcasting in 2024. From the election to YouTube’s ravenous appetite. From Spotify’s envy to radio companies on edge. From public radio’s erosion to Sirius XM’s pivot. From subscriptions to audiobooks. This is a year-end must-read. Settle in. Continue Reading
In his latest guest column, Amplifi Media chief Steve Goldstein tries out Google’s new NotebookLM AI tool, and shares the AI-generated audio. He calls it impressive, jaw-dropping, exciting, weird, and unsettling. We agree. Steve also pulls back from the amazement of it, reassuringly to human podcasters. In the past, we have called out some of Steve’s columns as “must read.” This one is on a higher level of must read … and listen. Continue Reading
Recently we covered the release of Steve Pratt’s newly published book, Earn it: Unconventional Strategies for Brave Marketers. Here, guest columnist Steve Goldstein interviews Pratt about verified listening as a key statistic, “Tik Tok brain,” surpassing mediocrity, the difference between attention and retention, the multi-platform challenge, the pressure to create at volume, and focusing on underserved audiences.Lots of gems in this one. Continue Reading
In his latest column, guest contributor and Amplifi Media CEO Steve Goldstein transcribes an industry discussion he moderated at the recently concluded POdcast Movement conference. The high-IQ panel comprised Ross Adams (CEO, Acast), Dan Misener (Co-founder, Bumper Media,) Andrew Mason (Founder/CEO, Descript) Elsie Escobar (Director of Community and Content, Libsyn), and Farid Haji (Senior Director – Partnership, The Roost Podcast Network). Key takeaways here include video importance, multi-platform strategies, engagement vs. reach, the evolution of monetization, AI, changing audience dynamics, and future opportunities. Without question a must-read, even for those who attended the session. Continue Reading
Fresh from Podcast Movement, RAIN guest columnist Steve Goldstein contributes this detailed tutorial in creating an audio promo, distilled from his PM keynote. The focus is squarely on podcasting, but the principles apply to any audio promotion. Creating podcast promos is low priority for many, Steve notes, making the seven takeaways he describes here essential learning. Beware dullnes — the cost is tune-out and dismissal. That is bedrock — and then he gets into left-brain and right-brain theory. An essential seminar. Continue Reading
The New York Times is putting a lot of its podcast content behind paywalls, as it has done with cooking, games, and other categories. Should podcasters emulate? In this week’s guest column, Steve Goldstein observes: There is a lot of churn in subscription land. And the audio landscape is saturated with free content, much of it excellent. so it’s a mixed bag: “Good news: Some people are willing to pay. Bad news: not a lot of people.” But there are exceptions, and industry opinions, and no definitive answer for all shows. Click for a key review of strategic thinking. Continue Reading
“Recently, I’ve had several speaking engagements with media groups,” Steve Goldstein says in his latest guest column, “and there is a surefire way to get an instant gasp from the crowd – show them the median ages of the major media platforms.” The median age of TV viewing has risen from 18-49, to 65 and older. Some cable channels are younger, but Steve is aiming his point at podcasting, where the mean listenerage is 34. Podcasting is the new talk radio for the younger demo. (Commercial radio is median-58.) There is a Fountain of Youth story here for advertisers, is the point. “The plates are shifting” — and this is an important read. Continue Reading
by Steve Goldstein
In this latest guest column from podcast consultant and public speaker Steve Goldstein, Steve grapples with the problem of too much content competing for too few eyeballs and ears. The issue was highlighted in a recent investor call by Disney CEO Bob Iger, but is what Steve calls “a really huge issue in today’s media landscape.” In podcasting, only eight percent of shows have produced a new episode in the last 30 days. Small percentage, but it’s 345,000 shows. The result? “Choice Fatigue.” Steve offers a five-point recovery plan. Essential reading for creators at all levels. Continue Reading