Why an internal podcast?

Roger Nairn hosts a bi-weekly newsletter with Jar Audio, showcasing magical podcast insights and great brand stories. This is an excerpt from this week’s showcased article:

It’s no secret that our professional landscape has changed drastically as a result of the pandemic — and that some of the changes are set to stick. Reporting increased productivity, better work-life balance, and a boost in overall job satisfaction, remote workers aren’t exactly itching to return to long commutes, less free time, or hectic, distracting days at the office.

So, while the recent shift in our working environment was born largely from necessity, many companies have announced plans to stay remote. This presents a few unique challenges, including the need for internal communication that’s efficient and effective — even from a distance.

Digital communication can be tricky, meaning gets lost in translation, and constant Zoom meetings can feel like a total waste of time. These are things that most of us can agree on.

So, how do teams keep the benefits of the new normal while minimizing the hurdles that come with it?

Enter the internal podcast — your effective, innovative solution to unified workplace messaging. This modern medium can help you circulate vital information, deliver complex messages, and keep at-home teams in the loop with ease.

Why an internal podcast?

Our new professional landscape calls for ingenuity. It’s clear that constant pings from Slack, lengthy email updates, and days packed top-to-bottom with meetings are neither perfect nor universal solutions. It’s time to diversify — and an internal podcast will allow you to do just that.

Let’s take a look at the perks:

• Unified Message
  With deliberately presented, well-planned content, everyone gets the same story and messages won’t get mixed.
• Schedule Flexibility
  Say goodbye to interruptions to priceless, sometimes elusive productivity bursts. With an internal podcast, your team can listen when it works for them.
• Security
  This medium offers the opportunity to gate your content and protect your most sensitive matters and valuable work.

How can I use an internal podcast?

Also called an employee communication podcast, it’s pretty clear that you’d use an internal podcast to stay in touch with your team — and, if we’re being honest, the opportunities are endless. That said, a list of common and highly effective applications follows.

• Onboarding
  It’s important that new hires acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, and behaviors to be effective, happy members of your team. Help new staff get on board and up to date with an onboarding podcast that dives into benefits, policies, team culture, and of course your company’s values, vision, and mission.
• Culture Building
  In a remote-work environment, team members can become demotivated or feel like an island unto themselves. Build company culture by consistently telling great stories about your organization and building stronger relationships. This will boost employees' morale and increase their satisfaction, performance, and sense of professional purpose.
• Employee Attraction and Retention
  Your internal podcast should define what your company does, your values, and the vision you have for your business — all of which can help you attract the right candidates and keep them long-term. Building a strong sense of purpose and keeping your team clued in on decisions and changes will help promote a sense of unity, inclusion, and personal investment that will ensure your best hires stick.

Are successful companies really doing this?

Absolutely! JAR Audio has produced internal podcasts for Lululemon and Saje Natural Wellness. American Airlines has produced the Tell Me Why podcast. Perhaps the most famous example, though, is Inside Trader Joe’s, the now-public grocery-biz production that started as internal content.

Will my team really engage with this content?

Podcasts are popular among Americans, with 39% tuning in at least once per month — a number expected to rise as more folks realize their value and hop on board.

But will your staff really tune in for a workplace production? Our data says yes.

While many forms of internal communication have employee engagement rates below 20%, internal podcasts have shown the potential to drastically outperform them with engagement rates of up to 60%.

A lively, human, and engaging listen that team members can tune into at their preferred time has certainly shown promise to trump a wall-of-text email from your team’s CEO which often ends up forgotten or lost in a sea of similar stuff.

Where do I host my podcast?

There are a number of podcast hosting brands that provide a home for your internal podcasts and let you manage how your audio is stored and distributed. Some are free. Some have tiered pricing plans. All offer an SSL sign-in and detailed engagement data.

A few of our preferred internal podcast platforms are listed in the section below, including the one we use at JAR Audio.

That said, we are here to help you find the very best platform for your needs and your budget. Not all platforms have the same level of security, control, and visibility in analytics, so this is a place where expert assistance makes all the difference.

Together, we can find the platform that will help you better control your podcasts, secure them against unauthorized access, and deliver them with the level of visibility you want.

What is an Internal Podcast?

Internal podcasts take advantage of syndication networks in existence for podcasting. Firms are then allowed to use internal podcast hosting platforms, where they create password-protected RSS feeds that let them control the people who can access their podcasts.

The teammates then subscribe to the podcast. Your goal should be to create a frictionless listening experience that provides the best employee engagement.

How do I create an internal podcast?

Internal podcasts are created the same way as public podcasts. However, you have to edit your internal podcast more rigorously. Providing content that’s short, effective, and concise will protect your team’s time and increase their engagement. In this context, you really want to create a product that’s full of value and free of fluff. We can help you do just that.

What size companies benefit most from internal podcasts?

Internal podcasts are ideal for companies with lots of employees. If you have 25,000 employees or more, podcasts will be a highly effective way of communicating with them.

Podcasts are especially helpful for big brands with complex, nuanced, or sensitive matters that need to be protected from leaking to the public. You can explore big-picture ideas and issues in depth with a private, protected podcast you can trust.

Is an Internal Podcast the Same as a Company Corporate Podcast?

Not exactly. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, an internal podcast is usually gated, just for your team, and is based on material that’s company-specific.

A corporate podcast, on the other hand, may be available to the public, like the ones created by American Airlines and Trader Joe’s.

How do I get started on my own internal podcast?

The task may seem overwhelming at first. That’s precisely what we’re here for. Reach out to JAR Audio to work with the experts on creating your own internal or corporate production.

Written by Roger Nairn JarAudio.com