Both webinars and podcasts are used for broadcasting messages. They help you reach a broad and scattered audience at the same time. They are both digitized and can be consumed on-demand (mostly).
But that’s where the similarities end. There are quite a few differences between the two. Differences which impact their usability.
In this post, we will compare and contrast webinars and podcasts. But if you want to use these tools like a pro, it’s best to check out this infographic by FLOW. It covers the finer differences, pros, and cons in more depth.
Using all of this information, you can evaluate which medium is best for you.
How Are Webinars and Podcasts Different?
When we talk about webinars vs. podcasts, these differences are the most prominent:
Content Format
Webinars: They can include text, audio, and video content in webinars. By using rich media, webinars provide a multi-sensory experience that aids in better content retention. That’s why they are the best way to improve content marketing efforts.
Podcasts: They can include only audio content. Podcasts are called “online-radio,” the only difference being that they can be accessed on-demand.
Mode of Creation
Webinars: Typically, webinars are conducted in real-time. They are equal to live seminars, but only on the web. But, you can pre-record parts of your webinars and run them as simulations.
Podcasts: They are always pre-recorded. You can share links on your website or social pages, from where people can tune into your podcasts.
Monetization
Webinars: They can be free or paid, depending on the host’s preference. Paid webinars mean that attendees pay registration fees. In this way, they are a viable monetizing avenue to educators, coaches, thought leaders, and marketers.
Podcasts: According to iTunes and Google Play, podcasts are supposed to be free.
Usage
Webinars: Since webinars incorporate varied content formats, they can be used to deliver in-depth content. By combining audio, videos, slides, and live Q&As, webinars engage and retain audiences for longer. That’s why they are effective in training sessions and product demonstrations.
Podcasts: While it’s possible to find podcasts with embedded videos, they are mainly audio in nature. You can use podcasts for interviews and ask-me-anything sessions (AMA) with industry experts and celebrities.
Targeting
Webinars: You can reach a highly-targeted audience through webinars. People who register for webinars set aside time and/or pay to attend the webinar. So, they are invested and engaged with the content right from the beginning.
Podcasts: Podcasts can’t match webinars in this respect. Though podcasts help you reach a broad audience, the audience quality may not be as good. That’s because they aren’t live or paid, which makes them less sought-after.
Audience Engagement
Webinars: Attendees can interact with presenters in real-time, which is a great incentive for most people. It can keep them glued to the presentation. If hosts incorporate frequent Q&A sessions and interesting activities, webinars can be very engaging for audiences.
Podcasts: Podcasts don’t offer interaction opportunities but they have other benefits. You can tune into podcasts while driving or shopping. That’s why they are a favorite activity of people on-the-move. But for the same reason, people may be too distracted and not as engaged with the content as they are during webinars.
Over to You
As you can see, webinars and podcasts have different sets of pros and cons. There is no clear-cut answer to the question of which is the better of the two. It all depends on why you want to leverage them. Therein lies your answer.
