There are differences between a podcast and a radio. However, a podcast can be reused or used as a radio show. A podcast can be described as a “personal radio show.” This is a radio show that you, the podcaster, want to have and are free to talk about any topic that interests you. At the same time, your listeners have the ability to jump to any part of the podcast that they want to listen to. They also have the ability to listen to your podcast anytime, any day.
You can create a podcast simply by using your smartphone to make the recording. However, a radio program requires sophisticated technological machines or devices to transmit to listeners who tune into different channels and frequencies.
A podcast is so versatile in that you can take it to a radio station and play your podcast show on a traditional radio station. This actually allows you the flexibility of having both a traditional radio show and a podcast.
Differences between a radio show and a podcast
1. Budget
A radio program is more expensive. Hosting a radio show will require you to pay a certain amount of money and will be limited to a certain time slot. Your listeners are the audience of radio stations. They don’t subscribe to you, they are tuned in to the radio station.
A podcast doesn’t need a lot of money up front to get started. You can record with your smartphone or recording device and make it available on your podcast host site, iTunes (Apple Podcasts), your church website, send it to online radio, or, as I stated above, take it to the traditional radio station, which could have an additional cost over the other options.
Promoting your podcast is entirely up to you. It will be you who builds your audience (not the radio station or anyone else). You will get loyal listeners and subscribers who are only there to hear you!
2. Weather
When it comes to making use of radio stations, you will pay for a specific time slot and will not be allowed to exceed that time before being cut off. Podcasting has no time constraints. You can record as long as you want to talk. I know of some podcasters that have 10 minute daily shows and others that have 60 minute daily shows. You are not limited by time constraints as you would be with traditional radio.
As long as you have enough memory space on your smartphone or recording devices, you can record for as long as you like.
3. Team
You can have a podcast without anyone’s help. You can get to a place where you can put your smartphone or recording device in record mode and say whatever you want for the whole world to hear.
I handled all aspects of my podcast for years. From planning episodes to recording episodes. From editing the files and uploading them to the servers. Promote programs and respond to emails. It can definitely be a “one person operation” as long as you have time to devote to the business.
The same is not the case with a traditional radio show. Although you may be able to record your show as a podcast, when you start interacting with the traditional radio station, they have their way of running things.
Radio requires many technical workers to ensure that all broadcasting regulations are followed; all technical aspects are followed and that your program meets broadcast standards. Time is often managed down to the exact second (and not a second longer).
Four. Flexibility
A podcast allows its users to control when and how the show can be listened to. It can be paused, forward, rewind, or stopped at the listener’s discretion. A radio program, which is played on a traditional radio station, is always on the air in its time slot (but not in another time slot). If listeners missed your show on the radio, they have almost no way of listening again. Podcasting allows your listeners to listen at any time of any day.
5. Rental
A radio station is based on a geographic area where people can be reached in that particular location, depending on the strength and frequency of the station. A podcast is not location-based. Anyone can access it, regardless of their location (as long as they have Internet access).
How to use your podcast as a radio show
You can repurpose your podcast for a radio show in different ways. Here are some of the most common ways to repurpose your podcast:
1. You can provide your recorded sermon (podcast) to local radio stations (not necessarily those in your city, state or country only), and they can play the audio file on the scheduled day and at the time you pay.
2. You can also sign up for an online radio station and play your recordings on a schedule on that particular platform.
3. You can also upload it to your website to broadcast. (Although it’s not technically a “radio show” when you’re on your website alone.
Importance of recording podcasts as a radio show
A podcast allows you to impact the lives of those whom you will probably never meet in person. You can do this by sharing your podcast audio files and influencing people towards the topics you are addressing.
There are still people who listen to traditional radio despite technological advances. Traditional radio will always have a role in the information age, but today’s technology is moving away from traditional radio and moving online.
That is why online radio is gaining popularity. With online radio, people can access programming over the Internet. So you can transform your podcast into a radio show to reach out to radio listeners.
You can also communicate with radio stations outside of your community, city, or state and subscribe to a timeslot to play your podcast as a radio show.
You can communicate with other nations of the world through podcasting and online radio. Traditional radio (unless it is also broadcast on the Internet) will only reach your traditional local audience.
