Exploring the Podcast Glossary by Sounds Profitable

Welcome to the Podcasting Resources Guide, your ultimate companion podcast to our popular Podcasting Resources Guide. Join us as we explore and review the latest podcasting platforms, tools, and techniques added to our guide. In today's episode, we want to shine a spotlight on something really exciting happening over at "Sounds Profitable" - The Podcast Industry Glossary.

This little gem is a collaborative effort between Bryan Barletta, the genius behind the "Sounds Profitable" Newsletter and website, and a group of awesome partners.

So, what's the mission of this glossary? Well, its main purpose is to demystify all the technical jargon in the podcasting world. Let's face it - there are a lot of confusing terms out there, especially for those just starting out in podcasting. And even for those who have been in the game for a while, it's always good to deepen our knowledge.

But guess what? This glossary isn't your ordinary, run-of-the-mill dictionary. It's a comprehensive guide specifically created for the podcasting community. It's like a magical key that can unlock a whole new level of understanding. Whether you're a newbie podcaster trying to make sense of it all or a seasoned pro looking to expand your industry knowledge, this glossary has got you covered.

So, if you're ready to get some clarity on podcasting terminology, be sure to check out "The Podcast Industry Glossary" brought to you by "Sounds Profitable" and friends.

Surely, we've all been there before, right? You know, using words like "Podcast," "Follower," "Download," and "Listen," assuming that everyone understands what we mean. But the reality is, that's not always the case.

Think about it - how often have we found ourselves in the trap of terminology confusion? Words like "Streaming," "Downloads," "Listen," "Subscribe," and "Follow" are thrown around so much in our podcast-filled world that they've practically become part of our everyday language.

Let's take a closer look at the concept of a "listen." We often receive questions from clients who are trying to understand the performance of their podcast and review their podcast analytics. They want to know what exactly constitutes a "listen." Does it mean someone listened to the whole episode, or just a few seconds? And what happens if the same person "listens" twice? Does that count twice, or are "listens" considered unique? And is a listen the same as a "download"?

According to the Industry Glossary, a "Listen" is a statistic unique to podcast players, representing the action of a listener consuming a podcast. However, there is no standard definition for this statistic within the International Advertising Bureau (IAB) guidelines. Each podcast player defines a listen differently, and not all podcast players even provide this statistic.

I know, I know, this kind of vague answer doesn't usually satisfy our clients. But the truth is, it's because of the nature of the IAB. For those who may not be familiar with it, the IAB stands for "Interactive Advertising Bureau," a global non-profit trade organization focused on creating standards and educating the digital advertising industry. Unfortunately, many terms in the podcasting space remain undefined or lack industry standards.

But here's the important takeaway from all of this: Bryan Barletta's initiative to address this lack of industry standards and agreed-upon terminology is crucial. Sure, as a listener or a podcaster, you may not find all the definitive answers there just yet. However, the fact that there is now a conversation and agreements being made among some of the most experienced voices in podcasting is a step in the right direction. Our hope is that this will provide valuable material for the IAB to use and help them better define standards from their end as well.

So, while we may still encounter some confusion and uncertainty when it comes to podcasting terminology, it's encouraging to know that efforts are being made to bring clarity and consistency to the industry. In the meantime, let's continue to navigate this ever-evolving podcast world together and stay open to new developments and definitions that may emerge in the future.

The "Podcast Industry Glossary" is a fantastic resource that has organized terms into specific categories, making it incredibly easy for anyone to find what they're looking for. These categories not only help classify terminologies based on their usage, but they also act as a roadmap for navigating the podcasting world.

Before we dive into these categories, I want to mention that "Sounds Profitable" originates from Bryan Barletta's blog and newsletter, which focuses on podcast advertising. This fact is not surprising, as the glossary heavily emphasizes podcast advertising terminology. This is actually a good thing, as podcast advertising can be quite confusing for many of us, yet it has become increasingly important in recent years. Understanding these terms is not only helpful but almost necessary, whether you're creating in-house audio promos for your own indie podcasts or looking to place sponsor ads on your shows.

The first category we'll explore is "Buying/Selling." This category encompasses terms related to the economic aspects of podcasts. It covers everything about monetization, advertising, and sales, giving insights into how the podcast industry generates and exchanges value.

Moving on, we have the "Creative" category. Don't be mistaken, this category isn't about the art of podcasting itself. Instead, "Creative" refers to the audio content of an advertisement delivered to the listener. It includes aspects such as the actual text, sound effects, and overall audio style used within the advertisement. Understanding these terms is crucial for creating compelling and effective ads for podcasts.

Next up is the "Reporting" category. This category focuses on the data analysis side of podcasting, including terms related to statistics, metrics, analytics, and other data-driven aspects that are crucial for measuring and understanding podcast performance. Many of us have questions regarding this topic, so bookmarking the glossary for future reference would be a smart move.

"Ad Serving" also has its own category. Here, you'll find everything you need to know about ad formats, ad placement, and other terminologies necessary for understanding and implementing advertisements within the podcasting space. This category even applies to running "in-house" promos on your own show.

Let's now shift our attention to the "Distribution" category. As the name implies, this category covers terminology related to different distribution channels, platforms, and strategies within podcasting. You can learn about terms like "cross promotion," "hosting platform," and "ID3 tags" in this section, which are crucial to understanding how to distribute your podcast effectively.

Lastly, we have the "Industry" category. This category is dedicated to explaining broader podcasting terms. Its aim is to familiarize users with the common language used within the industry, including evolving terminologies that reflect shifts in podcast culture and technology. For example, it clarifies distinctions between terms like "streaming" versus "downloading" or "subscribing" versus "following."

With the "Podcast Industry Glossary," you can now confidently navigate the podcasting world like a pro. Whether you're a podcast creator, advertiser, or simply a podcast enthusiast, this comprehensive resource will enhance your understanding and improve your overall experience in the podcast industry. Make sure to keep it handy as you continue your podcasting journey!

Today's episode was all about the exciting initiative of creating a unified glossary of podcasting terms. We believe in this mission wholeheartedly, as it aligns perfectly with our very own "Podcasting Resources Guide." Our hope is that Bryan Barletta and his partners can present this groundbreaking effort to organizations like the IAB and ANA, as well as anyone who wants to support and champion the podcasting industry.

Just imagine a future where companies can confidently use consistent definitions in their support documentation, educational materials, and sales collateral. This unified glossary will save everyone from doing duplicate work and allow each company to focus on what they do best: highlighting their unique value proposition. Personally, I would love to see a mobile app, similar to Wikipedia, available on iOS and Android, where podcasters can easily access the glossary content.

We also want to take a moment to acknowledge Bryan's collaborators. We know that none of this would be possible without the dedication and expertise of some incredible individuals involved. Lisa Jacobs, SVP of Media Operations at Ad Results Media, and Dane Cardiel, VP of Creator Partnerships at Gumball, are just two examples of the outstanding people who have contributed to this effort.

In an industry that is constantly evolving, it's crucial to stay current. That's why we commend Bryan and his team for planning to revisit these terms on an annual basis. This ensures that the glossary remains up to date with the latest trends and practices in the podcasting world.

So, fellow podcasters, we encourage you to check out the Glossary at soundsprofitable.com —  And don't worry, we've got you covered with links on podcastingresourcesguide.com and in our show notes too.

As always, we want to express our gratitude for tuning in to "The Podcasting Resources Guide." We're committed to bringing you the most recent insights, tools, and resources that will fuel your podcasting success. Keep listening, and we'll keep delivering the goods.