July 31, 2021, 4 minutes readEntrepreneur contributors do not necessarily agree with the opinions expressed.Podcasters in business are quick to acknowledge that social media has transformed the way they reach listeners. However, social audio has opened up new avenues for them. Podcasters can build deeper relationships with their listeners by integrating social audio. After you have a better understanding of how social audio works it is time to weigh the pros and cons of using it for your podcast.Here's a brief overview of social audio platforms and how they can be used to grow your audience and increase your podcast's popularity.What is social audio?Social audio is the incorporation of social media in an audio experience. Social audio allows listeners to share and connect with each other throughout the listening experience. Modern life has been influenced by social media. It is only natural that podcasts will evolve to include social audio. This allows for more listener engagement through interactive features like ranking, voting, and live comment. Podcasters can use a variety of audio platforms to communicate with their listeners on a new level.Similar: 7 Steps to Launch Your Podcast FreelyWhat can social audio do for business podcasters?Social audio improves audience engagement because it allows listeners to communicate directly with the host about topics that interest them or they wish to discuss. Social media platforms provide tailored, on-demand social media solutions to meet the needs of their listeners and optimize the show. Social audio also allows for new ways to participate in social media.Social media platforms are a great way for podcasters grow their listeners. They allow listeners to discuss topics of interest and create a community with other podcasters.Social audio started as a way to allow viewers to interact with hosts and vote on shows.While live voting is an integral part of all social audio platforms', what makes one platform different is its social media integration capabilities. Different social media integration levels can be used to create new levels of listener/fan engagement. Social audio platforms bridge the gap between podcasters, listeners, and provide a direct line for feedback from social media fans/listeners (where fans can connect).Podcasts can rise above the noise of today's media landscape by listening and analysing on social audio platforms.Podcasters can also use these platforms to collect valuable metrics like social signals, linking activity, and social wall activity in order to better understand their listeners' interactions with their podcast. Social audio also allows you to share content from your website with audio widgets and sharing buttons.Social audio allows podcasters to use social media platforms for promotion activity via sharing features on social audio platforms. Social audio is a powerful marketing tool that can attract new listeners and strengthen your brand's appeal among existing fans through additional avenues for social engagement.Related: Top 25 Business Podcasts For EntrepreneursSocial audio has many benefitsSocial audio platforms enable brands, podcasters, and content creators reach new audiences in novel ways. Podcasters can build meaningful relationships with listeners through social audio platforms. They also have pre-listening engagement opportunities, which helps listeners feel more connected throughout the listening experience.Podcasters and listeners can enjoy a new interactive experience with social audio platforms. Podcasters can, for example, use Twitter's Social Listening (on Twitter) to see the conversation of their audience and then react.Social audio platforms also offer a list of podcasts that you can subscribe and run your podcast feed. Developers who wish to integrate social audio platform data into their applications can use an API. Podcasters are looking for new ways to engage listeners and social audio platforms can be a great way to do that.Podcasters have changed how they reach their listeners through social media. Social audio gives them a new way to create interactive social media shows that allow audience members to vote and rank the host. This new medium may be a good option if you are looking to increase audience engagement or experiment with the format of your show.Related: This TikTok Star’s First-Ever podcast, downloaded over a million times, knocks Dave Ramsey's down the chart, and Joe Rogan’s down the charts
