Why will NHL Stenden soon be offering a minor on podcasting?
Hidde: "Because the development of podcasts and their popularity are nowhere near their peak. There are huge opportunities. Our students will enter the job market after their studies, taking the knowledge and skills of podcasting with them. So they will be even better prepared. Making a podcast is so much more than recording and publishing audio: there is also a business involved. That way, with the minor, we can provide a boost to the business community in the region."
Why do you think podcasts are so popular?
Hidde: "It's something you can easily do during another activity. For example, when you are walking your dog or vacuuming, you turn on a podcast at the same time. Besides, the podcast fulfils a specific information need. In ten minutes, you are completely updated on what interests you. Unlike radio, where you hope something interesting comes along. Covid has given it another boost: a lot of people who needed to reallocate their time started making or listening to podcasts."
Elin: "Today's generation considers it a nice, relaxed way to consume content. Podcasts are very authentic because the creators are close to the listener. Sometimes it seems as if the speaker is only talking to you. As a listener, you enter into a bond with its creator, so to speak. What makes a podcast so different from other media is that it is so much more intimate: the power of audio."
What can students expect if they opt for the minor?
Elin: "They get to work on their own right away, immediately making a podcast themselves. From then on, the goal is to become a better creator with each episode. And in the meantime, we dive into different, related topics with them. What is your topic? What is your niche? What is your target audience? What do you want to achieve with your podcast? How can you be distinctive? Plus your podcast needs to be listened to, i.e. marketing. What is your plan? How do you collect data? How do you build your community?"
Hidde: "Besides making the podcast itself, there is the business side. Podcasts also offer financial opportunities. You can attach a whole revenue model to it. That can be very interesting for companies: for now and in the future. We will work on that too. Professional podcast creators will also give guest lectures. And, of course, AI: how can you use artificial intelligence in podcasting? How can that help you?"
Who is the minor intended for?
Elin: "For students from all hbo programmes in the Netherlands. Not just Creative Business and Communication, but also students of Teacher Training, Commercial Economics and Nursing. Podcasts are interesting for every sector: there are stories to pick up and opportunities everywhere. And having students from as many fields of interest as possible is also good for diversity within the minor. Together you achieve more."
You are catering to current events, to a trend. Aren't you worried that the popularity of podcasts will soon blow over?
Hidde: "Definitely not. I think the world of podcasts will be many times bigger in five years' time. We are only at the beginning. There is still so much to discover and gain. As a university of applied sciences, we have to give our students the opportunity to develop themselves in this field. I was really surprised that there wasn’t yet a specific education programme on podcasts in the Netherlands. I am glad that we as NHL Stenden will now be offering this. There are already students who have indicated they want to take the minor: we can't wait to get started."
