Welcome to the 23rd edition of Intraskope’s Spotlight Series featuring Zane Ewton, an internal communications professional and multimedia creative with deep experience with podcasting. He serves as a senior manager of internal communications for The Villages and is based in Florida, U.S. Zane describes himself as a storyteller as well as a writer, editor, photographer, videographer and podcast producer/co-host. He loved creating well-crafted content to build connections and community and is a self-confessed “employee communications nerd”.
In this interview, I chatted with Zane on the growing trend of this medium and what it means for leaders and communicators. He discusses tips to make podcasting work.
Watch this interview with Zane to learn more.
In the Spotlight on Internal Communications Series, I talk to thought leaders on topics interrelated with internal communications such as culture, crisis, change, executive presence and leadership. The goal is to help unravel why they matter, what can leaders and communicators learn from experts and how we can put insights to practice.
Interview
- Podcasting is becoming a trend in internal communications…what is it that’s making it so popular?
Employee communications professionals are typically savvy to what’s going on in media and communications. At least we should be. I think we’ve been viewing podcasting as the shiny new thing. That’s good and bad. It’s fun to get excited about the shiny new thing but we want to make sure we have the right reasons to launch a podcast and make it sustainable and meaningful – not just another piece of content noise we’re obligated to churn out. I hope that doesn’t sound jaded because I believe there is potential in internal podcasting for a number of reasons.
2. What according to you is the power of podcasting?
We talk a lot about authentic communications. Authenticity is weird and probably not what we mean. It’s also probably impossible to obtain in a corporate setting. However, the power of internal podcasting is in being able to strip away corporate noise, useless jargon or the need to wear the right necktie to not detract from the subject’s personal brand. Let’s get rid of all that nonsense that often gets in the way of good communication. I think podcasting is our opportunity to get close to that feeling of authentic communication.
3. How can leaders and communicators make the most of this medium?
First, focus on your purpose for having a podcast. If you don’t have a good purpose and the enthusiasm to see it through, you’ll likely lose steam after two episodes. Treat this as the opportunity it is: to speak directly to your audience as if they were sitting right there in the room with you. Be human.
4. What are some of the best practices in internal communications?
Keep your message relevant to what your audience cares about. I think all the talk around attention spans is overblown. People don’t have short attention spans, they just don’t stick around if something is boring or irrelevant. Let’s do less stuff but do it better.
5. What advice do you have for communicators when they consider podcasting?
Ask yourself why you want to start a podcast. If you’re “why” is worth the time and effort it takes to get started, then go for it. If budget is an issue, record with your phone to get started. Don’t let any excuses get in the way of you at least trying it out. If it doesn’t work out, you don’t have to publish it.
I would say that for any idea you have. Take a chance on something being good. What’s the worst thing that could happen?
6. Is there a surefire way of making podcasting a success?
Nope. But if you come away having learned something new, it will be a success.
Watch the complete video interview on YouTube or read the complete transcript above.
Missed the earlier episodes? Watch them here: D. Mark Schumann (Culture), Peter Yorke (Executive Presence), Sia Papageorgiou (Leadership Communications), Dianne Chase (Strategic Storytelling), Gloria Walker (Communication Planning), Rebecca Sangster-Kelly (Stakeholder Management), Ray Walsh (Localizing Employee Communications), Prof. Matt Tidwell (Reputation), Geri Rhoades (Manager Communications), Erik K Meyers (Business Acumen), Russell-Olivia Brooklands (IC Practice Governance), Paul Barton (Public Speaking and Business Communication), Cyrus Mavalwala (Digital Communication), Elvera N Makki (Social Impact Communication), Philippe Borremans (Communication Preparedness) and Magdalena Petryniak (Influence in Communications), Priya Bates (Communicating Diversity & Inclusion), Zora Artis (Communication Alignment), Diana Bonczar (Communication Execution), Jane McConnell (Gig Mindset), Paul Mathews (Trust & Communications) and Brad Whitworth (Creativity in Communication).
You can also look up the ongoing Intraskope’s Spotlight on Internal Communication Series featuring practitioners from around the globe sharing best practices and perspectives.
Liked the interview? Post your comments and share it with your network.
Keen to participate in the ongoing series on Personal Branding, Crisis Communications, Internal Communications or CSR Communications? Drop me a note at [email protected]
Here are Internal Communications resources you can use:
- Learn: Internal Communications Fundamentals Course on Thinkific
- Internal Communications Series: https://forms.gle/KcqmPzLwq7NQi5Km6
- Chat with Aniisu – Internal Communications: https://www.instamojo.com/intraskope/connect-with-aniisu-60-minute-personalized-d/?ref=store
- Internal Communications workshops: https://bit.ly/2zdBRl1
You can also visit my website www.intraskope.com and You Tube channel to know more about my work.
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