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RSS feedsReference publishers are beginning to offer podcasts alongside paper and online products, despite research showing uncertainty about the take-up of technology for downloading audio and video files for playback on mobile devices.
Online reference software specialist Books24x7 has launched a free podcast series featuring business leaders which will be broadcast monthly. It will include excerpts from the company’s ExecBlueprints Referenceware library. Aimed at senior executives and business managers, the MP3 audio files will examine best practice and offer practical tips on a variety of business issues.
Books24x7 regional director Richard Lane said: “Our customers are increasingly using ExecSummaries and ExecBlueprints as a component of their leadership programmes, often uploaded and distributed via an MP3 player .
“Many customers have started to use podcasting within their businesses, for internal communication, education or to connect with their customers. This can in part be attributed to the need for different content types. Audio is ideal for busy professionals and the mobile workforce.”
Employees wishing to further their professional development in their own time are also adopting podcasting, according to Lane. “Employees are looking to become more efficient in their own time,” he said. “Podcasting is a way of reaching these people.”
Legal publisher Sweet and Maxwell is also tapping into MP3s with free exam revision podcasts for law students to accompany its Nutshell print series.
Recent research by analyst firm Forrester found that only 1% of Americans were using podcasts, while Nielsen/NetRatings found that 6.6% of US adult web users had recently downloaded a podcast. This is similar to the percentage of the US population who write blogs.
