THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF PODCAST HOSTS

Abstract

Podcasts are a growing media due to corresponding to the lifestyle of people today. One of the key elements in podcasts is the host. A podcast host is a messenger that requires skill in encoding information and communicating to the audience. Therefore, I would like to study the communication strategies, qualifications, and uniqueness of being a podcast host. The objective of this study is to study the communication process and qualifications of podcast hosts. The data was collected by using in-depth
interviews with criterion samplings; 1) podcast hosts 2) podcast producer and 3) communication experts. The results of communication process revealed the following: 1) podcast hosts should set their communication objectives suitably with the podcast content, 2) podcast hosts should use manuscript speech, impromptu speech, extemporaneous speech or hybridization speech, 3) podcast hosts should use the semi-formal language, 4) podcast hosts should use two-way communication and receive delayfeedback from audiences, and 5) podcast hosts should suitably design message, modify the content for speaking and create connection between podcast content and audiences. The results of qualifications
of the podcast host revealed the following: 1) podcast hosts should have speaking skill, interview skill and deep listening skill, 2) podcast hosts should be experts about their podcast content, and appearance doesn’t matter for being podcast hosts.