Entertainment and digital content surrounds us in our day to day. Access to our favorite music, podcasts, and digital creators has never been easier through streaming. So why is the vinyl record industry seeing such a resurgence with all this media at our fingertips? In the last 2 years, vinyl has outsold all other forms of physical audio media.
The reason for this growth lies in what’s missing from streaming audio, a sense of ownership. While streaming our favorite content is ever so much more convenient, the tactile ritual of holding and playing a record remains an important one. So much of our media is treated as disposable. TV shows are binged and forgotten, podcasts are consumed like popcorn, and music is relegated to an auto-generated playlist mix. Vinyl for many has become an anchor for intimately experiencing audio.
It’s not even about playing the record for some. Simply having a physical representation of their favorite artist or entertainer adds a tangible element to the listening experience that is just not available with modern streaming. According to recent statistics from Luminate, only about 50% of record buyers own a record player. Imagine that. Half of the people who purchase records are doing so without the intention of even playing it. Many modern record collectors are drawn to the aesthetic appeal, collectability, and nostalgic charm of owning vinyl. Access is no longer a motivating factor.
Vinyl is normally associated with an elevated audio experience which is a big part of why some enjoy the medium. But I would be willing to bet a lot of record collectors have vinyl they haven’t even opened. I know I do. I’d be willing to bet a lot of record collectors also have comedy or spoken word albums, and not because of the vinyl sound quality. I adore my George Carlin and Steve Martin records, personally. So, what’s stopping podcasters from giving listeners that same tactile connection by releasing their content on audio? Nothing.
Going to a live podcast show is an absolute blast. Usually these are podcasters I’ve spent hundreds of hours listening to. The venues are packed, and the shows often sell out. The electric feeling in the air at a live recording is proof enough that podcast audiences crave connection with the shows they love and the surrounding community. I cannot tell you how good it feels to yell “shrimp heaven now!” into a crowd and hear a chorus of strangers yelling back “we can’t keep doing this, Daniel!” If you didn’t get that reference, then you are illustrating my point on why live shows are such a great experience. Being in a crowd with hundreds of others that understand your obscure references is worth the price of admission alone. If you’re lucky, there’s even get the chance to ask the hosts a question! After the show is over, and you’ve made a hundred new friends to gush about the podcast with, how do you commemorate that experience? Merch, of course!
Sadly, a lot of podcasts don’t have a very strong merchandising plan. I once spent forty-five dollars on four enamel pins because there wasn’t much else available for purchase. Fans buy merchandise to memorialize an important moment in their fandom. So why not offer them a special little piece of that moment to take home? Enter limited edition vinyl pre-orders of the show right at the merch booth! Being a fan means loving something so much that it becomes a part of you. Digital content doesn’t often provide the opportunity to hold that thing in your hands; a physical thing you can put on display or show your friends. Vinyl provides that opportunity. Pre-orders make vinyl sales financially accessible to podcasters and available at the best possible time to their audiences.
From a business perspective, offering limited-run vinyl pre-orders presents podcasts with monetization options that have zero upfront costs. Certified Crucial can adjust run sizes and gauge demand before pressing a single record. This not only minimizes financial risk but also fosters a sense of exclusivity and urgency among fans. After all, who wouldn’t want to be among the select few to own a piece of limited-edition podcast memorabilia? Especially if it’s from a show you got a chance to attend!
Podcasting thrives in niches, and there is nothing more niche than a few hundred numbered pressings of a live podcast. In essence, bringing limited edition vinyl LPs to the podcast market represents the convergence of old and new, analog and digital, convenience and collectability. They offer fans a tangible connection to their favorite podcasts, transforming a fleeting moment into a lasting memento. As the vinyl revival continues to gain momentum, it’s clear that podcast listeners are eager to embrace this timeless medium in a whole new way.