The People’s Choice Podcast Awards is ready for your nominations. What podcasts do you think are the absolute best in their category? Let your opinion be heard by nominating your favorite podcasts today. Podcasters who hope to be nominated need to start letting their audience know that the nomination period has begun.

There is a very informative video on the Podcast Awards website that gives a good explanation about how the nominations work. One key thing to understand is that podcasts will be nominated by podcast listeners. It is also important to know that the nomination period begins on April 15, 2016, and will close on April 30, 2016.

Podcast listeners can nominate one podcast in every category of the Podcast Awards. There are a total of 20 categories. It is recommended that listeners take a minute to figure out what shows they want to nominate, and write down their choices before they begin the process of nominating shows. You can only fill out the nomination form once.

A voting period will begin after the slate announcement (that shows what podcasts were nominated in each category) has been announced. Make sure to return to the Podcast Awards website to find out what shows were nominated and to cast your vote.

Podcasters who would like their show to be nominated for the Podcast Awards need to start communicating that to their listeners. Direct your listeners to the Podcast Awards website. Make it clear which category your show belongs in. You might also want to suggest that your listeners nominate your show for the People’s Choice category.

Shows that want to be considered for nomination need to register and pay a $10.00 registration fee. The purpose of the registration form is to let the Podcast Awards know where to contact you if your show makes the voting slate. Shows that do not register will not be considered for the slate of finalists.

The purpose of the fee is to qualify hosts that truly want to participate in the awards process, including showing up for the live online Awards ceremony or providing a video acceptance speech. The money that comes from the registration fee will be used to help rebuild the Podcast Awards website.

The People’s Choice Podcast Awards has revealed the new rules for 2016. This is the biggest change in the history of the Podcast Awards and the first step in establishing long term viability for the awards.

Many details of the Podcast Awards are being updated, including the website, which is in need of a massive upgrade. (Those that want to help make that happen should check out the GoFundMe that has been set up for the project).

The New Nomination Rules and Show Eligibility are:

1. Any show podcasting since January, 1, 2016, with 10 episodes and who has published a new episode within the past 30 days of the open nomination period is eligible for nomination of a Podcast Awards.

2. Any show that won a podcast award in the 2015 Podcast awards is not eligible for nomination in the current year’s awards.

– The show that won in the previous year will present the award to this year’s winner and be recognized. If not able to participate the show will be recognized and an alternate presenter will be selected by the steering committee.

3. Any single show that has won 5 Podcast Awards total in any category in the past 10 years or 4 Podcast Awards in any category in the past 5 years will be designated a “Legacy Podcast” and earn permanent placement on the Podcast Awards Site. The show hosts for those shows will not be eligible for future awards for that show, but will gain placement on the Podcast Award Steering Committee, making them ineligible for an award.

4. Legacy shows will be honored Annually at the Podcast Award Ceremony.

5. Any Show wishing to be considered for nomination shall register via the registration page and pay via PayPal a nominal $10.00 registration fee. The registration fee is simply to qualify podcast hosts that want to participate, and or be part of the awards process to include showing up for the Awards ceremony or providing a video acceptance speech.

– Shows that do not register will not be considered for the slate of finalists regardless of the total number of nominations they receive. Shows may register anytime before the nominations close on April 30, 2016. The registration fee is non-refundable, even if the show does not make the final slate.

– For 2016 all nomination registration fees will be used to help fund the rebuilding of the Podcast Awards website for the 2017 event. All shows that have registered and paid the fee will be listed on the podcast awards site shortly after nomination closing, even if they are not finalists.

The People’s Choice Podcast Awards are in the process of updating the website and making changes to many different aspects of the awards. There is a GoFundMe in place to help with expenses. Recently, new categories were revealed for the 11th Annual Podcast Awards.

The categories for the Podcast Awards are an important organizational tool. It helps break up the nominated podcasts so that they are being compared with podcasts that are similar in topic. Personally, I find it easier to compare a “like vs like” grouping of podcasts than to try and figure out the best ones from a grouping of a wide variety of topics.

Here are the Categories for the 2016 Podcast Awards (and their descriptions):

* Peoples Choice – The Best Podcast in the Universe!

* Arts – Design, Fashion, Food, Literature

* Business – Careers, Investing, Management, Marketing

* Comedy – The Funniest Shows on the Internet!

* Education – Ed Tech, K-12, Language, Training

* Entertainment – Entertains us with Creative Genus.

* Games & Hobbies – Automotive, Aviation, Video Games, Board Games

* GLBT – Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender

* Government & Organizations – Local, National, Non-Profit, Regional

* Health – Alternative, Fitness & Nutrition, Self-Help, Sexuality

* Kids & Family – Dads, Moms, Parents

* Mature – Explicit Content, Rated R+

* Music – Podsafe Only!

* News & Politics – Right, Left, Documentary, World, Local

* Religion & Spirituality – Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Other

* Science & Medicine – Medicine, Natural, Social, Science Fiction

* Society-Culture – History, Journals, Philosophy, Places & Travel

* Sports & Recreation – Amateur, College, Outdoor, Professional

* Technology – Gadgets, Tech News, Podcasting, Software How-To

* TV & Film – Reviews, Series, Fan Shows

Listeners will be able to begin nominating their favorite podcasts beginning on April 15, 2016, and ending on April 30, 2016.

The People’s Choice Podcast Awards has been around for over a decade. It has had 2,200 nominees, 220 winners, and hundreds of millions of page views. The Podcast Awards website is now in need of a complete overhaul.

The People’s Choice Podcast Awards was founded by Todd Cochrane (of Geek News Central). It has been a project of passion for him. The unique thing about the People’s Choice Podcast Awards is that the fans drive the awards process. In 2014, the Podcast Awards was sold to New Media Expo. Today, the Podcast Awards are back in the hands of Todd Cochrane, and he has big plans for improving it.

A serious re-work of the Podcast Awards website is needed. There is a GoFundMe set up where people can donate to help make that happen. The goal is to reach a total of 25K to hire a web developer to completely rebuild and modernize the Podcast Awards website so that it meets the objectives of the awards moving forward.

Podcasters are encouraged to donate $100. Doing so will get your show added on a “I Helped Save the Podcast Awards” page (with a hyperlink that connects to your podcast’s website). This could help drive some new listeners to your podcast. Of course, any donation amount is welcome.

In addition to rebuilding the Podcast Awards website, there will be a restructuring of the rules and the process of the awards. Things up for consideration include:

* Minimal Show Registration Fee

* Rules

* Categories

* Listener Nomination Period

* Peer Nomination Period

* Nominated Shows Review Process

* Slate Determination

* Annual Podcast Legends Award

* Steering Committee

* Nominated Fairness Doctrine

* Voting Process

New rules will be rolled out by April 1, 2016, and nominations will be open starting on April 15, 2016.