Historically, making a podcast has been about marketing for services, and the vast majority of producers distribute free podcasts. Other media providers, online radio stations, news sites that offer media to subscribers, or the online music industry general have strong business models. Podcasting differs. Podcasting has not traditionally had a business model.

The free podcast problem is not difficult, and podcasting differs in several key ways from other media areas.

First, making a podcast involves the physical transfer of a file from the host to the user's computer vice providing a streaming sound file that cannot be saved without difficulty and work.

Second, individuals who make podcasts are, for the most part, individuals who are not in the media business per se and thus may not consider it a primary vehicle to their underlying business..

Finally third, and this is an advantage, the underlying cost of making podcasts is very small in comparison to media outlets.

If you think blogging is still the hottest innovation to think technology, then you are missing the impact of the new social media and 4G technology. Why would you settle for writing about something when you can talk and/or show people something. Blogging is a thing of the past, and everyone is now looking forward visual information at their fingertips.

Making a podcast can even be used to make money over the Internet. If you're wondering how some people are able to turn their podcasts into revenue-generating machines, you will be surprised that it isn't as complicated as it sounds.

There are two basic business models: 1) making a podcast to leverage your product/service/website or, more simply to help drive traffic to your website; and 2) as a service provider. Someone who can leverage the podcast technology to help others.

As stated above, 4G technology, the iPhone/Droid, iPad, etc are providing mechanisms to communicate beyond the simple blog into a dynamic interaction where purchases are immediate. Having the ability to provide that service, will put you in demand for companies (store front or e-commerce) who want to leverage the technology but don't have the knowledge or means.

Another advantage of the service model is that, since it can help the store front business, the potential for clients to your service may just be down the street. This is a market in which you may find little competition. After all, a local presence to a local store front is preferable to trying to find a service.

If you are interested in podcasting, checkout our free Podcast Profits CD.

Bill Atteberry is President of Atteberry and Associates, LLC, a consulting company in the software process and e-commerce markets. You can get information about our Local Marketing Institute.

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Podcasting can be a very easy way to establish your personal brand on the Internet quickly. Setting up and recording a podcast can be done in less than 10 minutes. Although podcasting is not as popular as it was 3 years ago, it is still popular with many people who do not have time or patience to sit through lengthy videos but would rather download audios to their phones, iPods, or other devices.

If you are new to Internet or Home-Based business and need a way to get noticed, podcasting can be both easy and quick. Podcasting can be done for no cost at all. All you will need is an audio recorder and converter, both can be found free on the Internet. The best recommendation for free audio recorder is Audacity and the converter Lame. Google those terms and you will be directed to both download links.

Where do you place your podcasts so that others might find them?

There are many free podcasting directories where you can host your recordings. Since there are several podcast directories available, a good idea would be to Google the term "podcasting directories" and look for one or two that might be niche-specific for your business. Most directories offer free accounts, making this marketing avenue a great idea for new marketers.

Select one or two directories, open an account, and you are all set to upload your podcasts.

When you create your podcasts, be sure and title your recording using your selected keywords so that search engines can place them in search pages competition.

This is just how simple it is to create podcasts:

Download and install Audacity and the Lame converter.Copy and paste one or two of your blog posts or articles onto a notepad.Go through each article and separate 2-3 key paragraphs.Use these to create brief, 3-minute podcasts.Listen to them, if you are not happy with the recording, just erase it and do it again. A little practice in the beginning will make you an expert after just a couple of tries.

After you feel comfortable with creating brief podcasts, go through your other content and create ten or more podcasts and place them in your podcast directory accounts as you record them.

Later, when a potential customer or subscriber "Googles" your name, your podcasts will show up along with the written content or videos you have created. The perception they will have from this experience will prove your expertise in your niche.

As well, podcasting offers great training, selling, and recruitment avenues. You can add the links to your podcasts into your ezine issues, place the links in social networks, and any other locations where they can be located and downloaded.

Podcasting is easy, free, and will get your noticed. Give it a try and you will be pleased with the simplicity and value podcasts can offer in your business marketing.

For more ideas, educational, and informational reading about internet entrepreneurship or running a business from home, visit Dr. L'Amour's Blog [http://creating-internet-income.com]

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No one is perfect, not you, not the most professional broadcaster on the planet. No one. That's why editing exists. To polish your product by removing the weak points. To make your product perfect even if you aren't.

And it doesn't take a lot of money.

In fact you can download the tools you need for free. Yep, for free. There are a lot of articles on the net trying to sell you free audio editing programs. As if that weren't a bit of a contradiction in terms -- sell and free!

Audio editing is a fairly straightforward and mature tool. And most of the software will do the job sufficiently well. To find a program do a Google search using "free audio editing software" as your search term. Personally, I use WavePad (free) and sometimes Nero (not free) however, Audicity is also well thought of and is open source.

In this article rather than talk about the tools, I'm going to concentrate on the four tasks that you will need to do to spruce up a podcast.

1. The first thing you will need to do with an audio editor is to fix your own mistakes. When you are recording your podcast you may have a tendency to try to do everything perfectly the first time. Trust me -- you're not superman! Relax. You are going to make mistakes. Get over it. The editor is the person who is responsible for creating a perfect podcast. Your responsibility when recording is to give him enough material to do his (or her) job.

Mistakes generally fit into four groups. The first is dead air. Especially if you are working on a point level script you will have periods where you can't think of the right word. So you say nothing. Which works when you're on stage but doesn't work when you're only on audio.

The second mistake is what I call the lightly tripping tongue. That's when you try to say one word, get it mixed up with another and end up saying something entirely unrelated to either. Usually well garbled, I normally blame this on rented lips but feel free to blame it on a lack of coffee or any other excuse you wish.

The third mistake is related to our society's lack of vocal censorship. I'm talking about the occasional use of inappropriate language of course. Even the occasional swear word is inappropriate for a podcast unless you are very intentional in its use!

The fourth is results from not using a professional recording studio. I'm talking about the occasional poor sound quality. If you are constantly fixing the sound quality then you need to identify where and why the quality is being disrupted. However, if only occurs infrequently you may prefer to leave it to the editor to fix.

2. The second thing you can use audio editing software to do is change the size and characteristics of the audio file. Most of us record the original in a far higher quality than we really need. And the size of the file reflects that. Audio editing software can allow us to reformat the audio track into a more appropriate size, quality and format.

3. In movies and television, music is an extremely important and powerful tool used to create mood and emphasize elements of the content. The same thing applies in a podcast. You can use audio editing software to add music to help your podcast create the appropriate mood.

4. In a movie or on television there are two parts that always appear -- the beginning credits and the ending credits. Audio also has variations of these. Sometimes called packaging these chunks of editing help your audience to prepare for the show or to absorb what has been said. In any case, they definitely give your podcast a polished, professional sound.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

Podcasts are an excellent tool for building your credibility. Podcasts are easy to create and flexible to use. If you're not using them in your information business you are missing out on a powerful, traffic generating tool.

But there are probably a few things you don't know about podcasts.

Here are five things you may not know. Some of them are very old and anyone who is new to podcasts may not know them. Some of them are related to using podcasts and unless you use podcasts you may not know them. And of course, despite the title, some of them you may know. Sorry, but since I don't know what you do know I can't guarantee that you won't know them.

1. The term podcast comes from a contraction of the words iPod and broadcast. An iPod is a type of MP3 player from Apple. Early iPods only played audio. Now of course, video is also available. Podcasting originated with radio broadcasts which were recorded and then posted to a website for downloading. Originally they included information and music broadcasts but with the rise of internet radio, the term podcast has shifted to imply an information broadcast. They also predated the term.

2. Podcasts don't have to be perfect. There are two reasons for this. First, it's a live broadcast. Even the professionals don't get through a full radio broadcast without making mistakes. You will be forgiven. Second, it isn't live. That means you can edit it and make corrections on the editing room floor. Well actually on the computer but the tape ends up on the floor and... No, I am not going to explain what tape is. It's an old way of recording. I'm old. It's old. Don't worry about it! Editing room floor means you can fix it on the computer during the editing process.

3. You can create a podcast by recording a teleseminar and then posting the recording on your website in an MP3 format. What makes it a podcast rather than a recorded teleseminar? A new podcast recording is available on a regular basis a teleseminar can appear whenever you wish to do it. So if you run a regular teleseminar and put it up as a recording -- you're actually podcasting!

4. You can also create a podcast by using the audio track from a video recording. The editor has the ability in most editing programs to pull out the audio track into a separate track. This can then be saved separately. With a small amount of re-editing -- actually repackaging -- you can use this audio track as a podcast.

5. Podcasts make a great product. If you transcribe them they can become the basis for articles for your marketing. If you add audio packaging around them -- and sometimes combine them -- you can sell them as CDs or online products. If you add PowerPoint slides you can use the podcast as the audio track for a video or DVD product.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

Podcasts can be a very powerful tool for improving your credibility. For improving your traffic. For improving your reputation as an expert. For your information marketing business as a whole.

Everyone who is relying on the sale of books, courses, coaching and other courseware should be at least considering podcasting.

But they aren't perfect. And there are things that you can do that will make them even less perfect. Here are six things for you to avoid during a podcast release.

1. Probably the most common root issue is trying too hard to be perfect. Many new podcasters hear more experienced podcasters and believe that they need to be perfect in their delivery and their recording of their material. Nothing could be further from the truth. That's what the editing or polishing process is for. Turning a set of imperfect recordings into one almost perfect recording. Besides, you want people to know you not the perfect you!

2. Podcasts are only useful if they have listeners. I remember a Sunday School song that went "Hide it under a bushel? No! I'm gonna let it shine". Like this little light you need to bring your podcast out from the bushel and let it shine. No one is going to listen to it unless you market it. You need to have a plan in place to get traffic to it. You need to get listeners. Unless you do, the work you've put into your podcast will have been wasted.

3. The other side of the coin is over-marketing. Not everyone is going to be interested in your podcasts. That's fine. Some people don't like podcasts. Some people don't like free information. And if you're selling your podcasts that just means there are more people who don't want to listen. You need to be careful that you don't over market your podcast and drive your customers away. In short, don't bug your email list about the podcast.

4. We all tend to focus on our own lists when marketing. That's natural. These are people that have already said they are interested in our products. But with a podcast, that's a big oops! After all, one of the benefits from podcasts is an increase in traffic. And if you only market to your own customers you're kind of missing the point! So be sure to identify in your marketing plan how you are going to get the word out to people who haven't heard of you before. Don't forget affiliates, search engines and podcast hosts. They are all good sources of potential traffic.

5. Don't overpromise in your podcast. Let's face it we all tend to get a little passionate about our products. We all tend to get into the sales terminology game. The best! The newest! The whatever superlative term you can think of! Be careful of this. Don't overpromise and underdeliver. Be sure your listeners return next week!

6. Don't forget that your podcast isn't a one time thing. For most types of product we create one and then go off on other duties. With a podcast you are releasing an ongoing product. Sort of like a subscription monthly membership program. You need an ongoing marketing program. Don't get so caught up in the release that you forget that you need to continuously market your podcast.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

Podcasting is one of those tools, like article marketing, that is very powerful, easily done and very effective. In fact, it's one of those techniques that almost any learning content marketer should be doing as a matter of course.

So why aren't more people creating podcasts?

Could it be because they believe that creating a podcast is difficult, expensive or time consuming? Based on some of the questions that I receive the answer is yes. Many people believe that you need an audio studio in order to create a podcast. And that it is hard to create one.

You don't and it isn't.

Podcasting is easy to do and requires only the minimum of tools. So what's needed for a podcast? There are really only six things that are required to produce a podcast.

1. A computer.

In an audio studio, you have electronic devices called mixing boards. That's one of the reasons it is so expensive to rent an audio studio. Fortunately, you don't need mixing boards any longer. A computer and the appropriate software is all that is required. A complex, up-to-date, high priced computer? Nope. In fact, if your computer can run any of the latest three generations of operating system, it's big enough to do the job. And if truth be known, the only reason older computers can't do the job is because they can't run the operating system!

2. A headset microphone.

The biggest determinant of your podcast's recording quality is the microphone. No, you don't need a professional quality microphone. Just the right type. Desktop and built-in microphones just won't do the job no matter how much you spend on them. A ten dollar headset microphone on the other hand will create a recording you can be proud of.

3. Audio editing software

This is the reason you need a computer to record a podcast. And why you don't need a mixing board and multiple recording devices. Audio editing software now provides a level of flexibility that only the biggest and best recording studios were able to provide. Most frightening of all is that several of the software tools are free. Audacity is one free tool that is frequently recommended.

4. Royalty free music

Creating a professional sounding podcast requires four things: A reasonable quality recording of the announcer, introductory credits, transitions, and closing credits. The last three are characterized by the use of background music. In fact, that's all a transition is. It's a short musical phrase that's used to separate segments of the podcast. You could have a custom piece recorded for you. However, there are a number of free or low cost solutions available over the internet. Just be sure that the music you use is provided royalty free -- meaning you can use it without having to pay a royalty each time you play it.

5. Time

Okay, creating podcasts is easy. It doesn't take a lot of money. It doesn't take a lot of knowledge. It doesn't take a lot of equipment. It does, however, take some time. Not a lot, but some. It takes time to write record and edit the podcast. If you schedule one day a month and do all your podcasts at once, you can easily create a month's worth of podcasts in a single day.

6. Ideas

I'm convinced that this is one of the major reasons people who know how to create podcasts don't do it. Having a repeating product like a podcast does require you to find ideas for the podcast. A three segment podcast for example would require you to identify twelve to fifteen article ideas per month. This may seem like a lot of different ideas to come up with. But if you try it, you'll find that it really isn't that difficult.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

There is a lot of talk about video marketing and viral videos today. While I have no problem with video, there is far too much emphasis on viral videos. At least as far as marketing your information and training products goes.

You'd be better off with a podcast than a viral video!

Okay, that's a lot more controversial than I usually get. It's almost as bad as my statement that self-help gurus really need to learn how to create products first before they teach it! So I guess I better explain. The first one, not the second... I'll leave the latter to other articles.

So why is a podcast just as good as a viral video?

First off, what's so great about a viral video? And more importantly what is a viral video? To answer the last question first -- a viral video is a video that has gone viral, Duh! Okay, let's explain a little further. To go viral means that the product (video, audio, blog, eBook, whatever) has so touched the audience that they start forwarding it to their friends. Who, in turn, forward it to their friends. Like a virus it spreads out exponentially.

So what's so great about them? The answer is simple. It's seen by a lot of people. Some of whom might click through and check out your site, where you can collect their emails and engage them in a conversation. Hey, you might even be able to sell to them someday!

However, that's also why a viral video isn't as good as a podcast. A viral video is seen by a lot of people -- once! And only once! It's a fad that will in time burn down. Think of the last viral video that you viewed. Who was it by? Unless you just watched it just before you started reading this article, chances are you've already forgotten. Viral videos have no staying power. Without repetition, little is gained by each viewing.

Viral videos focus on quantity over quality. Be seen by a large number of people and at least a few will click through to your site. You hope.

Podcasts on the other hand are repeating products. Not only do they show up but they repeatedly put your name and voice in front of your customer. This repetition improves retention and makes a click through far more likely.

Podcasts also provide repeated exposures to your customer. Bluntly the customer learns to like you long before they bother to click through. As a result your sales percentage and opt-in percentages will both exceed that of a viral video. Podcasts are more than just a traffic tool. They are a sales tool.

Of course, nothing is preventing your podcasts from going viral. Although in reality, it is a lot less likely it will. In which case, you'll see some of the same issues arising. Although because a podcast is repeating by nature, you will see less of a loss in your sales and opt-in percentages.

Finally, there is one big advantage to a podcast. Most videos are limited in length. YouTube only allows a maximum ten minutes of video. But podcasts can be as long (or as short) as you wish! So you can say more, inform more and sell more.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

There's no question that learning content product marketers like podcasts. There are lots of reasons for that. They're flexible. They produce traffic. They produce sales. They contribute to reputation. What's not to like?

But why does the audience like podcasts?

Podcasts have gone up and down in popularity. However, even though they aren't the most fashionable media, they remain popular with a large portion of the public.

But why?

In this article I'm going to discuss what I believe are the top five reasons for the continuing popularity of podcasts.

1. They are personal.

Everyone wants to get to know the people they are dealing with. They want to connect with you as a person. They want to believe that they know you and can trust you. Because a podcast is a vocal recording of you and your opinions, it is a very personal product. The audience hears your passion. They feel your anger. They feel your joy. They feel your love of the subject. They touch your emotions and are touched by them in return. You can't fake it. It's either you doing the podcast or it's not. Your audience will know. (And it better be you if you are expecting podcasts to work for you!)

2. They are flexible.

One of the big advantages to a podcast is that they can be listened to anywhere. You can copy them to your MP3 player and listen to them on the train. You can save them to a CD and listen to them in the car while you drive. You can download them and play them while you work on your computer. Where ever you are there's a way to listen to podcasts.

3. They are easy to use.

Podcasts are easy to download and then load into your iPod or MP3 player. All you need to do is sign on to the website, insert the MP3 player, click on the download button and then point the download to the MP3 player. Simple. Easy. Then all you do is listen to the recording at your discretion.

4. They are short.

Let's face it. We're all rushed today. We've got far more work than we can deal with. We seldom have the luxury of listening to long presentations. Podcasts on the other hand are short. Because they last less than fifteen minutes on the average, they are perfect for commuting. They are perfect for squeezing into the extra space on the way to work.

5. They provide just enough information.

The other half of the time issue is that we're constantly being bombarded by information. Sometimes it gets to be too much. Podcasts provide a bit of a respite. After all, the podcast doesn't have enough time to be able to overload the audience with information. And yet, they can provide a high level overview of the subject.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

Podcasting or audio blogging as it is sometimes referred as, is relatively simply to do and anyone with a personal computer and an internet connection can produce a podcast that could potentially be heard by tens of thousands of people. People of all demographics and walks of life, are podcasting and it is growing in leaps and bounds. There is likely a podcast for nearly every subject you can think of and the ones that are not found, this could be a niche to start your own podcast. People are now using them to increase their exposure and by doing this are increasing their podcast profits.

With the use of RSS (Really Simple Syndication) it has allowed podcast content to be instantly available on the internet to download and be used by anyone interested in listening or watching video podcasts.

Radio and TV broadcasting networks realised that there was a market for their programming to serve and to aid in the growth of a fan base for their programming, along with allowing the radio and TV networks to increase ad sales by adding advertisements during the program. Many broadcast networks have added their podcasts to their websites to allow the listener the freedom to listen to the broadcast on their own time.

Many magazine and newspapers offer podcasts of periodicals such as Digital Magazine Online who offers an online subscription of digital print magazines for anyone who loves to read magazines. The cost of these podcasts is often less than that of the publication on the newsstand.

Podcasts has had a great influence on the education system as more and more colleges and universities are embracing the technology and using the digital recordings to teach courses online to people around the world. The possibilities are endless with this technology and it is giving access to people who may not be able to afford to go to school on a fulltime basis, but want to increase their education standard or change careers.

In the beginning podcasts were used as a way of freedom of speech and to get ones opinion out to the masses. As time as went by, people started to use podcasts to generate income. Here is a small sample of the methods used to generate revenue;

Affiliate programs - allow you to sell products to your listeners from your website for a commission. The advantage of this is to allow you to offer added value to your listener and let them know about specific items they may be interested in. Some podcasters have used their websites for affiliate links, so when someone clicks on the link and buys they get paid.

Sponsorship - is a good way to go if your podcast is a good fit with a particular companies target market. Be prepared to make several presentations before you are successful. Usually sponsorship is used to offset your expenses for the production of the podcast.

Advertising - This is usually a 10 - 30 second clip added to the beginning or middle of the podcast. The easiest way to accomplish this is to join an advertising network and as it offers you the least amount of work, so you can focus on the production of your podcast. However, you can also contact companies whose products would be a good fit and do it yourself and reap a higher percentage of the profits, but it is more work and I would recommend this to someone who has the right skill set to get the job done.

If you've got a little bit of marketing know-how and a lot of ambition and motivation to succeed, you're already on the right path to becoming a success with podcasts. Hopefully after reading this, you will have a better sense of why you want to use podcasts to further your businesses success.

Do you want to discover the techniques used by top internet marketers?

Receive more FREE information on How to Create a Podcast.

Learn more on How to Grow Your Online Business, Click HERE to begin.

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The Rode Podcaster is the easiest way to record high quality vocals or audio on your computer and upload them to the world. Seamless integration was the idea, and it was obtained by creating a studio dynamic microphone with unparalleled A/D converters, so that the microphone can be plugged into any computer with no in/out boxes, no expensive computer pre-amps, just a USB cable. The Podcaster offers an end-address configuration, the clarity of RØDE's tailored-for-voice frequency response, an ON L.E.D, a direct headphone amp, and of course very low self noise. The Podcaster opens up possibilities for anyone who records audio - from podcasters, journalists and students to business people adding audio files to websites and multimedia presentations. RODE Podcaster Features Broadcast sound quality 28mm dynamic capsule 18-Bit Resolution, 8 - 48 kHz sampling Windows and Mac compatible Tight Cardioid pattern for superior off axis sound rejection Powered from USB Bus Internal capsule shock mounting 3.5mm stereo headphone output with volume control built into the body Includes a 10 foot USB cable and stand mount AmericanMusical.com is an authorized dealer of Rode products.

Price: $369.00

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The Rode PSA 1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm is the professional way to mount your microphone to a studio desk. The PSA1 works with almost any mic on the market. Rode PSA 1 Features Rotates 360 degrees and reaches 32-33 inches from the base Includes two desk mounting options 2-axis swivel mount for accurate positioning Holds up to 4.4 lbs Includes 3/8-inch threaded mic clip AmericanMusical.com is an authorized dealer of Rode products.

Price: $109.00

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Podcasts are one of those tools that learning content and information product marketers should at least consider. They produce targeted traffic. They produce high quality traffic. And they increase your credibility in the marketplace. What more could you ask for?

But why do people like podcasts?

It's obvious why learning content product marketers should like and use podcasts. But why does the audience? What makes them so popular with their audience?

In this article I'm going to examine five major reasons that your audience likes podcasts.

1. They're short and to the point

Let's face it. We're all busy today. And senior executives are usually even busier than you and I. The internet lifestyle? For most people it's sixteen hour days six days a week. And on the seventh they cut back to twelve. Or just plain collapse. Because podcasts are short they can be squeezed into available time. Driving to work? Listen to a podcast. Grocery shopping? Listen to a podcast while you're walking. Doing laundry? Listen to a podcast while you watch the laundry go round and round and... Sorry. Where was I? Oh, yes. Anywhere and anytime you have ten or fifteen minutes you can squeeze a podcast in.

2. They're flexible.

MP3 players are tiny. They go anywhere. Jogging. Commuting. Dining alone. But podcasts aren't just for MP3 players. Most podcasts are played on the computer while the audience is working on other things.

3. They're info bytes rather than detailed information.

Picture this for a second. You're a busy executive. Or a consultant. You need to keep your eye to the sky. You need to know what's appearing on the horizon. You don't need to know everything. You have experts for that. What you need is a little bit of everything. Just enough to know if you should ask those experts to investigate for you. Podcasts are too short to give detailed information. They're great at summarizing and hitting the key points for you.

4. They open up possibilities.

So why does the executive or busy consultant need to know the summary but not the details. Because they're looking for change. For innovations. For ideas that they can use to drive vectored change in their own organizations. After all, their job is to see the future and redesign their organizations (or their clients' organizations) to meet that future. Podcasts help them track what is happening on the edge of development.

5. They're personal.

Do you like to feel like you know your mentors and teachers? You do don't you? There's a reason I knew the answer. Almost everyone does. People connect with people they know. People like to know people they connect with. (Which isn't the same thing)? Podcasts are an audio product. Audio and video products are the most effective products at letting your audience get a glimpse of you as a person. They hear your passion. They feel your grief. They connect with you as a person.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

Podcasting can be a powerful tool for building your reputation as a guru and expert in a self-help niche. They allow your audience to get to know you and your skills in a way that is hard to duplicate. They can help you to generate traffic. And they can be used as a product or to generate products.

And they are as easy to do as 123.

In this article I'm going to show you how to create a podcast in 3 easy steps. Now of course, I'm keeping this simple. So you may want to add some tasks to make sure you are always creating quality products. But these are the basic steps.

Step 1. Write your podcast.

Some people believe that experienced podcasters just sit down and crank out a quarter hour podcast based on the thoughts they had at breakfast a half-hour ago. Just sit down with the barest idea of a topic and talk away.

Nothing could be further from the truth!

Podcasting, like a teleseminar or a webinar needs to be planned out. A detailed script isn't necessary unless you are just starting but certainly a detailed outline is. So start from your basic idea and then identify three things you want to discuss about that subject. Now for each of those major points, identify three sub points you want to discuss. Two is acceptable but will leave you short. Four is too many. Trim it down to three. Now add an introduction and a conclusion.

Step 2. Record your podcast

You'll need a headset, a computer and sound editing software. Windows comes with sound recorder but I prefer a tool called Wavepad. Grab your script outline. Stand up. Smile.

Now start talking. Start with your introduction. Make it strong and interesting. Controversial is good. Make it roughly thirty seconds in length. But don't stress yourself over the time. Next you need to welcome everyone. Introduce yourself and the topic you're going to cover in this podcast.

Now go through the points you've listed. Begin with the relationship between the three major points. Talk for about one minute. Then take the first of the major points and expand on it. Discuss the relationship between the three sub-points. Explain the major point. Don't worry. You only have one minute. Your may have a problem in knowing when to stop. Then discuss each of the sub-points for one minute.

Continue until you've talked about all of the points for just one minute. Guess what? You've got a fifteen minute podcast recorded. All you need to do is save the recording in MP3 format.

Step 3. Put it up on the web.

Now all that's left is to post the podcast to your website or your podcasting host. Sign onto your host and use their web based uploading facility to upload the MP3 recording.

If you're using a blog such as WordPress, sign on, create a post and then upload the media file.

If you're using a web page, it's slightly more difficult. Use whatever tool you normally use to create web pages. Then upload it using FTP.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm.

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/.

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

If you've ever wondered "what do I need to create a podcast?" Introducing the Podcaster PM21. This all-in-1 podcast kit comes with all the podcast gear you'll need to get started podcasting: a mixer, microphone, weighted mic stand and headphones. Start creating podcasts like a pro on your PC, Mac or recording device today! The Mixer: The mixer is housed in a compact rugged metal cabinet and features four source inputs with six discrete channels; two gold plated ?"microphone inputs; iPod/MP3 (RCA and 3.5mm) inputs; and Stereo Line level for additional audio such as CD (RCA). Each channel features level adjust and Bass / Treble equalization. A master output control is paired with a level adjust for the dual headphone outputs. The mixer can be powered either by using the included AC/DC adapter, or with a 9V battery for field recordings with a laptop. For maximum flexibility, the unit features analog stereo line out as well as USB audio output. In keeping with Technical Pro's audio expertise, the mixer features excellent noise characteristics S/N -86dB and low distortion, a total of less than 0.09% THD. The Microphone: The included pro-grade microphone is a rugged and good-looking dynamic type. It features a die-cast body, on/off switch and XLR type connection with 10 foot cable with a ?" plug. Sensitivity is -56.5dB, Frequency response 80-15kH, 600 ohms impedance. A heavy weighted base desktop mic stand is included. The Headphone: The model HP-20 headphones are based on Technical Pro DJ headphones since the requirements are similar: they deliver excellent isolation, comfort and the great sound expected from all Technical Pro headphones. These circumnaural headphones feature "Super Bass Drivers". Cord length is 10 feet terminated with 3.5mm stereo plug.

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If you are looking to help your business by using a podcast then you are doing one of the best marketing things you can for your business. First you should know a bit about what podcast marketing is and how it works before you've made your full decision to try this marketing plan. Podcast marketing is defines as an audio file that can be shared from your website or social network. The podcast can be a recording of you talking about your business, building your bramd name or simply info type commercials.

Podcasts are meant to be give out information to your consumers and give a more personal aspect using your business to customer relationship. By giving them a personal voice to listen to, you are giving them someone to associate with.

A very important thing to remember about podcasting when it comes to marketing is that it's a very cheap way to get your message across the world. All that you will need in order to begin your podcast is a microphone, editing software, and a computer of some sort. Currently most computers already have an audio recording device built in to them. If the computer you have does not then you can purchase a headset for a rather cheap price.

Before creating your podcast you should be sure that you are going to focus on one single subject and you are speaking clear and well enough for your listeners to understand. The best way to gain any market from your podcasts is by keeping them pertaining towards your company.

Depending on where you host your podcast can also depend on how well it does with the market. Often iTunes is used for hosting podcasts. Thought iTunes is the one that is most often used there are other sites that can host your podcast such as Podcast.com and PodcastDirectory.com.

After the podcast has been created and uploaded it is best to put the podcast also on your company's website or blog that way your customers can also listen to them from the home page. Another great idea for getting your podcasts out there is by putting them on your company's social network site.

By creating a following you can be sure that your company is almost always being listened to and though of by your consumers. The more often you upload a new podcast the more visitors you may get.

As you can tell from this article, podcasting is a great way to get your company out on the market. Getting your company's name on people's lips and getting yourself out there by word of mouth, you are helping your company. The key strategy of this market plan is to make sure that you are completely prepared to publish any podcast and that you want them to hear.

Before you have fully decided to use a podcast as marketing for your company, be sure that you have some ideas planned out for a few of the different podcasts you are going to create. The goal is to be prepared and have your information out there for all of your current customers and future customers to have.

Fred Meek is a professional Austin SEO consultant in Austin Texas. For more information go to Austin Search Engine Optimization.

View the original article here

You've probably heard by now that you should have a podcast. That podcasts are an excellent tool that should be in every learning content product marketer's toolkit. That they increase traffic. That they increase reputation. That they are wonderful marketing tools.

But why does podcasting work?

In this article I'm going to share seven reasons why podcasting works. Of course there are many other reasons. But here are the seven that first came to mind as I thought about why podcasting works.

1. People like them.

It's always easier to market with a media that people like for its own sake. People tolerate sales letters. People try not to let ads get to them. People try to ignore video ads. But a podcast isn't perceived as advertising. They're perceived to be an information or learning content product. Sort of a mini-teleseminar. They're convenient and they're well accepted.

2. They are personal.

Only video is a more personal medium than audio. Podcasts give people a chance to listen to you in action. They get to hear your passion. They get to hear your emotions. Podcasts give people the sense that you are accessible to your audience.

3. They provide short bytes of information.

We are busy today. There's no other way to put it. We're so busy that we are having difficulty absorbing the information -- the stimuli -- that are being aimed at us. Podcasts provide information in short, easily absorbed chunks.

4. They are regular and repeating.

Podcasts are generally released on a weekly basis. But whatever the schedule they are regular and recurring. That means that the message they are carrying -- whether that be reputation, branding or something else -- is regularly repeated and reinforced.

5. They are easy to do.

Podcasts don't really require a lot of equipment. Nor do they require a great deal of thought. A headset and computer with a copy of Audacity is quite sufficient. A basic outline of the points to be raised and a clock is all that one needs to produce a podcast. Complex outlines of multiple chapters and hundreds of points are not required.

6. They are quick to create.

Because podcasts are relatively simplistic and short, they are very quick to create. They don't take a lot of time. A fifteen minute show can be scripted, recorded and edited within about two hours.

7. They are inexpensive to distribute.

Bandwidth costs. Podcasts are relatively inexpensive since they can be recorded at a fairly low quality and still sound good. As a result they don't cost very much to distribute. Not only that, but there are free podcasting services which will distribute your podcast for you.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

Podcasting is an important tool for the information or learning content marketer.

But why? Why Podcasting?

There are a number of different reasons why a learning content product marketer might want to create podcasts.

1. It is low cost

Creating podcasts is extremely inexpensive. In fact, it's almost cost free unlike marketing tools like pay for click, banner advertising or other forms of advertising. Once you have a computer and a microphone, there really isn't any other expense. The software required can be found for free. And since you do the recording, there really isn't any cost.

2. It is time efficient.

Unlike other forms of learning content creation, creating podcasts can take very little time. In fact, you can do the entire process including editing in less than three times the length of the podcast. And since a podcast normally is relatively short -- usually less than 15 minutes -- the time involved is typically less than an hour a week.

3. It is a source of traffic

Podcasts can drive a great deal of pre-qualified, targeted traffic. Because the audience listens to the podcast first they already know what you are selling. In addition, they are motivated to buy since they wouldn't bother to visit your site unless they were looking for what you are selling.

4. It is repeating.

Podcasts don't go away. Unlike advertising such as Google ads which appear once and then may not appear to the same person again, podcasts are repeating. Every week there is a new and interesting podcasts which your followers will download. This constant repetition makes the advertising message more likely to be heard. Even if a listener doesn't visit today, he might next week or the week after.

5. It is personal.

Podcasts are normally recorded by the individual learning content creator themselves. And they are audio. As a result, the audience hears you -- not a script writer or someone in a foreign land who has been asked to write an eBook. They hear you and as a result they will tend to form a relationship.

6. It is reputation building.

Podcasts can help you to build a reputation. Because they are content based they provide a chance to showcase your information. Effectively they become a once per week sample that your audience wants to download. And because they are personal in nature they create a relationship with your audience which helps to enhance the reputation being built.

7. It is well liked by the audience.

Podcasts are well accepted by their audience and are seen as a high value benefit. People like to listen to them. And what they hear influences their purchasing patterns as well.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

First of all you should know that a podcast is a series of media files that are audio or video recorded and released on to the internet. These can either be downloaded for the iPod, and other media devices, including the personal computer. Podcast are a delightful and simple way to get the words out that you are trying to get to your targeted audience. By creating a podcast you will be informing others of information that you would like to share. Whether this information is for a blog, a business, or your own personal opinions; it is able to be downloaded and listened to anywhere and everywhere by those whom are interested. Before you decide to podcast there are a few things you should consider.

Your Product or Opinions:
Depending on your product or the reason you are going to be having a podcast is a very important thing to consider. Are you trying to sell a product of yours? Are you trying to get your company well known for its many services? Or are you simply trying to get your opinions out there about social situations, and other things? No matter what you are trying to do with your podcast, you should be sure that you have chosen your theme for the first podcast and stick with that theme throughout the rest of your podcast.

Reaching Your Target Audience:
Who is your Target Audience? Who exactly are you trying to get your message to? This is a very important thing to consider when you are deciding to create a podcast. By knowing who your target audience is, you will be able to increasingly reach your customers or listeners. The more you can relate to them, the more often they will continue listen. By being yourself and adding your own spin on your podcast, you will be personalizing more with your listeners. This will help you reach them in a way almost as if you were physically there talking to them, compared to text.

An Inexpensive Way To Get You Out There:
If for some reason you cannot seem to afford some advertising, or another way to get your product or services out there. Podcasting is a low cost way to get it done. All that one would need in order to even begin a podcast is a simple microphone and a simple recording program. This is very cost efficient and will hardly cost you any thing, if you already have a built in microphone in your laptop. Once you have recorded your informational podcast simply find a site that will host it and place it on your website or blog to begin.

Over all these are three basic reasons that you should start podcasting. By giving yourself a podcast, you are giving yourself potential to so many new clients and listeners. Have yourself be heard, and get yourself out there. Before you have made your decision to start your podcast, be sure it.

Fred Meek is a professional Austin SEO consultant in Austin Texas. For more information go to Austin Search Engine Optimization.

View the original article here

Every once in a while I'll run into people who believe that you can just create a podcast without thinking about it first. After all, they say, listen to the radio. These guys just show up and start talking. How hard can it be?

The answer is very hard!

Want a broadcasting secret? All those broadcasters who sound really comfortable speaking around the music? You know the ones who read the news? Or who do interviews? Most of them are reading scripts. And not just the type of script that I suggest you use for a podcast. Formal, detailed, word by word scripts.

So why do they use scripts?

And why should you use a modified version of a script?

In this article I'm going to explain why you need a script for your podcast.

First off, podcasts are a short but repeating learning content product. Essentially every week you need to produce fifteen minutes to half an hour of teleseminar.

To make the process of creating podcasts efficient you need to actually record several of them at one time. You also need to write them in a batch. So for example you might write one set of four podcasts one week. Then the week you might record them. And the third you might edit them. That way you are able to get the advantages of creating an assembly line. If you don't create a script then you won't be able to get the advantages this implies. You'll need to determine what you are going to talk about and record it immediately. Which means you need to set up for recording once for every recording rather than once every four weeks.

While podcasts are short don't underestimate them. For a fifteen minute, four segment column format (which is represents the least amount of script effort), you need to have roughly 12 points. Each segment will need to be about three minutes long which corresponds to roughly 3 points. That means you need to write the equivalent of a 1200 word essay every week. Doesn't sound as easy when it's put that way does it?

Professional broadcasters use full scripts because it allows them to say their piece without having to worry about what they are going to say while they are trying to say it. By writing a script for your podcast, you will avoid the embarrassment of not having anything to say.

Professionals also use a script so that they can practice what they are going to say before hand. That way they can perform flawlessly -- or almost so. You too need to practice your speaking. By writing a script you will have be able to repeat and polish your podcast.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

Are you selling information or learning content products over the internet? Or are you perhaps using a website to gain leads for your bricks and mortar consulting? Or maybe you're doing a mix and providing coaching or consulting programs through conference calls and collaboration tools.

Whatever you are doing, if it involves being an expert or providing a service, you should start podcasting.

Why?

That's a pretty strong statement after all. There has to be something to back up that statement. There has to be some solid reasoning behind such a statement.

And there is. In this article I'm going to deal with only four of the reasons that you should start podcasting. There are more reasons but these are the most important -- at least to my mind.

1. Podcasting builds credibility.

Podcasting is a repeating learning content product. It's the teleseminar equivalent of articles. But with repetition built in to reinforce the effect. Each week your customer will hear you -- not an outsourced freelance writer but you -- explain something around your product. This constant barrage of quality information will convince your audience that you can be trusted. And trust is one of the major buying criteria.

2. Podcasting builds a reputation.

For the same reason a podcast will help to build your reputation. In fact, it's just the opposite side of the equation. Not only can you be trusted but you can be trusted because you know what you are talking about. The constant repetition of quality information reinforces the fact that you know your subject.

3. Podcasting builds relationships.

Podcasting is a very personal media. Perhaps not as personal as video is but certainly much more personal than writing. It takes a gifted writer to express passion in their writing. To let your audience inside your head enough to feel what you are feeling. But we do it all day long with our voice and our body. That's why people we are close to often mistake what we are saying in our letters but seldom in conversation. (Okay, no communication is perfect. Even body language can sometimes lie. But in general it's still true). The personal nature of podcasting allows your audience to believe they know and like you. And that's the second major buying criteria.

4. Podcasting generates targeted traffic.

There are many ways of generating traffic to your opt-in or sales page. But many of them generate barely qualified traffic. Their conversion rates are unbelievably low. And that wasted traffic -- people who aren't really interested in you and your product -- costs you money. You are better off getting less traffic but increasing your conversion rate. That's the point of targeted traffic techniques such as podcasting. After all, anyone visiting you from the podcast already knows who you are, what you are selling and why they are interested. Chances are they already know they are going to buy when they show up to your site.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm.

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/.

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

So you've noticed your podcasts are falling in the ratings. You're getting less and less traffic from them. Or worse, people are listening once and then never returning! Continue this pattern and you may as well stop creating podcasts. In fact, you might be better off not having them at all!

What are you doing wrong and how are you going to fix it?

Well, the good news is that you can fix most of the problems. The bad news is that some of them are unfixable.

So how do you fix your podcasts so your audience starts listening to them again?

In this article I'm going to identify seven reasons that your audience might hate your podcasts and give you ways of fixing the problem.

1. You aren't listening to your audience.

This is probably the biggest mistake you can make. Your audience is different from every other audience out there. To keep them you need to give them what they want. Not what you want. What they want. And that means you need to listen to them. Better still ask them what they want.

2. People can't find your podcasts.

One of the common problems for new people to podcasting is that they don't know where to look for podcasts. You need to help them find your podcasts. That means using a host and your own site. That means using SEO and other traffic techniques.

3. You aren't sending traffic to them.

Traffic doesn't just happen. That includes traffic that listens to podcasts. You need to drive traffic to the podcast. Yes, your host will account for some of the traffic but you need to be active about it as well.

4. You're boring them.

Now this is a personal problem. Which really is good when you think about it. That means you can fix it easily. Want to switch from boring to exciting. Let a little passion into your speech. You know how your topic excites you. Well let a little of that excitement into your voice. Stand up. Gesture when talk. Pace. Jump up and down when you're angry. Move your audience.

5. They need more information than you're giving them.

One of the problems with podcasts are that they're so short. You don't have a lot of room to squeeze information in. So you need to be very focused when you record your podcast. Be real. Be yourself. But don't waste time. However, even if you aren't at fault your audience is going to want more information. That's good. So give them a place where they can get more information.

6. You forgot why you're creating podcasts.

I have a friend who creates learning content in all forms of media. But he never manages to make it succeed. Why? Because he keeps trying to sell during the presentation. He's lost sight of the real reason for creating the media -- to establish a reputation that makes people want to listen to you. Selling is for later... when your audience actively wants to buy.

7. They believe that podcasts are obsolete.

Okay, you know how I mentioned that some things you can't fix? This is one of those problems. Many people believe that podcasts have become obsolete. You're not going to change their minds. The only choice you have is to create other types of content that they don't believe is obsolete. That will attract them. Not everyone is going to be your customer. Keep your podcasts for those people who realize that they are still valuable.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

Podcasts are a great tool for learning content marketers. They build credibility. They build targeted traffic. They build a relationship with the audience. They are easy. They are quick to create. They make a great Google-friendly source for repurposing content. In short, they are a tool that you should definitely consider if you are in the business of creating and marketing learning content.

But there seems to be an issue with podcasts!

How do you create them?

There's a lot of information on how to record a podcast. I've even written a word or two about the subject. But one piece of the pie that seems to get overlooked is writing the podcast.

So in this article I'm going to give you six hints for writing your podcasts.

1. Use the same process as article writing. Both articles and podcasts are about the same length. Let's face facts, they're both short pieces. In fact, they almost qualify as tiny. However, that size imposes a number of problems. The system you would use for writing a fifty-thousand word eBook will probably be major overkill for a four-hundred word article. The same thing applies to writing a podcast. However, it still needs to follow the same basic structure. You still need to prepare an outline, edit it and then write the podcast or article. If you are intending to write articles as well as podcasts then use the same process to the same extent for both.

2. Cheat. Sorry, I couldn't help that. And it could be misinterpreted so I'll have to explain what I mean. Both articles and podcasts are approximately the same size. And they are both intended to perform the same set of tasks. And they are in different media so Google won't object if you transcribe them. Whenever you write a podcast, you should repurpose it into an article. And vice versa. You'll get two marketing opportunities from one bit of work. Always a good thing.

3. But don't overdo it. There's always a problem when you try to cheat. You might be tempted to overdo it. Just as you shouldn't use PLR articles or spun articles, you shouldn't use them as a base for your podcasts. It really isn't that much work. And your quality will be much better. And trust me; the audience will know when you overstep the bounds of ethics.

4. Pick what you are recording from and stick to it. Traditionally writers wrote their articles long hand. Then they learned to type. Then they learned to speak and transcribe. Along the way, we each develop our own preferences. The trick is to pick a method that works best for you. Do you prefer outlining your podcast, recording it and then transcribing the result? Or do you prefer outlining it, writing it out and then recording it? It's a personal choice. There's good and bad to each choice. Try them out and see what feels best to you. But once you've made your choice stick with it. Don't jump around. You'll improve in time, but not if you're constantly changing gears.

5. Use Your Computer As A Tele-prompter. I'm not sure if this is a writing or recording suggestion. It's actually a little of both. No matter what you are recording from... script or outline... put it on a PowerPoint or equivalent. Why? Because when you record the podcast, you will need to read from your "script". By using a computer screen as a tele-prompter, you will avoid dropping your chin onto your chest. Most people find the quality of their voice improves if they keep their head up when they speak.

6. Writing is not speaking and neither is reading. It's common to teach people to write like they speak. But it doesn't actually happen. There are things you will say when you speak that you wouldn't write. Similarly when you write you'll phrase things in ways that you never would if you were speaking. That's why reading in public is a different skill from public speaking. However you decide to write your podcast you need to recognize the difference between the two and practice converting between the two. The key to doing a good job is practice.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

View the original article here

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Business Podcast Marketing Case Study Shows How Podcasting Delivers Dramatic Results for Client. Podcasting has significant business marketing potential. If the business podcast strategy and online visibility plan is properly executed; podcasting has the potential to be a marketing tool that delivers great marketing results.

The professional business marketers over at marketingsherpa.com have just released a new case study titled "How to Use a Podcast to Promote a White Paper That Generates New Business Sales Leads".

This case study is about how Bearing Point used podcasting to promote a white paper and saw sign up rates of over 30% versus a traditional 10%. This is a 200% increase over traditional marketing techniques.

Here is a short excerpt: "Dunay wasn't sure if the podcasts would be a hit or not, especially as his key prospects tend to be fairly conservative. So he didn't roll out trumpets and strobe lights for the launch.

Instead, the team posted the podcasts and announcements at several related sites including http://www.Podblaze.com, http://www.FreshPodcasts.com, and iTunes (all of which currently promote podcasts for free.) They also rolled out a press release and an email announcement to the house list. Their first podcast launched quietly July 29, 2005.

RESULTS

Joy and exultation! Hundreds of executives downloaded the podcasts. Dunay had hoped that 10% of podcast listeners would respond to the white paper download offer. Instead, 30% did..."

This is a great example of how marketing professionals should and could be using podcasting to help their business. This is the future of podcasting, Podcasting is going to become a marketing tool that communicates, educates and drives listeners to action. In this case the action was to download a white paper and effectively generate leads.

I have been trying to inform the business markets of this trend for the past 9 months. I discussed this very scenario in a Podcasting White Paper that was released a few months back. Read the full case study at http://www.MarketingSherpa.com

Experienced online marketing professionals that have expertise in the areas of podcast production, strategy, and visibility such as http://www.LeveragedPromotion.com can help your business achieve these same levels of results. Just creating a podcast in a vacuum of space is the wrong strategy. Make sure that you achieve maximum exposure for your podcasts so that they can deliver measurable marketing results.

Copyright 2005 Rodney Rumford

Rodney Rumford has over 18 years of experience in the technology field. He has held management positions in Marketing, Business Dev, Enterprise Consulting, Sales and Engineering.

He does corporate consulting in the areas of RSS & Podcasting strategy, execution and marketing. He has developed software solutions in the areas of RSS Feeds, Podcasting and PPC Advertising. He is the CEO of The Info Guru LLC., which operates several web properties that include: http://www.podblaze.com

There are a few different ways you can create an additional revenue stream with podcasts including:

Creating lecture style podcasts that "students" pay for.

As an entrepreneur you will have an area of expertise that people will pay to listen to, perhaps it can be sold as an alternative to your higher priced ticket offline seminar. You can make a one off charge for a number of podcasts or charge a fee for each individual one. You may even decide to create ongoing residual income by offering a weekly subscription.

These may all be easier alternatives for people who cannot afford your other material and can also be used for people in another country unable to make your event. What's really great about using this method is the fact that people get an opportunity to get to know your style before investing in one of your higher end products.

This is a great method for Coaches, motivational speakers, psychologists, internet marketers and other people who are able to provide hints, advice, techniques, and how to type valuable information.

Use old radio formats and re-create them for todays market

Radio shows that told stories, involved comedy shows, had husband and wife type banter, provided serious political debates. All these type of old radio formats can be used now as podcasts. A podcast that contains more than one host provides entertainment for the listener so consider creating "conversational podcasts" on a relevant topic for that week or month that your subscribers will pay to download.

Access to business people or well known public figures

If you are able to gain access to well known business professionals and provide a weekly podcast that interviews them, or an informal chat session this can create a great monthly subscription for you that you can turn into a membership site. All you do is provide your members with access to the professional or celebrity talk show style podcast that you have created.

These are great ways for entrepreneurs in business to develop a fairly inexpensive way to market their products/services and benefit from an ongoing residual income stream.

While those are direct revenue streams there are also indirect revenue streams that involve you providing free information through your podcasts that may eventually lead to a sale.

For example you run an internet based business selling software. Your ultimate goal is to get people buying your software. You may decide to use podcasts as a way to provide information about what one particular piece of software can do. You can talk about how it can save people time, money or frustration (or all 3!), talk about why it is worth investing in, how it works, the many different uses it has etc.


If you are not the creator of the software look into interviewing the person who did create it and provide that as a free podcast. This all helps to sell your product for you and is not just a plain boring "infomercial" but provides a lot more value than that.

You run a law firm. A legal issues podcast with interviews, anecdotes and advice could boost the profile of the firm, and well beyond your traditional market.


Those are just some of the ways that an entrepreneur in business can use to support your marketing activities and generate an ongoing income from podcasts.

Podcasts have become a big hit with some of the major players like the BBC and CNN because they realize the potential in allowing their listeners to be able to gain access to news items long after the item was featured on the television.

People now dictate when they will watch the news and other television shows as it all becomes easier to download them from the internet and watch at our leisure.

If it wasn't a worthwhile investment then these large corporations wouldn't waste their time with it so take that as hint of things to come. The market is growing and becoming larger. The possibilities with podcasts, and rss feeds have changed the way our information is delivered to us.

If you are not creating podcasts right now you seriously need to consider changing that because you are missing out on a fabulous marketing tool whether you choose to monetize them or not. At the very least they result in subscribers to your newsletter who get to know you through your voice and the more people know, like and trust you the more chance of them becoming a life long customer.

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Do you value community outreach activities? Are you looking for better ways to communicate with—and educate—your patients, your peers, or even the media? If your goal is to deliver your message to more people, more effectively, more often, then I have the answer you’ve been looking for … and it’s powerful, fun and remarkably simple.

Why not use the cutting edge technology of podcasting to spread awareness about the importance of proper oral health? Stay with me now—if you have a slight case of technophobia, that’s okay. I’m confident that if your practice has the technical know-how to produce an online newsletter, then learning to integrate podcasting into your outreach activities will be a snap. And believe me—podcasting is the most innovative mass-communication vehicle to emerge in years, and will greatly increase the impact and reach of your message.

Let’s begin with the basics. Think of a podcast as a radio program that anyone can download from the Internet. Put another way, a podcast is a digital file that is available to everyone—via free subscription—over the web. Most podcasts are audio files only (like CDs), but video content can be added as well (like DVDs). The main advantage of podcasting over traditional broadcasting is that users can download these web files to their personal computers, mp3 players, and/or CDs, and then listen to them at their convenience—in their car, during their morning run, or even in your reception area.

More and more, podcasts are becoming recognized as the latest robust communication tool to harness the Internet’s power to reach a large number of listeners quickly. If your podcast contains valuable information, your listeners will share it with others, rapidly disseminating your message around the globe. Also, because podcasts use RSS (really simply syndication) technology, new episodes are delivered to your subscribers seamlessly. Once a listener subscribes to a podcast using iTunes or another similar service, that service automatically downloads new episodes as they are released, making it practically instantaneous and effortless for your audience to receive your message.

Putting together a professional-sounding podcast is easier than you might think. Since valuable content is paramount, the first step is to prepare interesting topics for your episodes. I suggest that you commit to producing bi-monthly episodes, meaning that you initially need only six topics per year. Once podcasting becomes part of your routine, increase your production to twelve topics per year. If you are already producing a paper or online newsletter for your patients, the most logical progression would be to reformat some of that content into podcasts. A good way to start is to identify topics that you could cover in more detail by talking about them in a podcast rather than writing about them in a newsletter.

For example, the most recent newsletter that my dentist emailed to me included an article about the dangers of periodontal disease, including information on how it may be connected to the development of heart disease, warning signs to watch out for, and recommended preventative actions. This is valuable information that I am interested in, and I am thankful to be on this mailing list. But imagine that I have received this information in the form of an audio podcast, personally recorded by my dentist, urging me to book an appointment for a much-needed checkup. I am immediately spurred to action! Speaking directly to your audience—in your own voice and with your own inflection, tone and spirit—creates a much more intimate connection with your patients. This relationship-building quality is inherent in audio, and it’s part of what makes podcasting so powerful.

If you have doubts about the widespread acceptance of digital audio files, consider this statistic: on April 9, 2007, Apple announced the sale of its 100 millionth iPod and more than 2.5 billion songs from the iTunes Music Store. Now consider that anyone can download podcasts from this same music store and listen to them via their mp3 player or their computer, or burn them to CD … for free! As more and more people (including your patients) “tune in” to audio files via the web, offering them podcasts that complement and expand on the content of your existing newsletters provides you with another way to remind them about the importance of proper oral health and the services you provide.

So, what equipment and software do you need to record and produce a podcast? You can become a podcasting pro in just seven simple steps:

1. Verify that your PC is running Windows 2000, XP or Vista, and has the ability to play audio files.

2. Invest in a microphone. Altec Lansing makes decent products, some of which list for under $30, and are available at Future Shop. But I recommend splurging a little to improve your audio quality. Blue Microphones makes a great USB mic called the Snowball, which retails for $130 on the Canadian online Apple Store. (This mic will also work with your Windows PC.)

3. Download and install your recording software. Audacity is an excellent audio editor that is available for download from http://audacity.sourceforge.net. And you can’t beat their price point: it’s free.

4. Record and edit your podcast.

5. Partner with an online hosting service to set up a website specifically for your podcast. Liberated Syndication is extremely inexpensive and gives me everything I need. At $5 USD per month, I can lease 100 megabytes of storage space per month, which translates into about two hours of audio. This basic hosting account gives me unlimited bandwidth, meaning that even as my audience grows exponentially, my monthly cost never increases. LibSyn also provides me with easy-to-use templates for my podcast’s website, and automatically generates and updates my podcast’s RRS feed. Another, similar service worth considering is Go Daddy.

6. Upload your new podcast to your hosting service using their simple submission page. Completing the submission page is similar to sending an email. Simply type in the title of your podcast (like a subject line), add the description of your episode (like the body of your email), and include your mp3 file (as an attachment). You can even attach a corresponding image, if you like. Uploading your podcast stores the mp3 file online and makes it available to your audience—they can download your podcast from your newly created podcast website.

7. Promote your podcast! This is as easy as sending an email announcement to your contact list with the URL of your podcast’s website. But to take advantage of the various online podcast directories, you need to visit their websites and submit your podcast’s RSS feed. You should never pay to be included in these directories, since the best ones—including iTunes, Podcast Alley, Odeo, and Podcast Pickle—are free.

For Mac users, these steps are even simpler, thanks to Garage Band and iWeb. As a Mac user myself, I’d be happy to pass along some pointers to get you started.

Like you, I believe it’s important to remain connected with my client base, and as a lover of all things tech, I choose to use innovative approaches. I have successfully engaged the power of podcasting to promote my company in two weekly podcasts with rapidly growing success. And by following these seven simple steps, you too can become a podcasting pro!

Copyright 2007 - Blue Melnick. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the following by-line:

Blue Melnick is a professional podcast producer, and the co-host of two weekly podcasts: Biz Link Radio and The Tech Advisors. Contact Blue through www.bizlinkradio.com [http://www.bizlinkradio.com/], through www.thetechadvisors.ca [http://www.thetechadvisors.ca], or by phone at 416-462-3323. To listen to podcasting for dental practitioners in action, download the April 30, 2007 episode of Biz Link Radio, featuring Toronto dental surgeon Dr. Lancelot A. Brown!

One of the most fun ways to make massive amounts of cash online is through Podcasting. Podcasts have become an important form of entertainment on the Internet in recent times. Who doesn't listen to MP3's these days? Podcasts provide a convenient way to access media in just a few seconds over the Internet.

Many people have generated sizeable incomes from podcasts. They are a good way to create cash on the Internet. So why not create your own podcast? It's quite easy once you know how.

The road to a successful podcast begins with knowing your target market. What do they truly want? Would be they more reciprocative to certain kind of media?

You need to spend some time researching your target market to find out exactly what they want. Spend some time researching on Google and other authority sites like eBay, forums and YouTube to find out what your market wants. The rule in business is always to find the market first, then create the product. Unfortunately, too many people do it the other way around.

Once you are prepared to record your podcast, use only the best quality recording tools and software. Its often said that you get what you pay for. Same goes for here too. Invest in a top quality recording tool and you will get the results you wished for. Free software may be effective, but may produce a lower sound quality. Try them out, and if they are not to your satisfaction, look to purchase a professional recording software that will churn out a quality podcast for you.

Fabian Tan is the author of the free 51-Page Report:

"Murder Your Job: How To Build Cash Sucking Autopilot Businesses In 30 Days Or Less!"

Head over to http://www.MurderYourJob.com to get your free copy now before it's gone!

In my experience, pitching yourself as a podcast interview subject is very different from pitching your book to a publisher or getting on television, with one exception: you have to do your homework.

Pitching your manuscript to a publisher requires a formal proposal containing certain elements, such as a marketing plan and a competing and complementary books section, in addition to sample chapters. Talk-show hosts like Jay Leno have very specific guidelines for would-be guests, along the lines of You must use our e-mail submission form and you must send video a particular format. And, of course, for print media coverage, there's the traditional press release and its social media variants.

Take a Personal Approach

Because most podcasts are a personal and informal medium, most podcasters are suspicious of marketing-speak and press releases, especially if the pitch looks like something that's been sent out on a massive scale. Most podcasters have small, vocal audiences, people who think of them as friends and who will let them know in no uncertain terms if they don't like a show. There's a strong sense of community among podcasters and listeners, and when it comes to doing interviews, podcasters prefer people who are part of that community to people who aren't, unless the interviewee is extremely well-known.

Like bloggers (and many podcasters are bloggers), podcasters are as likely to lambaste a bad pitch to their listeners as to simply trash it and ignore it. To learn what not to do, take a look at the Bad Pitch Blog.

Picking Podcasts to Pitch

In April 2006, FeedBurner reported that it was publishing 44,000 podcast feeds. That's good news: it's a pretty safe bet that whatever you're writing about, someone is podcasting about it. And no, you won't have to listen to all 44,000 in order to know which ones to pitch.

Remember the audience profile you had to create when you created your book proposal? You want to find podcasters whose audiences are the same as your ideal reader. These are more likely to be podcasters who talk about the same subjects as your book than book review or literary podcasts, though you shouldn't overlook those, either.

To find podcasts on the right subject, check out podcast directories like iTunes and Podcast Alley, which allow listeners to rate and review podcasts. Read the descriptions and the reviews and make a shortlist of the most likely candidates.

And, of course, don't overlook any podcasts you're already listening to.

Joining the 'In Group'

So what do you do after you've gone through and found the highest-rated podcasts on subjects related to your book? First, listen to the podcast . Better yet, subscribe to the podcast and listen to several shows. Read the show notes and the comments. Find out whether interviews are a regular part of the show. (Some shows feature interviews every week, others occasionally, and some not at all.)

Next, start commenting. When you leave a comment on the show's blog, you can enter the URL for your book instead of your home page for some subtle self-promotion, but the important thing is to respond thoughtfully to something in that episode. Write a paragraph or two that continues the conversation and shows that you know what you're talking about.

Genuine Connections

While podcasters don't necessarily expect people they've interviewed to listen to every show from then on, they'll shy off anyone whose interest seems too self-serving. Just because a podcast has a lot of listeners doesn't mean that you'll like the show or the podcaster. If you don't, don't try to fake it in order to reach a potential market for your book. Make sure the podcast and its host(s) are a good fit for your personality before you try to line up an interview.

It's That Simple

You'll probably have to do this more than once before the podcaster asks to interview you, but if what you say is interesting enough to the listeners (who will usually hear it read out in the next episode as well as having the opportunity to read it on the show blog), the podcaster may contact you immediately. If not, keep listening and commenting for a few shows, and strike up an e-mail correspondence with the podcaster.

Once you're sure that the podcaster and the listeners know who you are and find your comments interesting, volunteer yourself as an interviewee. And as long as there's enough time before the interview date, send the podcaster a copy of your book. Even if the interview isn't about the book itself (and it probably won't be), having the book in hand helps the podcaster to come up with interview questions.

Keep the Discussion Going

Naturally you'll want to listen to the episode with your interview in it, but don't stop there. Check the show notes to see what listeners have to say about the show. Is there anything you can pick up on and respond to?

It's also a good idea to listen to the next episode for more feedback, and to send in any answers you have to questions which might have come up. Some questions might come directly to you, but many listeners feel more comfortable dealing with the podcast host(s).

If enough listeners want to know more, you might get invited back for another interview.

Side Benefits

Some podcasters also review books. Indeed, there are book review podcasts out there, and it doesn't hurt to search for them. A podcaster who likes your book might also write up a short review on the show blog and include an Amazon affiliate link.

One of the nicest things about podcast interviews, though, is that you can link directly to the episode from your own website without having to worry about how to handle the audio file at your end. (Very often, though, podcasters will give you permission to repost the file on your own site if you wish to do so.)

Best of all, though, you don't have to go through layers of screening to get access to a podcaster--which is part of why podcasters have such dedicated fans.

© 2006 Sallie Goetsch

As co-founder of the Podcast Asylum, Sallie Goetsch (rhymes with "sketch") writes and speaks about podcasting from the listener?s perspective. She started "smoking the podcast dope" in April 2005 and immediately began using podcasting to make connections and attract prospects from around the world without recording her own podcast.

She works tirelessly to cure the epidemic of Podcastus Ignoramus among business owners and produces Reports from the Asylum for the popular communications podcast For Immediate Release.

If you or someone you know is suffering from a podcast-related mental health syndrome, write to sallie [at] podcastasylum.com