Online communications are changing. Consumers are now actively demanding more involvements through social media like blogs, podcasts and online videos. No longer are they satisfied by being passive readers. They also have opinions. These opinions count so much they can hijack an established brand.

In this article, we will talk about one of these media called podcast. Podcasting has become so popular in a short period of time it was the Word of the Year for 2005 and officially included in New Oxford American Dictionary.

Coaches can no longer ignore such trends. This marketing channel is not just for big companies with huge marketing budget. Anyone can effort it. Clients are now talking about you and their experience with your service whether you want to participate or not, and whether you like it or not.

What can you use this rich media channel for?

1. Using podcast as a lead generation tool

If your lead generation strategy involves any online activity, now is the time to look beyond search engine optimization, email marketing, or press release. Many people are buying based on recommendations of friends and colleagues in social media and networking sites.

Podcasts play a huge part in them. A free podcast that offers valuable content, and with the right promotion, will attract a lot of loyal listeners. If all of those who listen and subscribe to your podcast are highly interested in your content, how valuable this could be? After all, they are listening to you instead of tons of other choices out there, it should mean something.

2. Save time on lead nurturing

Imagine being able to "talk" directly to the profile above repeatedly. Instead of offering articles, white papers, email newsletter and other static content, you begin to mix them with audio content such as short seminars or coaching sessions.

Best of all, podcast allows you to keep in touch with your audience just like email, with additional benefits. It is also spam free, and the process of downloading and syncing to the listeners' portable media players can be done automatically.

3. Increase revenue through product sales

Unlike what many people think, promoting products through a podcast will not turn listeners off. The last thing your audience want from you is boring content. They don't object product promotion as long as it augments the value of the podcast.

If podcasters have successfully used this medium to earn hefty advertising revenue, why can't it work for your own product?

4. Establish a name and thought leadership

Being able to reach your prospective clients again and again builds brand value. Big companies pay millions to be able to advertise on national radios and televisions. You can do the same by leveraging what you know and share them with the world. Nothing beats the Internet when it comes to reaching international audience.

Podcasting is your tool to reach people globally, on a shoestring.

5. Demonstrate expertise

Coaches who podcast share interesting tidbits about their industry. They often give insights into the topic itself. Just like writing for magazines, trade journals and other publications establish yourself as an expert in your niche, podcasting allows you to do so more lively.

One of the greatest concerns for coaches who want to jump on the bandwagon is they don't have time to produce content. This is not something to worry about. Chances are, coaches have tons of content already produced. And the good news is, they can use the same content and re-purpose them into new media format.

Start looking into it before your competitors do!

Are you driving boatloads of traffic from social media? You should.

Download your guide on breaking into social media, blogging and podcasting with an impact, plus my step-by-step strategy so you can copy my method... free. http://blogbuildingu.com/blogging-kit