Over the past decade we have seen the Internet grow by leaps and bounds. In the first-generation of Internet marketing, techniques were very limited and it was thought that banner advertising was the only way to go and search engine ranking and search engine criteria were virtually non-existent!

With the second-generation of Internet marketing, businesses realized that the Internet wasn't a technology but a marketing tool. We began to see more focused and varied techniques which are still very much used today. Things like generating repeat traffic, search engine optimization, permission marketing and viral marketing became important Internet marketing elements.

Third-generation Internet marketing encompasses many or all parts of the second generations plus a whole lot more. With the third-generation came the search explosion where we can now search for videos, images and maps, we can now search locally as well as on a global scale. Search engine optimization for each of these new searches require their own strategy. Third generation Internet marketing includes all the latest techniques - podcasting, videocasting, blogs, mblogs, flogs, wikis, mobile marketing, interactive maps, social marketing, RSS and a whole lot more!

Podcasting - What Is It?

Podcasting is the distribution of audio content via the Internet.

It is distributed for listening on personal computers, MP3 players, iPods or other mobile devices. The term podcasting originally came from the two terms "broadcasting" and "iPod" but as I stated above, they can be listened to on just about any mobile device as well as your PC.

How Does It Work?

Podcasting is a relatively easy process. You need your content and a few pieces of equipment, including your computer, a microphone, audio recording software and an MP3 encoder. You also need a Web site or host for distribution. Once you have those, you're in business!

Once you have finished recording your podcast you can put it on your Web site and make it available as an individual podcast or as a series of podcasts available for download on a subscription basis through RSS feed.

Once searchers download your podcast from your site, or host, they can listen to your content where ever they want, whenever they want!

What to Include in Your Podcast

There are so many topics that are suitable for podcasts. There are podcasts on everything from Internet Marketing to Thai cooking. I have listed a few ideas below, but as I said above, there are podcasts on every topic imaginable!

Just to name a few:

* Training tutorials

* Guided Tours (ie., museum tours, city tours, art gallery tours, etc.)

* Interviews

* Announcements (ie., new CD released, new music video released, etc.)

* Informational content

* TV and Radio shows

* Sportscasts

* And so many more...

Promoting Your Podcast

As with any web site content or published material, you want to get as wide a distribution for your podcast as you can.

The most obvious place to promote your podcast would be right on your Web site. If you are going to put it on your Web site make sure it stands out. You can even have a whole page dedicated to it (or them!).

Remember to make it easy for people to subscribe by way of an RSS feed or give you permission to email them when you have new podcasts available.

Be sure to provide information on your podcast content (sell the sizzle) and also provide the tools they need to be able to access the content.

Include Viral marketing - Tell a friend about this podcast - to enable your Web site visitors to spread the word.

Here are a few other ways you can promote your podcast:

* Promote your podcast in your signature file

* Promote your podcasts on partner sites

* Promote your podcast through popular podcast sites, such as:

* iTunes- http://www.itunes.com

* Submit your podcast to podcast search engines like:

* Podcast Alley- http://www.podcastalley.com

* Podcast Pickle- http://www.podcastpickle.com/

* Promote your podcasts on any sites that are targeting the same target market you are and where your content would be valuable to that site

Benefits Of Having A Podcast

We are seeing podcasting take off because it enables listeners to enjoy the audio content when they want - they can listen to a tour of the community where they are thinking of relocating while on a 10:30 a.m. flight to view a house in that community, they can enjoy a podcast on how to complete a purchase agreement while on the treadmill first thing in the morning, or they can listen to descriptions of new listings while riding the subway to work, or they can listen to your advice on getting their house ready for the market while lazing by the pool.

People no longer have to be in a particular place at a particular time to hear your audio content, they can download it and listen to it anywhere at any time.

They can take your message with them wherever they go!

Susan Sweeney, CA, CSP, HoF

Best-selling author of 8 Internet Marketing Books, including 101 Ways to Promote Your Real Estate Web Site

Check out my site to see how you can take my FREE online Search Engine Optimization Methodology course - [http://www.RealEstateInternetMarketingBook.com]

Real Estate Podcasting is slowly trickling into construction builders & real estate companies business models. As the revelation of practical uses for this new medium become more and more apparent to business owners, a new form of online real estate sales begins.

Podcasting has gained popularity over the last year at an intense growth rate. The reason for this success, is due large in part to the success of the Apple's iPod. A name in which no way offers ownership of podcasting to Apple, but it does however give the computer giant, a fantastic product association whenever the word is uttered.

Podcasts are now able to be played on a plethora of devices, iPods, Psp's, Video Cellphones, PDA's, Pocket PC's, Ultra Moblie PC's, Tivo 2, and more. This explosion in accessibility is what is directly making podcasting a viable business tool; directly enhancing and affecting the way internet marketing, sales, and promotions are being used, as well as customizing its uses to any specific business brand or industry.

With Real Estate podcasting, the return on investment begins as soon as the first podcast is downloaded. In today's modern world time is a luxury, traveling is not always convenient, and efficiency is always top priority. Real estate podcasts merge accessibility with efficiency, and convenience with the comfort of buying.

When an interested party is shopping for a potential home or investment, they want to make sure they see and know as much as possible about the property before making a decision. Unfortunately, property purchasers are routinely disparaged by the lack of available pictures, data and information on a website. In addition, the inconvenience of scheduling a viewing of the potential property can be a deterrent as well. Real estate video podcasts allow the user to view a full video tour of the property along with an audio voice over of the broker's listing information. These podcasts features high quality sales information scripts with beautiful pictures and live motion video, giving you a feel for the environment from any geographic location.

Real estate podcasts are meant to serve as a teaser to your buying audience. Especially for those who may have never inquired further, until they were tantalized by the visual satisfaction they were able to receive immediately.

Real estate podcasting really becomes advantageous when the subscription model is attached. All podcasts can be subscribed to, with one click of a button, through your local aggregator, like iTunes, My Yahoo!, Goole reader, etc...

Once a podcast is subscribed to, the user will receive every new podcast that is published to the file immediately as it is distributed. With home builders and realtors, this becomes highly advantageous for residual marketing and sales efforts. Having a direct link to an interested party allows the business to implement more highly targeted sales campaigns, geared towards specific individual & group needs. Investors can receive up to date video listings of new investment opportunities on the market. Home buyers who are looking over an extended period of time, can remain interactive with your company by receiving all the new updates of new properties in the area as they are available.

Podcasts are not only used in conjunction with a company's website, but they are also listed in podcast directories, such as iTunes, Odeo, Yahoo Podcasts!, Google Base, etc. These directories are visual catalogues of podcast content. They organize the podcasts into segmented categories and then rank the most popular ones accordingly. The higher a podcast is ranked in its particular category, the more visibility that podcast receives. The great thing about podcast directories is that it separates the users into targeted demographics, by segmenting the location of the podcasts listed on the directory by category and information. This presents incredible potential for the business to create multi level marketing campaigns, aimed at their ideal demographic using this targeted method of consumer reach.

For the first time ever, the commercial industry has control on a direct avenue for multimedia distribution and penetration to the market based upon consumer demand and needs on a global scale. This control not only integrates seamlessly with internet technology, but it merges the traditional elements of sale, publicity and marketing with modern points of access and distribution.

Real Estate podcasting allows home builders, brokers, buyers, sellers, investors and any interested party the chance to preview a product anywhere, anytime, and on any device they choose. The use of podcasting in the real estate industry will not only increase technological confidence among home buyers, but it will directly affect corporation's turnover times, thereby increasing revenue and ultimately the bottom line.

Ryan Hoback is founder and Chairman of What I Want Podcasting, a leading business podcast development firm. Specializing in the commercial application of podcasting for society.

If you wish to reach Ryan, Please contact info@whatiwantpodcasting.com.