Using Podcasts to Support Your Small Business Online

Marketing has Never Been So Entertaining

In this age of technology, reading isn't the only way to get information. People are becoming more and more creative with the way that they present facts to the public, and video and audio are the latest way to broadcast information out to the world. One increasingly popular way to get multi-media out to people is through podcasting.

A podcast is a series of digital files that are released in episodes. People can download and review them as they become available. If you're thinking about using this medium to support your small business online, then you're taking a big step towards the future of marketing.

It's really not as difficult to create an audio or video as you might think. The first step to using podcasts to support your small business online is creating original media content for people to download. You can choose audio or video, depending on which you prefer and which you think will be most effective in helping your business. You can record demonstrations of your product, how-tos for different aspects of your area of expertise, and even customer testimonials. You can subscribe to various podcasts yourself to get a feel for what works and what doesn't.

Once you create the material, it's easy to upload it to a website that will easily create an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed. Once you've got it uploaded, it's now available for anyone around the world with an internet connection to download and review. If you're intent on using podcasts to support your small business online, then you should try to make your videos as creative and fun as possible. More people will watch them and subscribe to them if they're entertaining. But, at the same time, you want to be sure to provide valuable information about your business in your broadcasts, too.

Using podcasts to support your small business online is not only an easy way to get people interested in your business, but also a great way to keep people informed about any news pertaining to your business or industry. People are much more likely to watch a short video or listen to a short audio file than they are to read even a one-page newsletter. The truth is, video and audio has been proven to have a much higher conversion rate. In the age of the internet, entertainment is king. So you might as well do your best to make your podcasts as entertaining as possible. This will not only be more fun for your subscribers, but it'll be more fun for you as well.

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Twelve Tips For a Successful Podcast

The following list includes factors that make for good podcasting - and particularly those first few podcasts:

Keep it short. I suggest you start by creating a 5 minute podcast. A shorter podcast may encourage people to give it a try. If they have to listen to 30 minutes, they might not be so keen to invest the time. You can always increase the length of the podcast as your audience grows. Focus on a particular area of interest and talk in depth on that subject area. Project your personality through the podcast. People will listen to a podcast not just for the information that is included in it, but also because of your style of presentation and your personality. Include anecdotes. Just like in public speaking, from Jesus' time to the present day, storytelling really livens up any presentation and captures the listener's attention. Don't read from a script. Unless you have a gift for enlivening things written down in a script, it is far better to create a framework and speak from the framework using your own words. I would prefer to hear a few 'umms,' 'likes' and 'arghs' and have a presentation made spontaneously than a perfectly read but stultifying presentation made from a script. Record animatedly. When recording your podcast, do it with energy and passion. A great trick that will automatically make things sound a whole lot better it to stand up and move your arms while you are podcasting. Use a good microphone. I am always amazed at how audibly illiterate some people are when they use an inadequate microphone (or worse a microphone 'built in' to their computer or MP3 player) to record a podcast. In the worse cases you have to actually strain your ears to hear the words, in the best, background noise and ambient sound can be clearly heard during the podcast. Microphones to look at (all of which are USB microphones that plug directly into your PC) include the Samson C03U USB Studio Condenser Mic or the Bluemic Snowball Get to the subject at hand as quickly as possible. There seems to be a trend towards adding all sorts of unnecessary clutter (such as a theme tune) at the beginning of a podcast. This may be okay for podcasts that you are listening to passively (e.g. on a car journey), but for those listening purposefully at their desks, unnecessary content can be an annoyance. Listen and learn from other people's podcasts in your subject area. This can be a great eye opener (or 'ear' opener!) as to what works and what doesn't. Consider asking a colleague or subject matter expert to join you and take part in the podcast. The interchange between two people can make for more interesting and entertaining listening than one sole presenter. Solicit questions and suggestions from the audience. By incorporating information that listeners have shown an interest in will automatically ensure that the podcasts are relevant to the audience. Publicize the podcast. If no one downloads the podcast then, however good it is, it will be a waste of time. Make sure that you include a link on your Web site. Send existing clients a link and consider issuing a press release. Bear in mind that many of your customers may not know what a podcast is. Make sure that you educate them and provide clear instructions as to how they could 'subscribe' to the podcast so that they will be assured of getting future episodes. School and College Radio   Internet Marketing - Using Podcasts   Six Benefits of Podcasting   The Benefits of Starting a Podcast   Podcast Transcription: Converting the Spoken to the Written   

The Importance of Podcast Transcription

Many podcast owners do not have their podcasts transcribed, and this is very surprising due to the value that it brings. Yes, it might cost a little money unless you do it yourself, but the ROI (return on investment) can be very high. There are five main reasons for getting your podcast transcribed.

First, they are searchable. Generally, podcasts are not searchable, but transcripts are just text, and people can find what you are talking about via just a regular Google search. They can help generate more traffic to your website and more subscribers to your podcast as well. If you don't get your podcast transcribed, people won't find you by searching. Transcripts can also double as content. If you aren't sure what to put on your blog, you can copy the transcript onto there. It is also a great thing to put into your newsletter, and adds a whole lot of content quickly and easily. After you have a few transcripts, or maybe quite a few, you can then make an eBook out of them. This can directly help you get more revenue. Transcripts also give your podcast a much wider audience. Some people still prefer text, for whatever reason, to audio and/or video, so having a transcript available will allow them to read everything that went on in their mode of preference.

A general rule of thumb is that the more options you give to people, the more people will actually use your product, which, in this case, is your podcast. People might also use the transcript to highlight key moments of it when discussing it on other blogs, so it is really helpful to have. Lastly, you can use the transcript yourself as a reference material. Let's say you are trying to remember what was said during a previous podcast, but can't even remember which one it was. If you have an archive of transcripts, you will be able to easily search for the phrase you want, and find out who said it, when it was said, and what was being said before and after that.

As you can see, transcripts really are useful. Basically, if you want to drive more traffic to your site, gain more listeners or viewers, and make more money, then you should get your podcast transcribed. Everyone might not be doing it, but they should be.

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So, What Makes a Good Podcast?

Not everything you write or blog about will be suitable for a Podcast, often some of the things are too long, not relevant or simply just do not work when transferred into audio, but there are lots of other things you can make into a podcast to download to your computer and allow your clients to listen to what you have to say.

So, what are the best things to make into a Podcast?

Latest News Snippets - If you want to tell the world about the latest company news or something that has happened for one of your clients, releasing a quick podcast is really the way to go. People will listen and remember what you are saying, where if you are writing a press release or loads of text, it can be quite difficult for the person looking at your news to remember exactly what you are say.

Top Ten Tips - Top ten tips or top five tips have really transformed the way articles are written, making them more concise and more popular on the Internet for users to find out information. This can be exactly the same with Podcasts, as people will download a short piece about the top ten ways to do this or maybe five ways to increase your sales. The options really are endless and just like articles, customers and clients really do prefer quick information and top ideas about how to do something.

Quick User Guides - Ever wanted to know how to change the oil in your car or simply wanted to find out how to replace a part in one of your coffee machines? How much easier would it be to listen to someone telling you how to do it, step by step, instead of having to read through loads of text and then print it all out to try and follow it. Your customers will love the fact they can download really quick guides to help them with all kinds of services and products you might offer and you will be really surprised how popular these might well become.

Opinions On The News - Reacting to the latest news is a good way to pick up instant and relevant traffic, especially if your website is relevant to the news you are commenting upon. The Internet has transformed the way news works, with 24 hour, live streaming news from all areas of the world accessible for free at anytime, thanks to our computers and broadband connection.

Niche Interviews And Debates - Interviews make a cracking Podcast. Often, interviews that have to be read from a computer screen or interview can make very boring reading, but when the user can actually hear the interview taking place, it often adds a new dimension and excitement to the process. Imagine having to read about Prime Minsters Question Time instead of watching it, you would lose the atmosphere; the banter and the general enjoy ability of a good interview or debate.

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How an Audio Podcast Can Help You Promote Your Business and Produce Results

Since the infancy stages of the internet explosion, large businesses and entrepreneurs alike have spent countless hours and blown many a budget in their efforts to drive more traffic to their websites. Search engine optimization and bidding on keywords for positioning, are strategies known to even the most novice of marketers. So...you've got them there...now what? Once again, we throw our time and effort into inundating them with information and way too many tabs, links, blogs, chats, surveys, forms or various and sundry point and click options. Although it is generally useful and necessary information, often times these tactics don't encourage or motivate people to STAY. As a matter of fact, some expert Web Designers are now saying, "Less focus on colors, movement and information overload and more focus on clear, concise content." Solution...Custom Audio Podcast.

An audio podcast is simply a recorded audio file in mp3 format. It is easily downloaded to your website and can be played on most any media player (i.e....Windows Media Player, QuickTime, Real Player, etc...). It allows you the ability to gain and keep the attention of someone viewing your website by giving you an opportunity to 'talk' to them about your products, services or any information that is critical for them to know, BEFORE they leave your website. According to independent surveys, the average person spends less than 35 seconds viewing a web page. Give them a point and click option that turns that 35 second experience into something more useful for them and potentially profitable for you by using Audio Podcast.

When asked, most people will say they prefer visuals. After all, it's not too difficult to catch someone's attention because we are always looking. But no matter how many beautiful and colorful pictures, shapes and backgrounds we have on our web pages, we are still relying on people to READ. Let's face it; we don't even take the time to read through our own mail sometimes. As soon as we deem it to be junk; it is history. So, ask yourself, how many people are really reading your e-newsletters, blogs, product information and service offerings?

Audio Podcast can easily summarize what's inside all of the tabs, screens and links, and your listeners are able to quickly realize what you are offering and/or how to navigate their way to the information they really came searching for. Sounds easy right? Now the million dollar question is...how do I make an Audio Podcast. A professional production studio, experienced in handling multi-media projects, is your best bet for high caliber recordings with broadcast quality. We must remember that people browse very quickly and will only tolerate a few seconds on anything that is done using poor quality. Also...no one wants to hear someone blandly reading information. A professional production studio uses superior, digital recording technology and studio equipment and provides a music library with a vast selection of background instrumentals to give the Audio Podcast energy and motion.

Make sure your website is working for you and not against you by investing in Audio Podcast, which, by the way, are a fraction of the cost you will pay for a 1/4 page advertisement in your local newspaper or magazine. Additionally, there is no time restriction for you to have your customized Podcast available for listening. You control where on your website you choose to display it, how long to keep it available and you can have as many or as few Podcast as you want, available simultaneously. As with any decision involving spending your hard earned cash; do your research on the company you select and ask for a sample to test their quality and speed of delivery.

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Tips to Making a Professional Podcast

One of the things you always want to do when creating content is to make it look professional. Or, in the case of a podcast, make it sound professional. After all, a professional podcast is the measuring stick your audience is going to use when they grade you. And they will.

But how do you make your podcasts sound professional?

In this article I'm going to share seven tips to making a professional podcast. Now let's get something clear from the beginning. Hiring a sound studio is not in the budget. In fact, none of these tips require much money. Sounding professional can now be done with the barest of budgets.

1. Always start with a plan!

Podcasts are usually a simple form of learning content. Like any learning content they don't just appear. At least not if they're good. Always plan your podcast for what content and format you'll use. Organization needs to be built. It doesn't just appear. In other words, write an outline before you script the show!

2. Don't make it up as you go!

It may sound like professionals make it up as they go. But that's what makes them professionals. Practice! Specifically practice at making it sound like the script being read is really an off the cuff speech. Even if you only work from an outline, always have a script. And then practice it.

3. Get a head start!

How many times have you heard people on a voice chat where you hear their kids playing in the next room? Usually better than you hear them! That's the result of using the wrong microphone. Don't use a desktop microphone. Desktop microphone bad! Headset microphone cheap. Headset microphone good. Yes, there is a technical explanation. But bottom line use a headset -- even a five dollar one is better than a twenty dollar desktop!

4. Take it on the chin!

Want that deep rumbly voice that all good radio broadcasters have? The voice of doom... even if you aren't planning a career on a ranch! Move the microphone to just below your jaw line. Say half an inch below your closed jaw or at the bottom of a stretched open jaw. Well out of the way of your mouth and the pops and sputters.

5. A different view of the bar stool!

How many bar stools have you seen the underside of? Too many? Okay this one's easy. When you record you should always stand up. If it's going to be a long recording session, use a bar stool. Just perch on the edge of it. That'll take the weight off your feet. But you'll still get the lung expansion that standing gives you.

6. Smile -- the audience will wonder what you're up to!

Sorry, this one is a little obvious. Smile when you are recording. It sounds silly but your audience can hear if you like them. So smile! You do like having an audience don't you? Tell them with your smile.

7. Spit shine and boot black.

What makes a professional sound like a professional? A good editor. Don't worry about mistakes. Just record enough material to give the editor something to work with. Record all your practice sessions. Then edit your podcast. Clean up the mistakes. Add music. Add audio packaging. You'll be surprised how good a little editing will make you sound.

School and College Radio   Internet Marketing - Using Podcasts   Six Benefits of Podcasting   The Benefits of Starting a Podcast