Using Podcasting To Get Your Message Out

Podcasting is one of the newer forms of marketing that allows you to make a personal

connection with your customers and potential customers by broadcasting audio onto their portable media player. (The word podcast actually comes from contracting two words, the ubiquitous iPod and broadcast though podcasting is not specific to iPods; they can be listened to through any portable player or in fact, on any computer.)

Podcasting is something like radio in that you are broadcasting audio but it is much more directed. Radio broadcasts go out over the airwaves with no directionality; people choose whether to download a podcast from the Internet or automatically download to a mobile audio player through RSS (real simple syndication). Podcasting gives you a personal presence, essentially capturing the ear of your audience.

Sales Promotion

A podcast is a perfect way to let your customers know that you have a sale going on. If you establish a time limited sale, the podcast essentially provides the call to action to move people to your site to buy during the sale period.

New Product Promotion

New product promotions are perfect for a podcast. You can describe the new product, its benefits, tie in any up-selling of related products and send out a call to action.

New product release

One of the most beneficial ways you can use podcasting is to promote the release of a new product you have. You can create an audio file and promote the new product. This form of marketing gives you the opportunity to go into great detail about the product and how it will benefit those you are marketing to.

Instructional

The podcast is a perfect way to provide instructions to your customer about how to use your product or service. Most customers would be very happy to have a podcast tucked away on the mobile player that they can just listen to when they are out road testing their new rollerblades or take the time to concentrate on when they are in commuter traffic.

News and authoritative content

Show your customers that you are an authority in your selling arena. If you are in fashion, do a podcast on coming fashion trends. If you are in medical products, record information about how to get insurance reimbursement or coming changes in regulations about availability or new drugs that may help your customers conditions.

Directories

Podcasts can certainly be offered via RSS or on your site to your email, newsletter or customer list. But, if you want to use podcasting more broadly, consider listing your podcast in a directory.

For a list of directories, go to podcast411. This site recommends that you Never pay to have your podcast listed in a directory it is not worth it and you will not get any Return on your Investment. You will also find instructions for creating a podcast here.

by: Jane Dawson

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