Podcast Marketing
Podcast marketing is taking off like wildfire with many businesses releasing audio content regularly to build trust, establish relationships, and increase brand awareness. But podcasting is nothing new. It has its origins in the early 1960s, when radio programs like Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, ABC Radio, and others were aired throughout the U.S. These radio programs were predominantly musical in nature but also included news, sport, movies, and much more. In fact, the first “podcast” was a 60’s style radio show that was on the air for six hours a day, every day.
Podcasts today are still mostly focused on audio content, but they are beginning to take advantage of social media to create a presence as well. Many businesses host audio content on their website, blog, or podcast page. But the best way to drive traffic to audio content and get your message out to millions of people is by releasing it as a podcast. Podcast marketing allows you to reach people who may not be aware of your business unless you specifically target them through podcasts.
Podcast Marketing works best when you choose a medium that provides consistent audio content. The medium should provide a high quality sound recording, that easily converts to mp3s or other formats easily found online and in your computer. If you are going to podcast, make sure your audio content is unique and does not appear repeated on another site or in a different podcast. Podcast hosting sites commonly allow you to provide a link back to your own website so that interested parties can visit your site to listen to the episodes.
To find potential podcast audiences, you need to create interesting shows that your audience will enjoy listening to. The most successful podcasts feature interviews with experts in your industry who offer valuable advice. Podcasting can benefit your business because it gives you the ability to reach a large audience for a relatively low cost. It is especially effective to promote upcoming events or new products.
There are many ways to promote your podcast on the internet. You can post links to your episodes on your blog, forum postings, Facebook fan pages, MySpace pages, and YouTube. Some internet marketers have even used Google’s AdSense program to monetize their shows and generate extra income from listeners. By recording each episode, you can turn it into a webinar or special presentation that can be offered to a list of subscribers at a monthly fee.
The key to Podcast Marketing is to produce quality podcasts that you can submit to podcast directories. If your episodes are not syndicated, you will not have a large audience. If you are submitting to free directories, you should consider having a link to your website, or landing page within the episodes. This will allow interested new listeners to find out more about your company, brand, or personal interests. You can also create PDF reports and exclusive blog posts about your shows that you can send to clients or prospects.