Doesn’t matter whether you’re a business pixie or a devoted football fan – podcasting can do things for you nothing else can. Unless you have millions in the bank and have a posse of creators and advertising hounds working round the clock to sate your ravenous appetite for reach and promotion. Missing those? Read on…
Podcasting is as simple as unleashing your passion. Whenever I talk to clients about podcasting and they hit a wall, I’m like this: Do you love your business? If not, I suggest they switch services and move on.
There’s nothing more infectious, influenza aside, than sharing your passion with another. And when you’ve got millions of people to talk to, that incredible feeling is magnified by big numbers.
Here’s how to get podcasting (mercilessly stolen from the Ultimate Podcasting Challenge, coming soon to those savvy enough to sign up by Friday September 10, 2010).
- Buy a microphone and/or a digital video camera. A Snowball or Rode Podcaster would do the mic job just fine; a Kodak Zi8 for video. If you’re short on cash, use a hi-spec webcam such as the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema.
- Get some free recording software – either PodProducer for off-the-cuff recording with easy sound effect and music features or, if you plan on doing some editing, Audacity.
- Figure your favourite subject to roll with. Write an outline of your first show. Record it.
- Get yourself a WordPress site – self-hosted preferably. Go with Hostgator.
- Add the PowerPress plugin to your site. Configure.
- Set up a feed using Feedburner. Whack the two together.
- Tell iTunes you exist. Send ‘em the Feedburner feed…
And you’re done!
Why podcast? Eight exceptional reasons…
- Build authority. There’s no better way to show you’re an expert than by sharing your views with a microphone – and the world. Offer your perspective, promote your brand. Be remarkable, be yourself. And start receiving the rewards you deserve.
- Demonstrate your remarkable product remotely. On demand, and always on time.
- Become a trusted advisor. If you’re a lawyer, giving people practical tips could save them hundreds of pounds – and get you some business for the price and valuable word of mouth marketing.
- Bring your website Q and As to life using featured articles, video tutorials and guides.
- Train your staff. Imagine an audio or video training pack ready to get your new employees ready for business in a fraction of the time and cost it takes to train them in the usual way. Make sure the training is delivered effectively and consistently, time after time.
- Reach new audiences, build your personal brand. Whether you’re on iTunes or YouTube, Viddler or Vimeo, having a broadcasting strategy means you can be where more people are.
- Create stronger networks. Listeners and viewers naturally gravitate towards you. It’s about knowing the person in front of the camera or microphone. Your pitch, your product, your passion.
- Make money. Host your podcasts at media distribution services such as libsyn.com and enjoy the benefits of networked advertising.
And most importantly of all: Have fun!
